To understand Fourie du Preez, you have to understand there are two versions of him. The pre-2009 version and the more recent laid back version who enjoys fashion, modern cultures and quality family time.
At 1.82 metres and 92 kilograms the previous version of Fourie was arguably one of the best halfbacks in world rugby.
His ability to control matches via his box kick, knowing when to set his back line away, how to cover the inadequacies of his fly half, when to make a break on the blindside and lead his team, were characteristics that came so natural. He executed the elements of his game without fuss, in fact you hardly noticed him as his tactics and execution were near flawless.
But then came the shoulder injury in 2009, and a period of recovery that saw him exit the international stage after the 2011 Rugby World Cup for the experience of a lifetime in Japan playing for the club Santori.
At the time the 62-capped Fourie du Preez was ready to start a new chapter in his life, and after relentless pursuit by Heyneke Meyer, Du Preez returned to the international arena and will no doubt be Meyer’s first choice halfback. For the sake of the South African public, Meyer will be hoping Fourie du Preez has one more 2009 in him during the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Capped 80 times for his country, Ruan Pienaar knows the Northern Hemisphere conditions better than any other Southern Hemisphere halfback. Since 2010 Pienaar has played 87 matches for Irish team Ulster and has become highly revered in Europe. Often under appreciated by his fellow countrymen, but always praised by the Irish, Pienaar is a shoe-in because his experience in Europe is invaluable to Heyneke Meyer.
Pienaar is also a very versatile player capable of playing anywhere in the backline, most notably at halfback and flyhalf.
Pienaar is a master at controlling and managing a game plan, perhaps all the years in Ireland and adverse conditions has moulded him into the ultimate player for a coach with a plan. He will hardly ever deviate from such a plan, and it is this meticulous planning and insistence on structure that has Meyer excited, and perhaps not so much the South African public who expects fast crisp service at the back of the ruck.
I do suspect though that finals rugby in the World Cup will require more structure than open exciting rugby and in this Meyer will depend on Ruan Pienaar to deliver.
The selection of the third choice halfback is currently under a cloud of uncertainty, injury to PIenaar and Fourie du Preez meant Heyneke Meyer had no choice in selecting less experienced players during 2014 and the truth of the matter is that Meyer struggled to find the next Du Preez in either Cobus Reinach or Francois Hougaard.
Hougaard is a natural ball player, he is not a kicking halfback, and no amount of coaching is going to make him a kicking halfback. More known for his tenacious defence, hard running and unpredictable play, Hougaard has already been capped 35 times, the fact that 14 of those Tests were at wing would suggest his natural abilities with ball in hand and his tough defensive attitude would make him more suited in the back three.
Reinach is an exciting player, but truth be told, I think he is too unpredictable and too exciting for a Rugby World Cup in Europe. The old adage of playing what is in front of you is very much a Reinach trait. Nothing Reinach does is pre-planned, predictable or in line with a structured game plan, for us as supporters this is what we are yearning for in the Springbok nine jersey, a new fresh attitude towards play behind the ruck and scrum.
Reinach’s late father was once the South African record holder for the 400m, and it is clear none of that pace is lost on his son. Reinach has the ability to hit the blind side, run at incredible pace, has a decent pass, average kick and is a solid defender. But it is his vision and eye for a gap that makes him a fan favourite.
Sadly, for Meyer control is as much a requirement of his game plan as the requirement that his halfbacks must possess the necessary skills to execute with the boot.
As discussed, both Hougaard and Reinach lack the fundamental skills Meyer requires from his halfbacks, they do not control matches in the manner Meyer wants and they do not possess educated boots. Hougaard struggles in wet weather and in my view is a wing that can play halfback, while Reinach is a new generation player, wanting to excite and make an individual mark in every match.
Who will be Meyer’s third choice halfback is anyone’s guess at this stage. The reality is whomever Meyer selects as third choice is only going to be used sparingly, neither of is likely to see much game time. If that is the case then Hougaard for his ability to be a back-up wing would make more sense.
