Springboks forced into flyhalf rethink as Quan Horn gets the nod
REACTION: Manie Libbok’s heavy workload in Japan, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s injury layoff and Handré Pollard’s involvement in Friday’s United Rugby Championship final left Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus facing a challenge: finding cover at flyhalf without taking unnecessary risks.
His solution was a surprise one.
Rather than turning to a specialist No.10, Erasmus handed Lions fullback Quan Horn the flyhalf jersey for Saturday’s clash against the Barbarians in Gqeberha, a move that immediately sparked debate.
But, as has often been the case during Erasmus’ tenure, there is a bigger picture behind the selection.
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The Bok coach explained that player management was a major factor in the decision, particularly with a long international season looming.
“Manie has played a lot of rugby in Japan recently and we want to manage him properly,” Erasmus said.
“We must also see Handré get through the URC final without injury, while Sacha is currently injured.
“We learned our lessons. Last year we played the Barbarians, or maybe it was Japan, and Ox Nche got injured. We probably didn’t have to play him because he was already match fit.
“Then Jan-Hendrik Wessels got suspended and eventually we had to go with Boan Venter and Gerhard Steenekamp, who did really well. We’re trying to avoid that situation with Manie.”
The circumstances have opened the door for Horn, a player the Springbok coaches have been impressed with for some time.
While the Lions star has made his name at fullback, Erasmus believes his skill set could make him a valuable dual-position option in the future.
“We know he can play 15, but if he can play 10 and 15, hopefully that helps us with a 6-2 bench split in the future,” Erasmus explained.
The Bok management’s confidence in Horn is based on more than a hunch. Having worked with him at alignment camps and training sessions over the last three years, they believe he already possesses many of the attributes required of an international flyhalf.
“What he does for the Lions, maybe he doesn’t have a 10 on his back, but he certainly comes into the mix a lot as first receiver,” Erasmus said.
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“We really like the way he takes the ball to the line. He’s an awesome defender, he’s got a really great pass and he’s not afraid if someone runs into that channel, and that’s important for us.”
The selection is another example of Erasmus using the Barbarians fixture as a testing ground, much like his recent experiment of deploying André Esterhuizen at flank.
Whether Horn becomes a genuine flyhalf option remains to be seen, but the Bok coaches clearly view the exercise as an opportunity to increase versatility within the squad ahead of a demanding season.
Horn is not the only playmaker attracting attention. Erasmus revealed that uncapped flyhalf Vusi Moyo has also impressed during the national camp.
“Vusi really caught the eye in these two weeks,” he said. “He’s a very calm guy, physical, and he kicks without effort.”
In another intriguing twist, Cheslin Kolbe will take over the goal-kicking duties against the Barbarians. Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the wing has regularly kicked for his club in Japan this season and has long been regarded as a reliable backup option within the Springbok setup.
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