There is enough in rugby terms to keep the star Highlanders prop extremely busy.
He can expect to play a full part in the Highlanders’ season — and the hefty Southlander is determined to make this his best year of Super Rugby yet — and he is certain, fitness permitting, to play a key role in the All Blacks’ old-school tour of South Africa.
But the biggest part of his year will actually come soon, and it will involve no scrums.
De Groot and wife Claudia are expecting their first baby.
"I’m probably not ready for it," he dead-panned yesterday.
"I don’t think anyone’s ready for it until it happens.
"But yeah, it’s exciting times. My wife is doing well. She’s looking good and ready to pop soon, and I can’t wait."
A decent holiday has de Groot feeling fit and firing for the new season.
He can be a man of few words at times, but he offered some interesting insight into how he wants to approach the Super Rugby season after a year in which he established himself as the best loosehead in New Zealand.
"I’m excited. I’ve had a good break, so I’m excited to rip back in and do it all again.
"I’m just hoping to play my best footy for the Highlanders.
"I feel like in the last couple of years, I’ve played my best footy in black, so I’d like to get that ball rolling and start playing some better footy for the Highlanders."
It was a challenge for any rugby player to be at his best from February to November, he acknowledged.
"And Super Rugby’s a lot different to test footy . . . the change of style, pace.
"I think the biggest difference is the physicality in test rugby. Tougher scrums, tougher everything.
"Back in Super, it’s quick and they’re allowing the game to flow a bit better.
"I can afford to lose a couple of kilos through Super but I need to put them back on to get ready to play the South Africans."
After a couple of bumpy patches, which included a red card and subsequent suspension at the 2023 World Cup and being stood down for breaching team protocol in 2004, de Groot was immense for the All Blacks last year.
He held off the challenge of Tamaiti Williams and locked down the No 1 jersey.
"I started every game I was available for, and I was happy to get back on the horse from the year before."
Those interested in de Groot’s thoughts on the change of All Blacks coach will have to wait.
Questions about Scott Robertson and his replacement were off limits yesterday.
