VIDEO: Boks have a 'special kid' to combat Scotland's threats
SPOTLIGHT: Canan Moodie is a player who is perfectly suited to deal with Scotland’s backline threats, according to assistant coach Mzwandile Stick.
The Springboks are expecting Gregor Townsend’s side to give the ball plenty of air in Sunday’s showdown at Murrayfield Stadium.
Scotland will have some big players out wide in the form of Duhan van der Merwe and Blair Kinghorn on the wings and that’s where someone like Moodie comes in.
The 22-year-old, who will wear the No.14 jersey, has shown in the past that he can compete with the best world and Stick is backing him to do the same when he lines up opposite Van der Merwe on Sunday.
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“He is a special kid, but there is a lot of room for him to still grow and that is one thing I enjoy about him,” said Stick.
“He has got a proper head on his shoulders, and he is a good student of the game.
“There is also input from a guy like Tony brown and he brings a different voice compared to how we South Africans do things.
“One thing I enjoy about him [Moodie] is that he is growing as a human being as well.”
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Canan Moodie 🚀🚀#AUSvRSA
pic.twitter.com/Q3SB9OauYA— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 3, 2022
On those threats Moodie will face on Sunday, Stick added: “Scotland probably selected the biggest, tallest and the strongest outside backs.
“This is a team that has been averaging 34 kicks in the Six Nations.
“Last year they were known for their running rugby and now they are also growing as a team.
“They’ve got a good balance in their kicking game, so there is going to be a lot of different challenges for us to handle in the game.
“I think Canan Moodie is one of those special kids. You’ve seen what he has done in the past against the best wings in the world like [Marika] Koroibete.
“He dominated him under the high balls.
“We are expecting the same challenge tomorrow [Sunday] and I am happy he is getting an opportunity.”
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