There is a critical question we must answer ahead of September. Who should start at 10 for the Boks in this world cup year? How do we ensure that we select a fly half who can win us the tournament, and run the game? Not only the kind with an 80% goal kicking record, but one that can create, spark and control – besides being a handy kicker out of hand and off the floor. Being a constructive part of a defensive line would be a quality we would surely want. A goal kicker of real class is absolutely desired, but do we elevate that pre-requisite above all others? Are we not desperately seeking a rugby player and not just a fly half?
Who springs to mind for you? Who do we have at our disposal that fits this mould? Or do we go with the typical South African style garden variety little general? Kick. Stick to pattern, nothing out of the box.
How many incredible, world class, silky rugby players have the Boks picked at 10 consistently in the last 30 years? I would suggest a handful. I am talking about guys who pass, who ghost, who attack at first instinct, who thrill and mesmerise. Guys who could win you a touch tournament at say, Stilbaai or a Rugby 7’s festival in Hong Kong. This is the problem that we have in a country that produces livestock like no other: loose forwards and centres, wings and locks to fill four international sides every year. But fly halves – very rare! They almost never crop up, certainly not the type that thrills. Sure, maybe they win (often). But thrill? No.
Of course the counterargument follows the old familiar line. Are we out to win a popularity contest for most attractive rugby played, or rather a World Cup in what might be slow, rainy late winter kiwi conditions?
So who’s out there? What combination can we take? Let’s assume we would take two flyhalves to New Zealand, perhaps three. Who are the contenders?
- Patrick Lambie – Gifted and without doubt a great Springbok in the making. But to spring it on him so late in the piece could put unnecessary pressure on the young man. He is the kind of guy who could win us the tournament if the stars align. He had his first taste in November and went “okay”.
- Peter Grant – Abrasive, massively improved goal kicking stats and good tactically out of the hand. He’ll carry it to the line, combine with Jean, Juan and Jacques, and tackle like a centre.
- Morne Steyn – Played the most games of them all for the past two seasons. Had one great season, perhaps one and a half. He is the pivot in the side that’s won two Super Rugby titles, so he certainly knows how to win. He combines well with Fourie Du Preez, and is a near perfect sharp shooter, while remaining a solid tackler. All of that said, he is limited in his creative flare, to say the least, and requires a world class scrumhalf inside him to look the goods in a flowing game. Luckily – bar injury – he has this.
- Butch James – He’s won a world cup before. Experienced and hard. He has played great rugby in Europe, albeit interspersed with injuries, but on his day he’s brilliant and a match winner. He carries the added bonus that he loves to hurt people – legally of course – and is reliable in front of goal.
- Ruan Pienaar – Gifted, pure silk. Given a run in the team and fed a diet of belief he grows in confidence. Almost untouchable in so far as ‘a joy to watch’ on a rugby field is concerned. He kicks well, and passes beautifully, but needs time to find his confidence and hit his straps. Currently he is playing brilliantly for Ulster, winning games from 10.
A trip down RWC memory lane places the spotlight on Messer’s Fox, Lynagh, Stransky, Larkham, Wilkinson, and James. They have led from 10 to World Cup glory. Do they all have something in common? The answer is yes. Most of them have all been able to score points when their teams have needed them to, and all have been active defenders. World Cups are a war of attrition.
If I was selecting the side, I’d love to tell you I’d pick Lambie, Pienaar and Grant. I would want to err on rewarding the most fluid and creative. But world cups are won by kicking goals and defending better than other teams. While the All Black’s have the luxury of a creative 10 who can kick goals too, we don’t. We must take Steyn. We would need him in a pressure cooker. In this lies the conundrum. His limitations have cost us as the game has evolved and we have gotten stuck playing the pattern that worked two years ago. And Morne Steyn is the ring leader of that ‘old’ pattern. But who would dare not having his kicking prowess come the knock out stages. I’m not saying I’d start him, but he’d have to be in my match 22.
In the end I’d take Grant, Steyn and Lambie. The latter would fulfil a utility back role. We could play him at 10, we could play him off the bench at 15. He is the future and must be blooded at a World Cup now. It will be a key for us come four years’ time.
This is a significantly hard call. One of the tougher calls in a side that in many positions picks itself – one with the potential to have a major impact. So, when you close your eyes and fantasise that you’re the convenor of the Bok selectors, who do you pick at 10 and why? Let us know by sharing your thoughts below.
