It was seven minutes into Sale Sharks’ 38-0 hammering of Bristol when, as Rob du Preez lined up a conversion, a graphic showed he’d made history. 64 consecutive starts in one of the most brutal, physically challenging sports, four clear of his former Sale captain Jono Ross. 64 – now 70 – games of unwavering fitness, quality, and, in 46 of them, winning.
Not even announced during the game he broke the record against Bath weeks earlier, the astounding achievement slipped under the radar, much like du Preez does as one of the Premiership’s finest, and one of few players ever to play both fly half and outside centre at an elite level.
“I wasn’t aware of it”, says du Preez. “I knew Jono had the most, and I had an idea that I’d played a lot in a row. Jono messaged me to congratulate me, so it’s nice taking the mantle from an old teammate and friend.”
Naturally, du Preez’s consistent fitness is to be marvelled, as is his consistent quality that ensures he’s Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson’s “first name on the team sheet”. Pertinently, it’s no coincidence that the run started with du Preez playing centre, having previously played all but 12 of his professional games at fly half in a career that began in 2014.
Change in position
Du Preez’s move to 13 was the initial brainchild of Steve Diamond, with the South African lining up there four times the season before Alex Sanderson’s arrival. The first time that Sanderson, however, named him at 13 was the very start of the record-breaking run, against Wasps on January 1st, 2022, which required an element of patience given its unfamiliarity.
“It came after a conversation with Eddie Jones three years ago”, recalls Sanderson. “Eddie did some work with him when Rob helped out in the 2019 World Cup, and because of his foot speed, skills, communication, and the way the game was going with second receivers attacking the line with the run, kick, pass triple threat, it was a good idea.
“With George Ford’s arrival, it was about getting the best players on the field, and we had to play him through a series of games at 13 where we lost a couple just to get the cohesion. So we had a bit of a teething period at first, but through that we’ve got an understanding.”
Sale won that first game with du Preez at 13, but would go on to lose six of the next 18. In that bedding in period, it was especially important for du Preez to play well given who he was replacing.
“I’m grateful for the coaches sticking it through”, says du Preez. “But the spot’s not mine, I have to earn it every week and I hate losing. I kind of moved my best mate, Sam James, out of the position, and that was a big driver for me – I didn’t want to take his spot and not be as good as he was.
Consistently quality
Having established himself as Premiership-quality at 13, du Preez’s form has remained consistent despite splitting his time across both positions owing to Ford’s injuries and international absences. The now 31-year-old helped Sale to a Premiership final at 10 in 2023, and a semi-final at 13 in 2024.
“It’s not about keeping faith in Rob”, insists his kicking coach Warren Spragg, “he’s always been exceptional. The big thing has been developing his combination with Fordy, because he’s got the physical attributes to play wherever he wants”.
“Having played mostly at 10, I know what I demand from my centres”, says du Preez. “So now I know what Fordy would like in terms of communication; together we do a lot of analysis. I like to think I can deliver”.
Owing to his varied skillset and natural physicality, the attacking aspect of the game was never too much in doubt. The big differences come defensively, with 13 renowned as the toughest place to defend on a rugby pitch. It’s where you get a gauge of how much work du Preez has put in to string so many starts together.
“I do weekly defensive work with [Sale defence coach] Byron McGuigan, because I loved the way he defended when he played. He’s very passionate about the game and brings a different level of detail, he’s always open and honest with me.
“Myself, Fordy, Tom Curtis, and the nines are probably the last off the field doing extras after training. It’s kicking mostly, but it can also be a defensive or attacking thing where I grab a coach and do some ‘sharpeners’”.
“No secret sauce“
Over rugby’s 30-year history, there are occasional stories of players who go above and beyond to keep their bodies right – Bevan Rodd’s daily hyperbaric chamber habit springs to mind. You’d be wrong, however, to assume du Preez is one of those given his remarkable run of fitness.
“There’s no secret sauce. I think I break all the moulds of sport science in terms of my gym-work and diet”, says du Preez, as he tucks into a salmon and lettuce bagel. “I do what needs to be done, if there’s something that feels tight, I’ll do extras, but sometimes less is more.”
That’s not to say du Preez doesn’t put the hours in, he knows his body well and has been putting in the same hours as he was in his mid-twenties at a level of consistency which translates to the pitch.
“He never trains poorly”, says Sanderson. “He’s an ultimate pro in his application to training, and I’m sure that it continues with his rest and recovery”
“The best ability is availability”, says Spragg, “and Rob’s out there every session, leading from the front. He’ll fly around with 100% energy, barking orders at people.
“Imagine growing up with Dan and JL as your two little brothers! There’s a mental and physical robustness that’s just within him. If you’re a du Preez, then you’re a different animal”.