Human’s flank attack
CRUCIAL CLASH: BULLS AIM TO NEGATE PROVINCE’S SPEED ON THE FRINGES
Four returning Boks believe they have a point to prove.
The Blue Bulls have unashamedly chosen two flanks that play towards the ball for their crunch Currie Cup match against Western Province at Loftus Versfeld today, with coach Pote Human conceding that slowing down the defending champions would have a crucial part in inflicting a first defeat of the campaign on them.
Springbok Marco van Staden and the highly-rated Ruan Steenkamp will team up on the sides of the scrum, with captain Hanro Liebenberg providing the grunt from No 8.
“Western Province play very good rugby if they are able to find quick ball. Ruan has had an awesome Currie Cup so far and everyone knows what abilities Marco has. Plus we have Nic de Jager to provide impact off the bench. But Western Province are a good team and we have to prepare for everybody, not just the rucks.
“This is a big game for us, it might be a must-win. We’ve worked really hard for the last three weeks, we’ve had some contact, and I believe the guys are sharp,” Human said.
The Blue Bulls’ four returning Springboks – Trevor Nyakane, Marco van Staden, Ivan van Zyl and Embrose Papier – had reason to feel a bit alienated in the last few weeks with the scant game time they were given with the national team, and Human said they are especially keen to make their mark against Western Province.
“The Boks are very positive and really want to play. None of them have really played much recently, and they have really lifted the whole team. Rassie did not call me about the scrumhalf situation so I felt Ivan’s experience was needed to start in a young team and then Embrose can make a huge impact off the bench.
“Trevor is really motivated and wants to go on the end-of-year tour. His all-round ability is good for us, he’s a world-class loosehead but he’s also improving all the time at tighthead. I told all the players that if you’re not motivated playing against Western Province at Loftus, then you don’t belong here,” Human said.
Heinz Schenk
Rassie Erasmus plays the transformation game pretty well. In fact, he plays it far better than some of his predecessors did.
One of the things that stand out in this regard is how he’s been able to extract confidence from his players by downplaying expectations in public.
To be honest, in my experience this year, the only player Erasmus has really praised excessively to date has been Makazole Mapimpi.
At least on two occasions, the Bok coach raved over the huge improvements the exciting winger has made.
It clearly rubbed off on the 27-year-old because in his injury-ravaged campaign, the times he’s been on the field Mapimpi has truly been excellent.
No wonder then Erasmus has been excited.
However, that’s very much the exception.
I’m in no position really to comment on the challenges faced by black players in this country.
But I do think that they enjoy not being subject to hyperbole in this politically correct age of ours when they’re selected for the Green-and-Gold.
And, crucially, Erasmus treats them as such.
Aphiwe Dyanyti’s progress has been notable in 2018 but there have also been games where he’s had to learn hard lessons.
Erasmus has maintained perspective and given credit where credit is due, while also noting how much the gifted young Lions winger has to learn.
Yet the most salient example has been his captain Siya Kolisi.
There’s no doubt the flanker needed time to settle in his role.
Kolisi was one of the Boks’ outstanding performers last year, but captaincy initially seemed to weigh him down.
Erasmus showed unwavering faith in him and it’s paid off as his designated leader has only got better as the season’s progressed.
All Kolisi needed was time to balance the demands of keeping up his own form and being an effective skipper.
The fact that Erasmus still hasn’t appointed him permanently seems to suggest that he was actually trying to protect Kolisi.
After all, if axing him as captain would’ve helped him regain form (which thankfully didn’t happen), a temporary appointment was justified.
It will be interesting to see how scrumhalf Embrose Papier is managed from now on.
Is he really just a development case or is he really ready now for a larger role on the international stage?