Hawies Fourie backs Rosko Specman to take on British Lions

You might be forgiven for believing that the Toyota Challenge has been set up solely for Frans Steyn to prove his form and fitness ahead of the British and Irish Lions series but Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie has urged everyone to take a good look at Rosko Specman.

Steyn was the Cheetahs standout performer in last season’s Currie Cup while Specman is back in the Free State in search of gametime.

Rosko Specman an option for the Springboks

The former Blitzbok stalwart is serious about his push for honours in XVs and has made a believer out of Fourie.

“I’m pretty sure Frans will be playing for the Springboks this year so this might be his last game for us until November/December,” Fourie said in pre-match comments.

“But Rosko deserves to be in the Springbok alignment camps as well and I’m pretty sure he’ll make the final squad. He’s made the choice to concentrate on XVs because the Lions tour is so special, only happening every 12 years.

“Rosko is one of our hardest workers, he’s always doing extras and is on top of his game. I can see his confidence in training and he’s doing everything at 100% pace.

“This game is an opportunity for Frans and him to get match-sharp because there’s going to be a lot of competition for places in that Springbok squad. Other players have had four weeks to impress, so this chance is very important for those two.”

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 27: Rosko Specman of the Cheetahs in his way to score a try during the SA Rugby Preparation Series match between DHL Stormers and Toyota Cheetahs at Cape Town Stadium on February 27, 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images)

The match also sees Brandon Thomson return to SA rugby after a stint at Glasgow Warriors in Scotland, he will enjoy the support of Ruan Pienaar as his halfback partner and having Steyn on his shoulder.

Fourie singled out Pienaar as a viable option for the Springboks if there are injuries at nine.

“We all know Ruan is also definitely still good enough to play at Springbok level and I wouldn’t be surprised if they press his button if they get injuries,” Fourie said.

CHEETAHS TEAM

Toyota Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Craig Barry, 13 Dries Swanepoel, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Brandon Thomson, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Andisa Ntsila, 5 Rynier Bernardo, 4 Victor Sekekete, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Wilmar Arnoldi, 1 Cameron Dawson. Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Schalk Ferreira, 18 Conraad van Vuuren, 19 Jacques Potgieter, 20 Aidon Davis, 21 Tian Meyer, 22 Howard Mnisi, 23 Duncan Saal, 24 Chris Massyn, 25 Alulutho Tsakweni.