Quiet spell is so perfect for Fourie

Hendre Fourie's phone has been much quieter this week as he prepares to face South Africa, the country of his birth, tomorrow.

The 31-year-old flanker qualified on residency grounds for England after joining Rotherham in 2005, having been told he would not get a contract with the Super 14 Cheetahs where current Springbok star Juan Smith was the open-side flanker.

Fourie, who will be on the replacements' bench having made his full debut against Samoa last week, said: "I was at university with brothers Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis, who are in their front row tomorrow. Bismarck rang to congratulate me after I made the England squad, although I haven't had anything this week as we build up to the game.

"It will be great to catch up with them after the match and I am hoping one of them will swap jerseys with me."

Having won a place on the tour to Australia in the summer, Fourie returned to the family farm in Burgersdorp in July and discovered his father-in-law, who lives nearby, had a new neighbour — the Springbok flanker Smith.

Fourie, who joined Leeds in 2007 and has won three caps, added: "My family are so proud of me playing international rugby and everyone has been really supportive. I had a chat with Juan last July and we had a bit of banter about me facing him and now here I am in the match squad."

Hendre Fourie currently wears Mizuno Wave Ignitus boots. Visit www.mizuno.co.uk to find out more about Mizuno's groundbreaking rugby footwear and equipment.