While experts and fans continue to debate the Springbok fullback berth for the upcoming Test series against the British & Irish Lions, JP Pietersen has indicated that he'd be up to the challenge to fill the void.

Finding a fullback to play against the Lions is just one of the things Bok coach Peter de Villiers plans to sort out as soon as possible.

The lack of a specialist fullback has been mentioned as a possible weakness with a lack of kicking options at the back, the main concern ahead of the series.

De Villiers has mentioned a handful of players as possible candidates for fullback and the Sharks' flyer is one of them.

While Pietersen is not renowned for his kicking skills, he stressed that he has been working on that aspect of his game for some time now.

He would have also benefited from the input of Percy Montgomery, who has been brought on board as a kicking coach with the Boks.

"I should hope I've become better at kicking. I've been practicing my kicking for four years now," Pieterson told Independent Newspapers.

"I've been kicking throughout my career so I don't think that will be a problem."

Pietersen, who has been in good form on the wing for the Sharks during the Super 14, said he would quite like to play at fullback.

"I don't think it will be a problem for me to play at fullback," said Pietersen. "I started my career at fullback for the Sharks and the Springboks.

"I last played at fullback in 2007 against New Zealand at Christchurch. It's not my decision where I will play but if the coach puts me there, I'm confident I could do there.

"I think I'm a more mature player than I was when I started at fullback."

While the opening test of the Lions series looms, De Villiers does not seem to be to be too concerned about the fullback conundrum.

"Since our squad announcement there has been much debate over who will play fullback in the series," the coach said.

"There are numerous candidates in the squad who are all more than capable in the position and we will be looking at each of them in the coming weeks with the aim of finding the best back-three combination.

He is also added that the Bulls' Super 14 victory has boosted the mood within the camp ahead of the significant series.

"We are blessed to have great rugby players in South Africa which is a major benefit for the coaching team.

"The Bulls’ Super 14 win has given us great impetus as their players will come into the squad in a very positive frame of mind," he concluded.

365

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