— Cape Town Damian Willemse is the first-choice flyhalf for the Springboks’ end-of-year tour, according to Jacques Nienaber. Who should start at fullback in November?
Willemse has convinced the Bok coach that he has the talents and mentality to be the attacking general in the November 5 opener against Ireland in Dublin, where he will replace either Handre Pollard or Elton Jantjies at the pivot position.
Since Rassie Erasmus assumed leadership of Bok rugby in 2018, Willemse has been deemed a fullback, and he has earned the majority of his 23 Test caps there, despite playing primarily at inside centre for the United Rugby Championship-winning Stormers.
Should Willie le Roux retake the No. 15 shirt against Ireland now that he will be playing flyhalf in November, having surpassed him at fullback this season?
Perhaps not necessarily. The 33-year-old has earned 79 Test caps, but he no longer possesses the same attacking flair that he did when he first appeared on the international scene.
Le Roux can still play a crucial role off the bench, as he can play numerous places in the backline, but there are a multitude of alternative choices who are significantly more effective with the ball in hand.
This list must begin with Kurt-Lee Arendse. The speedster for the Bulls has been exemplary for his team over the past several seasons, and after receiving a Bok berth this year, he has continued in this manner.
Although the former sevens standout has played wing for the national team, he has often demonstrated in the URC that he is an exceptional fullback capable of handling all conditions or situations.
Arendse was once again one of the few standouts for the Bulls in last weekend’s 31-17 loss to Munster in Limerick, when rain and high winds made it impossible to cover the backfield and provide overall defense.
However, what about Warrick Gelant? He was the best South African fullback in the URC last season, as his dynamic set of attacking skills propelled the Stormers to the next level and ultimately to the championship.
The 27-year-old has also begun his career in France with Racing 92, where he has appeared in two French Top 14 matches to date.
On November 12 at Marseille, against France, Gelant’s familiarity with local conditions could prove useful in the second Test of the trip. However, he wasn’t totally convincing as a winger for the Boks in the limited opportunities he had this season, which could weigh against him despite the fact that it should not.
Besides Frans Steyn, who is currently more of a backup, Dillyn Leyds is the only other significant possibility.
The 30-year-old Capetonian has succeeded for La Rochelle in France, where he is equally at home at fullback, wing, and even flyhalf on occasion.
Leyds is even more accustomed to the European scene than Gelant, as he was a member of La Rochelle’s Champions Cup-winning squad from the previous season.
He nearly made the 2019 World Cup roster and boasts all the playmaking skills that might make him a valuable asset for the Springboks.
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