Gary Gold has singled out fullback Warrick Gelant as a Springbok bolter for the end-of-year tour of Europe.
Gelant has been one of the Bulls’ most consistent performers in Super Rugby and the Currie Cup this year, and also played for South Africa A against the French Barbarians in June.
The Bok squad for the four-Test tour will be announced on Sunday 29 October and Gold believes Gelant has done enough to warrant a call-up.
‘Gelant – the top try-scorer in the ongoing Currie Cup campaign – is a young player who has been in blistering form. The 22-year-old’s elevation to the senior national set-up would be wonderful to see,’ he wrote in his column for The Times.
‘There may be the odd bolter in the Bok squad, but I can’t imagine seeing too many new faces when Allister Coetzee announces his touring party the day after the Currie Cup final.’
Gold added that the Springbok backline isn’t necessarily a point of concern, but rather an area of uncertainty at the moment.
‘By and large, the forward pack is nailed to the mast in terms of selection, but the Bok backline is not cut and dried after nine Test matches this term. Contrary to popular opinion, I don’t believe the backline lacks X-factor, but it is fair to say that it is short in terms of balance.
‘David Campese made a recent observation that incumbent centres Jan Serfontein and Jesse Kriel “have been moulded into nothing more than battering rams”. Campese is correct in that Coetzee’s charges need to utilise their skills and move the ball.
‘The Boks need to be direct in terms of approach and breach the gainline because that is one of their primary strengths. That is why there are growing calls for Rohan Janse van Rensburg and Lukhanyo Am to operate as a new centre combination for the Springboks on the end-of-year tour to Europe,’ Gold explained.
‘Selection will always be a bone of contention, but I believe the Springboks’ main issues revolve around building consistency and having an understanding of how they want to play.’
Photo: Anne Laing/HM Images
