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Converting kicks will be key in World Cup playoffs, Erasmus admits
Handre Pollard is being eased back into the team after returning from a lengthy injury layoff.
Manie Libbok takes a place kick during South Africa’s defeat to Ireland at the World Cup. Picture: Franco Arland/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
After much discourse around the Springboks’ goal-kicking woes, which the management downplayed for a while, SA Rugby’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has conceded that it is a concern.
The tipping point was on Saturday night in Paris when the Boks lost 13-8 to Ireland in a World Cup pool clash. The Springboks missed 11 points from the kicking tee, with flyhalf Manie Libbok and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk fluffing two kicks each.
Erasmus noted the importance of being clinical when kicking for the posts, especially against tier-one nations — where games are decided by small margins.
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“A good team like Ireland, New Zealand or France are going to keep you out – like we did to Ireland – so converting chances is not easy,” Erasmus said.
“They scored one try and we scored one try; it was clear that our problem was that we didn’t convert our goal kicks.”
With the knockout stages imminent, a reliable goal-kicker will become vital when games are tight.
The Springboks have a proven goal-kicker in Handre Pollard in their ranks, after he recently joined the group as a replacement for injured hooker Malcolm Marx, and he looks set to answer the Boks’ call.
Pollard needs time
Erasmus confirmed that they will look to ease the flyhalf into the team, following his return to action after a long injury layoff, with Sunday’s encounter against Tonga a match they have targeted to get him back into action.
However, Erasmus pleaded for patience with their management of Pollard.
“Everyone must keep it in perspective,” said Erasmus. “Handre Pollard is not Superman and can’t come back as fully ready after playing only 30 minutes of rugby since his injury.
“He can’t just come onto the field to kick goals, he must also be able to sidestep, hand-off, make tackles, clean out at the ruck, and that’s not the case now because he has only had a full week’s training with us.
“That’s why he wasn’t up for selection for the squad in the first place, but he is definitely up for selection this week,” Erasmus added.
“Let’s give Handre a chance to find his rhythm and see how he does with the other stuff. Tonga will be a great yardstick to see how he goes.”
The Springboks will announce their team to face Tonga on Wednesday. A lot of thought will go into the team selection, with rotation and match fitness coming into play.
After Sunday’s match, the Boks’ next game is only on October 14/15, depending on where they finish in their pool.
It is expected the majority of the starters against Ireland will keep their places for the match against Tonga — with the big questions being, will Pollard start, play at 12, or off the bench, and what sort of bench will the Boks decide on?
