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Cape Town - Breyton Paulse feels the Springboks should play Ruan Combrinck at fullback on their year-end European tour.
“Back in the day, Ruan regularly played fullback for Maties’ Varsity Cup team. He can kick with his left and right feet,” Paulse told Netwerk24.
“He has the ability to break the line from the back. He is innovative and able to quickly sum up opponents’ attacking game and defence. He can definitely be a deadly weapon for South Africa.”
Given the Boks’ depth at wing, Paulse feels the year-end tour is the ideal opportunity to play Combrinck in the No 15 jersey on the tour.
“We now have guys like Sergeal (Petersen) and Jamba (Ulengo) who’d like a chance at wing. I’d really like to see Allister (Coetzee, Bok coach) give Ruan a chance at fullback,” said Paulse, who scored 26 tries in 64 Tests for the Boks.
“Willie (le Roux) is at his best when he has confidence, but when he lacks confidence he struggles a lot with his form. Hopefully Willie will regain confidence on tour, but I feel Ruan will be a very good option.”
Another former Springbok wing, Chester Williams, agrees with Paulse, but feels Warrick Gelant should be the Springbok fullback once he returns from a knee injury (READ Williams’ thoughts on Netwerk24).
The Boks start their year-end tour with a clash against the Barbarians at London’s Wembley Stadium (November 5), followed by Tests against England at Twickenham (November 12), Italy in Florence (November 19) and Wales in Cardiff (November 26).
