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| Jean Deysel © Gallo Images |
Sharks flank Jean Deysel has been trying to go on holiday since the end of the Currie Cup, but every time he’s about to leave, the Springboks come calling.
Deysel will make his test debut if he comes off the bench against Italy in Udine on Saturday after missing selection to the original 37-man touring squad, a situation that has caused another delay to his long-awaited vacation.
He was set to leave and then received an emergency SOS to join the Boks after Pierre Spies withdrew through injury and then was expecting to be cut after the two midweek matches against Leicester and Saracens but was asked to stay.
“I’ve been making holiday plans to go fishing in Mozambique since the end of the Currie Cup but I just have to keep moving them,” Deysel said.
“After being retained in the squad I’m moving my plans on again, but I’m moving them on with a smile. I would give them up for the Boks every time.”
Deysel was one of only four non Tri-Nations Boks to make the cut when the squad was trimmed from 37 to 26 players on Wednesday.
He gave a strong performance against Saracens at Wembley on Tuesday, despite South Africa’s 24-23 defeat, which coupled with an injury to Schalk Burger, has paved his way into the test arena.
“I had a few injuries during the year which gave me breaks during the season and for that reason I’m in really good condition right now,” Deysel said.
“A lot of guys have played huge amounts of rugby, but I haven’t so I’m raring to go.
“I hate losing and I was devastated by Tuesday’s loss but it’s also a source of motivation for me. We played very well in the first half and the second half the wheels came off a little bit.
“There is always a lot to learn out of a loss and we’ll take those lessons into the game against Italy and hopefully get the result we want.”
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