curwin bosch

Curwin Bosch of the Sharks looks on during the 2019 Super Rugby season. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Springbok squad v British & Irish Lions: Why Curwin Bosch missed out

Curwin Bosch missed out on a spot in the 46-man Springbok squad due to a lack of consistency, says coach Jacques Nienaber.

curwin bosch

Curwin Bosch of the Sharks looks on during the 2019 Super Rugby season. Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

Curwin Bosch missed out on a spot in the 46-man Springbok squad due to a lack of consistency, says coach Jacques Nienaber.

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Rugby World Cup winners Handre Pollard and Elton Jantjies were shoo-ins as flyhalves in the squad, but the third flyhalf role was up for grabs.

That spot went to veteran Morne Steyn – who kicked the winning penalty in the 2009 series against the British & Irish Lions – who recently returned to the Bulls after several seasons in France.

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Steyn has shown he’s in good form despite being 36-years young, earning himself the place ahead of rising talent Curwin Bosch.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Nienaber said he was looking for consistency in the pivot position.

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“The big thing we were looking for there was consistency,” said Nienaber.

“If you look at the most consistent flyhalf after Covid-19 in South Africa, it was probably Morne, not to take anything away from Curwin.

“His X-factor is phenomenal and he can win games for you out of nothing. He’s only 23 and as he grows a little bit older and plays more big games – Currie Cup finals like he did this year – he will probably get more consistent. I can see him playing a lot of Test matches for South Africa.”

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In addition to Pollard, Jantjies and Steyn, both Damian Willemse and Frans Steyn can easily slot in at No 10 if required.

SPRINGBOK 46-MAN SQUAD:

Forwards

Thomas du Toit, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Joseph Dweba, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Scarra Ntubeni, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg, Franco Mostert, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Dan du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Rynhardt Elstadt, Siya Kolisi, Kwagga Smith, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese

Backs

Faf de Klerk, Herschel Jantjies, Sanele Nohamba, Cobus Reinach, Elton Jantjies, Handre Pollard, Morne Steyn, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Wandisile Simelane, Frans Steyn, Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi, Yaw Penxe, Rosko Specman, Damian Willemse 

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