Joost happy with Bok scrumhalves

Van der Westhuizen was capped 89 times and scored 190 Test points as a Bok

The halfbacks are pivotal in any rugby team, but Joost van der Westhuizen, a former Springbok, does not feel the injuries to scrumhalves Ricky Januarie and Fourie du Preez will necessarily be a factor in the performances of Jake White's side on their tour of Argentina and Europe. As a scrumhalf himself, Van der Westhuizen acknowledges the importance of a good partnership at halfback, but he believes White has adequate cover in Bolla Conradie and Michael Claasens.

"Claasens is a fine player in the Fourie du Preez mould and Bolla Conradie is not dissimilar to Ricky Januarie," said Van der Westhuizen ahead of the Boks' opening match against Argentina on Saturday.

"Of course, the longer the halfbacks play together the better their understanding and the better it is for the team. I think back to the days Henry Honiball and I played together in the Bok side. We had an almost telepathic understanding and no-one broke the line through that halfback channel," added Van der Westhuizen, who was capped 89 times and scored 190 Test points (with 38 tries).

"But these guys are professionals and I have no doubt they will quickly develop an understanding."

There has been speculation that White might try using Jean de Villiers, a utility back, at flyhalf on the tour and this is something that wouldn't surprise Van der Westhuizen. "De Villiers is such a versatile player and I feel he could do a job at flyhalf. It obviously depends on Jake's game plan, but it might be something worth considering." - Sapa