Just who to back in the Bok backline?

SPRINGBOK coach Allister Coetzee willhave had sleepless nights tossing and turning over who the faces of his backline to face up against France will be.

The biggest talking point in South African rugby and a source of frustration for Coetzee is at flyhalf where his preferred man, Handreé Pollard, can’t stay fit enough to play Test rugby and the next best player in Coetzee’s eyes, Pat Lambie, suffers with the same thing.

Coetzee will now have to throw in his lot with Elton Jantjies, not only because he is the obvious choice but the Lions pivot has done more than enough to receive the support of the coach.

Southern Kings flyhalf Lionel Cronjé will be the romantic choice as Jantjies’ deputy until Lambie is given the green light to play after he sustained another head injury during the Sharks’ recent loss to the Kings.

Nothing about Cronjé would have screamed Springbok two years ago when he was at the Sharks but it seems like the year away from the game and with no expectation at the Kings, the former Brumbies and Bulls pivot has come into his own and even shown some serious leadership skills.

Another reality that Coetzee is having to face up to is the lack of in-form scrumhalves among our Super Rugby franchises.

None of the number nines stood out this year and Coetzee will be forced to cast his net abroad with Francois Hougaard being the logical choice.

Fortunately for Coetzee, Hougaard has the pedigree and has played at Test level THERE was something weird about the Chiefs-crusaders clash on Friday.

There was something a bit too jovial about the atmosphere, as if it wasn’t a regular Waikato crowd.

And then, the commentators popped up at half-time, and were wearing traditional garb over the suits we are familiar with. There was the minister of everything in Fiji, welcoming Super Rugby, and expressing relief that the rain had stayed away from their Friday night celebration.

Then the crowd made sense. Their screams at every bit of skill, their cheer when teams kicked for corners instead of poles, and their sheer delight for just about all 80 minutes was a clear vindication for whoever decided to take a Super Rugby match to the island.

Somewhere in that crowd, long enough to bring about the necessary experience at halfback.

There would have been little to choose from in the midfield with the likes of Rohan Janse Van Rensburg and Damian de Allende injured but there have been some encouraging performances from Sharks centre Lukhanyo Am and the Stormers’ EW Viljoen.

Coetzee will be comforted in the knowledge that Jan Serfontein and Lionel Mapoe are fit and looking good.

At wing Coetzee is spoilt for choice with many quality finishers showing good form including the surprise package of the season in Kings wing Makazole Mapimpi.

The major concern with all of the wings that are lethal with ball in hand is their inability to hold their own in defence. If there is anything that Super Rugby would have taught us, is that size does matter at times and tackling is no longer a given.

Then there is the eternal question of who will wear the number 15 jersey?

The issue is not that there aren’t any fullbacks, it is whether they are good enough to play Test rugby. Andries Coetzee has been solid for the Lions but can he make the step up to international rugby while SP Marais’ flash in the pan performances have not been convincing.

The compromise candidate and probably only choice at fullback will be Jesse Kriel unless Coetzee opens himself up to Lambie being a consideration in a position he featured in prominently in his formative years as a Springbok. you will probably find that there is a seven-year-old who had figured that rugby could only be a career the seven-man way, but he or she may now have figured that it is quite fun to share the field with 29 others – especially if they are as skilled as the ones on display on Friday night.

Again and again, New Zealanders keep showing us up when it comes to the small touches that leave a big impression. They are doing Francois Hougaard Pros: He’s big, strong, fast and intelligent. There is no South African like him at the moment and he has proven his worth at the highest level.

Cons: He just needs to work on his kicking game otherwise he is the closest we are going to get to a Fourie du Preez. Mind you, Hougaard is a genius in his own way. Ross Cronjé Pros: Steady, calm and brave, he has gone about his job quietly and almost flawlessly. He has been a superb link between the Lions pack and backs and has shown the mongrel necessary to mix it up ubuntu a whole lot better than we are. While South African rugby prepares to turn its back on two of the most fertile rugby regions in the country, New Zealand and its franchises are spreading their gospel to new pastures.

Fiji is not a drive away from Waikato, unlike the distance from Ellis Park to Soweto. It’s not even in the same country, but that hasn’t stopped the roadshow hopping onto a plane and getting with the big boys. Cons: He just doesn’t have the gravitas of a modern day international scrumhalf. His peers at Test level have that something special about them which he is yet to show. Elton Jantjies Pros: The man with the Midas touch. Jantjies is the best running flyhalf in the land and probably the most intelligent. He has an impeccable left boot and he has matured into a world class player.

