By Stephen Nell
Western Province contributed 18 players to the Springbok trials, but on Sunday night would have lamented the one that got away.
Western Province released Brent Russell at the end of last year as they considered him a scrumhalf and the position was already spoken for. On Sunday, he came on as a second-half flyhalf substitute and delivered an explosive performance that suggested he could be as much a force in the 15-man game as he has been in sevens.
Corne Krige also did his chances of taking over the Bok captaincy no harm by leading "Team Blue" to a 22-12 halftime lead.
That was the score when the Stormers skipper was pulled off, having already paid his dues by leading from the front in the Super 12. Without him, "Team Blue" became a rudderless ship that ultimately went down 57-48 to Bob Skinstad's "Team White".
There have nevertheless been strong hints in recent weeks that Straeuli intends keeping Skinstad as captain and the incumbent produced some deft touches in a full 90-minute spell on Sunday.
If there is a certainty for the Bok side, however, Krige is it and his leadership claims were only enhanced at Loftus.
Russell, meanwhile, was a revelation. The Mpumalanga Pumas flyhalf slipped past Adrian Jacobs in the 63rd minute and found Clyde Rathbone for a try that edged "Team White" into a 38-34 lead. Two minutes later, he again featured prominently as Conrad Jantjes dotted down after a Skinstad off-load.
The flyhalf sensation also tore away for a try 10 minutes later after Wayne Julies had secured a turnover and ensured Team White's win deep in injury time as he ran on to Hendrik Gerber's flick at pace.
It was significant that the game had opened up by the time Russell came on and his team were gaining the upper hand against a unit sans Krige.
Nevertheless, Russell's gamebreaking abilities would not have slipped by unnoticed and Bok coach Rudolf Straeuli should consider him for the 22-man squad he is naming on Tuesday for the first Test against Wales on June 8. At this stage, it might not be prudent to start Russell in a Test, but he is well worth a shot as an impact player.
Goalkicking is an area of Russell's game that requires attention.
But with enough hard work and specialist coaching, which Straeuli has vowed to introduce, weaknesses can be turned into strengths.
Andre Pretorius is the man expected to start at flyhalf for South Africa and delivered an assured performance. It was marked by a delightful try where he slipped the tackles of Werner Greeff and AJ Venter, usually punishing defenders.
Interestingly, Pretorius was moved to fullback to accommodate Russell. He was there for perhaps too short a time to judge, but he did not look out of place and playing him there would leave Straeuli with other options. One of them would be starting the physical Werner Greeff at flyhalf.
Greeff, unfortunately, could go down as one of the losers on the day. Normally solid as a rock, he slipped a couple of tackles and turned in an indifferent kicking display.
In fairness to Greeff, he had the extra pressure of goalkicking to deal with and the majority of his efforts were from acute angles.
Conrad Jantjes, playing at fullback, was one of the day's winners. His lack of attacking incursions had been lamented at the Cats, but with De Wet Barry and Marius Joubert combining sweetly in midfield, Jantjes came into his own and out-performed Ricardo Loubscher.
Barry and Joubert were impressive, but so were their opposite centres, Adrian Jacobs and Andre Snyman.
Jacobs produced a stunning off-load for Breyton Paulse to score, while Snyman's presence was immense. He is approaching the kind of form that made him a feared international prior to sustaining a serious injury in 1999.
On balance, however, Barry and Joubert are a settled combination and should get the nod. That, of course, would depend on the seriousness of the ankle injury Barry suffered.
Breyton Paulse, who played on the left wing, had not scored a try in five matches in this year's Super 12, but advanced his cause with a brace at the trial.
Unfortunately, the trial did little to resolve Straeuli's front row selection poser. James Dalton and Delarey du Preez are the best of a mediocre bunch at hooker, but it's anybody's guess who Straeuli will select as his props.
At loose forward, Skinstad recovered well in the second half after a quiet first period when his tight forwards struggled. Shaun Sowerby proved useful at establishing momentum for "Team Blue", but lacks Skinstad's creative genius.
Joe van Niekerk was in exceptional form and may well edge Warren Britz for a spot on the test bench, while Venter underlined his class on the flank and should start.
The day's talking point, however, was Russell. Dare Straeuli take a chance?