Fourie Du Preez - simply the best

This week we take a look at the half back combinations for the up and coming B&I Lions tour. I say ‘combinations’, because I believe it is important for the half backs to have a good understanding of one another.

Scrumhalf: We are currently blessed in SA at the moment with some of the best number 9′s in the business, and my first choice simply is the best in the world at the moment, and has been at the top of his game for the last few years. Fourie Du Preez controls a game, has absolute command of his forwards, takes pressure off his flyhalf and puts opposition on the back foot with his deadly tactical kicking, lacks nothing in defence, his pass is spot on, he clears the ruck in good time, and has pace top burn with his sniping runs from the fringes. He would walk into any international match-day XV, an he’s certainly in mine.

As a backup I’d have Ricky January, even though he looks like he ate all the pies during the off season and hasn’t had the greatest season by his usually high standards, often caught too slow in clearing the ball. I’d include him simply for the fact that you can’t buy experience. On his day Ricky is a game breaker. Opposition hate to play against him. With his ‘in your face’ attitude, he puts alot of pressure on his opposite number, as well as the opposition flyhalf. I feel Ricky will hold his own whilst some of the young guns get blooded in.

My third choice scrumhalf would be Rory Kockett. Kockett has had two very good Super 14 seasons. He was perhaps unlucky not to be named the SA player of the tournament last year. Although Jano Vermaak has had a great season, I personally feel that Kockett’s goal kicking ability trumps Vermaak for the third spot in the squad. PDV however has chosen to go with the latter, and he by no means will be caught out of depth. The top SA try scorer in this year’s Super 14 competition, Vermaak is a special player.

Ruan Pienaar, from the same mould as Steven Larkham

Flyhalf: I was a believer in the idea of Ruan Pienaar making the shift to flyhalf for some time before he actually did. A player in the mould of the Steven Larkham, whom I feel is one of the greatest flyhalves to play the game. Ruan Pienaar is my 1st choice.

Backup flyhalf is a tough choice. With Butch James injured and not really in contention anymore, I’d pick Peter Grant. Although not my favourite player, Grant is solid enough to be there. His game has been compared to that of Henry Honiball, arguably one of the best Springbok flyhalves of the professional era. I do however feel Grant needs to put alot of work in to his kicking out of hand.

Some people (99% of them, Bulls supporters. No offence intended) feel Morne Steyn has done enough to earn a run in the green and gold jumper. In my opinion I just don’t see him commanding our Springbok backline. He lacks imagination for the game plan that PDV is trying to implement. Who knows though, maybe in a season or two he will have matured into more of a complete package.

Another option, if push comes to shove and injuries force the coaching staff’s hand would be to slot Francois steyn in at flyhalf if needed, but only if needed. I maintain that his best position is in the centres or fullback.

My choices: (starting/understudy)

10. Ruan Pienaar/Peter Grant

9. Fourie Du Preez/ Ricky Januarie

3rd choice 9. Jano Vermaak (my choice would have been Rory Kockett)