Which Ricky will rock up?
Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:36
Then and now: Ricky Januarie in 2008 and 2010
rugby365.com Editor Jan de Koning takes a look at one of the most crucial positions in the Springbok team, ahead of their opening Tri-Nations match against the All Blacks on Saturday.
Enrico Januarie holds the key to the Springboks' success, as they set out on a Tri-Nations campaign that starts with back-to-back Tests against the All Blacks.
While there are always many facets to a Test match, more so than when New Zealand face South Africa, Januarie will inadvertently find himself thrust into the spotlight because of the significance of his position in the team.
Yes, there is the Victor Matfield factor in the line-outs, the power of the Bok scrum, the boot of Morné Steyn, strong defensive midfielders and the nippy outside backs - all important aspects in a game where margins will be miniscule.
However, in a Bok team that is deprived of the services of players like Fourie du Preez, Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brüssow and Bismarck du Plessis, the most significant loss is that of Du Preez.
Du Preez, the architect of much that was the Bulls' and Boks' success in the last few years, is in a class of his own when it comes to reading the game and providing a crisp service to his flyhalf.
And that is why Januarie is such a key player.
When Januarie scored a match-winning try against New Zealand in 2008, he became an instant hero - a status he has since lost.
His erratic form in the last few years has earned him a few monikers - the least disparaging of those being: 'Two-step Januarie'.
In the next few months, starting with the next fortnight, he will have the opportunity to silence the critics who believe he is a quota selection ... or one of coach Peter de Villiers' favourite fall-back players.
There is no doubting his talent - for that his 2008 chip-'n-chase for the match-winning try in the 30-28 victory in Dunedin (still the Boks' only win at Carisbrook) is ample proof.
He showed glimpses of a return to that form in the June internationals ... just glimpses.
Consistency has been what has lacked in Januarie's game and the questions is: 'Which Ricky will rock up when the Boks start their Tri-Nations title defence against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday?'
Bok coach Peter de Villiers was spot on last week when he said: "I know what I have in Ricky and I know what he is capable of."
You also can't fault him for falling back on the "experienced" Januarie (44 Test caps) to replace the master, Du Preez (55 Test caps).
Yes, Januarie has "been there before" in a Tri-Nations campaign and produced a match-winning performance.
But Januarie is also capable of a less than satisfactory performance. The Boks will need the 2008 version to arrive at Eden Park on Saturday.