Cons: He feeds off the confidence of his teammates and BOK BACKLINE CANDIDATES: Left, Lions flyhalf Elton Jantjies, above, Worcester Warriors scrumhalf Francois Hougaard and inset, Bulls utility back Jesse Kriel. mainly his coach. Coetzee needs to back him if he is to replicate his Super Rugby form for the Boks. And he needs to work on his long range kicking. Lionel Cronjé Pros: He is in the form of his life with his kicking and running game. His leadership qualities have come to the fore and like many international No 10s, he thrives on pressure and being the star of the show.

Cons: He is a confidence player and needs unequivocal backing from the coach for him to perform at his best. Jan Serfontein Pros: He is one touch away from fulfilling his potential. rugby informs us that they are trying to take the game to all corners, to be more inclusive, the more they are being shown up for being a farce. The current Cinderella story of the South African game, the Kings, are well aware that midnight is about to strike on the revolution they have started in Port Elizabeth.

All that mounting pride and passion, that cauldron of atmosphere, that giddy sense of elation passers-by get when they realise Lionel Cronjé speaks fluent isixhosa – and is truly one of their own – all these little touches will disappear when the proverbial clock strikes 12.

For whatever reason, our rugby keeps preaching about being in touch with “the people”. And yet, their actions keep affirming their insincerity. There is a lot to learn, on and off the field. He is one of a few players that is devastating when the game opens up but is not shy to bust his way through when the need arises.

He is the perfect fit at number 12 especially with a pack going forward.

Cons: He is just too inconsistent and tends to drift in and out of games. His inability to kick places too much pressure on his flyhalf and limits him. Francois Venter Pros: You won’t find a more harder worker than this man. He oozes class with ball in hand and is suited to any type of game.

Cons: As prominent as Venter is at Super Rugby level, will he be able to do the same at international level? He needs more opportunity at international level. Lionel Mapoe Pros: At his best there is probably no better number 13 in the country. He runs perfect lines, carving through the tightest of defences while his speed and ability to put his teammates away is a rare but valuable trait.

Cons: There’s almost nothing wrong with the way Mapoe plays and even though he is not in the red hot form that made him a Bok, he remains a threat. Lukhanyo Am Pros: He comes with something new all the time and his ability to mix up his game from the physical to the flamboyant, makes him unpredictable and a breath of fresh air.

Cons: Same old, same old, a lack of experience. While Am is in his second year of Super Rugby, one wonders how much of a factor he would be for the Boks if he had another two more seasons of Super Rugby under his belt.

Courtnall Skosan Pros: A

deadly finisher with plenty of pace that has proved to be valuable especially against the bigger men from New Zealand and Australia who take a while to build a head of steam.

Cons: For those obsessed with size than the likes of Skosan might be found wanting at international rugby but he deserves a chance. Dillyn Leyds Pros: A natural with a rare set of skills sets and a deadly finisher. He is more than your regular wing, he is a complete rugby player.

Cons: Although he has featured for the Stormers in Super Rugby for the past few seasons, there is a distinct difference between this and international rugby and that is where he will quickly have to learn. Sergeal Petersen Pros: One of the most deceptive and unpredictable runners of the ball and true to his position he has plenty of gas to burn.

Cons: At 82kg it would be unfair to expect him to be the best defender in your team but at international rugby there is no place to hide and his defensive frailties could prove costly. Raymond Rhule Pros: An effortless runner with ball in hand with his ability to find space a rarity among the very best.

Cons: Just like Pietersen, Rhule lacks the physical presence to stay on the bus and is easily brushed aside in the tackle. Andries Coetzee Pros: He can almost do nothing wrong at the moment and has grown into a solid No 15 with every game that the Lions have done well in.

Cons: His lack of experience on the international stage is concerning. Jesse Kriel Pros: Been there, done that and is a devastating ball runner if given space and time.

Cons: He’s struggled to replicate the form that made him a sensation two years ago partially because he has been playing in a losing Bulls team. Possible Bok backline: 9 Francois Hougaard, 10 Elton Jantjies, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 12 Jan Serfontein, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 14 Sergeal Petersen, 15 Jesse Kriel.