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Cape Town - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer says the performances of Frans Malherbe and Coenie Oosthuizen on their end-of-year tour were pleasing.
As it happened: France v SA
Jannie du Plessis withdrew with injury shortly before the tour which left the coach with a few headaches at tighthead prop.
However, Malherbe did well in the Tests against Wales and Scotland but was also ruled out injured for last weekend's clash against France in Paris.
Up-stepped Oosthuizen with a commendable performance as the Boks won 19-10 to finish the year with 10 victories out of 12.
"I had sleepless nights earlier about what would happen if Jannie du Plessis gets injured. However, Frans Malherbe - who I've always rated - came through well," Meyer told Die Burger's website.
"Coenie Oosthuizen was our third-choice at tighthead prop. A lot of people said he wouldn't be able to play at tighthead, but he stood up to the test brilliantly."
There are, however, two positions where the coach would like to see more depth.
"We need a young third-choice scrumhalf. There are a lot of good ones, but I still don't see an exceptional one.
"I'm also still worried about the No 5 lock. People say I should simply pick Pieter-Steph du Toit, but he's still to hesitant when we practice lineouts. He'll get more game time at the Sharks and take leadership in the lineouts there.
"Pieter-Steph will come through, but I'm nevertheless worried."
As it happened: France v SA
Jannie du Plessis withdrew with injury shortly before the tour which left the coach with a few headaches at tighthead prop.
However, Malherbe did well in the Tests against Wales and Scotland but was also ruled out injured for last weekend's clash against France in Paris.
Up-stepped Oosthuizen with a commendable performance as the Boks won 19-10 to finish the year with 10 victories out of 12.
"I had sleepless nights earlier about what would happen if Jannie du Plessis gets injured. However, Frans Malherbe - who I've always rated - came through well," Meyer told Die Burger's website.
"Coenie Oosthuizen was our third-choice at tighthead prop. A lot of people said he wouldn't be able to play at tighthead, but he stood up to the test brilliantly."
There are, however, two positions where the coach would like to see more depth.
"We need a young third-choice scrumhalf. There are a lot of good ones, but I still don't see an exceptional one.
"I'm also still worried about the No 5 lock. People say I should simply pick Pieter-Steph du Toit, but he's still to hesitant when we practice lineouts. He'll get more game time at the Sharks and take leadership in the lineouts there.
"Pieter-Steph will come through, but I'm nevertheless worried."
