Ex-All Blacks playmaker Stephen Donald believes that Cheslin Kolbe can be the Springboks’ Christian Cullen after he took the full-back role for the Japan clash.
With Aphelele Fassi and Damian Willemse on the sidelines, and Willie le Roux being eased out of the Test picture, head coach Rassie Erasmus has decided to put the 32-year-old in the 15 jersey.
It is only the second time that Kolbe has been selected in that position having also lined up at full-back against Ireland three years ago.
Whether it proves to be a long-term option for the Springboks, it remains to be seen, but Donald reckons that he can thrive there.
More opportunities for Cheslin Kolbe to attack
“[Damian] Willemse pulled a hamstring playing for the Stormers in the URC. They’ve got plenty of depth there, they’ve got Fassi, there’s talk of maybe putting Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] back there with [Manie] Libbok or [Handre] Pollard at 10,” he said on The Aftermatch with Kirst and Beav.
“But for me I can’t see any parts of Cheslin’s game that would not mean he could play 15.
“Realistically, in the modern game, there’s not a whole lot of difference defensively from a wing to full-back.
“You’re all exposed to high ball pressure, covering the backfield he will well and truly be across, I just think it’s an opportunity to get more ball in his hands if you look at it from a Springboks point of view.
“We both grew up watching Christian Cullen and could Cheslin Kolbe be that sort of full-back? Why not.
“You’re playing Japan, respectively, the Miracle of Brighton was a decade ago, it’s not happening – this is a different beast.”
Miracle of Wembley?
Donald was referencing the Rugby World Cup clash in 2015 where Japan stunned the Springboks 34-32 in the pool stages.
But on its 10-year anniversary, the former All Blacks fly-half certainly cannot see there being a repeat when the countries clash at Wembley Stadium in London this weekend.
“For the state of world rugby, wouldn’t it be great if they had the Miracle of Wembley, but the thing about Japan these days as opposed to the 2015 World Cup and the 2019 World Cup – first of all, I think South Africa are in a lot better position than they were in ’15 – the Japan style of game doesn’t catch anyone [out] anymore,” he said.
“It used to catch teams, particularly from the northern hemisphere, on the hop as far as high-speed game, high-ball retention.
“You go back to the Tony Brown and Jamie Joseph influence on the Japan game… so I just don’t think teams get caught on the hop anymore.
“South Africa will be prepared for what’s coming. Also, this South African team has so much depth and is a completely different beast to the one that tripped up in Brighton.”
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