Jantjes picks Terblanche to shine
Springbok fullback Conrad Jantjes believes Stefan Terblanche’s experience will give him the edge over his Blue Bulls counterpart Zane Kirchner in Saturday’s Currie Cup final.
While the young Kirchner is only in his first full season with the Bulls, the 33-year-old Terblanche has a gulf of experience at all levels of the game including 37 Test caps for the Springboks.
Jantjes has been impressed with both players this season, but feels Terblanche’s record at this level should see him come out on top in the battle of the fullbacks.
“Zane was injured for a while and has done well since he’s come back, but at this point I would have to go with Stefan,” says Jantjes. “Stefan has been really consistent the whole season, both in the Currie Cup and the Super 14 and right now he looks really sharp.
“Stefan has been around for a while now and has played Test match rugby at the highest level and it’s more then likely going to be a Test match environment on Saturday. He knows what to expect and what is expected of him.
“It will all come down to making the right decisions and taking the right options and as a fullback if you make one mistake it’s a penalty or it’s a turnover and a try. There is not much difference between the two of them. They both have solid kicking games and running games so I’d have to back Stefan with all his know-how.”
While Jantjes admits experience is irreplaceable in finals, he believes Kirchner’s inexperience could see him spring a few surprises.
“I always say that when you haven’t been in a situation before you aren’t scared of anything. For example when everyone might be expecting Zane to kick, he might run it and that could be a positive on his side.
“The injury was a set back for Zane early on in the campaign and maybe if this final was two or three games away, he would have been a bit sharper, but he has been doing well since his return and I’m sure he is excited. Its a nice little battle.”
When it comes to the make up of their respective back threes Jantjes once again feels the Sharks have a slight advantage.
“I’d have to go with the Sharks, they have a better understanding and you could see in the last couple of games, they have really worked well together.
“Despite the injury to Akona [Ndungane] the Bulls have an established back three, but you look at the Sharks back three and that’s a Springbok trio – they’ve been in these sort of situation a few times.”
By Andrew Worling
October 21st, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Dragons!
October 21st, 2008 at 4:38 pm
He should be worried that Stefan “Bentley” Terblanche doesn’t take his position in the boks….
I doubt it though..
October 21st, 2008 at 4:38 pm
I see Kempson backed Terblanche for the Bok 15 shirtb
October 21st, 2008 at 4:40 pm
#3 Big Hit: Kempsons on crack if he thinks Stefan should get near the G&G
October 21st, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Good article! Jantjes protecting his springbok place by saying Zane is too young and inexperienced! lol. Who do you guys think should be back up to Jantjes?
October 21st, 2008 at 4:43 pm
#4 Ig: not many options in that position though, you have to admit. I’ve seen Terblanche play recently, he’s not bad. Not saying he’s ahead of Jantjes but he might be worthy of the squad.
October 21st, 2008 at 4:43 pm
the other guy I think should be considered is Jacque Fourie at 15
October 21st, 2008 at 4:45 pm
No other fullback is near Jantjes class and form this season. He has truly been the standout 15 throughout the season!
October 21st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
#7 Big Hit: Can be an option….then he can cover centre, wing and fullback on the bench! Just imagine having 20.Pienaar 21.Steyn 22.Jaque Fourie. That will be more than enough quality cover on the bench!
October 21st, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Strange how much criticism Johan Roets used to get, but now that he’s gone he’s talents are being sorely missed. That guy was solid as a rock at the back. The polar opposite of Headrush Kirchner.
Must say, just like in the flyhalf position, SA is pretty lean on quality fullbacks at the moment. To think we used to churn out guys like:
Johan Heunis
Calla Schotz
Gerbrand Grobler
Gavin Johnson
Thinus Delport
Andre Joubert
etc.
Much as all you non-Bulls fans will no doubt disagree, I am really looking forward to getting Jaco vd Westhuizen back as Bulls fullback in next year’s S14. We did win a S14 with him in the team, and in the new attacking Bulls backline his skills will be quite valuable.
This Saturday it will be a geriatric against a juvenile in the respective fullback positions. Neither is exactly special.
October 21st, 2008 at 4:56 pm
#10 Tacitus: no mention of Percy?
October 21st, 2008 at 5:00 pm
#11 Big Hit:
Ah, I guess a leopard never changes his spots, hey.
OK. Percy had great longevity. And in the latter part of his career he was a very accurate goalkicker.
And in his early years, he also had good pace.
Hows that? Gracious enough?
October 21st, 2008 at 5:10 pm
#10 Tacitus:
ek is ook bly…laat hulle JVDW afskryf…daai ou het goeie games vir ons gespeel op heelagter. Hy het die aanloop tot die laaste drie ook begin. Solank hy nie loskakel speel nie.
Sal ook nooit vergeet hoe hy n puik drie teen die Blues begin het nie, en n great drie teen die Reds laasjaar.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:24 pm
#12 Tacitus: lol yeah, I forgot he was WP. I never seen him as a 1 club player in that way since I watched him play for the Sharks, Newport and Perpignan too.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:26 pm
steyn 4 the no.15 jersey!!
no one in this country comes close to jdv 4 inside centre! fourie at outside centre and jacobs on the bench!
October 21st, 2008 at 5:29 pm
#5 iori Yagami: With JP back in form I would make him back up 15. Id let him swith to 15 for the last 20 min in a couple of the games for some practise
October 21st, 2008 at 5:31 pm
jantjies is the best under the high ball!
but steyn’s got that dropgoal.
both is good on the counter and both have a solid boot.
so which one do u guys choose?
October 21st, 2008 at 5:34 pm
9. pienaar
10. geez its difficult!
11. habs
12 jdv
13. fourie
14. jp
15. steyn.
October 21st, 2008 at 9:50 pm
#18 Insomniac: 11, 12 and 13 need to be replaced by Sharks, otherwise you are right
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:53 am
Lol, this is the closest Jantjes can get to a final. Shame.