Why it’s time to bring back Aplon and Steyn
THE SPRINGBOKS are in a crisis. There are a number of serious issues regarding not only the team’s performances as a whole, but also the performances of individuals.
And two positions that are especially problematic are inside centre and fullback. Although these aren’t the only spots that need fixing, there are two men who could be ideal solutions going forward. And those men are Francois Steyn and Gio Aplon.
Neither Aplon or Steyn were named in the Bok squad yesterday for the home leg of the Rugby Championship but both could do wonders for the team, in more ways than one.
Johan Goosen was handed the fullback duties after Willie le Roux had a disappointing run against Ireland. Now, Le Roux is back, but Goosen has yet to produce a worthy performance for the Boks either.
His tactical game hasn’t been great, and his general play has been satisfactory. Some of his clearance kicks have been poor and, on attack, he hasn’t contributed anything significant. He just hasn’t looked like a natural fullback.
Against Argentina in the Boks’ opening Rugby Championship Test, Goosen was one of the better Bok performers. But a week later in Salta, his handling was poor, his defence was shocking and his kicking was no better.
Against the All Blacks in Christchurch, Goosen went from bad to worse. And even when Jesse Kriel was moved to fullback, things still didn’t look better at the back.
At inside centre, Damian de Allende has failed to deliver. He still hasn’t returned to his 2015 form for the Boks, and he has very seldom created anything for the backline.
And then Juan de Jongh came in to replace De Allende. De Jongh had a forgettable outing against Australia, although he looked better against the All Blacks as he did well to lead the defensive line, but that was about it.
Yes, Steyn is with Montpellier in the Top 14 and Aplon is plying his trade with fellow French club Grenoble, but Allister Coetzee needs a solution quickly. And these two men can offer that.
Besides, they wouldn’t be the first overseas-based players to be flown in if they had to be given a shot.
Steyn has been huge for Montpellier, and his abilities can be a great addition to the Boks. His playmaking attributes and massive boot would definitely offer a lot tactically and, of course, with his ability to slot 60-metre penalties and drop goals – as he has so effortlessly done abroad – he can without a doubt help the Boks out. A lot.
He was immense for Racing 92, and he was even better for Montpellier this year. And he is the kind of player who, when on form, can pull off silky touches that not many can. And right now, his form is up there.
Meanwhile, even at the age of 33, Aplon is still an attacking gem. Coetzee, unfortunately, does not have a good track record of effectively managing Aplon. Fullback is the position where he has the space to jink, step and weave, as well as relieve pressure with his boot.
Yet Coetzee seldom played him there for the Stormers and Western Province, instead wasting him on the wing. And when he did start at fullback, Aplon often appeared stifled, and played to the instructions of the conservative Coetzee.
Yes, he did score some marvellous tries from the wing, but that number would surely have doubled or tripled if he was wearing the No 15 jersey.
As he has so beautifully shown with Grenoble, Aplon hasn’t lost any of that potency. Against Toulouse two months ago, he fielded a kick just outside his own 22 and glided through nine – yes NINE – defenders in trademark fashion to score. Now if that didn’t catch Coetzee’s eye, I don’t know what will.
That was also not an isolated incident, just one that swept the internet more than his other impressive plays.
Aplon has been instrumental for Grenoble, and he has grown in experience and skill.
But he isn’t only good at running from the last line of defence. He can also kick.
So there doesn’t seem to be any great shortcomings to him (except for size, which is a matter that I am not even going to justify with an opinion because, as Aplon has proved, is does not matter).
Frans Steyn and Gio Aplon are what the Springboks need. They might not be around in four years’ time but it’s not a long-term solution that the Boks need, they need one right now. And these two players can make a big difference.
Against Toulouse two months ago, Aplon fielded a kick just outside his own 22 and glided through nine - yes NINE - defenders in trademark fashion to score. Now if that didn’t catch Coetzee’s eye, I don’t know what will.