Kriel’s best number might be 15
THE Springboks arrived in London on Saturday to begin a “new era” after the troubles of the Rugby Championship, but amid all the excitement, coach Allister Coetzee will have some tough selection calls to make.
And while openside flank is arguably the trickiest of them all following the injury-enforced absence of Francois Louw and Jaco Kriel, fullback has presented endless headaches for Coetzee and his management team – so much so that Pat Lambie was thrust into the critical last line of defence with just 20 minutes of Currie Cup rugby behind his name after three months on the sidelines.
Lambie admitted on a TV show last week that coming back so soon against the All Blacks at Kings Park was hard, and that he was “more comfortable” when he moved back to his preferred flyhalf spot in the last 15 minutes when Willie le Roux replaced Morné Steyn.
So we can take it that the Lambie fullback experiment is over as Steyn was left out of the November tour squad. The Sharks pivot is sure to start at No 10 in the opening game against the Barbarians at Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday (4.30pm), with the only other specialist being the Bulls’ Tian Schoeman, due to the overseas-based Elton Jantjies being unavailable.
Lambie probably has the inside lane at flyhalf for the England Test as well, with Jantjies and Johan Goosen as alternatives.
Goosen and Willie le Roux are the two fullbacks in the Test squad, but won’t feature against the Barbarians. They haven’t been convincing at No 15 either, with Le Roux being dropped after a poor series against Ireland. South Africa: Forwards: Lourens Adriaanse, Nizaam Carr, Uzair Cassiem, Jean-Luc du Preez, Thomas du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Lizo Gqoboka, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Oupa Mohoje, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Roelof Smit, Adriaan Strauss (captain).Backs: Ruan Combrinck, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Rohan Janse van Rensburg, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Pat Lambie, Rudy Paige, Sergeal Petersen, Tian Schoeman, Jamba Ulengo, Piet van Zyl, Francois Venter.
Barbarians: Andy Ellis (Crusaders/Kobelco & New Zealand), Sam Carter (Brumbies & Australia), Matt Faddes (Highlanders), Michael Fatialofa (Hurricanes), Reggie Goodes (Hurricanes), Richard Mo’unga (Crusaders), Luke Morahan (Force & Australia), Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs/ Panasonic & Australia), Melani Nanai (Blues), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster & South Africa), Andrew Ready (Reds), Paddy Ryan (Waratahs & Australia), Brad Shields (Hurricanes), Toby Smith (Rebels & Australia), Nic Stirzaker (Rebels), Seta Tamanivalu (Crusaders & New Zealand), Jordan Taufua (Crusaders), Dan Tuohy (Ulster & Ireland), Luke Whitelock (Highlanders & New Zealand), Clayton Blommetjies (Cheetahs), Armand van der Merwe (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Lions), Ruan Ackermann (Lions).
Goosen was brought in despite playing most of his rugby at outside centre for French club Racing 92, and his lack of exposure in the position was clear to see as he was sometimes caught out of position, wasn’t decisive under the high ball, and seldom launched counter-attacks from the back.
But another attractive choice at No 15 is Jesse Kriel, and Independent Media understands that Kriel is being considered at outside centre and fullback on this tour. Kriel’s best rugby has been at fullback for the Bulls, as he has shown countless times that he battles on defence in particular in midfield.
His quick feet and speed is better suited to fullback, and he possesses a decent boot as well. He is also reasonably tall at 1.86m and is a solid 95kg – a type of physical shape that Coetzee prefers at the back.
The other fullback for the Barbarians game is Western Province’s Cheslin Kolbe, but the fact that he wasn’t included in the Test squad indicates that he isn’t at the top of Coetzee’s Bok radar as yet.
Whether he starts at Wembley is likely to depend on what happens in midfield.
Damian de Allende started against the All Blacks, and with Coetzee stating that the Barbarians game is crucial to creating a platform for the Test series, he would look to start most of his Test incumbents on Saturday.
Juan de Jongh’s injury opens up a spot at No 13. With Lionel Mapoe in Japan and unavailable, the other specialist midfielders are Cheetahs captain Francois Venter and Lions No 12 Rohan Janse van Rensburg. Again, Venter is in the Test squad and has been playing mainly at outside centre in recent months, so giving him a start at Wembley will allow Coetzee to run the rule over his readiness for Test rugby.