The Springbok coach has described the loss of Johan Goosen as a ‘massive blow’ but is adamant the young flyhalf will play an important Test role in years to come.

Goosen injured his shoulder in the Cheetahs’ recent match against the Highlanders, and it was later confirmed that he will be out of all rugby for four months. It’s a big setback not only for the Cheetahs, but also for the Boks since the 19-year-old was expected to play some part in the series against England.

Morné Steyn is set to start at No 10 in those three Tests, although there are some other strong candidates. Pat Lambie, Elton Jantjies and Peter Grant have all been exposed to the Bok set-up, and all three are currently in form for their respective Super Rugby franchises.

However, as Meyer confirms, it is Goosen that is the brightest long-term prospect.

‘We’re very fortunate at the moment to have four or five great flyhalf options. There’s Morné who has a great tactical game, and Peter who is playing the best rugby of his career. Then there is Pat and Elton who also have some special attributes.

‘I really believe that once he has matured a bit more Johan can become one of the best in the world. He has that ability to take the ball to the line, he likes to get physical, and that has impressed me. He has all the skills as well as the mental toughness.

‘It’s a big blow to lose him, but it’s because of that mental toughness that I believe he will bounce back.’

Meyer has said that he will favour experienced players for the England series, but thereafter, he will start making selections geared towards future success.

The new Bok coach wants a flyhalf with the full range of skills, and clearly feels that Goosen is the type of player who can bring South Africa success in the long term.

‘I am focused on the coming series against England, but the 2015 World Cup is also in the back of my mind,’ Meyer said. ‘You want a strong tactical flyhalf for those conditions, you want a flyhalf who can make a difference be it on defence, in front of goal, or kicking out of hand.

‘A flyhalf is the equivalent of a quarterback in American football. You pick your quarterback first, and you pick your flyhalf first. I want a player who has the skills but also has the mental toughness to kick it over in a big game.’

Goosen became a YouTube sensation when he booted a 67m penalty in a school game in 2010. Since making his Super Rugby debut this year, the power of his kicking boot has been complemented by his accuracy.

And despite his tactical kicking strengths, he has also shown a willingness to move the ball, or if the situation has arisen, to have a dart at the line.

South Africa has finally uncovered a complete flyhalf. While injury may have robbed him of an opportunity to face England, there’s no doubt that Goosen will get his chance later in the year.

He is top 3 at least already- a huge talent

He has that ability to take the ball to the line, he likes to get physical, and that has impressed me. He has all the skills as well as the mental toughness.

A flyhalf is the equivalent of a quarterback in American football. You pick your quarterback first, and you pick your flyhalf first. I want a player who has the skills but also has the mental toughness to kick it over in a big game.’

Maybe even higher.

Obviously he's behind Ford, but I reckon he might just be nudging ahead of Tom Heathcote and Matthew Morgan to be rated in the top 2 teenage fly-halves in world rugby at the moment.

He is top 3 at least already- a huge talent

I really hope all this whinging about Meyer picking only Bulls and bringing back Matfield will stop now.

Awesome young player. Wonder who will have the most distinguished career between Ford, Goosen, Barret and Cruden.

Taylor's really a twelve filling in temporarily at 10.

Nah, he's a natural at first-five.

Personally I think we'll see Goosen and Cruden battling it out for supremacy by about 2013. Cruden is obviously already relatively experienced.

Lambie is in his 4th year of pro rugby now, and is still making a visible impact game in game out for the Sharks. Long after sides have 'worked him out'. When he isn't at 10 there is a visible deterioration in what the Sharks do manage to put together. He will be the Sharks flyhalf for years to come. Yet still people want to play him out of position, this is what started at Bok level with Ruan and Frans also.

Lambie/Frans/Goosen, should be the ones that fill the 10/12/15 jerseys, as I said sometime back. But it should be Goosen at 15 and Lambie at 10.

So you want to play Goosen out of position instead then?

Also a big Lambie fan but it's difficult not to be swept up in this Goosen hype. He looks the package. Besides, Lambie has only recently been converted from 15 to 10.

Who is the rookie? Why is one treated differently from the other? All we heard with Lambie was "is he ready, maybe some games from the bench in the last 5 minutes against Italy". It's because he was a soutie playing for the Sharks, not a bonehead playing for everyones second favourite shitty side. Lambie's been playing flayhalf at CC and Superugby level since 2010. He was the flyhalf in a CC winning side. It's 2012 now. How is that recent?

