Straeuli happy with rich blend

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli believes he has a squad rich in youthful talent but has also backed the importance of his veterans going into Saturday’s quarter-final against New Zealand in Melbourne.

Straeuli was heavily criticised for taking a young squad to Europe before the World Cup, where the Springboks were thrashed by England and also beaten by France and Scotland, and many called for the coach to be dumped.

But a home win over Australia in the Tri-Nations and a narrow loss to New Zealand in Dunedin provided some hope.

“Our lowest point was at Twickenham last year,” said Straeuli of the 53-3 destruction by England.

“But if you do take youngsters and pit them against the best then it pays off,” he said.

“It’s now becoming easier as a national coach when you have some youth there.”

He picked out the emergence of 20-year-old fly-half Derick Hougaard as a good example, while also mentioning Ashwin Willemse, Jorrie Muller, Jacque Fourie and Schalk Burger as excellent players in the making.

“Bringing in Hougaard as a young player has been good for us, because he is a bit of an unknown for people,” said Straeuli.

“Ashwin has been playing Super 12 so people know him, but he is one of those players who played in the World Cup under-21 team,” he said of the 22-year-old Willemse.

“He’s still young and he’s not a big winger, but he is very, very fast.”

But while the young brigade get fans excited, Straeuli knows the value of his senior men, such as captain Corne Krige and former skipper Joost van der Westhuizen.

“Corne as a captain had a good game (against Samoa) and led from the front, and so did Joost,” said Straeuli.

“Knowing Joost and knowing what abilities he has, he is a winner in life and he has been there before. He’s injury-free and he’s enjoying it.”