Elton is in front, but flyhalf cupboard is getting full

Just a few months ago, around the time when the 2016 Super Rugby competition kicked off, there was apparently a mini crisis at flyhalf, writes Jacquess van der Westhuyzen. Photo by: Etienne Rothbart

Just a few months ago, around the time when the 2016 Super Rugby competition kicked off, there was apparently a mini crisis at flyhalf, writes Jacquess van der Westhuyzen. Photo by: Etienne Rothbart

Published Apr 26, 2016

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Johannesburg - Isn’t it strange how quickly things change in sport. Just a few months ago, around the time when the 2016 Super Rugby competition kicked off, there was apparently a mini crisis at flyhalf.

Handre Pollard had picked up a season-ending injury and then Pat Lambie was also ruled out for several weeks. Rugby fans were worried about who’d don the Bok jersey later this year, with the only experienced No 10 still standing locally being Elton Jantjies.

Fast forward to today and new Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has a plethora of men to pick from. The flyhalf cupboard is all of a sudden not so bare and while many of the No 10s who’ve emerged this season have little experience at international level - let alone Super Rugby level - the future is very bright.

Jantjies has stepped up and taken charge for the Lions and is without question the man Coetzee must look to when Ireland visit these shores in June.

It is worth pointing out though that Jantjies experienced his worst run of form when he turned out for the Stormers, under Coetzee, in 2013 when he was loaned to the Cape side following the Lions’ relegation from Super Rugby.

Did his unhappy spell in the Cape have something to do with the style Coetzee wanted him to play, or was it due to the passing of his mentor and father or simply because he was out of his comfort zone?

That is all in the past though and Jantjies has not only grown and matured as a player since then, he’s become a match-winner and leader. But Coetzee, of course, has other options and they are plentiful.

Lambie should return to action when the Sharks get back from their New Zealand trip, but even if he isn’t ready to take on the Irish, there shouldn’t be a worry around the flyhalf position.Coetzee can always look abroad and opt for the experienced Morne Steyn or even Johan Goosen, but what is more probable is that the Bok boss will look local first and how some of the promising young stars have taken to Super Rugby.

The Stormers alone have given the Bok selectors the likes of Robert du Preez, Kurt Coleman and most recently the highly impressive Jean-Luc du Plessis and young Brandon Thomson. Garth April is a real talent in Sharks country and needs to be backed by the franchise, even when Lambie returns, while Neil Marais at the Cheetahs is also a very talented No 10 with plenty of skill and a good kicking game.

The man who’s impressed most though - besides Jantjies, of course - is Du Plessis.

He’s slotted into the big-time seamlessly, reads the game well, has a stunning pass and brings what coaches call the X-factor into his team.

He has certainly grabbed his opportunity with both hands and, if we’re honest, it’s going to be tough for his coaches to drop him when Du Preez and Coleman return from injury - even though they started the season ahead of him in the queue.

So deep is the talent pool in South African rugby at the moment that competition for places is as intense as it’s ever been.

It’s one of the reasons why so many players are performing so well; they know an injury or resting for a week might open the door for someone else. And the winner in all of this will be Coetzee and the Boks.

South African rugby has its problems and challenges but when it comes to talent there are few countries who can match what this country has. It’s now just a matter of putting it all together.

The Star

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