Is Bok rookie the new Frans Steyn?
WILLEMSE: COACH SEES YOUNGSTER AS UTILITY OPTION
Talented young Stormers flyhalf Damian Willemse is being earmarked to fulfill the same role for the Springboks as the one that used to be performed by Montpellier star Frans Steyn.
One of the three uncapped players named in the squad for the Rugby Championship, Erasmus said the 20-year-old Willemse could rather be seen as an option at fullback than at flyhalf.
“I see him as a guy for the future who can cover 10, 12 and 15 – a wonderful asset to have,” said Bok coach Rassie Erasmus.
“And maybe Damian can do what Frans did when he was just 19, to step up to the plate and do the job for you.
“I think he is one of the guys who is physically ready now, we saw that when he played for the Stormers,” he said.
Erasmus said they allowed Willemse to go back and play in the Junior World Cup even though he was with them during the earlier alignment camps.
“It’s not that Willie (le Roux) is not seen as the first choice, but you can only take 31 guys to the World Cup, there’s still Frans Steyn and Pat Lambie out there who you know can do the job for you,” he said.
“But things change quickly in world rugby like we saw Lambie is out until February, while with Frans Steyn it’s been a struggle to get him in time to our camps.
“And now it’s pre-season for them again so you have to make alternative plans.”
The other two newcomers, flankers Cyle Brink and Marco van Staden, are both abrasive players who fit into the picture Erasmus has for the national side.
“Cyle has been on the radar way back, but then he had the nerve on his shoulder and didn’t play regularly, while Marco probably would have started the England Tests as a first choice.
“But then he injured his knee, but he is a specialist opensider like a Francois Louw, while Cyle had a bit of run and showed in the Super Rugby final he can make the step up.
“He is an in-between player who can play like a Duane Vermeulen, he can steal on the ground, he can be used in the lineouts and can carry, so he is not an out-and-out opensider but he can play both roles,” said Erasmus.