Can the Springboks afford to take Butch James to the Rugby World Cup in September? Has the Lions pivot’s indiscipline finally undone his World Cup ambitions?
The point must deeply trouble Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.
In a single match last weekend, James emphasised his credentials for a place in the national squad but also the liability factor he would invariably represent.
James played a key contributing role in helping the Lions to that astonishing 30-9 lead over the Sharks.
But when John Plumtree’s men lit the blue touch paper of their comeback, where was James?
At the most critical moments, idly kicking his heels in the sin bin because of another example of his indiscipline, his high tackle on Sharks flanker Keegan Daniel.
By the time James returned, the die was cast. Without him, the Lions lost their game management skills. Even with 20 minutes left and that 21-point lead still intact, you could tell they didn’t know what to do – hunt for another try, which would have killed off the Sharks once and for all, or try to shut up shop and hang on. It was a classic “stick or twist” dilemma, which they never looked like solving in James’s absence.
When James was yellow-carded, 14 against 15 meant that the Lions had no choice but to try to hang on. But it proved fatal. Just when the Lions needed James to boom some long kicks downfield into touch, to relieve the pressure and give his tiring forwards some breathing space and the opportunity to attack the Sharks lineout inside their own 22, he wasn’t there.
When he finally returned, it was too late to stop the Sharks charge.
At his best, James remains a highly valuable player. He is strong, kicks like a mule and positively relishes his defensive duties. He can take the ball up into the heavy traffic with power and authority; he can put his team into propitious situations on the field.
He is combative, highly competitive. But he is prone to losing his head. Those crazy rushes of blood that seem to have been a part of most of his career continue to haunt him.
So this indiscipline remains in his game. It was often in evidence during his time in the English Premiership with Bath and the bald fact is, you cannot afford indiscipline at a World Cup.
Under the searing pressures of a tight World Cup match at the vital knock-out phase, losing any player, even only for 10 minutes, could make all the difference between winning and losing.
When it comes down to the last four, there won’t be a whole lot between any of the countries left. No side can afford to play any part of a semi-final or final a man short.
James won’t start for the Boks, that much is obvious. Yet he could be a useful back-up to Morné Steyn, a utility player. What is more, he might have to step into the breach if Steyn got injured. But in a tight quarter or semifinal, James’s indiscipline could cost South Africa hugely.
Will De Villiers take Steyn, Patrick Lambie and James to the World Cup? I am quite sure he will take the first two.
If fit, Steyn will begin as first choice, a crucial ingredient in De Villiers’ World Cup plans.
Lambie is the obvious back-up because he has shown a growing maturity in the Sharks team this season.
But James as well? I think De Villiers will take him, but it could be a huge risk.