The master stroke that will win the Springboks the Rugby World Cup

The decision to move Canan Moodie move to outside centre has proven an inspired one and may just influence the final outcome of the Rugby World Cup.

With the squad seemingly overloaded with wingers, Moodie has taken giant leaps towards making the No 13 jersey his own.

The Springboks smartest move

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Moodie made his professional splash at winger but played in the centres at school and says that he loves the role.

“No.13 was the position I played at school, and it is a position I love,” said Moodie ahead of the Springboks clash with Tonga according to Rugby365.

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“I was wishing that is the position where I would end up.”

Moodie also revealed that the Bulls had considered deploying him at 13 as well.

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Lucky No 13

White had apparently assured Moodie that he would get his chance at outside centre.

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“He told me I would play No.13,” Moodie said of the chats with the Bulls’ Director of Rugby.

“However, [at] wing was where the opportunity came and I took that.

“In the Springbok set-up, before the Wales game, coach Jacques [Nienaber] came up to me and said he wants to run me at No.13.

“It was a big shock, because I didn’t think they would pull the trigger on that move.

“The Monday before the All Black game [at Twickenham] I saw my name at No.13 on the team sheet.

“I was blown away by that, but I got a lot of confidence from him.

“He [Nienaber] is the head of defence and No.13 runs the defence [in the Bok team].

“I had a lot of discussions with him about it, especially in terms of defence.

“Now that I am a No.13 in the camp I am getting a lot more game time at this position.

“Now, with Handré [Pollard] and Andre [Esterhuizen] inside of me, it is going to give me a lot of confidence to play at this position.

“Hopefully, it is the position where I stay.”

Moodie brings a very different set of skills to the game against injured Lukhanyo Am but could add to his bag of tricks and also become the best in the world at the position.

Having shone at 13 in notable Springbok wins, it is high time Moodie gets his chance to impress again on the RWC stage.