Redelinghuys knows you can’t giggle when you face the Bajada

NELSPRUIT: Tighthead props are often the butt of jokes but yesterday in the relaxed and slightly humid Lowveld air, not even the man brave enough to take the job as Springbok coach was willing to crack a wise one at the expense of Julian Redelinghuys.

It was not that Allister Coetzee was fearful of the stocky but mobile Redelinghuys but the time for joking is over as the Lions man prepares for his toughest challenge yet as a budding tighthead prop.

With a straight face, Coetzee confirmed that Redelinghuys was his man for the No 3 jersey for the Springboks’ Rugby Championship opener against Argentina at Mbombela Stadium - and he wasn’t joking.

The elevation of Redelinghuys to the not-so-funny position of tighthead prop in the Springbok team has little to do with the injuries to Frans Malherbe and Trevor Nyakane but more to do with how Redelinghuys did not take his job in Super Rugby as a laughing matter.

Not only did Redelinghuys impress with the manner in which he shunted some of Super Rugby’s seasoned campaigners but he did so with all the strength and power that his diminutive 1,76metre and 100 kg frame could allow, while also adding his weight when required to get around the park.

“I’m really happy with his progress. As a tighthead his primary job is to make sure we get the shoulder up and we scrum well. But his work rate as a tighthead prop (and I think that is the difference between average players and good players), and his skill set to run onto the ball which means he has good timing and he can also get the pass away.

“I’m pleased with where he is but we always want to get better. In order to beat the best, we have to be at our best the whole time. This is a great opportunity for Julian to get a start and I am saying that even before I announce the team,” Coetzee said.

On Saturday we will know whether the 26-year-old Redelinghuys is indeed the real deal or whether he becomes the laughing stock of the prop world when he faces the famous Argentine Bajada scrum.

“That is one area they focus on heavily. They do love their scrums so obviously they will be a massive threat there. For us, we focus on ourselves and as a pack we will try do the best we can. You want to play against the best in order to measure yourself against the best and I think they are up there,” said Redelinghuys.”