Springbok flyhalf conundrum solved?
Watch the discussion take place from the 10th minute!
With the likes of Elton Jantjies, Pat Lambie, Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse on everyone's lips as contenders to the prized flyhalf jersey, there is perhaps a case for slotting one of the mentioned players at inside centre, to provide a second kicking option.
Lambie started at flyhalf when Racing defeated Clermont in the European Cup quarterfinal but has also donned the club's number 12 jersey on a few occasions in the Top 14.
"I wouldn't want to play someone who is the best centre in the country at 12," Morgan Newman said.
"They can sit on the bench by all means. What is wrong with the likes of Damian de Allende sitting on the bench and Pat Lambie, for example, starting.
"To me, if Elton is your starting 10 then Pollard surely has to be your cover. He is more solid right now than Willemse," Newman added.
Based on statistics until Round Seven of Super Rugby, Jantjies is the better kicking flyhalf while Damian Willemse has proven himself to be the best option as an attacking flyhalf.
Willemse is the only South African flyhalf in the competition to be in the top 10 of clean breaks, defenders beaten and carries while Jantjies tops the goal-kicking stats.
However, it would seem that Pollard may just be the preferred candidate to provide flyhalf cover as Willemse would be involved in the World Under-20 Championship in France from May 30 – June 17.
"If Rassie and the selectors decide that he [Willemse] is the best or the second best 10 in South Africa, he needs to play against England.
"Pollard as flyhalf cover is the safer option but Damian is not going to be sitting at home doing nothing. He is either going to be with the Springboks or the SA U20 side. I don't think he [Willemse] needs to be carrying bags [with the Springboks from the beginning] because he can do that when he returns," Anton van Zyl said.
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