Jantjies MOM one week....the next his opponent is the MOM

Rugby 365 called Beauden Barrett the MOM in the Lions contest. Mostly, I believe, for his cool head  and control of the game at the death. That was enough to win for the Canes. The week before against a Cheetahs side, now more clearly defined after the Bools loss, Jantjies was praised for those qualities. Against the Canes, however, he lost control by continuing to play the expansive game with minutes left and a slender lead. You wont read that in the fauning South African press.

So what should we make of all this. Firstly that the Lions, Cheetahs and Canes are really vulnerable teams. They seemingly can't protect a lead.

Secondly, being a flyhalf who converts close games into victories is more than just making your kicks and running the backs. It's controlling the game....trading possession for territory and territory for possession. Knowing how to keep your knee on the opponent's neck.

Had the Cheetahs not been carded the Lions would have stood no chance of winning. Jantjies was as poor in that game as the Canes game. He has skills, but in most facets he is at best average.

South Africans have a habit of hyping up players based on CC form........wind back the clock to Gaffie du Toit and wunderkind Derrick Hougardt, two of the biggest duds and worst flyhalves I've ever seen in a Bok jumper.

Sure Jantjies shows more talent than the abovementioned which isn't hard since those two had no talent to speak of but what is clear is that young Elton is a manufactured Flyhalf, he has no natural talent to speak of, it's like they've drilled him into what he is today. As a comparison have a look at Paul O'Conner for natural talent.

Not only do they hype up players, but they push and push and push for them to be out of position!

Percy Montgomery a 15 (10, 13)
Francois Steyn a 12 (10, 15)
Patrick Lambie a 15 (10)
Gaffie du Toit a 15 (10)
Brent Russel a 15 (10)
Jaco van der Westhyzen a 15 (10)

The list goes on. Do you see a pattern here? South Africans are obsessed with shoving any talented player in at flyhalf, quite often they are naturally fullbacks.
 

That is a poor call by Rugby 365 - there were many better players than Barrett in that game, including Jantjies by some distance. Jantjies was better against the Canes than he was against the Cheetahs

Your loyalty is refreshing Dave, but I gather actually winning the game is not a priority for you.

 The Canes are a better side than the Lions - sadly the Lions have far too many average players on board, much like the Cheetahs. I dont expect these two sides to win many. My call is what I see and Jantjies made far more of an impact than his opposite number and was better this week than he was the previous.