William Small-Smith
Jan Serfontein
Most coaches wouldn’t see it as a problem, but Vodacom Blue Bulls coach Nollis Marais has a welcome headache this week when he makes his selection for Friday night’s ABSA Currie Cup game against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld.
As 1 of the unluckiest players not to be selected for the Springboks, midfielder Jan Serfontein has returned to Loftus this week to continue in the Currie Cup, and his return coincides with his SA Under 20 midfield partner William Small-Smith also being declared fit from injury.
But it isn’t as if the Blue Bulls are seriously short of midfielders as they continue their unbeaten start to the Currie Cup season either. The current duo of Burger Odendaal and Dries Swanepoel have been exceptional in their play of late and Swanepoel scored twice in the big win over Griquas on the weekend.
So Marais now sits with the headache of how to make 4 go into 3 – with 1 unlucky player likely to lose out on 1 of the 2 starting berths and a place on the bench this weekend when they host the Toyota Free State Cheetahs.
All 4 deserve to be playing at this level and it shows the depth of riches that the Blue Bulls have at the moment, and the frustration that 1 of them will miss out.
Small-Smith ironically has decided to pledge his future to the Free State Cheetahs after being ignored for a large part of the Vodacom Super Rugby season by former coach Frans Ludeke, so he will know that next year he will face his teammates in a different jersey.
The return of Roelof Smit, who looked exceptionally good ahead of picking up an injury against DHL Western Province is also a boost for the Blue Bulls, who also have Deon Stegmann still 2 weeks from returning.
Roelof Smit was chased hard by DHL Western Province for a contract but committed to the Blue Bulls for 2 more years and they will be keen to see what he can add to the side.
One interesting aspect will be to see if Marais does anything about the faltering scrum, which has creaked more than ever in the past few games and seems to be a recurring theme.
SuperSport
I say that Nollis should not change the current centre combination, they have done very well!
Put Jan Serfontein on the bench and bring him back slowly… he was injured for a long time… as either of the centre positions.
William Small-Smith would have to sit out, as far as I’m concerned…. Dries has delivered very well and is strong with ball in hand.
Of course I would bring Roelof Smit back at Openside Flank and shift Captain Lappies back over to the Blindside Flank (the way they started against WP).