VIDEO: Youngster steps up as Bulls await Bok return
VIDEO: The Bulls have found the ideal stand-in flyhalf in Keagan Johannes, and it comes at the right time as the business end of competitions are looming.
Johannes has two starting berths under the belt (against Leinster and Zebre) in the United Rugby Championship and walked away with the Man of the Match reward after his 100 percent kicking performance in the latter.
This weekend in their Round of 16 clash of the Challenge Cup against Bayonne he will once again be the general in the Bulls’ backline.
With Willie le Roux recovering from a shoulder operation and Johan Goosen’s return not set in stone, Johannes is set to play a vital role in the Bulls’ playoff journey.
Goosen, the Bulls’ first-choice pivot, joined the team in April 2021, and a year later, he extended his contract with the Pretoria-based side until 2026.
Since then his injury woes have kept him sidelined for long periods.
During these times White had to rely on players like Chris Barend Smit, Jaco van der Walt, and Boeta Chamberlain with varying degrees of success.
He also utilised Le Roux in the pivotal role.
Johannes used the opportunity offered to him against the Lions earlier in the season when he replaced Le Roux in the 67th minute. Two weeks later he did the same against the Stormers.
And then he started against Leinster and Zebre.
On Saturday he gave a well-rounded and solid performance and he revealed to White that he can be entrusted with the No. 10 jersey.
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Seemingly Johannes has stepped up to fill that void when the first-choice flyhalf is unavailable.
That is until Springbok Handre Pollard returns to his old hunting ground in July.
On Saturday Johannes immediately made his presence known with a 50-22 kick that was rounded off by Segeal Petersen from the subsequent lineout and followed it up with seven kicks from seven.
The scrumhalf played flyhalf at school and now seems destined to become Pollard’s understudy while it looks like his No. 9 days are over for the time being.
“I don’t think I am going to move him to nine again and I was never going to anyway,” White told reporters after the match on Saturday.
“I have coached a lot all over the world, and you get guys like Frédéric Michalak, who plays nine and No. 10. Morgan Parra, (Jean-Baptiste) Elissalde played nine and 10 for France. It’s very normal in France – look at Antoine Dupont, who goes from nine to 10.
“It just gives us more options now that I know he can play nine and 10. And it will do his confidence good.
Johannes was wide-eyed when he received his award after the game on Saturday, saying: “Ja, I’m a bit in awe.
“It’s big shoes I have to fill. I obviously have to drive this team, (which) is a big responsibility.
“But I’m enjoying every moment of it, and it’s just a privilege.”
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