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Cape Town - Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer says Willie le Roux has proved to him that his future in the Springbok team lies at fullback.
Le Roux was on Wednesday included in the starting team for this weekend's Test against France in Paris. He produced a Man of the Match performance from the back against Scotland last week and the coach now believes he has found the right fullback.
Patrick Lambie was picked at fullback for the Wales Test two weeks ago, but was moved to flyhalf when Morné Steyn went off with a back injury. Lambie played at pivot last week but is back on the bench for Saturday's Test, with Steyn starting at flyhalf.
"At one stage I felt that Willie's tactical kicking wasn't what you expect from a Test fullback. But I'm really proud of him," Meyer told Die Burger's website.
"Everybody knows what he can do with ball in hand. The big question was however if he could pass the tactical test. He has suddenly become a tactically astute fullback.
"Willie has also worked hard on his catching under the high ball. Before we went on tour, I felt 50-50 about Willie (at fullback).
"He has however proved that he can play at this level and adds something special. It was an easy decision to pick him for this Test," said Meyer.
Le Roux's superior pace from the back gives him the edge over Lambie.
"I always thought fullback would be Willie's best position because it gives him free reign to attack to either side. He can also move to flyhalf during phase play," continued Meyer.
Saturday's Test at the Stade de France kicks off at 22:00 (SA time).
Teams:
France:
TBA
South Africa:
15 Willie le Roux: 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain) 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Bakkies Botha, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Siya Kolisi 22 Jano Vermaak, 23 Patrick Lambie
Le Roux was on Wednesday included in the starting team for this weekend's Test against France in Paris. He produced a Man of the Match performance from the back against Scotland last week and the coach now believes he has found the right fullback.
Patrick Lambie was picked at fullback for the Wales Test two weeks ago, but was moved to flyhalf when Morné Steyn went off with a back injury. Lambie played at pivot last week but is back on the bench for Saturday's Test, with Steyn starting at flyhalf.
"At one stage I felt that Willie's tactical kicking wasn't what you expect from a Test fullback. But I'm really proud of him," Meyer told Die Burger's website.
"Everybody knows what he can do with ball in hand. The big question was however if he could pass the tactical test. He has suddenly become a tactically astute fullback.
"Willie has also worked hard on his catching under the high ball. Before we went on tour, I felt 50-50 about Willie (at fullback).
"He has however proved that he can play at this level and adds something special. It was an easy decision to pick him for this Test," said Meyer.
Le Roux's superior pace from the back gives him the edge over Lambie.
"I always thought fullback would be Willie's best position because it gives him free reign to attack to either side. He can also move to flyhalf during phase play," continued Meyer.
Saturday's Test at the Stade de France kicks off at 22:00 (SA time).
Teams:
France:
TBA
South Africa:
15 Willie le Roux: 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain) 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Flip van der Merwe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Bakkies Botha, 20 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 21 Siya Kolisi 22 Jano Vermaak, 23 Patrick Lambie
