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Cape Town - Pumas coach Jimmy Stonehouse says loose forwards Marcell Coetzee and Nizaam Carr were two shining lights on the Springboks' year-end tour to Europe.
After starting the tour with a loss to Ireland, the Springboks rebounded with wins over England and Italy before finishing with a disappointing defeat to Wales in Cardiff.
It was only the second time in history that the Boks had lost to Wales.
Stonehouse, speaking to SA Rugbymag, said there weren't many standout performers on tour, but singled out Coetzee and Carr as players who caught his eye.
Stonehouse said more of the younger players, like Warren Whiteley and Jaco Kriel, should have been given an opportunity on the tour to get experience in northern hemisphere conditions.
The Pumas mentor was also disappointed by the performance of scrumhalves Cobus Reinach and Francois Hougaard, as well as fullback Willie le Roux, who he said "made far too many mistakes and kicked too much".
Stonehouse also agreed with the notion that Frans Steyn should be drafted back into the Springbok fold, especially with skipper Jean de Villiers out injured for an extended period.
Meanwhile, there will be more clarity regarding Stonehouse's future later in the week. He is considering accepting an offer to coach in Japan.
Stonehouse has until Friday to decide if he will accept the offer to coach the Toshiba Brave Lupus. Should he decide to leave, he would be lost for South African rugby until the middle part of 2017.
Stonehouse has impressed in his time at the Pumas, helping them win the 2013 Currie Cup First Division as well as gain promotion for this year's event, in which the Pumas finished sixth overall, bagging four wins from their 10 games.
He was also named South African rugby's Coach of the Year in 2013.
After starting the tour with a loss to Ireland, the Springboks rebounded with wins over England and Italy before finishing with a disappointing defeat to Wales in Cardiff.
It was only the second time in history that the Boks had lost to Wales.
Stonehouse, speaking to SA Rugbymag, said there weren't many standout performers on tour, but singled out Coetzee and Carr as players who caught his eye.
Stonehouse said more of the younger players, like Warren Whiteley and Jaco Kriel, should have been given an opportunity on the tour to get experience in northern hemisphere conditions.
The Pumas mentor was also disappointed by the performance of scrumhalves Cobus Reinach and Francois Hougaard, as well as fullback Willie le Roux, who he said "made far too many mistakes and kicked too much".
Stonehouse also agreed with the notion that Frans Steyn should be drafted back into the Springbok fold, especially with skipper Jean de Villiers out injured for an extended period.
Meanwhile, there will be more clarity regarding Stonehouse's future later in the week. He is considering accepting an offer to coach in Japan.
Stonehouse has until Friday to decide if he will accept the offer to coach the Toshiba Brave Lupus. Should he decide to leave, he would be lost for South African rugby until the middle part of 2017.
Stonehouse has impressed in his time at the Pumas, helping them win the 2013 Currie Cup First Division as well as gain promotion for this year's event, in which the Pumas finished sixth overall, bagging four wins from their 10 games.
He was also named South African rugby's Coach of the Year in 2013.
