Cape Town - After being out of action for most of the year due to injury, Springbok flyhalf Pat Lambie was back at No 10 against the Barbarians last Saturday. And the rustiness showed.
Lambie’s passing wasn’t as smooth as usual, he sparked hardly any attacks, and apart from one or two good tactical kicks, his kicking game wasn’t up to his usual high standard either.
So how can he be expected to take on the might of an in-form England at Twickenham on Saturday (4.30pm kickoff)? The only viable candidate to start at No 10 this weekend is Elton Jantjies.
There are compelling reasons to do so. Some of it has to do with the “way the Boks want to play”, to use coach Allister Coetzee’s parlance, the likely personnel that will be chosen and Lambie’s lack of game time.
A lot of criticism, rightly so, was directed at Jantjies for his inconsistent displays when he took over from the injured Lambie for the first half of the Test season.
The Lions star was in sublime form in Super Rugby, but could not replicate this for the Boks. While there were some nice touches, those were too few to convince the public - or Coetzee for that matter - that he should continue to start at flyhalf.
Jantjies missed a number of crucial goal-kicks, his tactical kicking wasn’t effective, and while brave in defence, his lack of size meant that he would never dominate his opponent in the tackle.
And even in the strongest area of his game, on attack, he never quite got the backline going. But some of the confusion and lack of rhythm on attack was also down to a hazy game plan.
Coetzee dropped Jantjies following the 41-13 defeat to the All Blacks in Christchurch, with the pivot’s knock-on of a kickoff that led to a try, immediately after the Boks had just scored to go 7-3 up, highlighted in several reviews of the game.
Morne Steyn kicked six penalties for an 18-10 win over Australia in the next Test, with Jantjies not even on the bench for that match and the 57-15 drubbing by the All Blacks.
So why should Jantjies get a recall? Firstly, he has been playing for the NTT Shining Arcs in Japan over the last month, so he will be match-sharp.
But more importantly, Coetzee’s stated objective of evolving the Boks’ style of play going forward, to “hold on to the ball more and score tries”, to have a well thought-out tactical kicking plan and to generally adopt a more positive mindset in all respects will suit Jantjies to a T.
The 26-year-old was named South African Super Rugby Player of the Year for his key role in helping the Lions reach the final. And a number of players who are likely to run out for the Boks against England were part of the Lions backline.
While Rudy Paige is likely to edge out Faf de Klerk for the scrumhalf berth, centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg made a huge impression in the 31-31 draw against the Barbarians.
Janse van Rensburg was an energetic presence throughout the 80 minutes, and topped a fine display with a well-taken try to level the scores, to stake his claim for the England Test ahead of Damian de Allende.
And with Juan de Jongh out injured, Lionel Mapoe should be a strong contender to line up at outside centre at Twickenham.
A lot has been made of the Cheetahs’ Francois Venter’s performances this season - the No 13 certainly caught the eye with his classy running lines and a low error-rate.
But Mapoe was undoubtedly the best SA No 13 in Super Rugby. He didn’t set the Test scene alight this year, but part of that was due to De Allende’s own performances, as well as the style of rugby the Boks were playing.
A Mapoe in full flight, being put into gaps on the outside by Jantjies and Janse van Rensburg, will revitalise the Bok backline attack.
Mapoe is also a powerful defender, and being a specialist outside centre, is well-versed in the unique defensive requirements of the position.
Another Lions Super Rugby standout in Ruan Combrinck could see action at Twickenham, although Bryan Habana (cleared to play on Tuesday) and JP Pietersen are likely to be the starting wings.
Cape Argus