Hendrikse can spark Springboks to life in the absence of Faf de Klerk
In the absence of the highly-influential Faf de Klerk, who has been missing through injury since sustaining damage to his hip in the second test against the British & Irish Lions, the Springboks have been forced to build their strength in depth at scrumhalf.
Considering that the Springboks are heavily dependent on their No 9s in order to execute the current game plan, it’s a fillip for the national team that the scrumhalf situation is in a good space from a South African perspective.
Make no mistake: De Klerk, who has been the heartbeat of the national side ever since the 30-cap foreign player rule was abolished by SA Rugby in 2018, is a big miss.
However, his injury means that a door has been opened for somebody else. It’s testament to the strength of the squad and in terms of what they are doing that they haven’t lost anything so to speak.
It’s been pretty seamless considering that the men in green and gold have the quality of a player like Cobus Reinach to call upon to occupy the starting jersey, with Jaden Hendrikse and Herschel Jantjies waiting in the wings.
In the infancy of his test match career, Reinach has had to play the role of impact player which he has done unbelievably well.
However, the current situation presents him with a great opportunity to prove that he’s not just a super-sub but is capable of playing 60-80 minutes in that starting position.
Contrary to some analysis, the Springboks don’t particularly play more off 10 when De Klerk’s not there and I didn’t sense that that was the case when Reinach stepped in.
The big debate going on at the moment in the world is that South Africa are potentially killing rugby. I would counter said argument by saying that South Africa are being incredibly smart in the way they play rugby because they are winning games.
In terms of the manner in which the Springboks are playing, it’s quite clear that they are employing an aerially-based, territorially-driven strategy with an emphasis on defence.
Firstly, it’s the system itself which is making the Springbok scrumhalves defend unbelievably well – taking away time and space from the opposition – and secondly it’s about attitude.
The Bok No 9s get off the line quickly, into the faces of opponents and chop their legs and get them to the ground.
Exclusive: European fans best get their wallets ready because there could be some exceptional rugby heading your way ? https://t.co/tMHeYCKQAZ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 19, 2021
In terms of execution on attack, a lot of the time teams will execute off 10, but it’s quite clear the Boks have looked to play more off 9. It places pressure and responsibility on the number nine to execute.
The Springboks have figured out where their own strengths lie and the reason the current protagonists are in the mix at halfback is because they have proven their worth at the highest level.
For me, test rugby is more about being a strategic game than it is about entertaining people. Maybe the time will come when the Springboks feel that they need to be more adventurous and play more off 10 but to what end? You might risk losing a Rugby Championship because you decide to do that.
De Klerk’s defensive game definitely stands out. He fights way above his weight, gets under the skin of opposition players and is a tenacious competitor, which is aligned to what the Springboks are about at the moment.
When fit, the 29-year-old is unequivocally the first-choice starter for South Africa, but Reinach and Hendrikse have underlined their pedigree.
The game has changed and there is more expected of a halfback now than there was when I played in terms of having a holistic, well-rounded set of skills.
You’ve got to be able to play game after game at a high level, which is a big ask for players who are traditionally much smaller guys in the grand scheme of things.
Within today’s game, scrumhalves need to be incredibly athletic, powerful and must possess plenty of endurance.
It’s little wonder that Hendrikse has skipped the queue because he ticks the aforementioned boxes.
At 21, he is still young and raw but the impact he has during a game and the contributions he makes are through the roof. He must be super-fit because he boasts an unbelievable engine.
UPDATE: Pumas change it up ahead of the second Test against the Boks in PE. #RugbyChampionship https://t.co/YYNBBol5n1
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 19, 2021
At provincial level for the Sharks, he was probably making 20-30 percent more contributions a game than other scrumhalves would in the same position. It will be good to see Hendrikse get an extended run in the Springbok jersey in the absence of De Klerk.
However, Reinach will hope that Hendrikse doesn’t get too much game time because he wants the opportunity to cement the starting spot.
The competition for places is always healthy and the bonus is that there are so many tests for the Springboks over the remainder of the year that I see the squad being rotated as the season unfurls.
Comments on RugbyPass
He would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
1 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to comments