He's long been touted as a future Springbok flyhalf, but Earl Rose's inclusion in the South Africa squad for this month's tour of Wales, Scotland and England came a lot sooner than expected.

Rose has enjoyed a rather indifferent year for the Johannesburg-based team, mixing brilliance with mediocrity in the No 10 jersey and was even shifted to fullback - the position where he's played most of his senior rugby - for his team's domestic competition semi-final clash with the Coastal Sharks two weeks ago.

His unpredictable nature though makes him one of the most dangerous attacking players to emerge on the national scene in some time. It is for this reason, Springbok coach Peter de Villiers selected the 24-year-old for the upcoming tour.

"Earl's form may have dipped at times (this season) but he has the ‘X' factor you look for in a flyhalf and he has time to develop," said De Villiers about the latest player to be earmarked for the Bok No 10 shirt.

Rose will be the second choice flyhalf on tour, with scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar the preferred man to wear the jersey that belonged to Butch James earlier this season.

Bath-bound James was not considered for selection on this occasion. With Pienaar having played most of his Test rugby at scrumhalf and Rose still uncapped, the Boks are rather weak in the crucial pivot position.

But there is no doubting the players' talent, especially Rose. A player with great awareness, passing skills and pace, he's represented his country at all age-group levels.

Counting against him is his small frame and penchant to shy away from contact. He remains a player with great potential, however, and is, according to De Villiers a man for the future.

With the British and Irish Lions heading to South Africa in a just a few months these Tests are as important as any we have undertaken since our re-admission in 1992," he said recently.

AFP

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