DH. It’s the worst situation that we could be in, I have been at the club for a while now and the difficulty is not just for the players, but the coaches the technical staff, the supporters, in fact everybody is suffering at the moment, but we must keep on working hard, keep on trying to do what we can, controlling everything that is our responsibility either on the training park or more importantly on the pitch on match days.

 

SW. The President Mohed Altrad has given his support to the team what do you need to do to show him that you can turn this around.

 

DH. Sometimes you know its just small stuff that can change things, sometimes just a bit of good luck can help, nothing seems to going for us at the moment we really need to come together as a team and play for each other instead of individually, just keep on working hard and doing the simple things well and if you work hard the results should come, and I also think that if we can find a point of motivation for the whole squad we will start to move forward. Something has to change this can not go on any longer.

 

SW.  We have the visit of Toulon on Friday and they will probably be looking for revenge for their non qualification from last season.

 

DH. This will be one tough game especially this season as we have not had good results especially at home, and they will be thinking that they could collect points from us, but the game last season is history we try and focus on the moment, not last season, next season or in 5 years time our only concern is Friday evening, we have to concentrate for 80 mins. and do our jobs to the best of our ability, focusing on victory is the only thought in our heads this week.

 

SW. There have been many changes at the club this season do you think this has any bearing on the teams results up to now?

 

DH. No I don’t think so as a player sometimes you don’t even know what’s going on upstairs and the politics and administration of the club really has nothing to do with us. We just concentrate on the playing field and if we do our jobs well then everything should hopefully fall into place that is our only priority that’s why we are here.

 

SW. Ok Drikus on a lighter note, do you thing South Africa can win the World Cup for a record 3rd time. 

 

DH.  DEFINETLY!!!!! It will be difficult and if we do win there can be no critics as we will have to pass by Australia and the All Blacks if we are to raise the Web Ellis trophy for a record 3rd time, we have no easy road and therefore if we do succeed we will merit our victory but the Boks always come good at the big occasions and there is nothing bigger than the World Cup.

 

SW. So if they do win a celebration?

 

DH. Without doubt a massive celebration and probably one of my excellent Braai’s at the house, maybe even a couple of cold beers, but let’s sort out Friday first and foremost!!!

 

SW. Cheers Drikus and the very best for Friday…..

 

Interview by Steve Whittell.