Who can fill the boots of Francois Steyn?
Roar Rookie
By Sheldon, 23 Oct 2009 Sheldon is a Roar Rookie
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With the departure of Francois Steyn and the looming tour ahead, the Springboks have been left with an enormous pair of boots to fill. Ruan Pienaar is a great rugby player, but he is a scrumhalf and not a make shift fullback.
I think this point was put to rest in this years Tri-Nations when he was played there on the overseas leg of the tour.
I believe we need a specialist in the fullback position and not an all rounder. Especially with the style of kick and chase rugby currently adopted by the Springboks and now starting to be copied by oppositions.
My first choice in this position, should he have not had the injury to his leg, would have been Western Province’s Conrad Jantjies. But with him gone, it leaves us with only three choices: Earl Rose, Joe Petersen and Zayne Kirchner.
Earl Rose, the Cape Town born Lions player, should be the third choice. I am only writing about him because I know that his name is going to come up in the media.
Yes, he has talent, he runs good lines, and has a decent boot.
Unfortunately, he lacks the reliability we need. One could only imagine the errors that could creep into his game in the wet and soggy Northern Hemisphere conditions.
Western Province’s Joe Petersen has come a long way this season. He thoroughly deserves his nomination for Currie Cup player of the season.
He also has the advantage of being a very good goal kicker, which would be handy should something happen to Morne Stein.
The Bulls’ Zayne Kirchner has earned his call up.
He is very used to the style of rugby that the Springboks play from his seasons with the Bulls. He is physical and good under the high ball, which is going to be a tougher task for any fullback in the conditions that will present themselves in the Northern Hemisphere.
He will also, more than likely, feel comfortable with the players around him, making the transition a lot easier.
He will need to be given a couple of games to find his feet, though, in the massive shoes he will be trying to fill. Let’s hope that the less than patient South African public gives him the chance he deserves.
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Robbo said | October 23rd 2009 @ 6:18am | Report comment
I’d personally go with Kirchner – I was very impressed by him during the Super 14. I couldn’t be happier to see Conrad Jantjies out of contention – he has to be one of the most overrated players (excluding Tuqiri, Tahu, Sailor, Rogers and any other Waratah ex-League player) in world rugby.
Ruan Pienaar in a great utility player and I’m sure he could do a more than passable job at the 9, 10 and 15 positions if anyone was injured.
van der Merwe said | October 23rd 2009 @ 6:18am | Report comment
Terblanche would be the safest option, but Peter refuses to touch him with a ten foot pole because he is as old as the hills.
Lee said | October 23rd 2009 @ 7:25am | Report comment
Yeah Terblanche is the best bet, very reliable and a good boot.
To me Kirchner proved he needs a bit more time to develop when he played for the Emerging Boks against the Lions. Some good touches, but some silly mistakes to e.g charge down kick leading to Lions try and bombing what looked like a certain try by passing to early and not drawing the defender in.
He should definately go on the end of year tour but I think pick terblanche as your first choice fullback and make Kirchner learn as much from him as possible. I think it would benefit Kirchner hugely to have an old head there to steady him.
Grandpabhaile said | October 23rd 2009 @ 7:29am | Report comment
“Unfortunately, he lacks the reliability we need. One could only imagine the errors that could creep into his game in the wet and soggy Northern Hemisphere conditions.”
The mind boggles in trying to imagine this godforsaken sceanrio. What a thought. Imagine having to play in wet and soggy conditions – quelle horreur!
Doesn’t it rain in South Africa, then?
Blades said | October 26th 2009 @ 7:20pm | Report comment
Where he plays, It does not actually.
TommyM said | October 23rd 2009 @ 7:40am | Report comment
Watching Joe Petersen in the Currie Cup, he seems a fantastically talented player with all the skills. Unfortunately though, like James O’Connor, I think he’s probably a little bit short for a test fullback. I’d agree Jantjes would be the best pick if he were available, but would pick Kirchner over Terblanche. The World Cup’s not that far away. May as well develop him now.
Robbo said | October 23rd 2009 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
I don’t think height means a huge amount for a fullback. It is more the jump height than actual height that counts. Take Billy Slater – probably the best fullback in either code at the moment – and comparatively short.
PastHisBest said | October 23rd 2009 @ 3:12pm | Report comment
“Take Billy Slater – probably the best fullback in either code at the moment ”
Robbo BS is excellent, however comparing the fullback position in the two codes is fraught as they are quite different.
Robbo said | October 23rd 2009 @ 7:40pm | Report comment
The roles are quite different but I think it is probably the one position which you can compare. I don’t think union would present anything that would make Slaters height an issue – in fact the league fullback probably has to make more tackles and diffuse more “bombs” (due to the predictable high ball after each set). Most qualityfullbacks in both codes have attributes which would make them excel in the other – whereas league players in other positions would – in my opinion anyway – probably struggle more to adapt.
Hammer said | October 23rd 2009 @ 3:22pm | Report comment
Billy Slater is not even the best fullback in league …
Robbo said | October 23rd 2009 @ 7:46pm | Report comment
Well we can agree to disagree one this one:
I’d say Hayne is a better player but Slater is a better Fullback.
Back on topic:
Thanks Roarers for mentioning Terblance, I had completely forgot about him! I’d have him on the bench at very least.
Knives Out said | October 24th 2009 @ 4:05am | Report comment
I have been impressed by Pieterson every time I’ve seen him (which isn’t much). He reminded me a little of Brent Russell. Conversely, I think that Kirchner is prone to errors, lacks concentration and is generally erratic.
Firestarter Bob said | October 23rd 2009 @ 8:00am | Report comment
Why should Francois Steyn lose his place in the team? Is he no longer a South African citizen?
Brett McKay said | October 23rd 2009 @ 8:21am | Report comment
FS Bob has a point, South Africa does have a three-foreign-based players policy in place, Matfield and Smit among others have benefitted from this policy already..
To answer the question posed though, I too liked the look of Kirchner during the Super 14. In a Bulls team of superstars, he didn’t look out of place at all….
Willem said | October 23rd 2009 @ 8:35am | Report comment
Yes but De villiers will only use the overseas players if their is no one from SA who can play at test level. Unfortunataly for Steyn their are a number of contenders putting their hands up to fill his spot. the same goes for Jean de Villiers the likes of Olivier will be a big stumbeling block that will keep him out of the team.
chris, syd Aust said | October 23rd 2009 @ 8:47am | Report comment
he’s playing in the top 14 with racing metro
OldManEmu said | October 23rd 2009 @ 9:10am | Report comment
Sheldon – as an Aussie my answer is “hopefully no one”.
eric said | October 23rd 2009 @ 12:07pm | Report comment
Can someone tell me why Steyn is unavailable? Anyway, apart from his extraordinary kicking, he wasn’t an automatic choice in the Tests, in my view. Kirchner was unlucky not to get picked for the Lions and Tri-Nations tests.
Justin said | October 23rd 2009 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Agree Eric. I thought Kirshner was comfortably the best SA 15 in S14 and should have been there all season.
Steyn thunders his goal kicks but for mine isnt much of a 15, more a 12.