Don't throw Bosch into the slaughter says Mitchell

Bosch made his Springbok debut in the latter stages of the opening game of the Rugby Championship against Argentina in August, which the Boks won 37-15 in Port Elizabeth. 

However, he did not feature again and was sent back to the Sharks to gain more experience in the Currie Cup as Allister Coetzee opted for Handre Pollard as flyhalf cover for Elton Jantjies for the recent Australasian tour.

Bosch impressed in difficult conditions in the Sharks 18-5 win over Mitchell's team on Saturday, but the Bulls' mentor says the 20-year-old flyhalf should not be playing Test rugby just yet.

"He [Bosch] certainly has got the ability," said Mitchell. "His kicking skillset is very good, he can run on front-foot ball, but his defence is probably an area where he will have to grow significantly to play Test rugby.

"But I think as he matures into his body as well, that could be helpful for him. 

"I still think he is a little bit young – a little bit light for Test rugby. I think we should nurture him and get him better before putting him to the slaughter."

Meanwhile, Mitchell said the Sharks adapted better to the conditions in their Currie Cup encounter in Durban.

"The conditions meant that delivery and gain-line was important. But also transferring pressure on the opposition behind them as well was also going to be important, which the Sharks did better than us in the context of the game," said Mitchell.

@rugby365com