Springbok outhalf crisis
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Springbok outhalf crisis
Never was there a shortage of talented player stock - Morné Steyn, Jannie de Beer, Naas Botha - not to mention the amount of experience, for the two-time World Cup winning Springboks, in the playmaker position.
Incoming Bok head coach Allister Coetzee has his work cut out when he faces 2014 and 2015 Six Nations champions, Ireland on home soil during the June international Test window. Coetzee took over from Heyneke Meyer, who was in charge for four years, ahead of the 2016 international season, has been on a month-long roadshow through the country and familiarising himself with the coaching mentality of the Super Rugby and Currie Cup coaches.
The 53-year-old former Stormers head coach will, however, have his work cut out when all eyes will turn towards DHL Newlands on June 11 as the Springboks host the men from the Emerald Isle. Despite it being his home ground for more than eight season, Coetzee returns to Newlands with a different team on a different stage.
Pre-season injuries to Bulls fly-half Handrè Pollard and Sharks playmaker Pat Lambie ruled them out for most of the Super Rugby campaign.
Pollard is set to be sidelined until the end of the year, which made Lambie the first choice for the Green and Gold number 10 jersey. However the latter got injured in one of the Durban side's pre-season matches in France, with a return to the fold only set to be during the June international Tests.
The injuries to these two pivots meant that Elton Jantjies would finally get the opportunity to make his mark and cement his place in the Springboks squad. Jantjies was impressive throughout the opening few rounds of the Lions Super Rugby campaign. He came out on top of a few top class head-to-head clashes, against the likes of All Black Aaron Cruden and Lima Sopoaga.
The number ten has been instrumental for the Johannesburg outfit and was set to make the Bok fly-half spot his own until he dislocated his finger in their victory over the Jaguares last week at Ellis Park. Jantjies has been ruled out for up to four weeks, which makes him unavailable to be named amongst Coetzee's troops.
Not only is Lambie's return a remarkable one, but the 25-year-old has been put in stellar performances since his return off the bench three weeks ago against the Hurricanes. He has been solid on defence and the 9 penalties and 7 conversions in just three games is testament that he certainly hasn't lost his form off the tee. He scored a whopping 23 points against a struggling Kings side suggesting he has full intentions of continuing to improve in the fly-half position.
The question, however, beckons not so much who is Coetzee's first choice - which given his recent return will in all likelihood be the 50-test capped Lambie - but who will be the backup playmaker? Sharks incumbent Garth April, Bulls' Francois Brummer or will the Lions Currie Cup number 10, Marnitz Boshoff, get a surprise inclusion when Coetzee names his squad on Saturday.
