Springbok star Canan Moodie reveals the position he'd like to make his own

By SABC Sport
12th October 2024

Although he has shone in various backline roles during his fledgling career, Springbok and Bulls utility back Canan Moodie feels outside centre is the position which he will settle on.

The 2023 Rugby World Cup winner has played predominantly on the wing for the Boks but has also featured at outside centre at Test level, while he has also given a good account of himself in the aforementioned positions as well as full-back for the Bulls.

The 21-year-old has shone wherever he has played for South Africa and the Bulls and caught the eye with fine performances at outside centre in the Boks' record victory over the All Blacks in last year's World Cup warm-up match and in a United Rugby Championship (URC) victory for the Pretoria-based outfit against Ulster last week.

Moodie was on media duty for the Bulls ahead of Saturday's clash against the Ospreys in Swansea and when he was asked which position he will settle on, he was unequivocal in his response.

"I have been asked this question a lot. But I played centre at school, so it is a position that I love to play," he said. "I have had a taste of it in a few games with the Springboks and I feel pretty comfortable playing centre for the Bulls now.

"I just want to be the best player I can be and contribute. For me centre is where I think I can do that. But I am just grateful for the opportunity to play on the field (wherever that is).

"I have learned a lot from guys like Jesse (Kriel), Lukhanyo (Am) and all those guys that play centre at the Boks. Being able to see what they can do and learning as much as I can from them has helped me to grow in the position and hopefully I can do the same for the Bulls."

A fractured index finger sustained while in action for the Bulls in last season's URC meant Moodie featured only once for the Springboks during their nine Tests played so far this year.

He missed the opening Test against Wales at Twickenham and the series against Ireland in South Africa as well as the two Rugby Championship games against the Wallabies in Australia and the first one against the All Blacks in Johannesburg.

His sole Test appearance in 2024 came the following week, against New Zealand in Cape Town, and he was not selected for the matches against Argentina in Santiago del Estero and Mbombela.

He returned to action at Currie Cup level with the Bulls and after impressing in that competition, he has also done well in the URC and is keen to continue with his current good form.

"It's very important for myself to play with confidence, get back to my best and make sure I help the team as best as I can," said Moodie.

"I have two (URC) games under the belt, playing at wing and centre, so I am just looking forward to getting on the field (again) and playing some good rugby."

Apart from Saturday's clash with the Ospreys, the Pretoria-based outfit will also face the Scarlets and Benetton on their overseas tour and Moodie highlighted the importance of winning on the road after clinching back-to-back home victories over Edinburgh and Ulster.

"As you saw with the other teams (Sharks and Stormers) they started off with losses. Lucky for us we didn't tour straight away," he added.

"We had two games at home and now I think we have found our feet in how we want to play.

"The tour is very important. You want to get as many points as you can away from home, so that in the back end of the competition you are not under as much pressure."