Kanko's time to shine Tuesday, November 10, 2009 (17:58:05) For one man in particular Friday night's Test between the Springboks and France could be a make-or-break affair:  Ryan Kankowski. When the Sharks number eight burst onto the rugby scene with his Sevens skills and elusive turn of pace he looked every inch a Springbok player destined for an international future.  Unfortunately for Kankowski - like so many other young South African rugby stars - the excitement and hype as people clamoured for his inclusion in the Springbok side quickly outstripped the merits of his selection.   He also had to contend with another enormous talent staking his claim for the number eight jersey in Pierre Spies. Rugby people in South Africa - be it fans, players or coaches - are often guilty of hailing players as the finished article when they first burst onto the domestic scene rather than patiently assessing a player, identifying his weaknesses and waiting for those to be corrected or overcome before calling for his selection in the Springbok side. After the World Cup where Danie Rossouw toiled manfully at number eight with Spies out injured and a new coach at the helm the spot was up for grabs.  Both Spies and Kankowski were young players developing their games and, despite their potential, not quite the finished and rounded article. Peter de Villiers opted for Spies who had the slight advantage in terms of size and experience and invested in him as his first choice number eight.  Kankowski would have to play second fiddle and wait for his chance. The way in which Spies has developed and adapted to the pressurised role of number eight has been a revelation.  He is reliable behind the scrum and has added a dimension to his play in the tight stuff to his pace and powerful running. Kankowski, on the other hand, has seen his Springbok career cough and splutter as he looks to establish himself.  His try-scoring debut in the 34-12 win over Wales at the end of 2007 is still one of only three starts in his nine Test caps.  He was carried off on a stretcher in his next start against Italy at Newlands and his only other start was as part of a second string side in the third Test against the British & Irish Lions.  He's a distant second to Spies who has cemented himself as the first choice number eight. While he continues to be a key player for the Sharks where he weighs in with some scintillating link play and breaks from the back of the scrum serious question marks have been raised over his physicality and abiity to get stuck in during the tight games. The game against France is the big chance he has been waiting for.  Peter de Villiers showed his faith in Kankowski by initially selecting him as the replacement for the injured Juan Smith on the blindside flank - with Schalk Burger preferred to Heinrich Brussow on the openside.  The Cheetahs man was initially packed off to play for the midweek team with Kankowski and Burger making up the loose trio with Pierre Spies.  De Villiers has spoken before of Kankowski as a special talent despite some of the shortcomings to his game - it seems he is finally ready to gamble on those talents. Spies' finger injury then opened the door for Kankowski to start in his most natural position at the back of the scrum and granted him the opportunity to play alongside two fetchers in Brussow and Burger.  With the two grafters in the side to challenge for the loose ball the stage is set for Kankowski to add his flair from the back of the scrum and to provide the link between the backline and the forwards.  It's a tailor made situation for the 23-year-old. It's not all peaches and cream for the number eight however as the Springbok scrum problems continue to haunt them and the French - traditionally good scrummagers - will have their sights set on disrupting the Springbok pack.  Playing behind a retreating pack is no easy task for a number eight and Kankowski will need his wits about him to keep the Boks going forward. France love an open game with plenty of flair and this slightly more open approach could suit the Sharks flyer.  Despite the promise of a flowing game he won't need reminding that the Springbok management will be closely watching his ability to get involved in the rough stuff and his contribution on defence. All in all it's a great opportunity for Kankowski to put a stuttering two years of international rugby behind him and put the pressure firmly on the incumbent Springboks for a starting berth.  How do you think Kankowski will fair in his biggest Test to date? Content received from: SARugby.com, http://www.sarugby.com/news