– Cape Town The sudden inaccessibility of Elton Jantjies has refocused attention on the Springboks’ flyhalf issue for the next 12 months building up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Bok coach Jacques Nienaber and the rest of the administration hesitated to address the elephant in the room – the absence of a specialist backup at No. 10.
This is primarily due to the fact that they have been waiting for Johan Goosen to return to action for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship. This is expected to occur within the next few weeks.
But is it prudent to place every Bok flyhalf egg in a Goosen basket? This is hardly a criticism of the 30-year-old former South African rugby boy wonder. After a turbulent moment in his career in France, the ex-Cheetahs player wants nothing more than to enjoy the game.
Goosen appeared to be having a blast with the Bulls in last year’s Currie Cup, but a major knee injury has kept him out of action for the past year.
It is hoped that he can demonstrate his fitness and form in the URC prior to the end-of-year tour to Europe, when he is expected to rejoin to the Pretoria squad in the coming weeks.
But is that fair to the man and the Boks as a team? As a result of the Jantjies saga and Handre Pollard’s knee injury, he will be under immense pressure to perform for the national side. He will likely need to play a number of games before he is ready to return to Test rugby.
Damian Willemse has filled in at flyhalf and performed admirably at No. 10 in the 24-8 triumph over the Wallabies in Sydney; he could be the long-term answer if he maintains his ascent as the primary playmaker and improves his goal-kicking.
Jantjies is also unlikely to be considered for the November tour, while Nienaber is “80% certain” that Pollard and Lukhanyo Am will miss the European tour, which includes matches against Ireland, France, Italy, and England, as well as two midweek games against Munster and Bristol.
“As in the previous match, Frans Steyn will cover us at flyhalf, while Gaza Willemse will start. Sometimes injuries are a bad thing, as was the case with Handre and the right wing position,” Nienaber stated regarding the immediate plans for tonight’s Rugby Championship match in Buenos Aires versus Argentina (9.10pm SA time kick-off).
“However, this affords you the opportunity to test your depth, gain experience, and build your squad’s depth. Therefore, Frans Steyn covers us this weekend at flyhalf.”
However, the flyhalf depth has not been adequately explored, which could have prevented the current issue at the position.
Stormers Number Ten Manie Libbok was outstanding in his team’s march to the URC championship last season, finishing with the most points (171), and he should have been in the Bok camp this year to learn the ropes and be prepared for an emergency.
Chris Smith of the Bulls, who was second on the points list with 153, is another potential who may have been introduced to the Test camp, while Jordan Hendrikse, a highly regarded Lions youngster, is another apparent option.
However, the Bok coaches decided against this course of action and are currently in a difficult predicament. If Willemse were to sustain an injury in the near future, Steyn, despite his expertise and large boot, would not be a viable candidate to wear the No. 10 shirt through the World Cup.
What harm would it do to ask Libbok and Hendrikse to join the end-of-year tour? They are young and will participate in at least the next two World Cups beyond 2023…
@ashfakmohamed