Jake White says Willie le Roux will be ready to continue his journey towards becoming a Springbok centurion in the two-Test series against Ireland, but Canan Moodie is likely to miss the opener in Pretoria.
Le Roux sat out the URC final between the Vodacom Bulls and Glasgow Warriors on Saturday night due to HIA protocols after suffering a concussion in the semi-finals.
The 34-year-old fullback has shown in his first season at the Bulls that there is still plenty of petrol left in his tank, with his game management, tactical kicking and playmaking crucial to White’s team progressing to their second URC final.
Currently on 93 Tests, Le Roux is on the home straight to become the eighth and newest member of the Springbok centurions club.
“I think he will play in 100 Tests because he will also sit on the bench sometimes,” White told Sunday newspaper Rapport.
“Something that stood out in the semi-final against Leinster was the kicking of Willie, Johan Goosen and Embrose Papier. They kicked high and deep. The opposition were kept guessing with their kicking.
“Willie was excellent against Leinster, but I think we surprised them with Johan and Embrose’s tactical kicks. There was good alternation between the three.
“Many World Cup-winning teams always had a left-footed kicker like Andre Joubert, Percy Montgomery and Willie in their ranks, and a flyhalf with a good right foot.”
Should Le Roux play in every Test from now, the two-time World Cup winner could make his 100th Test appearance in the Rugby Championship clash against the All Blacks in Cape Town in September.
White added that Moodie, who missed the Bulls’ playoff run due to a finger injury, will not recover in time for the Tests against Ireland on 6 July.
The Springboks will, however, welcome back a host of star players who missed the opening Test of the year against Wales at Twickenham, as it fell outside the official Test window.
Siya Kolisi, Handre Pollard, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Cheslin Kolbe, Elrigh Louw, Marco van Staden, Cobus Reinach, Trevor Nyakane, Ruan Nortje, RG Snyman, Wilco Louw, Thomas du Toit, Gerhard Steenekamp and Akker van der Merwe are all available for selection for the series against Ireland.
Photo: BackpagePix
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Src: sarugbymag.co.za
