It is real hard life for the existing Springbok centers out there. Both Jean De Villiers and Francois Steyn are under siege by youngsters threatening to dislodge them. De Villiers - due to the age factor - may be the first to go, but Steyn must be very careful - he can also be dislodged from his lofty position.
Taute is the first one to get a foot in the door - but there are others waiting in the wings as well. Here I am thinking of Jordaan, JP du Plessis and Howard in particular - but there are other youngsters playing under 21 that may dislodged them as well.
The one that showed a lot of class in the Under 20 WC was Serfontein - but the Bulls is having a detrimental effect on this youngsters development and he is given virtually no chance to develop. He would be well-advised to move to another franchise. It is highly unusual for the Junior Player of the Year not to move ahead quickly into at least the top teams like the Super 15 - but Serfontei is not even being used on CC level. I would love to see Serfontein playing for the Sharks, the Cheetahs or even for the Stormers - then he would really show his true potential.
