Bok trio might need capes
While Duane Vermeulen has been compared to Thor, the two Springbok flyhalves at Ellis Park could both now claim to have superhero alter egos.
Vermeulen, with a similar appearance to actor Chris Hemsworth and play that matches the onscreen heroics of the Norse god, had to overcome a rib injury before facing the old enemy on Saturday.
After the match a battered and bruised Vermeulen said that there was no way he was going to miss out on a chance to play the All Blacks. He had to take an injection before the game and the effects were still in force when he addressed the media.
“I can’t feel anything yet” he said with a chuckle. There are certainly a number of All Blacks that must be wondering the if the big man ever feels anything.
Describing the victory over the All Blacks as “just an incredible feeling” it was clear to see what a maiden victory meant for Vermeulen.
Springbok coach Heyneke Mayer was glowing in his praise of the stalwart.
“Duane is an unbelievable warrior. I said to Duane, if he was going to play he needed to play for (the whole) 80 minutes. He said he was ready. There was a point in the game where I thought I should take him off, but he assured me he was good to play another 30 minutes,” he said.
Vermeulen said half-time was particularly tough but he decided to continue and see out the match.
With Vermeulen and the rest of the Bok pack laying the foundation it was the turn of wunderkind Handré Pollard to dazzle.
Since being named IRB Junior Player of the Year in June Pollard has had a whirlwind introduction to international rugby. He started at flyhalf against Scotland at Port Elizabeth on June 28 and has now started six games and scored 56 points.
Former Bok coach Nick Mallet was full of praise for Meyer and his selection of the talented youngster. “Heyneke made a very brave decision to pick Pollard at 10 for the Test in New Zealand. Thankfully, he had a great game. He then played well against Australia, and (Patrick) Lambie came on and made a big impact,” he said.
Reflecting on the victory at Ellis Park, Mallet was decidedly pleased with the performance of the two pivots.
“Finally today we produced a complete performance with two young flyhalves. I think that the decision now about who is going to play flyhalf for South Africa is between Pollard and Lambie.”
“In terms of physicality, game-management, defence and all-round skills, we've got two very good young flyhalves that have come out of this Rugby Championship,” he added.
Lambie, who contributed a try, a conversion and a drop-goal in his 22 minute cameo against the Wallabies last week, has now surely cemented his place as the backup flyhalf going forward.
While Pollard can be likened to Captain America, Lambie has shown that he is the Iceman in the final stages of a match.
“I was worried when I saw him going for goal at the end of the game, because I knew how much was riding on it. It was the difference between winning and losing. Credit to Pat for stepping up. There was a huge amount of pressure, and he handled it superbly,” said Meyer.
With 36 Tests to his name it is clear that Lambie is experienced enough to do any job required of him, but the game management he has shown in the last two matches is a credit to his resilience. After starting at flyhalf against Ireland, Scotland and England at the end of 2012 he had been shunted around the backline, also appearing at fullback and wing.
The end of year fixtures against Ireland, England, Italy and Wales present a chance for him to nail down his berth on the bench in conditions similar to those at the World Cup.
By Dorfling Terblanche
