Jannie Du Plessis the most valuable player in SA?

 Ex SA Rugby Mag

Jannie du Plessis is the most valuable player in South African rugby because of his ability and experience at tighthead prop, writes GARETH DUNCAN.

South Africa boasts great depth and talent in many positions, but tighthead prop is one area where the Springboks are  limited. In fact, Du Plessis is the only starting option as there are no other players in the national frame who are able to dominate in the No 3 jersey.(Malherbe in my view is already a better 3 than Jannie. I also like snapster have some hope for Marcell v/d Merwe)

That’s the reason why Du Plessis featured in 34 games during Super Rugby, Currie Cup and Tests in 2012. He’s also played in all 16 games for the Sharks during their past Super Rugby campaign and started in all three June Tests for the Boks. With Frans Malherbe injured and Coenie Oosthuizen still an experiment at tighthead prop, Du Plessis is set to start all six matches in the Castle Rugby Championship. It would have been beneficial for the Boks to have included Lourens Adriaanse or Wiehahn Herbst in the wider squad, who would have learned a great deal working with Du Plessis. (Adriaanse yes but not Herbst. He simply isnt strong enough)

The 30-year-old is a master of his craft, with 45 Tests on the right hand side of the scrum. Front-row experts also believe the new scrum laws will benefit his strengths at the set piece as he has great technique and strength in the drive. He also carries the ball, is a strong defender and makes valuable contributions at the rucks, which is a very good all-round game for a tighthead.(Malherbes all round game is better)

If only he was good at the one thing you expect him to be good and that is scrumming. I

He certainly is not a great tighthead but as long as he can do a job till Malherbe and Marcell are ready etc that will be okay. Mike he is not too old. Tight forwards mature later than backs etc. This is a point you guys should note. Hence a place for Bakkies for a season or so to bring along the young guys like Etzebeth and Du Toit would be a good move.

good article, i dont agree with most parts, but the experience factor of jannie is a big big plus.

IMO connie is a better tighthead, his scrummaging is not his strong point, but its no worse then jannie has been all year and at least connies game everywhere else especially the ball in hand is amongst the best in the world for any prop.

its funny, All Blacks have got tightheads coming out the wazoo but loosehead props or top elite level ones are in short supply excluding woody whose still got it and then some, but for how long is the real question, cos i dont think he can keep it up till the 2015 RWC, but for now its no worries and im happy. but outside of woody, our best options are ben franks and crockett, crocekktt has the edge, he cant scrummage for shit, but the rest of his game is at least world class,e specially his defence and ben is just a lower tier version of crockett.