Springboks: Nick Mallett’s blunt verdict on Rassie Erasmus’ ‘left field decision’ for Barbarians encounter
New Springboks fly-half Quan Horn and ex-Boks head coach Nick Mallett (inset).
Nick Mallett believes Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus’ decision to start Quan Horn at fly-half against the Barbarians on Saturday will be a “fantastic challenge” for the player.
On Tuesday, Erasmus named his matchday 23 for the eagerly anticipated encounter, which will be used as a warm-up game for the upcoming Nations Championship Tests against England, Scotland and Wales.
The Springboks side consists of a healthy mix of experienced and youthful players and Horn‘s selection as the chief playmaker was the biggest surprise as he has not started a match at fly-half yet during his playing career.
‘Regular Springboks fly-halves all absent’
He has been the Lions’ first-choice full-back in recent years, but with regular Springboks fly-halves Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu injured, Handre Pollard preparing for Friday’s United Rugby Championship final with the Bulls and Manie Libbok being rested, Horn will wear the world champions’ number 10 jersey against the Baa-baas.
Meanwhile, promising Sharks playmaker Vusi Moyo has been named amongst the replacements as the Boks’ back-up fly-half.
Erasmus revealed that despite playing at full-back for the Lions, his distribution skills caught the eye although “he doesn’t have a 10 on his back”.
Mallett echoed those sentiments and feels Horn’s selection to start at fly-half at international is a fitting reward after he shone for the Lions throughout the 2025/26 season.
“I think Quan Horn has had an outstanding season. And if we go through the games that the Lions have played well, he’s often come in from full-back into fly-half in the sort of second or third phase of the game,” he told the Talking Boks podcast with Brenden Nel.
“And (he) controlled their passing game and they’re playing at width or in fact, he’s even been utilised to do the cross-kicks and the little chips over the top as well.
“So you’ve seen a lot of number 10 expertise from him in the Lions template.”
Although it will be a daunting task for the Horn in his new position, Mallett believes he will be up to the task, especially as he will have several experienced Springboks lining up alongside him.
‘A fantastic challenge for him’
“To go into a Springbok game like this is a fantastic challenge for him,” said the former Boks head coach.
“I know it’s the Barbarians, but nowadays I don’t think Barbarians tend to just throw it around willy-nilly. I think they also try and set up a decent structure and try and get front-foot ball before they start moving. They don’t want to lose by 50 points.
“So it’s going to be a good test for him. And the wonderful thing is he’s got (Andre) Esterhuizen outside him and Grant Williams as his scrum-half. So, he’s got a lot of experience there.
“Jesse Kriel as well at outside centre. So Quan Horn has got a lot of confidence.
“Actually, I really like the left field decision and the important thing about it (is) he’s going into a team that is very structured, very well organised.
So, he’ll know exactly what his role is in the side playing on Saturday as the number 10 as opposed to a number 15.”