News

Montgomery focused on the job at hand

August 12 2008

99 games, 25 tries, 150 conversions, 148 penalties and six drop goals later, Percy Montgomery will reach his 100th cap for South Africa since making his Springbok debut against the British and Irish Lions a little over eleven years ago.

Montgomery, who becomes the ninth player in world rugby to pass the illustrious milestone, replaces Conrad Jantjes in the number fifteen jersey for the Tri-Nations clash against New Zealand.

He will be the first Springbok to reach the milestone and will run out in front of his home crowd at Newlands, but he doesn't want to let the sentimentality of the moment take away any of the importance on the job at hand.

"I'm trying not to talk about it too much," Montgomery said at South Africa's team announcement on Tuesday.

"I haven't even got there and played the game yet.

"The guys have been chirping me at practice about it, but we all know we have to focus on the Tri-Nations.

"The next three weeks and that all starts this Saturday and winning here (at Newlands).

"But of course playing my 100th Test is obviously a great achievement for me.

"And to be running out at Newlands, my home ground, and against a side like New Zealand will be extra special."

The selections of Montgomery and scrum-half Fourie du Preez means that five of the seven back-line players who were part of the World Cup final will start, and the same back three that broke a ten-year losing streak on New Zealand soil earlier in the tournament will reunite.

Montgomery, 34, brings a calmness to the players around him at the back. Somehow the Boks seem less frenetic, more organised and they also play a better territorial game.

If Montgomery brings more control on Saturday, then it will be a significant advantage over the All Blacks, as South Africa are a hard team to beat when they are in that space.

We wanted to know what his secret was after joining the famous 100 club that includes Philippe Sella, David Campese, George Gregan, Stephen Larkham, Jason Leonard, Fabian Pelous, Alessandro Troncon and Gareth Thomas.

"It's always been a dream to play for the Boks, and to play as a professional. Because I have managed to look after myself, I've been able to keep on going well into my thirties," said Montgomery.

"Just look at George Gregan, he's gone back to Japan to play for another two years. And that's a good example of a guy that has looked after himself after years of international rugby. I like to think I've done the same."

Montgomery has been playing international rugby for over a decade, while he also spent two sabbaticals overseas in Wales and France.

It was with the Dragons, that Montgomery got a call from former Bok coach Jake White to come back to South Africa and play rugby. It was a move that helped revive Montgomery's Springbok career, but he acknowledged the experience in Newport may have prolonged his longevity as a player.

"It may have rejuvenated me; after four or five years of international rugby, fatigue could've been setting in," he said.

"The key to returning in 2004 under Jake White was that I had a good pre-season, and my fitness came through from there."

After winning the Rugby World Cup with South Africa in 2007, the veteran full-back said it was not a difficult decision to return to Springbok rugby after his time with Perpignan earlier this season.

"It was easy to come back when Peter (de Villiers) approached me," he said.

"I love playing for my country and I know I've got a lot to offer younger players like Frans Steyn, Ruan Pienaar and Conrad Jantjes.

"Those guys are playing some fantastic rugby, so maybe it's time for me to stop standing in their way and call it a day," winked Montgomery.

After playing under several coaches for South Africa in his 99 appearances, Montgomery lauded the man-management of De Villiers.

"His honesty stands out for me, you always know where you stand with him," he said.

"I'm also enjoying playing some expansive rugby. I'm still learning, as you always do under a new coach."

So will Saturday be Monty's swansong for Springbok rugby?

"To be honest, I'm just taking it game by game," said Montgomery.

By Dave Morris in Cape Town