Strauss has to take the No 2 jersey

WHeinz Schenk

ith Malcolm Marx likely to miss the Springboks’ Test series against England, it’s now an absolute priority that coach Rassie Erasmus convinces Adriaan Strauss to come out of international retirement.

Not only is the wily Bulls hooker the best candidate to replace the Lions talisman, he also deserves a proper swansong in the green and gold.

Strauss has never really received the plaudits he deserves.

For the best part of five years, the 32-year-old had to play deputy to the dynamic but volatile Bismarck du Plessis at national level.

It was just one of those things – a classy player having to compete with an even classier team-mate.

So when Allister Coetzee moved into the Springbok hotseat in what would prove to be an ill-fated stint, there was a distinct feeling that Strauss would finally rise to prominence.

Instead, his appointment as Bok skipper represented a low point in his career.

Strauss not only struggled for form but carried longstanding mental scars from a messy two years in his personal life.

Never, however, did he shy away.

As the Boks plumbed embarrassing depths, Strauss continued to front up and take ownership of his team’s problems.

It was typical of the man, always taking one for the team.

Strauss retired from international rugby at the end of 2016 and decided to concentrate on his Bulls commitments. Still, he couldn’t find his mojo. At the conclusion of 2017’s Super Rugby campaign, Strauss decided to take a break and took up an office job.

Concurrently, John Mitchell was appointed as Bulls director of rugby and instigated a gradual revolution that is steadily rebuilding the union’s brand. And Strauss was always going to be a key figure.

Mitchell initially used him as an impact player at the start of Super Rugby and lauded him for his willingness to play a mentoring role rather than being the firstchoice hooker.

Yet once he worked himself back into the starting line-up, Strauss has been superb.

His zest for the game is a joy to behold while he continues to maintain his high standards.

Strauss is not too old. To be honest, under Mitchell’s stringent new stats-based approach, he’s arguably in the best shape of his life.

Strauss will be a fine choice for the No 2 jersey in the series against England.