Braam not just a kicker
July 26, 2001

Burly centre Braam van Straaten is excited to be back in the Springbok line-up for Saturday's Vodacom Tri-Nations game against the Wallabies, more so because the game will be played at Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld.

The goalkicking ace has a very impressive record on this field, having slotted 48 of his 52 attempts at goal there. And given the Boks' recent struggles in front of goal, the return of the 100kg Western Province and Stormers star couldn't have come at a better time.

Bok coach Harry Viljoen has included Van Straaten in the starting line-up for the first time since the Test against England at Twickenham last year. "It is not the first time I have been brought back because of my goalkicking," he told The Star.

"(But) it does not bug me. Kicking is something I do well but it would be nice if people also noticed my other strong points. I am proud of my defence and I can be relied on to always give more than 100 per cent. I do not shy away from contact or unpleasant work. I get stuck in for my country.

However, he admitted he would like it if people noticed his other qualities too. "People are saying that my distribution is too slow and that I am not quick enough. I do not agree. These things are a perception. If these problems really existed I would not have played 15 times for my country."

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