Dyantyi is a risk worth taking for some - despite Erasmus revelation
After South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus revealed that it was unlikely that Aphiwe Dyantyi will make the World Cup this year because of injury, there are some that still have not given up hope on the winger making it to Japan.
The 2018 World Breakthrough Player of the Year has not played for the Springboks in 2019 due to a hamstring injury, but is hugely popular amongst fans after last year.
That is why there are still fans on Twitter that think that it is worth taking a risk with the winger for the World Cup. This is partly down to his reputation, but also down to the alternatives should he not go.
While Cheslin Kolbe and S’bu Nkosi look to have secured their spots in Japan next month, Makazole Mapimpi has not won over all fans yet, and some feel that it is worth taking a gamble with the Lions winger instead. Furthermore, Willie Le Roux has not necessarily displayed his best form over the last month, meaning Kolbe may move to fullback.
However, with some players out of form, the necessity will be to have fit alternatives, and if Dyantyi will not be up to full fitness at the beginning of the tournament, Erasmus could find himself stretched.
Although the All Blacks loom in their pool, some have also suggested that it may be worth a gamble with Dyantyi for the knockout stages, whilst fielding other wingers before then.
Obviously selecting Dyantyi would be a risk that could backfire, which is the case with all risks, and that is probably why Erasmus seems to be veering towards not selecting him. But that does not mean that all fans agree.
This is what has been said:
Some fans have also factored in the fact that, despite having a brilliant 2018, Dyantyi has not yet proven himself enough on the international stage to take this risk.
A comparison has been made to Australia and David Pocock, who is also struggling with injuries. The flanker has been an exceptional player for the Wallabies over the past ten years, and worth taking a risk for. Dyantyi, on the other hand, does not yet have that reputation in South Africa, which is all the more reason why some want to look at other options.
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Skelton may be brought back for the Wallabies so that would be the only reason that may hinder Wilson. Easily the form, most skilful and game IQ of any Oz 8. Valentini’s best and favourite position is 6, but lineouts may be an issue with Skelton, Valentini and Wilson. Will be interesting what Schmidt goes for but for me Wilson should be picked on form. Schmidt rewards work rate, skill and consistency. All that glitters every so often won’t be in contention. Greely is one of those players that has a knack of making the right decision. A coach is going to love him because he knows week in week out he’s going to get the job done. The second try Greely wasn’t the guy who made the initial break it was Flook, Greely was at the bottom of the ruck when Flook was off along the sideline. Greely got up and made the effort to catch up with play but also read the play nicely and hit the pass from Campbell at pace and then held the pass beautifully to Ryan.
Go to commentsSharks deserved to be far further back by the last quarter. Their tackling was awful, their set pieces were disappointing, their defensive organization was poor (especially on the Kok side of the D line), they kept making unnecessary errors, and they never looked like cracking the Clermont defense during those first 60m. Masuku kept them in touch, with some help from the Clermont generosity on penalty opportunities. Agree with the writer of this article. It was belligerence, and ability to raise their pressure game just enough, that turned the last quarter into a Bok-style shutout. Clermont have a reputation of not playing the full 80m, and there was a bit of that for sure. But, quite often when the intensity of a team drops off in the last quarter credit is due to the opponent for tiring them out. At 60m, with the Kok try, you thought that just maybe the game was on. At 70m, with the Mapimpi contribution, one felt that Clermont were fading, while facing a team that would maintain the pressure game through the final whistle. Good win in the end, but the Sharks are still playing way below their potential. And with their resources, and a coach that has had enough time to figure things out, they are running out of excuses.
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