Springbok assistant coach Matt Proudfoot believes Pieter-Steph du Toit will succeed regardless of the position he plays in.
Du Toit, who mostly features as a lock for club and country, may be playing at flank for the Springboks in Saturday’s Test against Italy in Padova.
The towering Stormers forward has passed his concussion test and will replace Siya Kolisi who has returned to South Africa on paternity leave.
Du Toit has played flank in his last four Tests.
“He’s not a player who has to be stuck in one position. He’s a tremendous athlete. Pieter-Steph doesn’t talk much, but whether you pick him at lock, flank or No 8, he’ll play to the best of his abilities,” Proudfoot was quoted as saying by Netwerk24.
“The more freedom he has to get his hands on the ball, the better. He’s an unbelievable ball-carrier with excellent acceleration, especially when breaking off the scrums. He gives us the opportunity to attack on the blindside.”
Proudfoot also says the difference between playing at lock and flank is not as significant as it is made out to be.
“Technically, in everything that happens on the field, No 5 and 7 are very close together. They both jump in the lineout, they both tackle and clean. There’s not a big difference in what they do,” Proudfoot was quoted as saying by SA Rugbymag.
Proudfoot says Du Toit is also always willing to help the squad wherever he can.
"There’s no place for all four locks in the team. But we’ve had a lot of injuries in the loose forwards. Here’s a guy who says, ‘Listen, give me the ball and I’ll take responsibility’”.
Du Toit's recall may be the only change to the Bok starting team that defeated France 18-17 in Paris last weekend.
Warrick Gelant may be brought onto the bench and will make his Test debut if he enters the fray.
The post Proudfoot hails PSD versatility appeared first on Planet Rugby.