The sword has to be sharpened and ready for battle - Schoeman published at 18:19 8 May
Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer
Image source, SNSEdinburgh prop Pierre Schoeman poses with a Lions shirt at Murrayfield
Pierre Schoeman said that he was full of cheers and tears when he made Andy Farrell's Lions squad bound for Australia next month.
"I'm feeling extremely proud and grateful as well," said the Edinburgh and Scotland prop. "It's a massive privilege to be part of that group. You know, you work so bloody hard and you have dreams and aspirations and to now, get rewarded, it just makes you want to work even harder, to put more fuel on the fire.
"We watched the announcement at home, myself and my wife. We were in the house, chilling. A beautiful sunny day. I think the neighbours thought maybe I burned my steak on the coals because I shouted very loud (when his name was read out) and there were a few tears from the prop. It's magnificent.
"It's something that you should cherish because you have dark days and storms, but also moments like this, great moments. You should celebrate the victory moments like this.
And the tears he talked about?
"Yeah, especially as me and my wife hugged each other. I think she grabbed my cauliflower ear. So, maybe that's why I was crying. It is emotional."
Schoeman gave thanks for his faith, something that's always been an important part of who he is.
"You pray, you have faith in God that he'll bless you with a talent to be able to do these things," he said. "My wife and I left South Africa with two suitcases just to make our life here and I'm so happy."
Schoeman was hotly fancied to make the squad and he allowed himself to dream about it, explaining: "It was a clear vision. I had written it down as a goal that I will achieve, but humbly said as well. It's nerve-wracking."
Himself and Duhan van der Merwe phoned each other during the preamble, which felt endless. "The magnitude of the whole globe watching this and the massive responsibility that comes with it," he added.
"And that's why I say, leave no stone unturned, work every day to add that value. You have to be prepped and ready to go. The sword has to be sharpened and ready for battle every bloody day, every bloody week."
