Cape Town - Breyton Paulse has said he believes that Butch James has the inside track to establish himself as South Africa’s first-choice flyhalf ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
VIDEO: Click here for Breyton interview
Speaking to Union Sports Mag, the 64-cap former Springbok wing said that Peter de Villiers had the benefit of being able to pick two very different types of players to suit different game plans and situations, as he compared Morné Steyn and Butch James.
“I think Peter de Villiers has the luxury of knowing what he what he has in these two players,” Paulse said. “At least we have two options.”
Steyn has recently come under criticism for standing too deep in the pocket to create go-forward ball, relying on the boot too much and for struggling behind an outmuscled forward pack.
Breyton Paulse expressed dissatisfaction at Steyn’s recent form.
“I have been a little bit disappointed about Morné in the last couple of games,” he said. “Last year he had a fantastic year and I feel in the last couple of games his confidence has taken a knock.”
But Paulse was upbeat about the prospect of a return to the number 10 Springbok jersey for Butch James.
“Butch brings a much more physical dimension to the game. Butch is also more of an attacking flyhalf than Morné Steyn.”
“Butch has been there before: he has played in a World Cup final, he knows the conditions and he has been playing for a very long time,” Breyton said.
“Maybe it’s time to give Butch a run,” he added.
Breyton stressed that although he felt Butch had the edge, it was not too late for Morné to step up a gear before the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
“I think Butch is a step ahead of Morné, but there [is still time] to go [before the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand] and anything can happen.”
Patrick Lambie, who has been released to the Natal Sharks for Currie Cup duty by the Bok management, was not mentioned during the interview.
VIDEO: Click here for Breyton interview
Speaking to Union Sports Mag, the 64-cap former Springbok wing said that Peter de Villiers had the benefit of being able to pick two very different types of players to suit different game plans and situations, as he compared Morné Steyn and Butch James.
“I think Peter de Villiers has the luxury of knowing what he what he has in these two players,” Paulse said. “At least we have two options.”
Steyn has recently come under criticism for standing too deep in the pocket to create go-forward ball, relying on the boot too much and for struggling behind an outmuscled forward pack.
Breyton Paulse expressed dissatisfaction at Steyn’s recent form.
“I have been a little bit disappointed about Morné in the last couple of games,” he said. “Last year he had a fantastic year and I feel in the last couple of games his confidence has taken a knock.”
But Paulse was upbeat about the prospect of a return to the number 10 Springbok jersey for Butch James.
“Butch brings a much more physical dimension to the game. Butch is also more of an attacking flyhalf than Morné Steyn.”
“Butch has been there before: he has played in a World Cup final, he knows the conditions and he has been playing for a very long time,” Breyton said.
“Maybe it’s time to give Butch a run,” he added.
Breyton stressed that although he felt Butch had the edge, it was not too late for Morné to step up a gear before the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
“I think Butch is a step ahead of Morné, but there [is still time] to go [before the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand] and anything can happen.”
Patrick Lambie, who has been released to the Natal Sharks for Currie Cup duty by the Bok management, was not mentioned during the interview.