Bad luck for some is good for Bok Barry

New Springbok De Wet Barry has turned the misfortune of others to his advantage.

But taking opportunities however they come along is often an occupational hazard on the road to sporting success.

About 16 months ago Barry accepted that he would be confined to the Vodacom and Currie Cup competitions.

But an injury to Free State flyer Friedrich Lombard won him a place in the South African team for the under-21 World Cup in Argentina.

He excelled in that tournament, scoring a sensational try in the final against New Zealand to clinch victory for the Baby Boks under the leadership of another new Springbok, John Smit.

Initially Barry was on the bench in two of the pool games in Argentina but coach Eric Sauls had "a gut feeling" that Barry was the man for the vital match against Australia.

He played outside centre then - as he did in his first match for the Stormers against the Brumbies this year - alongside fellow Stormer Wayne Julies, and went on to excel in the semifinal against France and in the final against the Kiwis.

Barry said back then if he could get into a Currie Cup side in 2000 he would be happy - a Super 12 game would be "great".

"But a Springbok call-up is just unbelievable," the Tech-Gardens player said this week.

This year he was only second replacement for first-choice Stormers centre Brendan Venter on the Super 12 trip to Australasia.

Venter was ruled out because of a shoulder injury and his replacement, Werner Greeff, was suspended for three weeks because of a dangerous tackle in a Vodacom Cup match.

Barry got the nod and has not looked back.

This week Barry was still coming to terms with his inclusion in the Springbok squad for next month's Tests against Canada and England. At 21, he is the youngest member of the national squad.

"I believe in myself and my abilities and I don't want to downgrade myself, but I didn't think I'd get to this level so quickly," he admitted.

And if you thought his life would change dramatically, think again.

Don't bother looking for Barry in a flashy car emblazoned with his name. All you will find is a boytjie from the Koue Bokkeveld - the second Bok from the region after Breyton Paulse - driving around in his ordinary white wheels with Ceres number-plates.

"I don't think much will change," said Barry, who matriculated from Paarl Gymnasium. His father Dudley agreed. "He will be more in the public eye now, but he won't change. I believe he will stay down to earth and in spite of his young age he will be able to handle the public lifestyle," he said.