Moodie grateful for opportunity as he returns to Springbok team

By Ayanda Nyuswa

Springbok winger Canan Moodie has expressed his excitement at making a return to the Springbok team for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, after being sidelined with a hand injury. Moodie has been selected on the wing in the Springbok starting 15 that will tackle the All Blacks in a Rugby Championship clash at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday. The skilful backline ace got the nod ahead of the injured to Kurt Lee Arendse who suffered a concussion in the Boks 31-27 win over New Zealand last weekend, and Makazole Mapimpi who’s wife is expecting to give birth to a child. Moodie has missed most of the international season for South Africa after undergoing surgery for a fractured finger back in June, which also led to him missing the business end of the United Rugby Championship with the Vodacom Bulls. 

The 21-year old last played for the Boks in the Pool stages of the Rugby World Cup in South Africa’s 49-18 drubbing of Tonga where he scored his 5th international try. Speaking to the media during the team announcement press conference on Thursday, Moodie spoke about the toughness of being away from the Springbok action and also expressed his excitement about making his return.

“It has been a tough couple of weeks and months with the injury I had, once you are not here (Springbok camp) you know how special it is to be here so you are very desperate to get back into it,” said Moodie.

“The mental toughness of it, wanting to be here and just pushing and doing all you can, playing Currie Cup and trying to be match fit and all that. I was doing everything I can to be back here and have the opportunity again so I am very grateful for the opportunity to show that I can do it again. Growing up in Cape Town, these are the games you are thinking about when you’re growing up. Running down the streets pretending you are playing the All Blacks, it is a special opportunity,” Moodie concluded. 

Picture: Rugby World