VIDEO: Sous is the real 'gravy'

The selection of Franco Mostert and Deon Fourie as the flanks in the South African team to face Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday gives the appearance of an ‘odd couple’ – at least in terms of recent Springbok selections.

Fourie, a utility forward that can play at openside flank and hooker, is the epitome of a ‘fetcher’ or a ‘jackler’.

Mostert, in contrasts, is a lock masquerading as a blindside flank.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber dismissed the suggestion that Mostert has been a ‘failure’ as a loose forward.

Turning to the second oldest player in the squad, 36-year-old Deon Fourie, Nienaber said the second-half cameo in the 43-12 demolition of Australia at Loftus Versfeld last month is the qualities they expect from the utility forward.

All six his previous Test appearances have been off the bench and Saturday in Buenos Aires will be his first start.

“The intensity, what he did for the Stormers and what he brought for us on the year-end tour, if Deon [Fourie] brings that [against Los Pumas] we will be happy,” Nienaber said.

While Fourie’s selection to start was celebrated by the broader public, the same could not be said about Mostert’s selection.

(WATCH Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber explaining the selection of the ‘odd couple’ – Deon Fourie and Franco Mostert on the flanks for the Test against Los Pumas in Buenos Aires…)

Most ‘couch pundits’ believe he best serves the Boks as a lock and best adds value coming off the bench.

In his 64 Tests, there were 27 starts as lock, 10 flank and the rest as super sub.

The 32-year-old only had one appearance this year – starting on the flank in the 20-35 loss to New Zealand in Auckland, where his best work was on defence.

“Our forwards didn’t do us any favours in the first 20 minutes,” Nienaber said about the underwhelming performance at te Mount Smart stadium.

The coach felt the pack improved as the game progressed, allowing the Boks to be more competitive.

“If you talk about Franco,” he said, adding: “When Pieter-Steph [du Toit] was injured last year, Franco [Mostert] stepped in and play No.7 in the majority of the games.

“He can operate [in the blindside role].

“He has been goods for us there [at No.7].

“Him and Deon [Fourie] are getting another opportunity, so it will be great to see them working together.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com