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Two things that stand out to me as we round the final bend and head down the Super Rugby season stretch is the quality of young South African fly halves, and how bizarre conference rugby has been this year.
Conference rugby
Here we are, just two rounds left until the field of 15 is narrowed to six. Thankfully and finally in the case of the Force, Blues, Rebels and Sharks, who have just been making up the numbers for some time now, perhaps heartbreakingly for the Crusaders and Lions.
Specifically, with two weekends before finals, we find ourselves in the extremely sticky situation where it’s eminently possible only one Australian side will make the finals. And that could be only because they won their conference. Preposterously, that team would also host a final.
What a debacle the Australian conference is this year. It’s been blighted by inconsistency, injury and poor skill levels. Again, the highest ranked Australian team could still come sixth, or even seventh.
The table currently shows the Waratahs on third, with 42 points, in a tie with the sixth-placed Brumbies. If both lose their remaining two matches, they could both miss out on a points-earned finals position.
The Lions, on 40 points, could finish on 45 points with a bonus-point victory against the Stormers before their bye in the last round. In seventh on 36 points, the Crusaders could score a possible 10 points, taking their tally to 45.
Do I think this will happen? No. I don’t think the Crusaders will make the finals this year; I put that out in April. But it shouldn’t even be a semi-realistic thought with two rounds remaining.
With two teams as poor as the Force and Reds at the bottom of the Australian conference – they had a little ‘wooden spoon playoff’ of sorts last week, remember – there is no way the top Australian sides should be grovelling around for a home playoff game with two rounds left.
Yes, all you South Africans out there, it’s equally bleak for you lot. The conference-leading Stormers are on just 43 points, and could theoretically be in the same unedifying position of sneaking into the finals by virtue of the conference set up. And the Bulls are already on the outside looking in back in eighth.
I had a go at the Bulls and Stormers more thoroughly during my power rankings a few weeks ago.
Springbok fly half situation
Handre Pollard, Elton Jantjies and Demetri Catrakilis are very different in terms of what each puts on the table, but they should be the first three fly halves the Springboks take to the World Cup.
Different skills can be moulded into a strong partnership. You probably didn’t think ASAP Rocky, Rod Stewart and Miguel would be in a bangin’ song together, but they are.
Jantjies has always been a talent, but this is the first year it all seems to have come together for him. Previously he hasn’t quite been ready, has been erratic, or hasn’t been in the right place to succeed.
At the Lions – a team still with an outside finals shot, but certainly one to watch for 2016 if they bring the band back – Jantjies has been a constant attacking spark, a solid goal-kicker (with his first shaky round last week), and very adept at unlocking the young centre and wing talent outside.
Demetri Catrakilis got his first consistent shot with the Southern Kings. Even on that side, copping weekly floggings for the most part, he stood out with strong fundamental skills and defensive commitment.
On the Stormers, with a more capable supporting cast he’s been a dead-eye kicker (94%), a capable link man, and occasional attacking threat. A very capable and sound fly half and an important part of the Stormers’ potential (sometimes unfulfilled) to be an extremely well rounded attacking team.
Pollard is fantastic. I hope there isn’t some misguided protection of him that means he isn’t the first-choice fly half at this point. He is now the second-best kicker in Super Rugby, he takes the ball to the line with a rare intensity for a fly half, and has a nice range of passes.
At 21 he’s still a pup but he has the tools to be a great and has enough in him to move to fullback later in the match if that helps the game-day flexibility.
Morne Steyn has done well for the Boks in the past, but the three younger bodies offer more than just a steady hand and goal kicking. With respect to Steyn’s achievements, the younger players are good enough that holding onto the past isn’t necessary.
Pat Lambie seemed to be the one who would take over after Steyn but he’s been out injured while the other three have pressed their claims – you snooze you lose. And he’s been anchoring an underperforming Sharks outfit, while the other three have been obviously important cogs in their teams’ success.
Pollard, Jantjies and Catrakilis, does anyone besides New Zealand have a more capable, well-rounded and varied trio of fly halves to take to England? In Australia it’s so bare we’re trying to talk ourselves into Quade Cooper as a threat to Bernard Foley after one good game back from injury. I’m jealous.
Since I’ve been watching rugby South Africa might be one of the last places I’d consider turning for real playmaking depth. This year there is a great crop, headlined by these three fly halves.
If you want to dig further, the likes of Damian de Allende, Andries Coetzee and Harold Vorster are doing great things at other positions too.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.