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Cape Town - Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské says he would pick flank Heinrich Brüssow for the national team if he was the coach.
Drotské feels Brüssow is much more than just a ball fetcher, and has described him as the cornerstone to the Cheetahs' success this season.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is reluctant to pick Brüssow, citing penalties conceded and Brüssow's lack of providing an extra lineout option.
"It's nothing personal that I don't pick him," Meyer said earlier this week.
"I made contact with Heinrich and explained the whole situation to him. Quite a number of our Tests are handled by Northern Hemisphere referees - so that's something important which I took into consideration."
Meyer feels with the game that Brüssow plays he could be susceptible to giving away more penalties as the European referees handle the breakdown differently.
Meyer did, however, state that should Brüssow maintain his good form he could be considered for the Boks in future.
But it's well known that Meyer prefers bigger, more physical players, something Drotské understands.
"Every coach has his own ideas and playing style. Heyneke is a more conservative guy and prefers a kicking-game. He doesn't believe in guys that steal possession," Drotské told the Volksblad website.
"(But) I would definitely pick Heinrich. I don't believe in just poaching balls, but also to slow down the possession of your opponents.
"There is a misconception that Heinrich is only ball-fetcher. It's not true. The only aspect of his game where he doesn't impress is at the lineout," continued Drotské.
The Cheetahs moved into fourth spot on the overall Super Rugby log last weekend after their 34-22 win over the Kings.
They host the high-riding Bulls in Bloemfontein on Saturday in what will be a top-of-the-table clash in the South African conference.
Kick-off at the Free State Stadium is at 19:10.
Teams:
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ligtoring Landman, 19 Boom Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Rayno Benjamin
Bulls:
15. Jürgen Visser, 14. Lionel Mapoe, 13. JJ Engelbrecht, 12. Jan Serfontein, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Pierre Spies (captain), 7. Arno Botha, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Juandré Kruger, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Dean Greyling
Substitutes: 16. Callie Visagie, 17. Frik Kirsten, 18. Grant Hattingh, 19. Dewald Potgieter, 20. Jano Vermaak, 21. Louis Fouché, 22. Zane Kirchner
Drotské feels Brüssow is much more than just a ball fetcher, and has described him as the cornerstone to the Cheetahs' success this season.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is reluctant to pick Brüssow, citing penalties conceded and Brüssow's lack of providing an extra lineout option.
"It's nothing personal that I don't pick him," Meyer said earlier this week.
"I made contact with Heinrich and explained the whole situation to him. Quite a number of our Tests are handled by Northern Hemisphere referees - so that's something important which I took into consideration."
Meyer feels with the game that Brüssow plays he could be susceptible to giving away more penalties as the European referees handle the breakdown differently.
Meyer did, however, state that should Brüssow maintain his good form he could be considered for the Boks in future.
But it's well known that Meyer prefers bigger, more physical players, something Drotské understands.
"Every coach has his own ideas and playing style. Heyneke is a more conservative guy and prefers a kicking-game. He doesn't believe in guys that steal possession," Drotské told the Volksblad website.
"(But) I would definitely pick Heinrich. I don't believe in just poaching balls, but also to slow down the possession of your opponents.
"There is a misconception that Heinrich is only ball-fetcher. It's not true. The only aspect of his game where he doesn't impress is at the lineout," continued Drotské.
The Cheetahs moved into fourth spot on the overall Super Rugby log last weekend after their 34-22 win over the Kings.
They host the high-riding Bulls in Bloemfontein on Saturday in what will be a top-of-the-table clash in the South African conference.
Kick-off at the Free State Stadium is at 19:10.
Teams:
Cheetahs:
15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Robert Ebersohn, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Elgar Watts, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Lodewyk de Jager, 3 Lourens Adriaanse, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Substitutes: 16 Ryno Barnes, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Ligtoring Landman, 19 Boom Prinsloo, 20 Sarel Pretorius, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Rayno Benjamin
Bulls:
15. Jürgen Visser, 14. Lionel Mapoe, 13. JJ Engelbrecht, 12. Jan Serfontein, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Pierre Spies (captain), 7. Arno Botha, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Juandré Kruger, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Dean Greyling
Substitutes: 16. Callie Visagie, 17. Frik Kirsten, 18. Grant Hattingh, 19. Dewald Potgieter, 20. Jano Vermaak, 21. Louis Fouché, 22. Zane Kirchner
