Willie having a jol at 10
Today at 08:32 AM
The evergreen Willie le Roux says he’s learning something new every week at flyhalf for the Vodacom Bulls, playing "lekker rugby" with a smile on his face.
As the veteran fullback prepares for Saturday’ North-South derby rematch against the Stormers at Loftus, he reflected on his return to the No 10 jersey, viewing it as both a personal challenge and an asset for his Springbok aspirations.
“When I'm at 15, I'm always used to coming in to help if the flyhalf is on the ground or out of position,” said Le Roux in a Bulls conference on Monday. “If you have to call the plays, the defence is obviously different, and after you've made a tackle, you must know where in the defensive line to go.
"It's those small adjustments that I've had to figure out, and I'm learning something new every week, but I'm enjoying it.”
Le Roux has made three starts at flyhalf for the Bulls, including their Vodacom URC victory over the Stormers in Cape Town earlier this month.
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“Like I said, there's a lot of stuff I can still learn at flyhalf. You try and get better every week, calling the right plays at the right time, not trying to be too extravagant or going wide too early," he said.
"There are little things like that where you need to make good decisions. If I can just get better on those things… I wouldn't say I'm feeling young, but I'm happy, and that helps.”
With 97 Test caps, the 35-year-old Le Roux is within touching distance of a Springbok century. However, personal milestones take a backseat to his focus on performance.
“For me, it's about enjoying my rugby; you never know when it's your last game, and you have to go out every week and play as if it's your last," the two-time World Cup winner said. "You have to play well every week to put yourself in the national selection frame for the Springboks.
"There are so many good players and youngsters, and if you don't perform week in and week out, you don't stand a chance. But right now, I'm going out to enjoy it, and you play lekker rugby when you play with a smile on your face.”
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His versatility makes him an attractive option for Rassie Erasmus, particularly in a Bok squad that values adaptability. “It gives a player more balance [playing flyhalf and fullback], and if a team goes with a 7-1 or 6-2 bench, to have a guy on the bench who can cover all those positions, it helps," Le Roux said.
"Obviously, there are a lot of flyhalves out there who are playing unbelievably well… I'm just trying to learn and get better.”
Recent reports suggest Le Roux is set to extend his stay with the Bulls, though he remained measured in his response: “We're in discussions. Hopefully, in the coming months, we'll know what's going on.”
Reflecting on the Bulls’ triumph in Cape Town and how it shapes Saturday's clash, he added: “That was one of my first games in a long time at 10, so there's a lot that I can learn and get better at.
"Obviously, I know how the Stormers pride themselves on their defence and their attacking game. For me, it'll just be about controlling the game a bit better, where maybe we got a bit loose here and there, which brought them back into the game.
"We'll look to play in the right areas, and that's all in a 10's control — to get his team into the right areas. From a game management point of view, that's what I'm looking at.”
Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images
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