Steyn the joker in Springbok pack
COETZEE: VERSATILE BACK CAN HELP OUT AT FLYHALF
Eight uncapped players crack the nod in national squad to take on France in three Tests.
Springbok coach Allister Coetzee conceded they might be faced with a flyhalf crisis ahead of the French Test series next month. The Lions Elton Jantjies was named as the only flyhalf in the 31man squad yesterday, but Coetzee said the recall of veteran Frans Steyn will alleviate that problem.
“In rugby you sometimes have a crisis and we have one at flyhalf,” said Coetzee. “Both Stormers flyhalves – Jean-Luc du Plessis and Rob du Preez – are out and obviously also Handre Pollard and Pat Lambie.”
Steyn, who plays for French side Montpellier and was a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup winning squad, last featured in a Springbok Test in 2012.
“So that’s where a player like Frans Steyn will add value. He’s been there and done that and was monitored very closely in the French league,” said Coetzee.
“And he has played 10 and 12 for Montpelier. A guy like Curwin Bosch must go to the Under-20 tournament and have another good season, but he remains an option for the third Test.”
Coetzee also said he will consider Duane Vermeulen only as a blindside with the appointment of Lions No 8 Warren Whiteley as the new skipper.
“I had numerous chats with Duane and in terms of the leadership they complement each other very well.
“So it will be a great combination to have both in the side, and Duane plays like a blindside flanker,” said Coetzee.
Only four overseas players have been included in Steyn, Vermeulen, Francois Hougaard and Steven Kitshoff, while other experienced players like Jan Serfontein, Coenie Oosthuizen and Chiliboy Ralepelle have been recalled.
Of the eight uncapped players in the squad, six are backs and two play in the forwards – Lukhanyo Am, Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronje, Dillyn Leyds, Raymond Rhule, Courtnall Skosan, Ruan Dreyer and Lizo Gqoboka.
“I have said I will reward form and Ross Cronje has been a constant performer at No 9,” said Coetzee.
“And when you look at the fullbacks there were maybe SP Marais and Clayton Blommetjies, but if you look at consistent performances, and not just this year but over a long period of time, Andries Coetzee is the answer for me there.”
The 31-man squad will assemble on Monday, May 29 for a weeklong camp in Plettenberg Bay before moving camp to Pretoria where they will fine-tune final preparations for the first Test.
Meanwhile, experienced Springboks Trevor Nyakane, Ruan Combrinck, Juan de Jongh and Lionel Mapoe will lead the charge for the SA ‘A’ team when they face the French Barbarians in two matches in Durban and Soweto next month.