Small-Smith throws down the gauntlet
Springbok JJ Engelbrecht now knows that he is not going to get a free ride at the Bulls.
The 25-year-old, 12-times capped Bok, Engelbrecht, was recalled to the Bulls team on Wednesday – after 22-year-old rookie William Small-Smith made his first Super Rugby start last week.
Small-Smith, who joined up with former age-group partners Jan Serfontein (inside centre) and Handré Pollard (flyhalf) in last week's win over the Cheetahs, will again play off the bench in the big north-south Super Rugby derby against the Stormers in Pretoria on Saturday.
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke admitted they considered the possibility of retaining the exciting combination of Small-Smith and Serfontein, but they opted for the experience of a Springbok for the big Loftus Versfeld derby.
While critics will be accurate if they suggest Engelbrecht is not having his best season, there is no doubt that the emergence of Small-Smith as a genuine Super Rugby competitor will be the spark that could reinvigorate the Bok's season.
With Small-Smith pushing hard and having thrown down the gauntlet, it is likely to bring out the best in Engelbrecht.
And any coach will enjoy good competition within the group, to keep the first-choice players on their toes.
"JJ [Engelbrecht] is a Springbok who brings great value to the team in the outside backs," Ludeke told rugby365 in an interview, when asked about the only change to his team – Engelbrecht in for Small-Smith – ahead of Saturday's encounter with the Stormers.
"We were very pleased with the performances of William [Small-Smith], Handré [Pollard] and even Marcell [van der Merwe]," Ludeke said of three players who had their first Super Rugby starts with the Bulls against the Cheetahs last week.
While Pollard and Van der Merwe retained their places, Small-Smith made way for the Bok midfielder.
"In midfield we opted for the combination of JJ [Engelbrecht] and Jan [Serfontein], who have been playing together for some time now," Ludeke told this website.
"We are well aware of what threats the Stormers pose in midfield," Ludeke said of the visitors' centre pairing of Juan de Jongh and Peter Grant.
"However, William [Small-Smith] showed to us he is capable of performing at that level.
"It is good to know we have that depth and for him personally, to have had a feel of what it is like to start at Super Rugby level.
"From our conversations with him, he is very excited about the challenge and motivated to work harder and push for more opportunities."
By Jan de Koning
