26 September 2019, by: Ludumo Nkabi

Why Jantjies, Steyn and Am in tandem could be a masterstroke

The team named by Rassie Erasmus for the Namibian game was received with mixed reactions. Some lauded the Springbok coach for his bravery in the selection, while a fair few were not impressed with some of his decisions ahead of the clash with fellow Africans, Namibia.

There is merit in the call for Siya Kolisi to get as much game time as possible on the park before the knockout stages, the Bok captain did not enjoy his best Test against the All Blacks and looked a man lacking in match fitness and many a Springbok supporter would have rather had him in the run-on side to improve his fitness.

There is also the risky call of handing Schalk Brits the captaincy from eigthman, if you watched the hooker at Saracens, you will be familiar with Brits coming off the bench as a loose forward, but to start him is a completely different ball game. In a Rugby World Cup where the Tier 2 nations are putting on a show, the possibility of it being a banana peel is exponentially higher.

The one aspect of Erasmus’ selections that could yield dividends in the matchup against Nambia is his flyhalf-centre combination, Elton Jantjies comes in at 10 while Frans Steyn and Lukhanyo Am pair up in the centres. This is the first time this combination has started in a game for the Springboks.

Pollard and de Allende are very similar in their appetite for making contact, a part of their game that inhibits their distributions skills and in the greater scheme of things hinders Am’s own offensive abilities.

It is hard for the Sharks centre to showcase his ball skills as he often receives the ball with little space to manoeuvre considering the often delayed ball coming from his inside backs. A close look at Am in the Sharks set up and you will note how his feet and ball skills can be used to maximise the output of his back 3 on attack.

It is fair to say there is less space and time in Test rugby, but for Am, it cannot be easy playing outside 2 players known for holding onto the ball. There is the possibility that Erasmus is content with his defensive output to the point that he can accept his limited influence on attack.

Playing outside Frans Steyn may finally allow the Sharks man to get good go-forward momentum. Despite being a heavy ball carrier down the middle, Steyn is more adept as a distributor owing to his days as a flyhalf.

The 32-year-old is experienced and could prove a more shrewd decision-maker in terms of when to pass and when to carry into the traffic. Steyn’s best Springbok outings have been when he has been able to mix it up in the centres.

He may not have the athleticism of the freak talent he was in his early 20s, however, the rugby brain seems to still be intact. His boot also offers the Springboks an alternative to Elton Jantjies left boot.

Jantjies is a much maligned character in Springbok circles, unfairly so at times from both fans and at times the team management, the 29-year-old has the opportunity to put his name in the hat for the starting berth ahead of the knockouts.

Elton Jantjies thrives off fast and snappy service and he has the perfect complement in his namesake Herschel, but it is the man on his inside that he might come into perfect chemistry with, apart from the alternate boot that puts him under significantly less pressure, there could be more to that 10-12 axis.

The Lions flyhalf is a playmaker loves giving strike runners the perfect pass and manipulates space for his centres and Steyn could fit that bill perfectly. Rohan Janse van Rensburg and latterly Harold Vorster were beneficiaries of those close to the line flat passes that they ran onto and broke the line regularly off.

His ability to pick out runners on the drift has always stood out and with Steyn prone to reading his flyhalves accurately more often than not, it could be the perfect combination which will hopefully allow Am a bit more freedom on attack.

The opposition is Namibia, who are yet to register a win in 6 World Cup appearances, so any great performance will be viewed in context, but the game presents all 3 players with a massive opportunity in a Springbok context.

For Am, his attacking prowess must be on full display to complement his defensive capabilities, Steyn must prove he still has the desire and capability that made him South Africa’s youngest Rugby World Cup winner ever. Jantjies must shed any criticism and just play his game. The trio are primed to do so and it could be poetry.

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