Jantjies for the first test...Coetzee seems to think so

Allister Coetzee is confident that Elton Jantjies will be fit and ready to start for the Springboks against Ireland on 11 June. JON CARDINELLI reports.

On Saturday, Coetzee sprung a few surprises when he unveiled his 31-man Test squad. One of the most significant revelations, however, was made after the squad announcement. The new Bok coach confirmed that Jantjies is making progress with a finger injury and should be ready to face Ireland in two weeks’ time.

Earlier this week, the Lions flyhalf underwent surgery to repair a damaged finger. While the operation was a success, there was some doubt regarding Jantjies’s availability for the upcoming Tests against Ireland.

On Saturday, Coetzee said that the form flyhalf in South African rugby may be wearing the Bok No 10 jersey at Newlands on 11 June.

‘According to my medical team, Elton will be in contention for the first Test,’ Coetzee said.

Coetzee has picked three flyhalves in his group of 31. Jantjies is the form player, but has only played two Tests for South Africa. Pat Lambie boasts more experience as a veteran of 50 Tests and two World Cup tournaments. The selection of Garth April, the 24-year-old rookie from the Sharks, has raised a few eyebrows.

‘Handré Pollard, Kurt Coleman and Robert du Preez are all injured at the moment. They would have featured in one of the [Bok or SA A] squads this June. That said, April has certainly taken his opportunity. He showed his composure when the Sharks toured France in the pre-season, and in the Super Rugby tournament. He has a good kicking game and is not afraid to take on the line. I have confidence in his ability,’ said Coetzee.

‘One shouldn’t be afraid to expose young flyhalves. We saw that when New Zealand brought [Highlanders star] Lima Sopoaga to Ellis Park last year. In the same way, I know this boy [April] has got it.

‘I was never going to select an overseas-based player as my third flyhalf option,’ Coetzee added, in reference to the likes of Johan Goosen (Racing 92) and Morné Steyn (Stade Français) who are performing for their respective clubs overseas. He then explained the need to manage April carefully in the coming series.

‘I want to bring him through slowly, I don’t want to break him,’ the Bok coach said. ‘If Elton doesn’t pass fit, and Lambie breaks down in the lead-up to the first Test against Ireland, then it may be a big ask for Garth to start. In those circumstances, I may need to look at bringing in a more experienced option from outside the Bok and SA A squads.’

In for a penny, in for a pound.

 Good to read that Coetzee knows you have to bring players in and develop them, i.e. don't throw them in the deep-end. Too often I see SA players hyped up & destroyed by playing them without first developing them in the international setting.

Too often the Springboks in the past played poor has-beens and never has-beens based on reputation and not performance.  Although there are some really ridiculous picks in the side most of the players in the new squad are selected based on performance.     

Look in all seriousness  April has played about 5 Super Rugby games. Ninety per cent of our  image of him derives from the nice break and score against the Chiefs. I think this kid has tremendous potential, he seems stronger and faster than Jantjies, less reliant on Quaalude like gimmicks. But is he ready for test rugby?  Nope he should be in the "A" team.