Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says Quan Horn’s surprise selection at flyhalf for Saturday’s match against the Barbarians is part of their long-term planning. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports.
Erasmus explained that circumstances created an opportunity to test the Lions fullback in a new role.
“Manie [Libbok] has played a lot of rugby in Japan recently and we want to manage him properly.
“We must also see Handré [Pollard] get through the URC final [on Friday night] without injury, while Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] is currently injured.
“So it creates an opportunity for us to have a look at Quan.”
The Bok boss said Horn’s versatility could prove valuable.
“We know he can he play 15, but if he can play 10 and 15, hopefully in future that will will help with a 6-2 bench split.
“The other assistant coaches, all of us, really see something in him when it comes to 10.”
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Erasmus pointed to prop Ox Nché’s injury in the corresponding fixture last year as the reason for not risking Libbok unnecessarily.
“We really didn’t have to play Ox in that specific game because he was match fit, so we are just trying to avoid that with Manie.”
He added that assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick and Tony Brown had been really impressed by Horn.
“What he does for the Lions, maybe he doesn’t have a 10 on his back, but he certainly comes into the mix a lot as first receiver.
“We’ve worked with him for three years now in training sessions and we really like the way he takes the ball to the line.
“He’s an awesome defender, he’s got a really great pass and he’s not bang [afraid] if someone runs into that channel, and that’s important for us.”
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Erasmus also pointed to Junior Boks flyhalf Vusi Moyo as an outstanding prospect.
“Vusi, who is on the bench, is one of the guys who really caught the eye in these two weeks. He’s a very calm guy, physical, and kicks without effort.
“So we think the two of them can do the job for us.”
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Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick confirmed that wing Cheslin Kolbe will be the primary goal-kicker at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, having performed the role for his Japanese club this season, with Horn the back-up kicker.
“Cheslin has always been a back-up [kicker] for us, so I think we are safe there,” Stick said.
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Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Rassie: Boks see something in Quan at 10 appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus says Quan Horn’s surprise selection at flyhalf for Saturday’s match against the Barbarians is part of their long-term planning.
The post Rassie: Boks see something in Quan at 10 appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
