Can Butch help Jantjies come good?

The Lions’ encounter with the Highlanders was Butch James’s second start for his new team, and his first at inside centre alongside young flyhalf Elton Jantjies.

Jantjies returned to form against the Brumbies two weeks ago, but it was no surprise to see him flourish further with James on his outside shoulder against the Otago franchise, with the 20-year-old looking at ease throughout.

Dan Carter and Aaron Mauger are just two flyhalves who started their careers at No.12 in order to get guidance from more experienced players first, but the Lions have gone for the reverse option, with the initial signs that it’s also working well. Even with Jantjies in the No.10 jersey, he and James can swop positions whenever the situation requires.

James’s influence will also get Jantjies to take the ball flatter on attack, a characteristic any decent flyhalf requires. One of James’s strengths is getting motion on the ball and then showing his distribution skills to bring other players into the game, as he made 21 passes in Dunedin on Saturday.

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By Grant Ball (rugbyxv writer)