Will Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus call out the name of Damian Willemse when he names his World Cup squad on Monday?
That was the big question entering this past weekend’s Currie Cup action.
It was generally accepted that Willemse was out of the running, having only started his first match of the Currie Cup campaign against the Free State Cheetahs on Saturday.
But then in the build-up to the weekend, WP coach John Dobson kind of put him back in contention, saying the player has told him that he will play for his Bok spot.
I am of the opinion that Erasmus would have watched the match carefully.
WORTH A GAMBLE: Rassie Erasmus. Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix.
On Friday, we already saw Wallabies coach Michael Cheika doing the unpredictable by including uncapped 19-year-old Jordan Petaia in his squad.
Now I expected Willemse to be selfish against the Cheetahs and play as if the match was all about him and his place in the World Cup.
Instead, he showed maturity beyond his years by playing a superb passing game and looking for the gap when it is on.
His game management was spot on, and with the Boks still looking for that third flyhalf, he certainly didn’t disappoint in that regard.
Now it was as a fullback that Erasmus wanted to use him in the group initially.
UNIMPRESSIVE: Fullback Warrick Gelant. Photo: Willem Loock/BackpagePix.
In my books, I have not been impressed by what I’ve seen from Warrick Gelant and Willie le Roux this year and I believe we should have seen a bit more from Dillyn Leyds in the Green and Gold.
With 32 men currently in the squad, one will fall away.
The question is, will Erasmus be brave enough to axe two players for a bit of “magic” in Willemse?
SLOW OFF THE MARK: Bok Frans Steyn. Photo: Willem Loock/BackpagePix.
Those two players will then have to be Frans Steyn, who will have to act as a utility back if Willemse’s not there, and Gelant who is your second-choice fullback.
Willemse wasn’t the showstopper we all know he can be on Saturday.
But Erasmus will know what he has in him and the fact that he got through the game unscathed is perhaps the most important.
With the Springboks only playing Japan on September 6, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to include Willemse and give him an extended run in that encounter as well.
Besides, the position up for grabs is not for that of a starter, but rather a bench player.
And while Steyn is solid, the veteran lacks pace.
Gelant is good at the back and can produce magic, but with SA also using their No.15 at flyhalf at times in matches, he simply isn’t the man for the dual role.
Besides, Willemse will be at the next World Cup and getting him to this one will allow him to be one of the “senior” men when the next tournament comes around.
So is it Willemse for Gelant and Steyn?
Your call Rassie. . .