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Cape Town - Sport24 readers say Willie le Roux's performance at fullback was the most exciting thing about the Springboks' 44-10 victory over Italy at Kings Park in Durban.
In Sport24's online poll, almost half of Sport24 readers said that the Cheetahs player's inclusion in the team was the most significant change to Heyneke Meyer's new-look Springbok team.
Heavily criticised for an overly conservative game-plan, Meyer unveiled some surprises last week when he named a fresh-faced team based on current Super Rugby form.
Of the five Springbok debutants named in the team against Italy (including Le Roux, Arno Botha, Jano Vermaak, Trevor Nyakane and Jan Serfontein), readers believed Le Roux could really make a difference to the style of Springbok play.
Arno Botha was the other Springbok debutant who really impressed, with over a third of Sport24 voters dazzled by the young flank's performance.
Sport24 asked: "Who had the most impressive debut out of Heyneke Meyer's five Springbok rookies?"
These were the results:
50% - Willie le Roux
35% - Arno Botha
7% - Jano Vermaak
4% - Trevor Nyakane
4% - Jan Serfontein
Here's what Sport24 readers had to say about Willie le Roux's debut:
"This kid is so talented...after one game he has made the number 15 jersey his own. A special, special player...exciting things to come from this Bok side." - Damian Sayers
"Considering that this was Willie's test debut, he's still miles ahead of the competition. And to top it all off, this back-line has some serious pace with players such as JJ, Basson and Habana." - Jack
"Le Roux will become a legend!" - Sagte Roomys Tannie
"Between the back 3 we can compete against a Dagg, Gear , Ranger combination." - Anton Anton
"Willie le Roux is the Boks' answer to Israel Dagg!" - Larry H Thompson
"He reminds me of Christian Cullen." - AA
"It's early days... but from that one game he reminded me a lot of Andre Joubert!" - Grant Callaway
"Here comes Rolls Royce Mk II. May even be much better as experience improves." - Johan Venter
"He played very well indeed." - Izzi Max
"If I'm not mistaken, the All Blacks beat a team that ended below Italy on the Six Nations log 23-13? We're not celebrating the result, but a new era." - J
"Heyneke is a genius, resting Zane against the minnows so that he'll be ready for the big guns." - Bloumasjien Bloubloed
"I think Le Roux is a step up from the generally pedestrian set of fullbacks we have had over the last few years, we should be cautious about overhyping him too soon. A reputation should not be based on anticipation, but on a string of outstanding performances at international level." - Rocco de Wet
Willie le Roux was the pick of the Bok debutants (Gallo Images)
Is Willie le Roux the new 'Rolls Royce'? Send your thoughts to Sport24
In Sport24's online poll, almost half of Sport24 readers said that the Cheetahs player's inclusion in the team was the most significant change to Heyneke Meyer's new-look Springbok team.
Heavily criticised for an overly conservative game-plan, Meyer unveiled some surprises last week when he named a fresh-faced team based on current Super Rugby form.
Of the five Springbok debutants named in the team against Italy (including Le Roux, Arno Botha, Jano Vermaak, Trevor Nyakane and Jan Serfontein), readers believed Le Roux could really make a difference to the style of Springbok play.
Arno Botha was the other Springbok debutant who really impressed, with over a third of Sport24 voters dazzled by the young flank's performance.
Sport24 asked: "Who had the most impressive debut out of Heyneke Meyer's five Springbok rookies?"
These were the results:
50% - Willie le Roux
35% - Arno Botha
7% - Jano Vermaak
4% - Trevor Nyakane
4% - Jan Serfontein
Here's what Sport24 readers had to say about Willie le Roux's debut:
"This kid is so talented...after one game he has made the number 15 jersey his own. A special, special player...exciting things to come from this Bok side." - Damian Sayers
"Considering that this was Willie's test debut, he's still miles ahead of the competition. And to top it all off, this back-line has some serious pace with players such as JJ, Basson and Habana." - Jack
"Le Roux will become a legend!" - Sagte Roomys Tannie
"Between the back 3 we can compete against a Dagg, Gear , Ranger combination." - Anton Anton
"Willie le Roux is the Boks' answer to Israel Dagg!" - Larry H Thompson
"He reminds me of Christian Cullen." - AA
"It's early days... but from that one game he reminded me a lot of Andre Joubert!" - Grant Callaway
"Here comes Rolls Royce Mk II. May even be much better as experience improves." - Johan Venter
"He played very well indeed." - Izzi Max
"If I'm not mistaken, the All Blacks beat a team that ended below Italy on the Six Nations log 23-13? We're not celebrating the result, but a new era." - J
"Heyneke is a genius, resting Zane against the minnows so that he'll be ready for the big guns." - Bloumasjien Bloubloed
"I think Le Roux is a step up from the generally pedestrian set of fullbacks we have had over the last few years, we should be cautious about overhyping him too soon. A reputation should not be based on anticipation, but on a string of outstanding performances at international level." - Rocco de Wet
Willie le Roux was the pick of the Bok debutants (Gallo Images)
Is Willie le Roux the new 'Rolls Royce'? Send your thoughts to Sport24
