Onne of the perennial hobby horses of South African rugby enthusiasts is to anoint the new Naas Botha.

It’s a game we’ve played since the 1990s on account of the famous match winner. He was a product of his time – cocky, fast and possessed with what old-time sports writers used to describe as a “siege gun” boot. Even at 19, he toyed with teams as the monster Blue Bulls pack laid waste to the opposition.

There’s a new Naas and we saw his promise as Curwin Bosch produced a heroic performance at Ellis Park last weekend. Even Joel Stransky, who could play a bit in his time, was in raptures.

It’s always risky labelling a 19-year-old as the chosen one, but the manner of Bosch’s play, his option-taking and his coolness under fire spoke plenty. He was very much a kid in control, undaunted by the freight train that is Rohan Janse van Rensburg smashing into his channel all afternoon. His forwards looked after him and he responded with 19 points, the most remarkable of these from a 60m-plus goal kick that harked back to another Sharks tyro, Frans Steyn.

SA rugby isn’t in the habit of setting loose teenagers, but we’ve known prodigies through the years as players like Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies, Steyn himself, Joost van der Westhuizen and Pieter-Steph du Toit all converted the promise of their early years into substantial professional careers from early on.

Let’s not forget, too, that Pat Lambie and Handre Pollard were both handed Springbok debuts aged 20. Age is an irrelevance if the talent is there.

Another reality of the 2017 season is that the vacancy sign has gone up for the number 10 Bok jersey. Elton Jantjies is the man in possession, but it’s a tenuous grip given his hot-and-cold relationship with the job. Pat Lambie was also in the mix last season, but injury has hobbled his ambition.

Even Morné Steyn had a couple of run-outs last year, but he’s transitioned into the role of emergency call-up. He’ll always get the job done, but you wouldn’t invest SA’s 2019 hopes in him.

Pollard is supposedly the coming man, but the jury is still out on his chances this year given that he’s well into the Super Rugby season after long-term injury but is yet to produce the form that made him a must-pick player. It’s probably unfair to expect him to be firing, particularly with the Bulls sleep-walking through the tournament, and he is a proven performer. He’ll definitely be in the mix.

The story of Jantjies, Pollard, Lambie and Steyn proves how South Africa has struggled to find the perfect 10. All have their attributes, but none took conclusive ownership of the jersey last season.

Injury has also dented the hopes of another fine prospect in Jean-Luc du Plessis, the son of the prince of wings, Carel. He’s a beautiful passer of the ball and until his injury had looked the picture of pure class in Super Rugby. He’ll be a contender soon enough.

It’s still early days with Bosch and I still want to see how he’ll go on a wet day in New Zealand, with big Maori buggers chasing him down. To be sure, he’s not quite the finished article. His failed clearance kick near the end last week cost the Sharks as Andries Coetzee took the ball up for Jaco Kriel’s match-winning score. Just so long as he learns from these soft moments.

Australia has a wonderful attitude towards blooding youngsters. Because their depth is so limited, they invariably throw them in early – because they have to. It’s the sink-or-swim philosophy and most thrive.

Already the debate has begun about Bosch playing Test rugby. If I was picking the Bok XV today, I probably wouldn’t have him there. I need to first see him handle a few more big moments, including a brutal day in New Zealand when the fur is flying.

But I would be sorely tempted to have him on the bench to unleash him at 15 or 10 late in the game, to see how he will go as the supporting actor rather than the star man. Let’s get used to the cheers. He’ll give cause for many. – © Sunday Tribune