Lions coach Johan Ackermann dispensed advice for Springbok coach Allister Coetzee ahead of tomorrow's squad announcement for the three-Test series against France.
Ackermann gave Elton Jantjies an unambiguous thumbs up as Bok flyhalf after the left-footer played a leading role in the demolition of the Bulls at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The endorsement comes at a time Coetzee is short of options, with Handre Pollard and Pat Lambie still shaded by injury clouds.
"I'm very biased," Ackermann admitted when asked if Jantjies could have an enduring Test career.
"They have asked me that before about Elton. Can he play, does he have the big-match temperament and has he got the skills?
"I've put myself out there and always said 'he's got it' and I back him purely because we love him here at the Lions. We believe he can play at the highest level. He's got the skill.
"He showed against the Bulls his goalkicking was phenomenal.
"He can play there. He plays with confidence and freedom and if you allow that, the players around him can understand him and then I believe he can play at the highest level."
Another Lions player who did his Springbok prospects no harm against the Bulls was the fit-again wing Ruan Combrinck.
Combrinck, who had been on the mend since the Springboks' end-of- year tour last year with a shoulder injury, leapfrogged Anthony Volmink into the starting lineup and made a stunning return.
He rounded off the Lions' first attack of the game with a sumptuous chip and gather that had the crowd in raptures.
"Volmink really deserved an opportunity because he has been on the bench for a while but we really needed [Combrinck's] right foot," Ackermann said.
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