White muses about high-profile backline

Vodacom Bulls head coach Jake White has hinted at a dream backline scenario of having Johan Goosen at flyhalf and Damian Willemse dovetailing from fullback.

As has been widely reported on SARugbymag.co.za, Goosen is soon set to make the move to the Bulls from French club Montpellier.

READ: Bulls to bring in Goosen

Meanwhile, Willemse has been on the Bulls’ radar for some time, although it was recently suggested to this website from a highly credible source that he was in line to sign a contract extension at the Stormers.

Yet, it’s clear that the Bulls coach has not given up hope of perhaps welcoming Willemse to Loftus, which White referenced when discussing the future of Clinton Swart.

‘If you consider we could get Damian and Johan Goosen, what are the chance that you’re going to use Clinton as a 10 or 12 above those two players and Chris Smith. It’s probably unlikely,’ White commented.

‘It’s no secret we’re looking at Damian. He’s played 10, 12 and 15 at Super Rugby level and for the Springboks. Johan’s coming in and he can play in those positions.

‘Ideally, we’re looking at a couple of high-profile players in those slots. There’s nothing stopping us [in an ideal situation] of playing a decision-making group of Embrose [Papier] at 9, Goosen at 10, Cornal [Hendricks] and Stedman [Gans] in the centres and Damian at 15. That’s a helluva backline in theory.’

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