Africa-Press – South-Africa. In Toulon
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said they will be backing Cheslin Kolbe regardless of what happens in Saturday’s Test against France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.
In the various absences of first-choice kickers like Frans Steyn, Handre Pollard and Elton Jantjies, Kolbe has been thrust into the spotlight as the prime goalkicker.
He will be backed up by Damian Willemse, Faf de Klerk and Manie Libbok if he comes off the bench to make his Test debut.
Kolisi said they have a responsibility to convert their opportunities to ensure they relieve Kolbe of the points pressure from the kicking tee.
In last week’s 19-16 loss against Ireland, Kolbe kicked over a penalty, but missed the conversions from the Franco Mostert and Kurt-Lee Arendse tries.
Willemse had converted the Springboks’ first penalty, but missed another one in the first half.
“He’s worked hard on it, and he’s got our backing because we know he’s going to go out there and give his ultimate best,” Kolisi said.
“The best thing as a team is that we don’t want to leave the result up to him. We need to play well enough that kicking doesn’t become an issue.
“By this time next year, we will have had so many people who would be able to kick for poles because we would have been in this situation before.
“There isn’t any pressure on him from us as his teammates because there are always opportunities for him to do well.
“The kicking isn’t going to be the first and the last thing he’s being looked at by us as a team. He’ll be fine, regardless of what happens.”
Kick-off is at 22:00 SA time.
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