On Friday, an prolonged squad will be named for the Boks’ Tests in opposition to Ireland in Dublin (5 November), France in Marseille (12 November), Italy in Genoa (19 November) and England in London (26 November) throughout the Outgoing Tour.
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It’s already been confirmed that Handre Pollard will miss the tour on account of harm, whereas extra worries have materialised by way of depth at flyhalf now that veteran Frans Steyn – who slotted in at 10 throughout the remaining Rugby Championship Test – has additionally been sidelined with a knee harm.
Specifically in relation to specialist flyhalf cowl, it could have been straightforward for the Springboks to contemplate recalling Elton Jantjies contemplating that he’s a participant with huge expertise of the workforce’s programs and recreation plan.
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However, in a wide-ranging press convention final week, director of rugby Rassie Erasmus made it clear that Jantjies will not be thought-about for choice on account of undeniable fact that he merely hasn’t performed sufficient rugby of late.
Of course many could level to his off-field indiscretions as a think about his omission, however the truth of the matter is that Jantjies has additionally continued to wrestle purely from a rugby perspective. The flyhalf endured a nightmare efficiency in the season-opener in opposition to Wales as he returned from harm, whereas he solely featured off the bench in the shedding trigger in opposition to Australia throughout the Rugby Championship.
Jantjies is now 32-years-old, and his place as the ‘back-up flyhalf’ to Pollard has successfully already been conceded to Damian Willemse, whereas Johan Goosen can be firmly again in choice rivalry.
Indeed, as the Springboks assess their choices at flyhalf at a time when the likes of Willemse and even Willie le Roux have been offering succesful back-up to Pollard, it shouldn’t be forgotten that the Boks need to see what Goosen can supply the workforce on the Test stage.
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The Boks do have choices past Pollard and Jantjies
Goosen has had a profession of exceptional highs and lows (together with a untimely retirement earlier than making a U-turn on that call), and there’s a superb cause he has been introduced again by the Boks.
The versatile Bulls star performed the final of his 13 Tests all the manner again in 2016, however he’s clearly a participant nonetheless in the image when the Boks mapped out their planning in direction of the 2023 World Cup.
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In some ways, Goosen is a hybrid of what Pollard and Jantjies supply, with the 29-year-old possessing silky abilities and distribution, whereas additionally boasting sufficient physicality and power to fairly fortunately take the ball flat and problem defences together with his acquire line operating. He is strong on defence and has a large kicking recreation.
So, when one considers that the newest scandal might spell the finish of Jantjies’ Test profession for the foreseeable future, the Bok coaches know that they’ve extra choices at flyhalf than many would possibly see at face worth, and that’s without even speaking about younger Jordan Hendrikse, Sacha Mngomezulu, Gianni Lombard or Manie Libbok.
Willemse has already proved his greater than able to stepping as much as supply dependable back-up, however there will be a large accountability on his shoulders throughout this end-of-year tour, notably contemplating a concussion not too long ago disadvantaged Goosen of much-needed game-time.
The excellent news for the Boks, although, is that they will have a few specialist flyhalves forming a part of the SA A squad, and if there have been to be an harm to Willemse for instance, it might be straightforward to call-up a substitute reminiscent of Libbok.
One manner or one other, the Springboks have needed to discover their depth at flyhalf this yr, and that will finally find yourself proving to be a blessing in disguise.
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