Boks await Goosen, but Libbok, Hendrikse can fix No 10 issue
THE sudden unavailability of Elton Jantjies has put the spotlight on the flyhalf situation in the Springbok squad for the next 12 months leading up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
We could see this coming, but Bok coach Jacques Nienaber and the management refused to address the elephant in the room – a lack of specialist back-up at No 10.
That is mainly because they have been waiting for Johan Goosen to get fit again. The mercurial pivot gets back onto the pitch for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship.
But is it wise to put all the Bok flyhalf eggs in the Goosen basket? Goosen seemed to have a ball of a time with the Bulls in last year’s Currie Cup, but then sustained a knee injury that has sidelined him for a year now.
It is hoped that he can prove his fitness and form in the URC before the end-of-year tour to Europe.
He probably needs to play a good run of games before he is ready for Test rugby again, but now he will be under pressure to deliver for the national team following Jantjies’ saga and Handre Pollard’s knee injury.
Damian Willemse has filled in at flyhalf and was excellent at No 10 in the 24-8 victory over the Wallabies in Sydney, and could be the long-term solution if he continues his upward curve as a chief playmaker – and improves his goal-kicking.
But the pivot cupboard is bare after that, as Independent Media understands that Jantjies is unlikely to be considered for the November tour either, while Nienaber said he is “80% sure” that Pollard – along with Lukhanyo Am – will miss out on the European adventure, which includes Tests against Ireland, France, Italy and England, and two midweek matches against Munster and Bristol.
“Like in the previous Test, Frans Steyn covers us on flyhalf, with Gaza (Willemse) starting. Sometimes injuries are a bad thing – if you think about us losing Handre, and what happened in the right-wing position,” Nienaber said about the immediate plans for tonight’s Rugby Championship clash against Argentina in Buenos Aires (9.10pm SA time kick-off).
“But the positive of that is that you get to test your depth and get some experience in your squad, and develop your squad depth. So, yes, Frans Steyn covers us at flyhalf this weekend.”
The flyhalf depth, though, has not been explored thoroughly, which could have prevented this crisis in the position.
Stormers No 10 Manie Libbok was superb in his team’s URC title triumph last season – ending as the top points-scorer with 171 – and he should have been part of the Bok camp this year to learn the ropes in case of an emergency.
The Bulls’ Chris Smith – second on the points list with 153 – could also have been exposed to the Test camp, while Lions youngster Jordan Hendrikse is highly rated.
But the Bok coaches opted not to go that route, and are in a tricky situation. Steyn, for all his experience and big boot, is not a plausible option to wear the No 10 jersey all the way to the World Cup – if Willemse were to be injured.
What will it hurt to call on Libbok and Hendrikse for the end-ofyear tour? They are young and will be around for the next two World Cups after 2023 at least …