Plumtree gives Grant a perfect 10
Morné Steyn may be the Springbok incumbent, but Peter Grant may well be a better bet at No.10 for South Africa.
Sharks coach John Plumtree, speaking ahead of the all-South African Super Rugby semifinal between his Sharks and the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday, said he was "impressed" by the consistency of the Stormers halfback pairing.
The Sharks mentor suggested that the Stormers duo, Dewaldt Duvenage and Peter Grant, are amongst the most underrated players in the country.
Grant and Duvenage have played an integral part in the Stormers' march to the play-offs this season, helping them top the overall competition standings with 14 wins from their 16 matches.
"Definitely [Grant's an under-rated player]," Plumtree told a media scrum in Durban on Tuesday.
"He is probably the most consistent No.10 in the country.
"He's not looked at by the national selectors, but him and Duvenage are both right up there.
"To get to this stage of the competition, a semifinal, with your No.9 and No.10 not involved in the national set-up is probably unlike any country."
Both have been on the fringes of Springbok selection at certain points during their careers, with Duvenage yet to win a cap.
Grant on the other had has five Bok Tests to his name, although the last of those came way back in 2008.
"If you look at the New Zealand semifinalists, they have [Aaron] Cruden [Chiefs flyhalf], Dan Carter [Crusaders No.10] and Andy Ellis [Crusaders scrumhalf], all international players," Plumtree said.
"The Stormers are consistent in their performances with consistent players and that impresses me."
The Sharks arrived back in their Durban late on Sunday night and did not train on Monday.
They only held light training on Tuesday morning following their round trip to Australia, where they recorded a memorable 30-17 playoff victory over the Reds in Brisbane to seal a spot in the last four.
The Sharks mentor conceded that his players were in good spirits ahead of the match, the second of the semifinals, which will be played on Saturday.
On Friday, an all-New Zealand affair will be played out in Hamilton where the Chiefs are due to host the Crusaders.
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