Deon Fourie backed to be Boks' new Schalk Brits, even though he's not really a hooker anymore

Any discerning Springbok supporter would've known for months already that there's one in the bag, but Tuesday the cat was officially let out: Deon Fourie is indeed being earmarked to be the national side's Schalk Brits figure at next year's World Cup.

Yet while Brits' selection in 2019 was warmly received, the 35-year-old's inclusion as the replacement hooker for Saturday's Rugby Championship clash with the Wallabies in Sydney has elicited a few reservations.

The No 2 jersey has been a contentious issue over the past few weeks after Malcolm Marx, following a Man-of-the-Match performance in Nelspruit against the All Blacks, was switched back to his Bomb Squad role in order for Joseph Dweba to start.

The latter's struggles at the set-pieces consequently drew criticism over why Marx was "relegated" in the first place.

While apparent wrong has now been righted, the unfortunate Dweba has now been yanked out of the match-23 entirely in favour of a man who hasn't played hooker in ages.

Indeed, Fourie's re-treading as a skilful and at times devastating opensider was borne out of an inability to throw in consistently at the lineouts. 

Yet that hasn't deterred Bok team management.

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"Deon is a player that we are maybe looking ahead to see if he can make the World Cup in France next year," said Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber.

"We think he can play a similar role as a utility forward like Schalk Brits did at the previous World Cup. He's someone who can play at hooker for us and can help out as a loose forward."

The Bok mentor also pointed out that Fourie, magnificent as poacher in the Stormers' URC-winning loose trio, has been training as a