'Massive confidence booster': Quan Horn embraces pressure of Springbok flyhalf role

Horn's selection at No 10 against the Barbarians caught pretty much everyone by surprise, with Bok coach Rassie Erasmus clearly identifying something special in the Lions fullback.

His performance against the Baabaas suggested Erasmus' faith was not misplaced - and the case for Horn was further strengthened at Loftus on Saturday after the youngster was thrown in at the deep end during a high-pressure and intensity second half against a rampant Scotland side.

Horn knew he might have to cover either fullback or flyhalf and, as it happened, the unexpected departure of winger Ethan Hooker created a backline reshuffle, with Handre Pollard moving to inside centre, Aphelele Fassi shifting to the wing and Damian Willemse switching to fullback.

That meant Horn once again had to step in at flyhalf, and the 25-year-old did not disappoint, impressing with his overall performance and playing a key role in the build-up to the Ruan Nortje try that got the Boks rolling in the second half.

It's been a whirlwind journey for Horn in the last four weeks and he's enjoying every minute of it.

"It was a great experience," the Lions star said after emerging from the Loftus pressure cooker. "We chatted in the week about what positions I needed to cover and I was ready for the call. So I am just grateful for the opportunity to play for the Springboks.

"There are plans that are made for if players get injured or something happens and we have to move around. So I was prepared to cover what I needed to.

"But it was a massive confidence booster for me as a player to be backed and given this role."

Also helping him ease into the role was senior statesman Handre Pollard, who put in a heroic shift himself on Saturday but still took the time to give Horn some much-needed guidance.

"Hats off to Handre, he made me feel very comfortable. He made everything so easy, he set the tone for me in the first half and then I could just step up and do my thing.

"He gives you a lot of confidence on the field and he's that kind of player, smart and diligent, so whenever someone steps on the field with him he brings that calmness to the game. 

"We chatted before the game about what options there were and I could just thrive from there."

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