De Klerk ticks all the right boxes
De Klerk will make his Test debut on Saturday at Newlands after he was named in the Springbok starting XV for the first of three Tests against the Irish and Coetzee is confident that his scrumhalf has the right skill set to flourish on the international stage.
"First and foremost, a No.9 should be doing the basics well," Coetzee said at the team announcement in Cape Town on Thursday.
"He [De Klerk] has got a quick service and he has an educated boot, so his kicking and passing game – his core skills – are really good.
"The breakdown area could also become a mess and you need your No.9 to be there quickly to get the ball out. He is one of those players that can do that.
"I don't think any opposition should just think about Faf [De Klerk] as a link. They will be making a mistake because he keeps guys honest around the rucks and mauls. Faf must just play his game – his awareness and feel for the game is important."
De Klerk has been in fantastic form for the Lions in this year's Super Rugby campaign and he has steadily improved as a scrumhalf since making his debut for the franchise in 2014.
The 24-year-old has been keeping defences guessing with his quick service and sniping breaks, but Coetzee said that he had to "rein him in" a bit over the last two weeks so that he also makes the right decisions on the field.
"I want our players to become smarter. I cannot put Faf in a box and change him altogether, but I can help him to make better decisions.
"This game is not about hitting sixes – it's not T20. We want to build an innings and I am sure Faf understands that.
"It is about building an innings and when the opportunity is there, we pounce on it. I think it comes with good decision making and having a feel for when we are under pressure and having a feel for when we are really riding the wave. I think Faf and [Patrick] Lambie will be hoping to do that well," Coetzee added.
Meanwhile, De Klerk said his Bok dream has finally come true after he was included in the starting XV.
"It has always been a dream," said De Klerk.
"I thought that if you worked hard and played hard then hopefully you will get the chance, but it probably came a bit quicker than I thought."
De Klerk said the winning culture that is developing at the Lions also had a big impact on his form over the last few seasons
"If the team is playing really well, it makes it easier for you as an individual. But playing in the same team for three years, you tend to know each a lot more.
"A lot of people say that for World Cup squads you need four years to prepare, so that is maybe the same thing for the Lions. We have been together for a while, so we know each other.
"I have just been working really hard on the basics – my passing and kicking – and I think that also gives you a lot of confidence going into a game. If those things are 100 percent then the rest of the stuff like the quick taps and breaks will come about a bit easier," De Klerk added.
By Warren Fortune
@FortuneWarren
@rugby365com
