Africa-Press – South-Africa. In Marseille
SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus hopes that Cheslin Kolbe can prove his doubters wrong from a kicking perspective when the Boks face France in Marseille on Saturday.
The build-up to the 45th Test between the nations has been dominated by South Africa’s lack of a recognised goalkicker.
In the absences of Handre Pollard and Frans Steyn through injuries and Elton Jantjies absent through personal matters, the Boks have had to look elsewhere for goalkickers.
That responsibility has now been handed to utility back Cheslin Kolbe and has been given the full backing by his captain Siya Kolisi and coach Jacques Nienaber.
LIVE | France v Springboks
Erasmus is also firmly in his corner as the Boks go into the game with Kolbe, Damian Willemse and Faf de Klerk being the designated kickers.
Manie Libbok is also on the bench, and should he become the 920th Springbok when he gets onto the field.
Erasmus said they’re very considerate and calm when it comes to the choice of kickers and on the field, it’s a decision that’s left to the players.
“Sometimes, when Morne Steyn plays, Chris Smith does the goalkicking. I’ve seen many times where Elton Jantjies was playing at the Lions and someone else did the goalkicking,” Erasmus said.
“There could be many things. There could be a dip, a difference in kicking style, but we don’t go into a game saying if a person doesn’t kick well, we take them off.
“It’s a considered and measured thing where the guys agree when the changes happen on the field. As coaches, we don’t make those kinds of decisions.
“There’s confidence, rhythm or a niggle, but we don’t tell a guy that they’re kicking badly and they’re not going to kick in a particular game.
“It’s more of adults working together and hopefully on Monday when Cheslin slots five out of five, we’ll all be happy and say it was a good decision.”
Erasmus’s biggest concern against France is not even their goalkicking but their kicking game. France have kicked the most out of all teams in the world and it comes as no surprise that they’re the reigning Six Nations Grand Slam holders.
They also have former Western Province and Springbok one-cap wonder Vlok Cilliers on their roster as a kicking coach.
Cilliers, who excelled in his coaching role in South Africa, has done the same in France, but according to Erasmus, it’s Englishman Shaun Edwards who has been at the heart of France’s ascendant kicking game.
Edwards, a former Rugby League legend, is France’s defence coach.
“They kick the most and they definitely won the Six Nations on the back of that kicking,” Erasmus said.
Nick Mallett | Strange Springbok goal-kicking situation could prove costly in more ways than one
“Vlok is just their kicking technique coach, so I’m not sure if he’s doing their kicking or it’s Shaun Edwards, but Vlok is an excellent kicking coach.
“I’m not sure if he changes their technique, but I’m pretty he makes them do repetitions like Mzwandile does and Felix also does in other areas.
“They really do have an excellent kicking game and we will have to handle that. We’ve got our plans, but it’s always hard planning against a team that has a very good kicking game.
“You can see by their results and where they are in the rankings.”
Kick-off is at 22:00 (SA time).
For More News And Analysis About South-Africa Follow Africa-Press
