Rookie Rohan janse van Rensburg who onto the Super Rugby scene this year vs Damien de Allende who looked somewhat ordinary in a disjointed Stormers team. Tank Lanning and Zelím Nel argue the case.
Tank Lanning – Rohan is the man
In chopping and changing centres during the Rugby Champs, it became abundantly clear that Bok coach Allister Coetzee is a long way from know what his best centre pairing is.
De Allende hardly set the world alight against the Irish, or in the Rugby Champs, hence him getting the chop. In his week off, he did not shine for WP in the Currie Cup – unlike Juan de Jongh the week before.
Janse van Rensburg – a revelation for the Lions during Vodacom Super Rugby – was one of the few players to enhance his reputation outside Pat Lambie against the Baa Baas. What do the Boks have to lose in continuing that partnership?
Against the Irish De Allende was the top call carrier, but only made 3m per carry. He topped the defenders beaten list, but and only passed 8 times. He missed 6 of the 19 tackles he was asked to make to be the 2nd worst in the tournament.
In the Rugby Champs he again averaged 3m per carry. He only beat 7 defenders, made 1 offload and was ranked 27th on passes made. He missed 8 of the 27 tackles he was asked to make.
Comparing their Super Rugby stats is quite revealing. Both played almost exactly 780 minutes. Janse van Rensburg scored 10 tries to the 2 from De Allende. The Lions centre made 12 more clean breaks, beat 10 more defenders, and made 280 more metres with ball in hand to average over 6.5m per carry.
Both are fragile on defence, and neither are Mr Distribution. So it has to be about effectiveness with ball in hand. Janse van Rensburg is a gain line machine and exactly the man the Boks need to deliver front foot ball.
CLICK HERE to catch Zelim’s case for the keeping of DdA …
