3 Advantages of Calling Up Serfontein

This weekend saw the injury and subsequent retirement of a Springbok and world great in the form of Jean DeVilliers. The Bok captain had played 109 total matches for South Africa and was the second most capped Springbok skipper (only after John Smit). It is fair to say that Jean gave all that his body could give, and then some to SA Rugby, but it is also fair to say that it was probably due time for him to throw in the towel. Nobody likes to see a legend's career end the way DeVilliers did, but his fractured jaw, and the resulting call up of Jan Serfontein may actually be a blessing in disguise for the Springbok camp in England. Serfontein is a dynamic and influential centre that brings a fair number of unique attributes that could help the Boks in the matches to come in this campaign

Below are some reasons that speak to this sentiment:

3 Things Jan Serfontein can add to the Boks

1). Hard and Straight Running

In the Springboks opening two matches of the RWC they struggled to show positive and straight forward running. Many a time, instead of decent go forward, what we saw was sideways lackluster movement. Serfontein is a physical and linear runner who doesn't shy away from contact. This sort of running helps attacking teams get over the advantage line and with Jan being tough to bring down on first contact, our backilne could reap some nice benefits and keep defenses on their toes.

2). Youth

There is a saying that "there is no substitute for experience" but I beg to differ, there is a perfect substitute - Youth. Yes experienced players and leaders play an important role in any team, but young players tend to play with an extra gear at times. If you have trouble believing me, just take a look at NBA champions The Golden State Warriors who defeated Lebron James and an experienced Cavelliers team. The point here is that young players still have that almost giddy sort of excitement about putting on their nation's jersey that tends to fade in players after having played for so long.

3). Chemistry

Confidence in your fellow teammates doesn't come overnight. The more you play with someone the more you know them, it's simple. If South Africa plans on continuing to play Handre Pollard as their number 10, it would be a smart move to play his Blue Bull teammate Serfontein beside him. The two know each others tendencies which could lead to some exciting plays from them playing off of each others skill set.