Damian Willemse is a sensational rugby player, but he's no Test flyhalf ... yet.
Joel Stransky, the Springboks' World Cup-winning hero, knows a thing or two about being a pivot and he believes Willemse should be gradually familiarised with the No10 position in Test rugby.
Willemse was earmarked for a Test debut off the bench in yesterday's Rugby Championship opener against Argentina in Durban. Stransky believes it was prudent of Bok coach Rassie Erasmus to unleash Willemse at fullback.
"Rassie clearly believes in a talented young man who has pace, who is courageous, who has a great step. Damian clearly has unbelievable rugby skills.
"But, he is still learning how to play flyhalf. He doesn't understand space, he doesn't manage space well yet. I'm quite delighted to see him start his international career at fullback."
Stransky believes Willemse needs to learn the ebb and flow of Test rugby from the most distant on-field vantage point. "That is Rassie's plan so that he can come to grips with the different speeds of the game. He is obviously a great rugby player but he still has a lot to learn about playing No10.
"Maybe the transition from 15 to 10 gives him time to understand and appreciate the slight nuances of time a little bit more.
"I think Rassie is handling it really well, understanding the player's talent, his skill levels and what he still has to learn. I think it is a really good solution."
Stransky went on to compare the Stormers' utility back to his former halfback partner, Joost van der Westhuizen. "Joost was always a sensational rugby player. As a scrumhalf however he had one or two weaknesses. He couldn't kick off his right foot and his pass was a little erratic.You find a way of saying he's an unbelievable rugby player but let's home in on those particular skills required for that position. Damian fits into that category. He is clearly a sensational rugby player.
"But the ability to play flyhalf has to come with a clear understanding of space and time. Also the awareness of what is in front of you, around you, and where the ultimate space on the field is. I think he is still very raw in terms of understanding those intricacies of the position."
Given rugby's fluid nature, a player with Willemse's ability to step and beat defenders makes him ideal to drift in and out of that position. Stransky is quite keen to see him ghost in and out of first receiver.
"We see Damian McKenzie do it for the All Blacks. We've seen (Beauden) Barrett do it a few years ago. We are blessed in that we have him and we have Handre Pollard. We have two great rugby players.
Pollard has become an unbelievably good No10, so maybe the role for Damian is to slip in and out of that position but spending most of the time at fullback.
"He can offer that unbelievable running game with Pollard at 10. You also don't want him to be jack of all trades. You want him to grow into the role that best suits him and become entrenched in it."
Willemse will have to build playing hours in the No10 jersey elsewhere for now. "Whether that is in an age-group side, the Currie Cup or Super Rugby, he needs experience and time in that position but remain in the Bok pecking order until he is adept at it," said Stransky.The 20-year-old will require some mentoring. "He is playing behind a guy like Pollard, which is probably a good thing. He needs someone who can sit down and advise him. Then he's gonna have to go and do it, playing in that position and become comfortable there and grow through the levels."
Willemse was declared off limits for media interviews this week as Erasmus believed it would distract him from his debut Test. The coach has no doubt Willemse is physically up to the challenge.
"I think he's one of those younger guys who physically can stand up," said Erasmus. "You don't doubt his physicality if you compare him with other guys his age.
"We know how he can tackle, he's got a great step and a good boot. The challenge will be pressure and expectation, but if he gets through that he is a talent and maybe he can do it for us at the World Cup as a utility player. I can understand why the hype is there," said Erasmus.
Hopefully, on the field Willemse can walk Erasmus's talk...