Belated nod to Lions in Springbok squad
FOUR of the eight uncapped players Springbok coach Allister Coetzee added to his squad yesterday are from the Lions.
That is a belated nod to the excellence the Lions have displayed in the last two seasons.
It could also be an acknowledgement of the mistake made last season when Lions players were not preferred‚ only for them to save Coetzee’s bacon in the Ireland series.
With the Lions again showing they are a cut above the rest‚ their weight of numbers is showing but what will they bring to the table?
Ruan Dreyer (Lions) Position: Tighthead prop
With the Lions having the most functional scrum in Super Rugby‚ it was going to make sense for Coetzee to pick one of their front-rowers.
With Julian Redelinghuys missing in action with what could be a career-ending neck injury‚ Dreyer has seamlessly filled the void.
France will ask questions of a green prop and the conservative Coetzee may not want to throw Dreyer in the deep end like he did with Malcolm Marx.
But with Frans Malherbe not in the best of form‚ Dreyer could be pressed into service sooner rather than later.
Ross Cronje (Lions) Position: Scrumhalf
Cronje moved from being an overrated schoolboy star with unlimited potential to an important cog in the Lions’ attacking unit.
His unblemished service and kicking from the base of the scrum have relieved Elton Jantjies.
He is no Aaron Smith or TJ Perenara but to learn how to walk‚ one needs to learn how to crawl first.
That is what Cronje has done and despite Jantjies not always fitting in well with Coetzee’s game plans‚ the importance of the combination is understood and this could be Coetzee’s saving grace.
Courtnall Skosan (Lions) Position: Left wing
Because of his relatively small size‚ Skosan has always been looked down on but what cannot be denied is his try-scoring ability.
France do have some big wingers and fullbacks who will ask questions of Skosan’s defensive commitment but that is something that can only be tested once Skosan is on the field.
His high-ball work has been exceptional despite his lack of height and he also looks for work off the ball.
Dillyn Leyds (Stormers) Position: wing/flyhalf/fullback
Leyds’s selection was a proper bolt out of the blue, but it has also signalled a shift in South Africa’s rugby thinking.
Small‚ electric and unpredictable players have not always featured highly among South African coaches, but Leyds has come on in leaps and bounds.
While he has been caught short defensively on more than one occasion‚ the attacking element Leyds brings far outweighs his defensive shortcomings.
Lukhanyo Am (Sharks) Position: Centre
The jury is still out on Am’s best midfield position, but what cannot be denied is that he deserves to be in the Bok reckoning.
He has sparkled for the Sharks at outside centre.
His distribution and defensive abilities do not make him the quintessential South African centre‚ especially with South African centres known for straightening the line more than anything else.
Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls) Position: Loosehead prop
The fact the Bulls have only three tight forwards in the 31-man Bok squad speaks volumes about their fall from grace.
Gqoboka has been a functional point in a sea of dysfunction at Sunnyside and he is a deserved squad member.
Andries Coetzee (Lions) Position: Fullback
Fullback has been a particularly difficult position for Coetzee to fill and Ruan Combrick’s comeback from injury means he has to start with the South Africa A side before he can move back to the Boks.
Raymond Rhule (Cheetahs) Position: Left wing
There have been questions about Rhule’s defence but he is an explosive player.
Bryan Habana’s longevity and Lwazi Mvovo’s adaptability closed the door on him but with those players on the wrong side of 30‚ his time has come.
He’ i one of the more experienced uncapped players but his defence will need sharpening.