Hanekom on bench, Johannes due a start? Lots for Jake White to ponder as Bulls get set for Leinster

Comment by Ashfak Mohamed

If the indications that Cameron Hanekom could return from injury this week are correct, then you would think that the star No 8 should go straight into the Bulls starting line-up for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship showdown with Leinster at Loftus Versfeld (5pm start).

But is that necessarily the right call? I’m not so sure.

The context here is that Hanekom last played any rugby on February 8 against the Stormers in Cape Town, where he delivered a superb display in the 33-32 Bulls win.

But that was a long time ago, and the one-Test Springbok has been kept in cotton wool since.

Considering the all-action style that he adopts, starting against Leinster may not be the best way to reintegrate him into the team.

Leinster – whether they field a B or C team with some of their Irish internationals or not – will be a competitive unit who are renowned for their ability to keep the pressure on the opposition in the final quarter.

So, perhaps it would aid the Bulls’ cause to rather load their bench for Saturday, with Hanekom, who also possesses incredible pace, at the centre of it all.

The last quarter was where the Pretoria side lost the game in the 19-16 reverse to the Stormers at a wet Loftus on March 1, and they will be keen to avoid another deflating home defeat this weekend.

While they should be favourites to knock over a weakened Leinster side – having beaten the full-strength one in last season’s semi-final at Loftus – the Bulls just haven’t been at their best in front of their local fans in the current season.

They have lost at home to the Stormers, Sharks, Northampton and Saracens this season across the URC and Champions Cup, and cannot afford any more if they hope to finish at least second on the URC log behind Leinster.

Apart from Hanekom, there is hope that Marcell Coetzee could also return from concussion this weekend.

So, it might be worth coach Jake White’s while to have a powerful bench that includes Akker van der Merwe, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Hanekom and Coetzee to come on in the second half.

Stand-in captain Reinhardt Ludwig indicated this week that he may start at lock against Leinster, so that would leave a gap at blindside flank.

But the physical Mpilo Gumede is an ideal replacement at No 7, and could complement the hard-working openside Marco van Staden and the skilful classical No 8 Nizaam Carr in the loose trio.

White will announce his team on Friday, and perhaps the time has come for Keagan Johannes to start in the No 10 jersey, in order to develop his skills as the chief playmaker and grow in the pivot position in the absence of the injured Johan Goosen.

White has said previously that Johannes has impressed him at flyhalf in the few opportunities he has received, and with Willie le Roux still not firing on all cylinders at No 10, Johannes needs the game-time if he is to be a proper solution.

Le Roux could also provide an attacking spark if he is returned to fullback, as Devon Williams has the pace to be a factor at wing as well.