Coenie humbled by his return to Bok squad

Springboks hard man Coenie Oosthuizen struggled to keep his emotions in check when he spoke of his absence from the squad last year.

In 2016 he was called up as a replacement in the squad that played Ireland, but never saw action due to injury and a lack of form. Although he was spared the heartbreak of his struggling teammates last year, he still ached to be in the thick of it.

"I was out of the Bok squad for a year. It was a very bad time in my life," he said.

"It is a real disappointment in your life when you are not selected. It makes you work so much harder," said the player who also missed chunks of the 2014 season with a serious neck injury.

The last Test in which he featured before he made his return in the first Test against France at Loftus was the World Cup clash against the US in London.

Oosthuizen has been struck by a culture that has shifted now that Warren Whiteley has been installed as captain.

"Each player knows what we stand for. Stepping into this environment again gives me a sense of pride and accomplishment.

"We are here to do South Africa and the Springbok badge proud. We all bought into that. We decided to work for each other and improve the team atmosphere. This team has the potential to go far."

He seemed mildly irked by the criticism provincial and Bok teammate Tendai Mtawarira copped before the Test series.

"I don't think everybody knows what goes into preparing for a Test match. It isn't Super Rugby. It's way harder. It's a dark, dark corner when you step into the front row. It 's a personal battle between you and the next guy."

Oosthuizen scored a blockbusting try in the second Test against France in Durban last week.

It was his fourth in 25 outings in the green and gold.

"It is fun to score tries. You just enjoy the game more."