Is this the end for Jantjies?
THIS week, before gathering on Sunday in Johannesburg for their clash against the Wallabies on October 1 at Loftus Versfeld, Allister Coetzee has sent out an SOS for his struggling Bok squad.
He has rushed back one of his most tried and tested available flyhalves, Pat Lambie, from a horrific injury that kept him out of the game for more than three months, and brought in Willie le Roux, which may well be another move to strengthen his flyhalf stocks.
After the humbling received at the hands of the All Blacks, the coach admitted that perhaps some of those in his squad were not Test match ready. Many felt that this jibe was directed at Lions star Elton Jantjies, who has failed to step up at the highest level.
Coetzee’s introduction of these two backline players immediately sends a message that Jantjies has direct competition with Lambie – should he be deemed ready to face the Wallabies – but it also opens up a potential move for Johan Goosen.
Le Roux has been the Springboks’ incumbent fullback for the past few years. However, out of a Bok contract, he headed to Japan at the start of their season to link up with his club there.
Coetzee claimed to be resting the former Sharks man, along with JP Pietersen, but now seems desperate to bring back pride in the remaining home Tests.
Le Roux could easily slip back into the No 15 jumper, in place of Goosen who, while he has not been atrocious for the Boks, has not set the game alight at fullback.
Goosen was first a flyhalf option when he burst on to the scene in 2012, at the age of 20, for South Africa, and he too could offer another flyhalf option for Coetzee.
With Morné Steyn, Goosen and Lambie, Coetzee has three flyhalves – or even two should Lambie not be declared ready – who can cover the team in Jantjies’ absence.
One must remember that the Springbok coach had similar problems getting the best out of Jantjies when he was on loan at the Stormers for Super Rugby.
However, blame should not solely rest on Jantjies’ shoulders. Put heavily under pressure by a less than dominant pack, as well as an erratic pass from Lions teammate Faf de Klerk, there are few flyhalves that would have thrived in the conditions he faced in against the All Blacks.
Coetzee also welcomes back Julian Redelinghuys, as well as Lood de Jager, back from injury, both players much more aligned to adding grunt rather than flair.
Redelinghuys is a rock in the scrums and a devoted ruck-hitter; along with the bulk that De Jager can add, you’d have to feel that the Boks could edge the Wallabies forwards this time around.
There can be no underestimating the help a dominant forward pack can give a flyhalf.
So perhaps, in the interest of absolute fairness, Coetzee should be giving Jantjies one more shot with every possible edge: a stronger forward pack to lead his charge – and perhaps even a more certain scrumhalf.