Nice rant and I agree with much of it but can't see why you have an issue with playing Lambie 'out of position' and not Goosen. Surely that's treating one differently from the other?

Why is one treated differently from the other?

Why? Goosen > Lambie. Thats why.

How can you make that call when he hasn't played for the Boks yet?

So Goosen gets the golden throne, never out of position just injected straight into the 10 jersey, in his first season. While our guy must labour in the shadows, before being given some pathetic 'opportunity' out of position in junk time at the end of a game.

Lambie still in fact has not been given a real chance at the Bok 10 jersey. Years after guiding the Sharks to a CC victory in that position. Why people think he's a better bet than Goosen or Frans at fullback I'm not sure. To me it looks like a way of sidelining him until some non-Durbanite comes along.

I'm happy that he'll be in position, at flyhalf, for us for many years to come. You should also.

People are getting ahead of themselves now.

I find the entire thing annoying. If he was a Sharks player, we would just be hearing "he needs 20 more years playing provincial rugby until he's proved himself, then he can have some games off the bench out of position in the last 5 minutes".

Lambie is in his 4th year of pro rugby now, and is still making a visible impact game in game out for the Sharks. Long after sides have 'worked him out'. When he isn't at 10 there is a visible deterioration in what the Sharks do manage to put together. He will be the Sharks flyhalf for years to come. Yet still people want to play him out of position, this is what started at Bok level with Ruan and Frans also.

Lambie/Frans/Goosen, should be the ones that fill the 10/12/15 jerseys, as I said sometime back. But it should be Goosen at 15 and Lambie at 10.

Morne can fuck right off, why are people still mentioning him? Fuck sakes. Not convinced by his game management at Bok level, especially outside SA. Shows every time du Preez didn't partner him. He's 'meh', supported his selection when they had invested so many caps in him it was hard to change so close to the RWC. Don't support it now. Hoohaa Jr is another people keep mentioning, still looks more comfortable on the wing, still lacking a strong kicking game, still can't run a game. I would pick Ruan past him.

Fuck bro, that has to be the most retarded thing I have ever heard.

Nipper, don't forget that he is a Sharks supporter and therefore knows very little about rugby.

Actually Oxie is quite learned on matters rugby especially rugby history. But he is a self confessed one-eyed Tjarks supporter from birth. Ask him for his views on this years rabble.

Fuck bro, that has to be the most retarded thing I have ever heard.

That is on par with OomPB's rugby knowledge!

Your Question: Hi Rassie, I fear our game is becoming dated and has not moved on since 2007. I think young Goosen from the Free State at 10 could change this and re-ignite our backs. Do you think he will ever get selected under Heyneke Meyer? Regards, Chris Sysum.

Rassie answers: I don't agree with you 100% Chris, but I understand what you mean. Teams become more organised every year and it gets more difficult to score tries, but the real good teams will always find ways to get more points on the board than their opponents. Johan Goosen is a superb player and while I don't want to speculate on team selection, I'm pretty certain he will feature at the highest level sooner rather than later.

Agree Slider, very positive. He's also always praising the provincial coaches for how accommodating they are, etc. Really trying to build good relationships. And mentioning JdV as a possible capt. for the ENG tour is definitely better news than talk of Victor. Wouldn't mind a backline like this for the ENG tour:

9. Hoohah Jnr.
10. Morne (with Goosen injured)
11. Habana
12. Frans
13. JdV (capt.)
14. JPP
15. Lambie

There are a lot of good young 10s running around in SA and NZ at the moment, Aus, not so much. Exciting stuff watching these young players do their stuff!

Goosen is very good to watch, I hope he recovers well and has no more shoulder problems in the future.

Lima Sopoaga from the Highlanders is also a very good young 10 and was going shit hot before he got injured.

So Goosen gets the golden throne, never out of position just injected straight into the 10 jersey, in his first season. While our guy must labour in the shadows, before being given some pathetic 'opportunity' out of position in junk time at the end of a game.

Lambie still in fact has not been given a real chance at the Bok 10 jersey. Years after guiding the Sharks to a CC victory in that position. Why people think he's a better bet than Goosen or Frans at fullback I'm not sure. To me it looks like a way of sidelining him until some non-Durbanite comes along.

I'm happy that he'll be in position, at flyhalf, for us for many years to come. You should also.