Don’t push Pienaar too fast

Michael Green for Die Burger writes: Ruan Pienaar is a potential superstar but he should not be pushed too fast at this stage of his career, say two former scrumhalves and rugby experts.

Former Springbok Garth Wright and Ronnie Korkee, who represented the SA Rugby Union, both feel Ricky Januarie is South Africa’s best choice at No 9 during the absence of Fourie du Preez, who is recovering from his shoulder problems.

Despite strong criticism of Springbok coach Jake White’s decision to play Januarie ahead of the on-form Pienaar, Wright and Korkee on Tuesday cautioned against the Sharks star being rushed into the big league.

“To me it’s dead simple,” Wright said. “White is the one who has his head on the block. He makes the selections and he has to live with them.

“White has come some distance with January and has shown trust in him. Ruan is still young and has a long way to go.

“At this stage I think it is better for Ruan to be exposed to Test rugby gradually, playing as a substitute.

“It is not always a good thing to throw a player in at the deep end. Ricky has been there and I think he is the right choice at present,” Wright said.

Korkee said it was important, with a view to the World Cup tournament later this year, for Januarie to be given as much game time as possible.

“I feel Januarie is the right player to be used in the big matches. That is why he should get properly fit.

“He is a busy player and puts a lot of pressure on the opposition’s flyhalf. He is a cocky sort of player,” Korkee said.

“Ruan looks a more flamboyant player from broken play but one should not forget that Januarie also breaks well.

“However, he is playing to the Springboks’ game-plan and must do what the coach tells him to do.”

It was clear during Tuesday’s Springbok practice at St David’s Marist Inanda that Januarie would be the scrumhalf in the starting line-up in the Test against Samoa on Saturday, with Pienaar once against on the substitute’s bench.

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