Despite drawing criticism from some quarters for picking the 1995 World Cup veteran, Jake White believes that Os Du Randt can make a big contribution to the Bok World Cup effort.
“We need him for the big matches,†said White.
“I’d compare it with the role Jason Leonard played for England in the 2003 World Cup in Australia.
“The scrums were a problem in the Rugby World Cup Final against Australia. But when Leonard came on he immediately calmed everyone down. His experience showed.
“We do not have many players of his stature, on and off the field. He plays the role of a senior player and puts the young guys at ease.
“I was watching a sponsored television show the other day, which had a bunch of World Cup legends like Martin Johnson, Zinzan Brooke, John Eales and Joel picking their World Cup Dream Teams.
“Os was chosen at loosehead, Sean Fitzpatrick at hooker and Phil Vickery at tighthead – that also says a lot,†concluded White.
Gee the big man’s been around for a loooong time. He’s still got about 60mins of topflight rugby left in him. Go Os!