There’s no getting away from it Josh Strauss might, had the stars aligned and a different road taken, been a Springbok.
He grew up like most boys of his age in South Africa, worshipping the real religion of his community, rugby and specifically Springbok rugby. He played for the Lions, one of South Africa’s premier rugby heartlands, he even attended a Springbok training camp.
As it was, the Lions were relegated from Super Rugby and he had no contract to play professionally other than that offered by Glasgow and perhaps, as may well be said to him on the St James’ Park pitch this weekend in the harsh vernacular of his homeland, he was never going to get the treasured green jersey.
It doesn’t matter now. Strauss will play for Scotland against South Africa tomorrow as will WP Nel and he has absolutely no regrets.
“Anyone who plays rugby dreams of playing at the highest level,” he said of playing for South Africa. “All I was trying was to achieve the highest level I could but it didn’t happen there, but it’s all worked out well.”
Strauss said that his training camp in 2012 the South Africans yesterday cheekily tweeted a picture of him from it sat next to South African head coach Heyneke Meyer was all about planning.
“It wasn’t the final squad, it was final preparation for that summer’s tests,” he said. “I got to know a lot of the players there as well as the coaching staff who are still the current coaching staff.
“It was a good experience, but not being part of the final squad didn’t influence my decision to come to Scotland.
“I was with the Lions at the time and I was kicked out of Super Rugby which pretty much meant the end of my contract. It was either move somewhere else in South Africa or head overseas.”
Heading to Glasgow is what he did, and he believes it was the best thing he ever did.
“Everything in life happens for a reason, I’m a firm believer in that. I’ve loved my time in Scotland and everyone has been great. I’ve been really proud of the things I’ve achieved and I wouldn’t wish it any other way.
“It’ll be like any other game. When I had to sign the national anthem before my first Test it was in front of the whole squad and there were huge nerves doing it for the first time.
“But when I stood there it was a very proud and emotional moment.”
His family have come over to supporting Scotland as well, he added.
“They just support me, to be honest, but obviously your family plays a big role in your support system and my family have been great, all through school and everything.
“They’ve been there every step of the way, so they will be there in full force and in blue.”
As for the South African claim on Wednesday that they’d had to change their lineout scheme because Strauss and Nel knew their codes and could speak Afrikaanse, he laughed it off.
“I don’t know their calls. We got a training manual at that camp three years ago but I think I had to give it back certainly if I kept it I’ve no idea where it is and don’t remember much that was in it,” he said.
“Speaking Afrikaanse will only be helpful if they’re wanting to make a quick change and say something, they can do that when they’re playing team who don’t know the language, but I’m sure they’ll have codes and formulas.
“I’ve know some of their guys, Schalk Burger is a great guy and I’ve obviously played against a lot of them in the past. They’re big physical guys and they’ll come right at us that way.”