Jake White says he has noticed a “spring in the step” of Canan Moodie after naming him to start at outside centre for the Vodacom Bulls against Dragons in Newport on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.

Moodie will shift from his regular wing to outside centre when the Vodacom Bulls look to continue their excellent run in the URC with the first of two successive away games.

It will be the first time that Moodie dons that No 13 jersey for the Bulls this season. However, it isn’t a role he is unfamiliar with, having been used as a centre for the Springboks at the 2023 World Cup.

The 21-year-old will have the experience of Harold Voster to count on as his midfield partner, while veteran fullback Willie le Roux is back in the starting lineup to lend a hand.

Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match, White outlined that outside centre is very much Moodie’s future position.

“I said long ago that I always wanted to put him in the centres for many reasons. He wants to play there, and that’s always a nice thing for a player. I can see that he has an extra spring in his step now,” White said.

“We are also very fortunate to be more loaded in our outside backs than we are at centre. When you look at how our backline can be balanced and strong, there’s an opportunity to move Canan to 13.

“The one thing he does do really well, is he defends well. He liked to tackle, he is one of the best tacklers that I’ve coached because he genuinely likes to defend.

“There are going to be games where we play a team that likes to kick a lot and test us under the high ball. Then he might have to go and do a job on the wing as well. He is tall, jumps well and is safe defensively on the wing.

“I am excited to see him at 13, in that combination with Harold, who has a lot of experience, with Willie behind them talking to him. He really wants to play 13 so I am looking forward to see how he adapts in a provincial backline. We all know he did well for the Springboks.”

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White made no fewer than eight changes to his starting lineup, resting centres David Kriel and Stedman Gans, while giving an opportunity to Vorster, as well as halfbacks Zak Burger and Chris Smith.

“David Kriel has played 80 minutes in every game this year. We can’t use him all the time. You need to keep other guys game ready,” White explained.

“The interesting thing, when we played Leinster in the URC semi-final, we had Zak at scrumhalf, Chris at flyhalf and Harold at centre. That was one of the biggest games we have played as a group and we did really well.

“With Canan at 13, to have a guy like Harold who is probably the most experienced inside centre we have – playing in three Super Rugby finals, a URC semi-final and final – it helps a bit with our rotation.

“Willie is very clever and very good at helping youngsters around the field, communicates well. To have him behind Canan, who is defending at 13, with Sebastian on the wing, I just think we are fortunate to have those combinations in place.

“It takes nothing away from David Kriel or Devon Williams, who played really well against the Stormers. It is a great position to be in. We just have to keep working and getting better every week.

“I can’t say that we are planning for Leinster,” White added. “We still have to beat the Dragons. At the same time, we haven’t played for two or three weeks since the Stormers. A lot of these players like Harold, Chris and Zak, didn’t play against the Stormers.

“We need to keep players fresh for a game. The situation is that we haven’t played for three weeks, which means guys like Harold haven’t played for five weeks. You have to get the balance right in trying to keep everyone game ready.

“You aren’t going to be able to keep the same squad every week. I would love to, but I’m not going to have everyone fit and healthy come the back end of the competition either. It’s the nature of the tournament, you will lose players along the way.  You have to make decisions now to protect players who have played a lot, but also keep guys who are going to be involved sharp enough to play at this level.”

Photo: Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

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