Springboks: Moodie has the makings of a midfield maestro

Mzwandile Stick has come out in defence of the Springbok management team’s decision to selection youngster Canan Moodie at outside centre against the All Blacks.

The Springboks and All Blacks will collide in what will be both sides’ final match preparation for the Rugby World Cup which kicks off in two weeks’ time.

LIVE SCORING: Springboks vs All Blacks at Twickenham

SELECTION ERROR OR STROKE OF GENIUS?

Both teams have picked star-studded lineups, but the big talk of the town throughout this week has been about the Springboks’ team selection and in particular that of Moodie at No 13.

The 20-year-old rookie has primarily been used as an outside back at club and Test level throughout his senior professional career and has last played in midfield at school for Boland Landbou in 2019.

While Moodie has proven himself to be an excellent defender so far into his Test career, many has questioned his selection at outside centre, where he will be up against All Black Rieko Ioane this week.

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SPRINGBOKS CONFIDENT MOODIE IS THEIR MIDFIELD MAN

But the Springboks’ assistant coach was confident about Moodie’s positional switch from wing to centre, saying the player has the potential to become one of the greatest in that position.

“We’ve seen Canan’s potential in the last two seasons and what he can do at wing,” he said. “If one looks at the way we defend, it’s one of the toughest positions to play, and he’s shown his potential to make big reads there, so hopefully by bringing him closer in this week, he’ll be even better.

“I believe he has the potential to become a great outside centre.”

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