'Experiment' gives Lions extra options
Golden Lions coach Johan Ackermann last week took a calculated risk, an 'experiment' that will reap rich rewards for some time to come.
After initially naming Springbok flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff at fullback and rookie Jaco van der Walt at No.10 for the encounter with the Free State Cheetahs, a late swap saw Boshoff run out at flyhalf at Ellis Park and Van der Walt wear the No.15 jersey.
Ackermann said the late change had a dual purpose – flyhalf is where Boshoff wants to be and they also wanted to see Van der Walt at fullback.
"We took a chance and it now gives us another option going forward," the Lions coach told rugby365 in the build-up to the Currie Cup semifinal showdown with the Sharks at Ellis Park this coming Saturday.
"It is also very easy to swap them around in the game and move Bossie [Boshoff] to fullback.
"It was a risk that paid dividends for us," Ackermann said, adding: "Jaco [van der Walt] is very versatile and he is not scared, he runs very strongly."
The Lions mentor said last week was exactly the type of game where they could take that kind of risk and experiment.
He said they would now consider rotating the two during the course of a game, possibly even against the Sharks this week.
"It is something we could look at," he told rugby365, adding: "We did that the first time last week, but it is certainly something we can look at.
"From the perspective of depth it is great, because we know that Jaco can now slot in at fullback if Boeboes [Andries Coetzee] is injured and we know Bossie can also play there.
"Next year Elton [Jantjies, the Lions' other Bok No.10] is back, then he [Jantjies] can play at No.10 and Bossie or Jaco can come off the bench.
"It certainly gives us more options, with Jaco and Bossie that can now both play at flyhalf and fullback."
The return of their other Springbok, captain and No.8 Warren Whiteley, is another of the big positives from last week's rout of the Cheetahs.
"We got some great first-phases possession, while our cleaning [at the breakdowns] and our patience [with ball in hand] was also good.
"Derick [Minnie] was great and Bossie [Marnitz Boshoff] is busy regaining his best form."
It means the Lions have inform players in key positions going into the play-offs – especially the two players who became Boks this year, Boshoff and Whiteley.
"It is important, the positions they are in. Warren [Whiteley] is our leader, but from No.8 he plays a critical role for us.
"Bossie [Boshoff] is a true match-winner, who can single-handedly turn matches.
"It is good to see him starting to play with that confidence.
"They have also learned how to handle pressure and that will be important [in the semifinal] and they can help the youngsters in that regard."
By Jan de Koning
@King365ed
