Manie Libbok and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will handle the Springboks’ goal kicks in Europe, IOL reported. They take over for the Nations Championship matches because Handré Pollard and Cheslin Kolbe are not available.
IOL described Pollard and Kolbe as the team’s two most reliable goal-kicking options. It said the biggest tests for the new kickers will be the matches against France and Ireland.
“My first choice would be Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu. Sacha would be my first choice No 10,” former World Cup-winning flyhalf Butch James told IOL.
James also spoke about who he would use if Feinberg-Mngomezulu was hurt. “If Sasha had got injured, I would start with Handre on the bench, backing him up with all his experience,” he said.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu was not the main goal kicker in the recent series against the All Blacks. Kolbe took that job in the first two Tests.
Kolbe then broke his jaw in the third Test in Soweto. IOL said Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicked well in the third and fourth Tests.
Pollard missed the All Blacks series because of injury. He had been earmarked to play in the second Test in Cape Town.
According to IOL, Pollard kicks at about 85% accuracy under Test pressure. He missed just one kick in the semi-final and final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
He did not miss a kick in the last three rounds of the 2023 World Cup in France. The Springboks won those quarter-final, semi-final and final matches by one point each.
IOL said Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Libbok have been somewhat inconsistent off the tee. That is why Kolbe has taken the kicks in a number of matches with them at No 10.
The Springboks chose to shoot at goal more often than not against the All Blacks, according to IOL. They used penalties won through set-piece play to build pressure on the scoreboard.
IOL said the team could change that plan in the coming month. One choice is to kick for more attacking lineouts and use the maul.
Another choice is to pick scrums inside the 22 and use their front-row strength. That would give them free plays on penalty advantage. They could then try to score or win penalty tries near the line.
The Springboks will play Nations Championship matches in Europe over the next month, IOL reported.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.