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Ollie: Jannie must step up

Gerdie Karstens

Kimberley - Sharks tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis has already proved himself the leading exponent of the position in South Africa, but on Saturday in Nelson against the Crusaders he will have a tough job of doing his reputation justice.

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That is the view of former Springbok and Sharks prop Ollie le Roux as Du Plessis prepares for a re-match with Wyatt Crockett in their Super Rugby playoff.

Crockett dominated Du Plessis in their last duel at Twickenham in London. However, Le Roux is convinced that the Sharks tighthead will underline his value as a scrummager.

"Jannie has already established himself as the leading tighthead in the country. He will definitely want to walk off the field as the best prop against Crockett. He must not damage the good reputation that he has built with a weak performance," said Le Roux.

While the Sharks scrum struggled in London - the match was played there as a result of the earthquake in Christchurch - Le Roux believes there is a reason for that.

"John Plumtree (Sharks coach) started with John Smit as loosehead prop. It was a big mistake. Had the Sharks started with Beast (Mtawarira, loosehead prop), Bismarck (du Plessis, hooker) and Jannie (tighthead prop), they would probably have been much better in the scrums," said Le Roux.

"It would especially have been the case if they had locks like Steven Sykes and Alistair Hargreaves behind them."

Sykes is injured and has not travelled to Nelson with the team, but his replacement, Gerhard Mostert, played very well against the Bulls.

It is not just Jannie's performance that will be under the microscope. Mtawarira will also be out to remind the Bok selectors of his abilities.

"Beast has heaps of experience, but he will have to show against the Crusaders what he's made of as a loosehead."
 
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