Springboks legends’ verdict on Rassie Erasmus’ shock selection as ‘Andre the Giant’ provides ‘nice release valve’
Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and an inset of Jean de Villiers.
Springboks legends Jean de Villiers and Schalk Burger insist that Quan Horn has the attributes to thrive as a fly-half but state that game management will be his biggest challenge against the Barbarians this weekend.
Rassie Erasmus made the big call to name the Lions full-back in the key decision-making position, despite never starting there for the Lions.
The 24-year-old has a vast skill set and Erasmus evidently believes that he can fill that role effectively, something De Villiers agrees with.
“Quan Horn is a quality player. He has done so well for the Lions; he’s got the pace, a nice boot, passing game,” he said on the Boks Unpacked podcast.
How Springboks pack can help Horn
South Africa take on a talented Barbarians side, who possess plenty of talent, particularly behind the scrum, but Burger expects them to dominate up front and that will make it much easier for Horn.
“The Barbarians side that we are playing against have got decent backs, but our pack of forwards can monster them. Then if you’re number 10, then you don’t have to go into that tricky game management situation. You can just play,” he said.
“Also, another one that isn’t available this weekend that can do a job there is Willie le Roux.”
De Villiers added: “He can definitely do a job there, and then again, you cover both. The thing with Willie moves into that position generally in any case as first receiver.
“The thing with Quan Horn, when you are starting at 10, is your decision-making is so much more [important]. The amount of times that you need to make calls and you get the ball, you need to be a little bit more structured rather than just moving into that position.”
It is not just up to the fly-half, however, and Burger believes that his gargantuan centre partner, Andre Esterhuizen, can ease the pressure should Horn struggle.
“He’s got a nice release valve next to him in Andre the Giant. If you’re in doubt, here you go,” the former back-rower said.
With first choice 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu currently sidelined and Handre Pollard playing for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship final, that left Manie Libbok as the next in line.
The Springboks wanted to rest Libbok after he started most weeks in the Japan Rugby League One, which meant they had to look elsewhere.
“A lot of the selections are just being able to see how the guys go and build depth. If you’re looking at the fly-half berth with Sacha injured, Handre not up for selection yet, and Manie, we need to build,” De Villiers said.
“We know that someone like Willie can cover there as well.
“You’re probably not going to start with Zekhethelo Siyaya, who could cover there. You’ve got Vusi Moyo on the bench. You’ve got players where you have a game where you can provide opportunities, see how they go against a pretty decent quality side.”
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s injury and depth
Feinberg-Mngomezulu will miss the Nations Championship and is touch and go for the start of The Greatest Rivalry tour and, while they are well stocked with Pollard and Libbok, Erasmus will continue to try and build depth.
“We heard like eight weeks initially [for Sacha], but that takes him out of these three Test matches coming up now,” Burger added.
“Then you’ve got Damian [Willemse] who can do a job there. Manie is coming back, and then obviously Handre Pollard.”
Horn could therefore be that extra option if he performs well against the Barbarians, with host Hanyani Shimange saying: “So you need the fourth option possibly, or another utility guy that could cover 10 and maybe fullback, wing, outside backs, and that’s what they’re looking with Horn.”
