The Springbok flyhalf stocks are in rude health ahead of the Rugby World Cup in Australia next year, according to former Bok legend Morné Steyn, but he has lamented the missed opportunity of not blooding Chris Smith.
The Boks have three frontline flyhalves, in Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who is currently injured, Handré Pollard and Manie Libbok, which sees them in a much stronger position than they were heading into the 2019 and 2023 World Cup tournaments.
Steyn, however, believes that after a fantastic United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign for the Lions, Smith could have added even more strength and depth to the Boks’ pivot stocks, and said the Boks had missed out on an opportunity.
“We have quality world class flyhalves in our country, and it is an extremely strong position for us to be in, but I am still a bit disappointed that a guy like Chris Smith is not in the squad. I think we have missed an opportunity there (to get him in the system),” said Steyn.
“He had a great season and won a lot of games for us (the Lions). He won the golden boot in the URC and I think he did more than enough to get a look in. So it is disappointing for me that he is not there.
“But (Bok coach) Rassie (Erasmus) knows exactly what he’s got in Handré, Sacha and Manie, so I think we will be fully ready for the World Cup and one of the favourites again when it comes around.”
Running out of time
Smith, at 31-years-old, could be running out of time to get into the national team mix, but Steyn believes if he continues to perform at the highest level, there is still plenty of time for him to get a shot.
“I think a guy like Deon Fourie has shown that anything is possible, he got his first Springbok cap at 36. I think age is just a number and if a guy is good enough you should play him,” said Steyn.
“So I think a guy like Chris is showing his class in the URC playing against the best players in the world, and as long as he continues to do that he can still get his chance.”
Adding to the incredible depth the Boks have in the No 10 position will be Lions fullback Quan Horn, who will play at flyhalf for them against the Barbarians on Saturday.
If he impresses in the match he will join a growing list of utility players who can slot into that role when needed, including guys like Damian Willemse, Cheslin Kolbe and Aphelele Fassi, while a number of exciting junior talents coming through the system also hold that same value.
“He’s good in contact, he’s extremely fast off the mark, so he is going to be exciting. He makes me think of Marcus Smith, and I think he can become that type of player for the Boks,” said Steyn about Horn.
“I think this is a game (Barbarians match) for Rassie to try some things, and is the right game for him to pick Quan there at 10, so that we can see what he can do, and if he does well here he can maybe do it in one of the Tests (later in the season) as well.”
