Rassie Erasmus has likened rookie flyhalf Vusi Moyo to Handré Pollard as the Springbok boss explains his logic behind the four debutants set to tackle Wales on Saturday.
Erasmus on Monday named Moyo, right wing Jaco Williams, lock Ruben van Heerden and tighthead prop Carlü Sadie to start in a formidable Bok lineup for the Nations Championship clash at Kings Park.
Moyo made his senior Bok bow in the non-cap season opener against the Barbarians on 20 June, and Erasmus highlights the 20-year-old’s physicality and all-round skills.
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“Sometimes you get a really skilful flyhalf, sometimes you get a small, nippy flyhalf. When Handré was a young guy coming through, he was somebody who took the ball to the line,” he said.
“I think Vusi, for his age, is a very big boy. He certainly doesn’t stand back from the physical side of the game. He kicks brilliantly off the tee, his restarts are excellent, he kicks to touch well and he kicks well at goal.
“We want to see him in a Test match because what he has shown in training sessions and also in the Barbarians, he definitely showed a lot. For a big guy, he’s got really soft hands.”
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Williams starred for South Africa A in a 40-0 rout of Zimbabwe last month at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. This week, he lines up in an exciting back three alongside Kurt-Lee Arendse and Aphelele Fassi.
“I always thought Jaco was just a nippy guy and just a finisher, but he’s certainly a guy who brings it physically,” Erasmus said.
“For a 21-year-old, he’s a powerful player. And he’s got a lot of speed and X factor.”
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Van Heerden and Sadie featured against the Zimbabweans and Baa-Baas, respectively.
“Like last weekend [against Scotland] and the Barbarians game, there were some guys who got opportunities,” Erasmus said. “Guys like Jaco, Carlü, Vusi and Ruben are the new players this week.
“They’ve helped prepare the other guys for the Test matches. We feel it’s fair to give them an opportunity here.”
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Erasmus was especially pleased to reward Van Heerden’s patience and commitment.
“Ruben played against us for the Barbarians last year and I thought, defensively, he really put up his hand.
“But when we called him up because of a few injuries, he said he didn’t want to play for the Barbarians. He wanted to play for South Africa. He’s a guy who really wants to be a Springbok.
“It’s nice to reward someone, and it’s not about handing out caps for free. It’s also definitely not that Ruan Nortjé has been dropped. It’s about resting Ruan.”
Photo: Steve Haag/Getty Images
The post Rassie: Vusi a big boy with soft hands appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Rassie Erasmus has likened rookie flyhalf Vusi Moyo to Handré Pollard as the Springbok boss explains his logic behind the four debutants set to tackle Wales on Saturday.
The post Rassie: Vusi a big boy with soft hands appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
