Bosch selection vindicated, Lions’ race well and truly run, and Willemse decision-making not up to scratch are our talking points from our Super Rugby Round 10 review.
Bosch selection vindicated
After receiving overwhelming criticism for continuing to start his son, the somewhat off-form Robert du Preez Jnr at flyhalf, Sharks head coach Rob du Preez Snr finally gave the mercurial Curwin Bosch the nod to start at 10 in their clash with the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday. Not only did the 21-year-old add 13-points via the boot in his side’s 23-15 win, but his presence at first-receiver seemed to really galvanise his men on their way to what was a hard-fought victory.
Considering the pressure on du Preez Snr to produce consistent results, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see Bosch reclaim the 10 jersey for the remainder of the Sharks’ overseas tour and possibly even the rest of the season.
Lions’ race well and truly run
Considering the number of personnel changes which the franchise has had to deal with over the past few months, it was always going to take a titanic campaign for Swys de Bruin’s men to replicate their displays of the previous three seasons.
That said, their most recent 36-10 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch has perhaps underlined just how far off the pace the Lions have been in this year’s competition so far. Sitting last in the South Africa conference, and with a number of tricky fixtures still to play, it would be a safe bet to suggest the men from Jozi are out of the running.
Willemse decision-making not up to scratch
With time running out to impress the Springbok coaching staff ahead of the looming Rugby World Cup in Japan, it may not necessarily come as a surprise to see many of those vying for a spot in the squad attempting audacious on-field acts in bids to impress Rassie Erasmus and co. However, Damian Willemse’s decision to spark a late counter-attack on his own tryline, this after Handre Pollard had missed an 80th-minute conversion to reduce the Bulls’ deficit against the Stormers to within seven, was abysmal.
As it happened, the Bulls managed to score a converted try from the ensuing turnover to go down by just a single point in an eventual 23-24 loss at Newlands. While Willemse’s tactic may not have cost them the game, the Bulls were able to salvage a losing bonus-point which could come back to bite the men from the Cape. The little escapade certainly wouldn’t have helped the young fullback’s World Cup chances.
