Who should take on Springboks' goal-kicking job?
Yesterday at 02:57 AM
During the course of the 2024 Test season, one area of inconsistency for the Springboks has been in the goal-kicking department.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok have produced a mixed bag when kicking at goal, with the latter most dramatically missing a crucial last-minute penalty in Argentina, which again raised questions about this area of his game.
Handre Pollard undoubtedly remains the most accurate place-kicker in the Springboks’ ranks, but he has not been an automatic selection in the starting line-up this season.
Rassie Erasmus knows what he has in Pollard, the Springboks' Mr Reliability in terms of general flyhalf play, but in terms of distribution and a natural attacking inclination, Libbok stands head and shoulders above.
With Feinberg-Mngomezulu missing the end-of-year tour due to injury, it has left a straight shoot out between Pollard and Libbok for the No 10 jersey for the November Tests against Scotland, England and Wales.
If the Springboks go the conservative route of picking Pollard, he will naturally take care of the goal-kicking duties, which could be a good option considering these games are unlikely to be all that expansive during the winter season in the northern hemisphere.
However, if Erasmus is willing to stick with Libbok at 10, then there is every chance the goal-kicking role could once again be handed to Jaden Hendrikse.
The scrumhalf interestingly took on this responsibility during the final Rugby Championship Test, but he also had mixed fortunes from the kicking tee, and so there is no obvious answer as it stands.
The Rugby Championship title holders will face Scotland in Edinburgh (Sunday 10 November), England in London (Saturday 16 November) and Wales in Cardiff (Saturday 23 November) on their traditional end-of-year tour.
WHO DO YOU WANT TO SEE AS THE SPRINGBOKS’ GOAL KICKER?
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Updated squad for the November tour:
Props: Thomas du Toit (Bath), Vincent Koch (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Frans Malherbe (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls).
Hookers: Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks).
Locks: Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), RG Snyman (Leinster).
Loose forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (captain, Sharks), Elrigh Louw (Bulls), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Scrumhalves: Jaden Hendrikse (Sharks), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Flyhalves: Manie Libbok (Stormers), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers).
Centres: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles).
Outside backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Aphelele Fassi (Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Canan Moodie (Bulls).
