Franco Mostert’s stellar performance at blindside flank shows what can be achieved when the Springbok and franchise coaches work together, writes JON CARDINELLI.
Rassie Erasmus was officially appointed as Springbok coach on 1 March. At the subsequent press conference, Erasmus spoke at length about aligning the South African franchises with the national side to ensure a lift in standards, and ultimately an improvement in Test results.
Prior to that, there was talk about Bok lock Franco Mostert getting game time at blindside flank over the course of the Super Rugby tournament. Lions coach Swys de Bruin told SARugbymag.co.za that he had discussed the move with Erasmus in the pre-season.
It’s a move that makes a lot of sense in the national context. The Boks are spoiled for choice at lock when Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Mostert are all available. That shouldn’t change in the near future, with promising youngsters like RG Snyman, JD Schickerling, Salmaan Moerat and several others expected to make the step up.
Blindside flankers who can offer a world-class lineout option, however, are in relatively short supply. Earlier this season, Stormers coach Robbie Fleck admitted that he had also spoken to Erasmus about managing certain players. Du Toit may have featured prominently at No 7 if the Cape side wasn’t missing a senior statesman like Etzebeth in the second row.
Mostert produced a fine all-round performance at Loftus Versfeld this past Saturday. He got through a lot of work on defence, making 11 tackles.
He continued to lead the lineout, despite wearing the No 7 on his back. Mostert won eight lineouts and stole one off the Bulls’ feed. Off the back of a well executed lineout and maul, the Lions destroyed a Bulls side that had the likes of De Jager and Snyman in its ranks.
South African rugby has much to address if the Boks are going to beat the All Blacks in the near future. The quality of the defence, the tactical-kicking, and the fielding of the high ball has not been up to standard in recent times.
But there have been exceptions. Elton Jantjies has been in fine tactical-kicking form of late. The manner in which he has driven opposition teams back into their own half with his powerful boot has been encouraging.
The Lions flyhalf has also used the attacking grubber to telling effect. In the first half of the game on Saturday, Jantjies kicked the ball into space to set teammate Marvin Orie up for a well-worked try.
There have been times when Jantjies has lapsed, though. Indeed, consistency has been a problem for all South African flyhalves in the initial rounds of this year’s tournament.
Rob du Preez has blown hot and cold for the Sharks. Overall, the Sharks have not managed the game particularly well, as seen during the latter stages of the matches against the Lions and Waratahs.
Defence has also been an issue. Only the Jaguares (15) have conceded more tries than the Stormers (13) after three rounds. The Stormers have missed 74 tackles in total. This past Saturday, the Cape side leaked 45 points and seven tries against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
That kind of result is a big setback for one of South Africa’s traditional powerhouses. It’s also a blow in the context of the national side when one considers that some of those Stormers players will represent the Boks later this year.
Erasmus may feel that he has something to work with, and that there has been progress in some areas – as seen by Mostert’s showing at blindside flank and by the Lions set-piece performance. Of course, there is a lot more that needs to be rectified before the Boks tackle England in June and then the All Blacks and Wallabies in the subsequent Rugby Championship.
Photo: Gordon Arons/Gallo Images
