Lions skipper Francke Horn is in the form of his life, earning the nickname "Bad Seep" for his ability to glide through tackles. With a clash against Connacht looming, is a Springbok call-up finally on the cards for "Daddy Franks" Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
There is no doubt that Lions skipper Francke Horn is enjoying a purple patch of form, while also sporting a few new-fangled nicknames to go along with it.
“We call him Bad Seep (Bath Soap),” Lions assistant coach Julian Redelinghuys said on Tuesday, after training, with a chuckle, “because on attack he just slips through contact. On defence, we are starting to call him Daddy Franks because he prides himself on it.”
Horn delivered another industrious display against the Glasgow Warriors this past weekend, playing with intent and linking with his backline with aplomb as the Lions rolled the visitors over 54-12. As has become his trademark, he was a terror out wide, dictating the Lions’ attacking play alongside his out-backs.
His performances have not gone unnoticed, with previous whispers becoming louder murmurs that the former Junior Springbok should be afforded a chance to impress the national setup. Although not the classic No 8 Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus usually prefers, there is no denying that Horn adds an impressive array of soft skills and pace.
So far during the United Rugby Championship, the 26-year-old has scored four tries with seven try assists. He has also made 15 clean breaks and beaten 20 defenders across 79 carries for 359m gained. Add to that 14 offloads, 93 tackles and two turnovers, and it points to a player who is as slippery as soap on attack while becoming an improved force on defence.
It should come as no surprise, as it is exactly what the Lions have been working on, according to Redelinghuys.
"He is the first guy to go and grab the mats and do his physicality work," said the former Springbok prop. “That was the one place we felt he needed to improve to put his name up higher for Rassie and them to select him. Work rate and physicality is where he has taken a massive step up."
Horn is expected to lead the Lions again on Saturday against Connacht at Ellis Park (4pm kick-off). It presents another opportunity to express himself and perhaps further improve his stock with the Boks.