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Rassie urged to pick forgotten Bok Duo

Started by clevermike4 REPLIES621 VIEWS· 16 Apr 2018, 14:11
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CL
clevermikeCoach57,555 posts
16 Apr 2018, 14:11
#1
16 Apr 2018, 14:11#1

The following from News24:


Dai Young, the director of rugby at English club Wasps, has called on Rassie Erasmus to pick forgotten Springboks Willie le Roux and Juan de Jongh.

Le Roux and De Jongh have impressed in the Aviva Premiership this season and the English club's mentor said he had already spoken to the Springbok coach about the duo's prowess.

"I met with Rassie about both of them and put my point across. I wouldn't be surprised if they feature in the summer (June Tests) for South Africa," Young told the KweseESPN website.

Le Roux has been so impressive for Wasps that Young said he didn't think the player could "do any more".

"Willie has been excellent all season for us and is commanding in the air. He spots great angles and hits space by scanning what is in front of him for opportunities and is playing well enough to put his hand up for a recall."

Young added that De Jongh has been "excellent" and his defence is "outstanding".

"(Juan) does all the small things really well."

Le Roux, who can play fullback and wing, played the last of his 41 Tests in the shock 20-18 loss to Italy in 2016, while midfielder De Jongh played the last of his 19 Tests in the crushing 57-15 defeat to the All Blacks in Durban that same year.

SA Rugby has a ruling which states that only overseas-based Springboks with 30 or more Test caps can be picked for the national team outside a Rugby World Cup year.

It was however recently revealed the ruling would not be cast in stone for Erasmus, which means De Jongh could come into the picture this year.

“Rassie spoke to us about it,” Mark Alexander, the president of SA Rugby, said recently.

“The rule remains, but we will consider every request by Rassie on its merits. The Boks are SARU’s flagship and we will do everything we can to give them the necessary support.”

The Springboks start their 2018 season with a Test against Wales in Washington DC on June 2, followed by a three-Test home series against England.



England’s first Test against the Springboks is scheduled for June 9 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, with Tests in Bloemfontein (Free State Stadium, June 16) and Cape Town (Newlands, June 23) to follow."
I have seen a number of the Wasps gams and it was clear that Le Roux was outstanding, but De Jongh is too poor a center to be even to be considered.   He may do well agaiunst lesser opposition - but has never been really up to test level - his last test was a serious disaster.
I suspect that Rassie may of the foreign club players call up  Le Roux and Vermeulen, the latter purely because of reputation - but cannot see any of the others making headway.   However, the last camp is in May and will be attended by Sharks and foreign club players and we will then see where Ra ssie is going.       


BE
Beeno1Captain40,032 posts
16 Apr 2018, 14:21
#2
16 Apr 2018, 14:21#2

De Jongh,  can scarcely beli eve this!! Willie of course!

MO
moolaaPro2,380 posts
16 Apr 2018, 21:49
#3
16 Apr 2018, 21:49#3
“Dai Young”. What a classic name!!
XA
XaviPro1,924 posts
16 Apr 2018, 22:25
#4
16 Apr 2018, 22:25#4

Only the good??

sharkbok
sharkbokCaptain23,255 posts
16 Apr 2018, 22:46
#5
16 Apr 2018, 22:46#5
Wee Dejong has been forsaken and exposed as too small for test rugby. He should have played on the wing and used his pace and running skills. His passing and playmaking ability is useless, and he is far too small on defence. 
Wille LeRoux is another story. The unsung playmaker. The person that makes things happen when it appears that no game plan is in existence.
— END OF THREAD —

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