Cape Town - It’s now not just Gert Smal the Springboks have to worry about at lineout time against Ireland on Saturday, but Richardt Strauss as well.
Former Springbok assistant coach and now Ireland forwards boss Smal, it is believed, has always had one over the Boks when it comes to Ireland reading the South Africans at lineout time, and now they also have to worry about Strauss doing it.
The former Cheetahs hooker is set to make his Ireland debut in the middle of the front row at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, against his cousin Adriaan, and Bok coach Heyneke Meyer is fully aware his team will have to work on their lineout calling, now that the Irish have two Afrikaans-speakers in the ranks.
“It’s great seeing Richardt play at a higher level, I’m really happy for him. And I’m sure he’ll understand some of our Afrikaans calls on Saturday, but that’s part of the modern game,” said Meyer.
The Bok coach added he was a little concerned about the number of South Africans being lured to Ireland, the latest being dynamic Bulls loose forward CJ Stander, who will play there from next season.
“I was just thinking the other day about the high number of quality South African players in Europe - you could make a fantastic starting team. CJ is a brilliant player, a brilliant openside and he could play for South Africa, but we can’t keep everyone.
“The reality is there are just so many good loose forwards already in the country. We’ve got to accept some guys will move elsewhere and represent other countries.”
Cape Argus