Nick Mallett says starting at flyhalf for the Springboks against the Barbarians on Saturday will be a “fantastic challenge” for Lions fullback Quan Horn.
Horn has been handed a surprise start at No 10 for the season-opening clash in Gqeberha, just his second appearance in a Springbok jersey after making his Test debut off the bench against Portugal in Bloemfontein in 2024.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on Tuesday explained that the selection is part of the team’s long-term planning. With Manie Libbok having played a full season in Japan, Handré Pollard involved in Friday night’s Vodacom URC final and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu sidelined through injury, the Boks saw an opportunity to test Horn in a new role.
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Mallett believes the 24-year-old is well suited to it.
“Quan Horn has had an outstanding season,” the former Springbok coach said on the Talking Boks podcast.
“If you go through the games the Lions have played well in, he’s often come in from fullback into flyhalf in the second or third phase and controlled their passing game.
“He’s also been used to play at width, to put in cross-kicks and little chips over the top. So you’ve seen a lot of No 10 expertise from him within the Lions’ template.
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“To go into a Springbok game like this is a fantastic challenge for him.
“I know it’s the Barbarians, but nowadays they don’t just throw it around willy-nilly. They also try to set up a decent structure and get front-foot ball before they start moving it.
“They don’t want to lose by 50 points, so it’s going to be a good test for him.”
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Mallett believes Horn will benefit from being in a backline featuring several seasoned internationals.
“The wonderful thing is he’s got André Esterhuizen outside him and Grant Williams at scrumhalf, with Jesse Kriel as well [in midfield], so there’s a lot of experience around him,” he said.
“Quan has got a lot of confidence. He’s a very talented player.
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“I like it, actually. I really like the left-field decision,” Mallett added.
“The important thing is that he’s going into a team that is very structured and very well organised, so he’ll know exactly what his role is.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Mallett likes ‘left-field’ Horn selection appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Nick Mallett says starting at flyhalf for the Springboks against the Barbarians on Saturday will be a “fantastic challenge” for Lions fullback Quan Horn.
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