Lions forward Willem Alberts is hoping to get one more chance to don a Springbok jersey before hanging up his boots.
The powerful loose forward is celebrating his 40th birthday and has confirmed he will retire at the end of the current United Rugby Championship.
But he is hoping to earn another chance at the green and gold if Springbok manager Rassie Erasmus selects him.
Another Springbok cap.
Alberts has scored seven tries in 43 Test matches since scoring a try off the bench against Wales in 2010.
However, he has not played for South Africa since against Italy in 2016 and hopes his final cap against Wales will bring his career full circle, much like his club career started and ended with the Lions. I'm here.
“Every time I played for the Springboks it was like a dream,” Alberts told a South African newspaper. rapport.
“Scoring three tries in the first three games (Wales, Scotland and England) was definitely outstanding.”
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Alberts was left out of selection when he joined French Top 14 club Stade Français after the 2015 World Cup. Although overseas-based players could have been selected to represent South Africa, preference was given to locally-based players.
“When I went overseas after the 2015 Rugby World Cup, it was difficult to get into the Fujian team while playing abroad. I was never selected as a priority,” he added.
However, Alberts added that any South African player still playing professionally would also want to wear the green and gold jersey again.
“If I was going to play rugby, I would want to play for the Springboks. If they chose, I would play tomorrow,” he concluded.
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Last chance and the oldest Springbok
South Africa will play Wales at Twickenham Stadium on June 22, but Erasmus will not be able to select any France- or England-based players for that match.
Coach Park is likely to be able to select Japan-based players for the first match of his second year in charge, but there is also a possibility that he will be without players from the two United Rugby Championship teams whose finals will be played on the same day. be.
This creates a unique opportunity for Alberts to earn his final run-out with the Boks and potentially earn his 44th Test cap at the age of 40.
If he does so, he will become the oldest player in Springbok history, surpassing Victor Matfield, who won his final cap at the age of 38 years and 172 days.
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Oldest Springbok player
Victor Matfield (38 years and 172 days)
Schalk Blitz (38 years and 145 days)
Duane Vermeulen (37 years and 117 days)
Johan Ackermann (37 years and 34 days)
Monet Stein (37 years and 34 days)
Deon Hooley (37 years and 33 days)
Young Morkel (36 years and 258 days)
Deon Lotter (35 years and 277 days)
Flick du Preez (35 years and 252 days)
Flip Zeal (35 years and 208 days)
