By his own admission, Willie le Roux descended from a pink cloud of achievement in 2014 to sobering form in Super Rugby this year, but Heyneke Meyer has stuck by the mercurial fullback and the Springbok coach has been rewarded by a revival in the 25-year-old’s form in the Rugby Championship.
It is one of the reasons why Meyer has picked Le Roux for the Test against the Pumas at Kings Park on Saturday, his fourth consecutive game for the Boks this season (including the World XV game), instead of giving second-choice fullback Patrick Lambie a run in the position.
”I would agree with the coach that my form is coming right,” Le Roux said yesterday before adding with a grin: “I am still in the side. That has to be a good sign that he as faith in me! I am just grateful to have more game time to get better. The more you play when you are feeling good, the more momentum you can establish. That is what it is about. Playing as much as possible.”
Le Roux’s retention at fullback had not been predicted for this Test. Many felt that Jesse Kriel would be given a shot at fullback and that Pat lambie would play flyhalf, but the coach has probably changed tack on selection because the game is now a “must win” after two defeats. - The Star