Gelant’s Got It

Bulls utility back Warrick Gelant has X-factor and expect to see him in the Springboks squad sooner rather than later.

I tweeted about Gelant’s exploits in scoring three tries for the Bulls against the Sharks in Durban and the immediate response was that I wanted to make Gelant a Springbok on the basis of one good game.

Not quite!

Gelant’s pedigree extends the three-try influence in the Bulls beating the Sharks 30-17. Those of us who have followed his career have seen him transfer his Schools form to under 20 and then to senior professional rugby with relative ease.

He has been unfortunate with injury but a fit and well-conditioned Gelant is an asset to the fabric of South African professional rugby and he will still play for the Springboks in 2017.

Gelant also scored three tries in the SA ‘A’ win against the French Barbarians a week before tormenting the Sharks. He showed tremendous pace against the French and he is equally good at fullback or wing.

Gelant was my pick of the South African Super Rugby talent on a weekend where plenty players made an impression.

Damian Willemse’s run-on flyhalf debut for the Stormers against the Cheetahs underlined his immense talent. Willemse this time last year was playing for Paul Roos Gymnasium and doing so brilliantly. He looked good against the big boys in Bloemfontein and he is a massive talent.

Thank you Stormers coach Robbie Fleck for trusting this youngster with a Super Rugby start. Willemse, the Stormers and the overall strength of South African Rugby will benefit from the likes of this talent now and in years to come.

Collectively, the Kings were again full of spirit, fire and adventure in winning in Argentina against the Jaquares. It was a fantastic result.

The Lions were ruthless in dismissing the feeble challenge of the Sunwolves and were a converted try shy of scoring 100 points.

Champion teams win when they shouldn’t and champion teams crush imposters, which is what the Sunwolves have been to Super Rugby.

The Lions also put down a marker for the play-offs and if they host all their play-off matches I can’t see any of the New Zealand teams beating them in Johannesburg.

The Bulls benefited from Gelant’s finishing and the resurgent form of Springbok centre Jan Serfontein, whose performance was as imposing for the Bulls as it was for the Boks against France.

*Visit http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby for all the weekend’s match reports