AUDIO: No "mixing and matching" the Bok midfield
RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SPOTLIGHT: Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus revealed that Handre Pollard’s switch to inside centre is an ‘option’ better left unutilised.
With only one recognised inside centre, Sharks Andre Esterhuizen, in the Springboks squad, many pundits have suggested that Pollard is a more experienced option to don the No.12 jersey when the side take on Argentina in Durban on Saturday.
The 24-year-old’s move to inside centre will mean that Lions flyhalf Elton Janjties will start at pivot.
Thus far, Pollard has been Erasmus’ prefered No.10 and the Bulls flyhalf’s performance during June has shown why he is the better fit at pivot.
“It is an option,” the coach revealed when asked if there is a possibility to play Pollard at inside centre.
“But I think at this stage it’s not something we would do. Pollard is settling in well at flyhalf, while EltonJantjies has played the most Super Rugby minutes of any South African player this season, so we have to manage him carefully.
“I think [Elton Jantjies] need some breathing space especially in the in the beginning stages of the competition.
“With that being said, it is an option. But, we are quite good when it comes to centre options. Damian de Allende will be available for the Australasia tour, but won’t be fit for the first two games.
“André Esterhuizen is fit and [Kings Park] is his home ground, and so it would make sense to select him rather than mixing and matching,”
With Esterhuizen possibly starting at No.12, his outside partner would ‘obviously’ be his Sharks teammate Lukhanya Am, Erasmus told reporters in Durban.
The two haven’t played together at Test level. During the June test series against England, Stormers De Allende started with Am, while Esterhuizen and Bulls Jesse Kriel formed the centre combination in the third and final clash at Newlands.
“Obviously I’m going to select those two [Esterhuizen and Am] together, and not just because we play at the home of the Sharks, that is just an added bonus.
“I think it will help that the two of them have played together and it just makes it more comfortable when you have a familiar face next to you, so the Sharks centre-pair just makes more sense,”
By Leezil Hendricks
@leezil07
@rugby365com
