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Cape Town - A 10-12 combination of Elton Jantjies and Handre Pollard could work for the Springboks, former utility back Hennie le Roux believes.
Pollard moved to inside centre in the 48th minute of last Saturday’s win over the All Blacks in Wellington, with Jantjies slotting in at flyhalf when Damian de Allende was substituted.
The combination appeared to work well and Le Roux, who played flyhalf and centre for the Boks, told Netwerk24 he believes such a combination could reap rewards if coach Rassie Erasmus wants to incorporate it into his game plan.
“It depends on what Rassie expects from his inside centre. If he wants someone who distributes well, can tactically sum up and exploit situations and someone who is creative, then it’s not a bad idea. (But) if he only wants a centre that can straighten the (running) lines and attack the advantage line... basically a battering ram... then I’d rather look at another big, strong centre,” Le Roux said.
“I’m not saying that Handre can’t do it, but he is someone who likes to create opportunities and be creative. I won’t send him on to the field with only one goal in mind.”
The other players used by Erasmus at inside centre this year are Damian de Allende and Andre Esterhuizen, who are both seen as big and strong ball carriers.
Le Roux, a 1995 Rugby World Cup winner, played 27 Tests for the Boks between 1993 and 1996.
He played 12 Tests at flyhalf and 15 at inside centre, also wearing the No 12 jersey in the 1995 World Cup final when the Boks beat the All Blacks 15-12 at Ellis Park.
