Once a backbencher and struggling to get game time at nine, Keagan Johannes could well end up being one of the most important players for the Vodacom Bulls as they head towards the playoffs.
The news on Monday that Willie le Roux underwent a shoulder operation and will be out for at least four weeks heightens the vulnerability that the Bulls have in the flyhalf position.
With Johan Goosen at least out for another week or two, the team are likely to again turn the retreaded halfback Johannes for their playmaker options this coming week after a performance that was decent for his first big start at 10.
Johannes is more known as a scrumhalf, but the competition between him, Embrose Papier and Zak Burger is intense, so much so that he hasn’t got much game time this season.
When he has, it has been because he has covered 10 and the Bulls had enough confidence to start him against log-leaders Leinster last weekend.
Now without Le Roux or Goosen, and the situation regarding Jaco van der Walt rather unsolved as the Bulls don’t release injury reports, Johannes looks like the last man standing for the team as they prepare to face Zebre this weekend in their next Vodacom United Rugby Championship match.
Johannes had a mixed bag on Saturday, looking good in his kicks to touch but missing one or two kicks at goal, still having a relatively positive outing under a lot of pressure.
But while Le Roux is known for his strategic play and attacking ability and Goosen for his boot, Johannes has not yet defined himself in the 10 role, even though he is likely to come under a lot of scrutiny again this weekend.
UNDER SCRUTINY
It wasn’t a surprise that coach Jake White gave him a passing grade for last weekend’s performance, given that there was a lot of attention and pressure on him, but the Bulls will want him to put his own stamp on matters if they are to grab another home victory before heading into EPCR Challenge Cup action.
White said that no matter who wears the 10 jersey, they would always be under more scrutiny, and with that as a basis, he gives more leeway to the guy at 10.
“Again, it's a shame. When I say shame, any guy who wears a number 10 jersey always gets evaluated first,” White said after the game.
“I remember when I was coaching the Springboks, I used to give the jerseys out and every time I called a number 10 up I used to say I'm really thankful that you wear this jersey because you're going to get more critique than me. And that's the way it is.
“Whether it was Butch James or Jakob van der Vesten or anyone who played 10 in that time, I knew that poor guy was the guy who was going to get watched closely. It either goes well and you're the general or you didn't play well and it wasn't good enough.
“I thought he (Johannes) did some really good things today but it's not an all round performance, he knows that. But we've got to win and I'm sure the bonus of winning and the excitement of being part of it for almost 80 minutes (because he came off with cramps) will make him a much better player going forward.”
For now White doesn’t have many options, so will need to back the guy in the saddle.
But Johannes has a chance to make a name for himself, and give himself a lot more chances to make the starting line-up if he succeeds.
The Bulls will name their side for the clash on Friday.
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