CHESLIN Kolbe has been practising his kicking at goal for the entire season, and if the Springboks knock on his door to assist with shots at goal in Saturday’s Rugby Championship decider against Argentina in Mbombela (5pm kick-off), he will be ready to answer the call.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus alluded to the fact they have made plans around the goal-kicking to alleviate some of the pressure flyhalf Manie Libbok is under should it be needed this weekend.
🗣️ Rassie on Manie’s kicking: “It’s not just up to him to find solutions for his goal-kicking, it is something we have to do as a team, and we are working on a plan.” #RSAvARG
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) September 24, 2024
Cheslin Kolbe, Jaden Hendrikse and Manie Libbok all practicing their kicking. pic.twitter.com/l2QKWICrdI
Kolbe and scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse look to be the two deputies to the Bok pivot should it be needed in Saturday’s final Rugby Championship Test against the Pumas.
The Springboks only need a single log point from the match to seal the Championship title for the first time since 2019.
Libbok came under fire for a missed penalty attempt last weekend when the world champions lost 29-28 to the Argentinians in Santiago del Estero.
But the Bok camp stood up for their playmaker, with Erasmus saying during the team announcement on Tuesday that it shouldn’t have come down to a late kick to win the match.
After coming off the bench previously, Libbok will start in Mbombela as Kolbe returns alongside a few stars like loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit and centre Damian de Allende, who had a rest last week.
“I have been training and working on my kicking throughout the season, getting tips from guys like Handré (Pollard), Manie and coach Tony (Brown), which definitely helps and gives me that confidence.”
“I have been training and working on my kicking throughout the season, getting tips from guys like Handré (Pollard), Manie and coach Tony (Brown), which definitely helps and gives me that confidence,” Kolbe said yesterday about his kicking at goal.
“I am comfortable because I’ve been working on it, and you never know what happens on the day. I’ve only kicked here (at Mbombela Stadium) during practice, and it’s a good field and I’ve been getting a lot of distance.
“But we are not sure who is taking over yet, and whoever is getting the responsibility, we will back that decision 100 percent.“
Game day is getting closer 🏉#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/hjErNgJFlY
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 25, 2024
This season, Kolbe has played a prominent role in the Bok side, and surprised plenty of pundits and rugby supporters across the globe with his adaptability to playing in different positions.
While he is known for his game-breaking abilities and bumping off defenders almost twice his weight, the 30-year-old has popped up as a lineout-thrower, scrum feeder, and drop-goal kicker for the world champions.
Asked if there is anything he can’t do on the rugby field, Kolbe responded: “I’m a bit of a wildcard!” with a shy laugh.
“Sevens has helped me quite a bit with my lineout-throwing. I actually couldn’t believe it when the coaches came to me saying they had a plan and a play for me to throw in at the lineouts.
“As long as I am comfortable and confident in doing a job, and it’s positive for the team, I will do so. I work on those things each and every week during training.
“But I’m just happy to help and assist wherever I can.”
A special visitor will be on display in Nelspruit tomorrow 🏆#Springboks pic.twitter.com/YvvByh7C2r
— Springboks (@Springboks) September 25, 2024
Although they went down to Los Pumas last weekend, Kolbe said the positive about the defeat is they can try to fix what went wrong seven days later.
That is what makes him love rugby.
The speedster added that although he would like to play every game, he knows the bigger plan in place for the team, and what the coaches are trying to create.
But they will look to set right those things that contributed to their downfall in Argentina last Saturday.
“We must be more clinical and close off games when the opportunity is there. You can’t fault the players and coaches for the effort. It’s about focusing on what we can control and adapting to what Argentina will bring. They will be focused and hungry, but so will we.
“It’s going to be another massive Test.”