The Springboks suffered a disappointing 13-8 loss to Ireland in their recent Rugby World Cup clash in Paris. While their inability to convert points from the kicking tee played a role in their defeat, Coach Jacques Nienaber believes there were other factors at play.
The game started off with promise for the Springboks as flyhalf Manie Libbok successfully kicked an early penalty, giving the defending champions their only points from the kicking tee. However, as the match progressed, the Boks struggled with their kicking accuracy, missing four shots at goal and squandering 11 potential points.
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Both Libbok and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk missed two kicks each, adding to the team’s frustration. Meanwhile, Ireland’s skipper Johnny Sexton and Jack Crowley successfully kicked eight points between them, ultimately making the difference in the tight game.
Despite the kicking woes, Coach Nienaber refused to solely blame poor goal-kicking for the Boks’ defeat. In his post-match press conference, he acknowledged Ireland’s superior performance and highlighted missed opportunities for the Springboks.
During the first half, the Boks lost two balls close to the try line, squandering potential scoring chances. Later in the game, they had two more opportunities that went begging. Nienaber emphasized that these missed opportunities, combined with the points off the tee, likely contributed to their loss.
However, Nienaber made it clear that it was not solely the responsibility of the kickers. He mentioned a specific opportunity in the first half where the team lost the ball underneath the poles and another missed chance during the last maul of the game. These instances highlighted the collective effort required to secure victory.
The coach also emphasized the importance of confidence in the kickers. If a player is confident and the captain believes in their ability, they are encouraged to go for the kick. Nienaber mentioned Faf de Klerk’s confidence in attempting a kick from the halfway line, based on his impressive warm-up performance. Unfortunately, de Klerk’s attempt hit the post, adding to the team’s frustration.
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In conclusion, while the Springboks’ kicking woes certainly played a role in their defeat against Ireland, Coach Nienaber recognized that there were other factors at play. Missed opportunities and Ireland’s superior performance contributed to the loss. The team will need to regroup and address these issues as they continue their Rugby World Cup campaign.
