Local derby duels to savour

MALCOLM MARX V SCHALK BRITS

IT’S A no-brainer that this is the battle everyone has been waiting for. It’s one of the new stars of world rugby, Marx, up against arguably the best hooker this country has produced who didn’t crack it at Test level. Brits opted rather to play in England for Saracens where he became a superstar and one of the all-time legends of the club.

Today they clash at Ellis Park: the 24-year-old Marx, who was this week named the new leader of the Lions in place of the injured Warren Whiteley, elevating his status even further, up against the veteran and wily 37-year-old, who is holding out hope of playing for the Springboks at this year’s World Cup.

What a duel awaits between these two. Both have hit their line-out jumpers with regularity this season; the Lions 94 percent of the time, the Bulls 100 percent, but both teams are missing their go-to jumpers as both Marvin Orie and Lood de Jager are out through injury. How will this change the hookers’ plans at line-out time?

In the loose, they’re both busy and aggressive, with Marx a key man stealing ball at the breakdown, and Brits preferring the linking role.

Marx will be a class apart and he’ll trump Brits in most areas.

Who I think will win the duel:

ELTON JANTJIES V HANDRE POLLARD

AT ONLY 28 it’s almost wrong to call Jantjies a veteran, but he’s been playing Super Rugby for 10 years and today is just four points shy of reaching 1 000 points in the competition – to join Dan Carter (1 708), Morné Steyn (1 449), Beauden Barrett (1120) and Stirling Mortlock (1036) as the only players to have reached the milestone.

He is the experienced flyhalf in today’s duel, up against Pollard who is only 24 and was once considered to be the “wunderkind” of SA rugby.

While Pollard is perhaps the front runner for the No10 Bok jersey later this year, Jantjies is breathing down his neck and some would even go as far as to say they should both be in the national side, at 10 (Jantjies) and 12 (Pollard).

They won’t say it publicly, but they’ll both be keen to win today’s head-to-head.

Pollard is more a traditional flyhalf, with a good kicking game and solid distribution, while attacking the gain line at times, too; Jantjies is more the passer, be it by hand or the recently acquired skill of the kick-pass. Pollard is the stronger defender, Jantjies the better goal-kicker.

Jantjies loves his home ground and he will thrive with quality front-foot ball.

Who

I think will win the duel:

ANDRE ESTERHUIZEN V DAMIAN DE ALLENDE

BOTH the Sharks’ No 12 and the Stormers’ inside centre are built in the same mould. They are big, ball-carrying, tackle-busting backs who like the physical stuff and thrive on taking the ball across the gain-line.

Coincidentally, this is also the preferred mould for a Springbok No12 and that is why it wouldn’t be far from the realms of imagination to picture this early clash between De Allende and Esterhuizen as a potential proving ground for the upcoming World Cup.

De Allende has had more chances to impress in the green and gold, but has also had periods of really weak performances.

Currently, the Stormers man is looking to get back to his best from, which was probably way back in 2015. He has the ability to do so, but thus far, be it only a few games in, his form has been middle-of-the-road. Esterhuizen has had limited chances at the Boks, and he too needs to shine a little more. He could also do with finding some early form, especially against direct competition.

Both centres are chock-full of potential, but both are low on form, so this one should be called a draw … unless one or the other takes the initiative.

Who I think will win the duel:

BEAST MTAWARIRA V FRANS MALHERBE.

MORE often seen lining up together rather than facing off against each other, the two Bok incumbent props will put on a meaty duel as they look to be the lynch-pins in their respective sides’ battle for supremacy in the forward pack.

Mtawarira and Malherbe are both veterans of the Super Rugby scene, as well as the international one, with the Sharks man probably more of the elder statesmen.

However, all their time together for the Springboks means these two know each other’s game very well; front rows work like a unit together, knowing and feeling each other’s moves in the scrum, so both these men will be hyper vigilant of any strengths and weaknesses.

Mtawarira is nearing the end of his career but has hardly slowed down. In fact, he has probably added more ball carrying in recent seasons than ever before, so he will add plenty of value to the Sharks in this department.

Malherbe is not at all bad will ball in hand either, and likes to cause plenty of problems at the rucks.

Who I think will win the duel:

probably have a team-mate.

little more

Mtawarira will bite than his Bok