Springbok star backs Quan to give it ‘Horns’ against Barbarians
· The South African
With Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu injured, Manie Libbok being rested and Handre Pollard caught up with URC action, the Springboks head into their season-opener against the Barbarians with an unfamiliar face in the No 10 jersey.
Quan Horn, who has one Test cap to his name, has played most of his senior rugby at fullback, but Rassie Erasmus has opted to execute one of his typical left-field experiments by handing the talented youngster a start at flyhalf against the Barbarians.
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It’s a clever move.
If it doesn’t work out, there’s no real harm done. But if Horn can deliver in a new role, the Springboks will have another exciting option at flyhalf heading into the 2026 Test season.
Springboks excited about taking on new challenge against the Barbarians
Andre Esterhuizen, the Springboks’ leading utility player, said they certainly supported Erasmus’ decision to hand the No 10 jersey to Horn.
“He’s a very good player, and he has a lot of skill and reads the game well,” said Esterhuizen.
“He’s slotted into the No 10 position very well at training, and he’s been working hard, so with the support inside and outside of him, there are players who can help and guide him, and I think he’ll be good in that position.”
What is Rassie thinking?
When Erasmus himself discussed this selection at flyhalf, he highlighted what had led to him to make this bold call.
“Manie (Libbok) has played a lot of rugby in Japan recently, and we want to manage him properly. We must also see Handré (Pollard) get through the URC final without injury, while Sacha is currently injured. So, it creates an opportunity for us to have a look at Quan.
“We know he can play 15, but if he can play 10 and 15, hopefully in future that will help with a 6-2 bench split. The other assistant coaches, all of us, really see something in him when it comes to 10.”
teams
SPRINGBOKS: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Edwill van der Merwe, 10 Quan Horn, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Riley Norton, 3 Carlü Sadie, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Ox Nché.
Replacements: 16 JJ Kotze, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 Ben-Jason Dixon, 20 Paul de Villiers, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Vusi Moyo.
BARBARIANS: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Alex Nankivell, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Tomás Albornoz, 9 TJ Perenara (captain), 8 Miracle Fai’ilagi, 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Guido Petti, 5 Alex Moon, 4 Franco Molina, 3 D’Arcy Rae, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Mayko Vivas
Replacements: 16 Leonel Oviedo, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Pedro Delgado, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Liam McConnell, 21 Santiago Arata, 22 Harry Plummer, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre