VIDEO: The player who can fill Willemse's 'all-rounder' role
WATCH as the Boks Office crew reveals the player they think the Springboks will miss the most during the upcoming internationals.
Ahead of the start of the Test season, Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed that Steven Kitshoff, Lood de Jager, Jean Kleyn, Jean-Luc du Preez, Jaden Hendrikse, Henco van Wyk, Canan Moodie, Damian Willemse and Kurt-Lee Arendse are all currently injured.
Not only were they not considered for this week’s outing at Twickenham against Wales but will also miss the opening Test of the two-match series against Ireland next month.
In a discussion with Boks Office host Hanyani Shimange, Springbok legends Schalk Burger and Jean de Villiers agreed that Willemse is the biggest blow.
They also pick a player that can fill Willemse’s role in the squad.
“I would say Damian Willemse [is the biggest blow] because it relates to the balance of the team,” said Burger. “It’s like a cricket analogy.
“It’s like having an all-rounder.
“An all-rounder balances your side.
“For us, Damian Willemse is that all-rounder.”
Burger believes it will be difficult for Erasmus to select a six-two split between forwards and backs on the bench with Willemse’s absence.
“We like to go for that six-two ‘Bomb Squad’,” he added.
He added: “He balances our side because he is so versatile, whether it’s flyhalf, fullback or No.12 or No.13.
“Not having him there it becomes harder for us to make the right six-two split.”
However, De Villiers believes Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has all the attributes to fill that ‘all-rounder’ role.
The youngster will be playing off the bench against Wales this weekend.
“Sacha can become that guy,” said de Villiers.
“You ask the question why Siya Masuku is not in the mix because they are looking for that versatile guy.
“Jordan [Hendrikse] can also go at No.10, No.12 and No.15.
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