Backline headaches for Boks
With the first Test matches of the year looming, Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer's starting backline is far from certain.
The national side have gathered for the first time this year at a training camp in Durban which ends on Wednesday, and it seems that skipper Jean de Villiers will not be the only backline star watching from the stands next month.
Meyer conceded that whilst a full injury report will be released at the end of the camp, there are significant concerns that Frans Steyn will join De Villiers, Pat Lambie and Jaque Fourie on the injured list.
Steyn is battling a knee injury, which means that Meyer's centre options do not have a lot of experience between them, with the Bok coach reportedly considering the uncapped but in-form Damian de Allende at outside centre alongside JJ Engelbrecht and Juan de Jongh.
"I'm a little bit worried about 13," he told SAPA.
This leaves Jan Serfontein as the main contender to start at inside centre in their first match of the year against the World XV at Newlands on June 7, but midfield is not the only concern for Meyer.
The Bok coach admitted that the lack of continuity at flyhalf has been a source of frustration for him, with Johan Goosen the main challenger to Morne Steyn's spot in the absence of Lambie.
"I don't know why but 10 is always a tricky one in this country..
"I wish we can get to a point where the 10 can just settle and play," Meyer added.
Steyn has not been a regular starter for his French club Stade Francais, which means that Goosen may get to stake a claim for a long-term berth in the position after spending most of the last two years sidelined with injury.
That leaves a potentially green-looking backline for the June internationals, which means that Meyer may well stick with the more experienced Steyn at pivot, and he made it clear that his lack of game-time in France is not a major concern.
"It doesn't matter because we got Morne, it doesn't matter if he doesn't play there, I know he'll be good.
"So although there's not one guy I can say is going to be the starting 10, there's a few options there."
