Lucky Sithole
Faf de Klerk is that kind of guy you miss when he isn’t there, but wonder what he’s going to get up to when he is around
He is the scrumhalf, more than any other player, accused of using the box kick as a strategy – as if strategy decisions are up to him. This afternoon we can all watch (as we anxiously clutch our beer bottles to our chests) how much Cobus Reinach and Herschel Jantjies will depend on the box kick.
And if ever Handré Pollard will feel the heat, today is the day. Great flyhalfs are often defined by their scrumhalfs (remember Joel Stransky and Joost van der Westhuizen) and it remains to be seen how well he does without De Klerk. The pressure will be immense.
In addition, the Springbok loose forwards, the guys who have to take care of the halfbacks, are certainly not the Boks’ first choices. The Lions must be rubbing their hands in glee that Pieter-Steph du Toit is not packing at the side of the scrum and Duane Vermeulen isn’t available either. Vermeulen – one of the most awesome (in the true sense of the word) players in rugby, is not at the back of the scrum.
Franco Mostert in the number seven jersey begs the age old question: is he fast enough, is he nimble enough? While Mostert has silenced his critics regarding physical presence and work rate and having him in the lineout is a real advantage, but he should really be at lock.
So, without Vermeulen, Du Toit and De Klerk, will the real Mr Pollard please stand up?
The Lions tour has been a fierce contest (to say the least!) and it’s a fitting end to a great tour – and appropriate that any prediction would involve the words “narrow margin”. Lucky predicts the Springboks will win it by the narrowest of margins.
Image source: @EveningStandard
