England facing a kicking? South Africa ready to put boot to ball again
It may not have been the most entertaining of spectacles, but the heavy kicking approach of South Africa was enough to see off Wales in the semi-finals and book themselves a Rugby World Cup final rematch with England on Saturday.
The Springboks’ 37 kicks from hand was actually only one more than Wales’ total of 36, although Rassie Erasmus’ group played to their strengths and the conditions, and were able to do enough to deny Wales a first ever Rugby World Cup final in what would have proven to be a fitting farewell to Warren Gatland’s time as the nation’s head coach.
It was a performance consistent with South Africa’s other outings in this Rugby World Cup, where the quantity of their kicking outstripped Namibia, Italy, Canada and Japan from the earlier rounds. In fact, the only game where South Africa have kicked less than an opponent in the tournament was in the opener against New Zealand, their only loss so far. Perhaps they were holding something back for what looked like a possible final?
Regardless, their boot-first strategy has got them this far and whilst pessimistic fans have critiqued it, especially in the wake of England’s masterful performance against New Zealand in the other semi-final, it could be the perfect tactic to derail Eddie Jones’ in-form side.
On the surface, a heavy reliance on kicking to try and control the territory battle would seem to play into England’s hands. It’s a tactic that they have mastered over the last cycle and there is no denying how effective it was in their victories over Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Between Ben Youngs, George Ford, Owen Farrell and the cadre of influential chasers in the back three and pack, England have been able to impose their game on everyone they have faced at the tournament so far.
Continue reading below…
Watch: Eddie Jones speaks to the press after England’s win over New Zealand
Where England have been less tested, however, is in how they respond to a well-working kicking game being imposed back on them. Neither Australia nor New Zealand chose or were able to do so, whilst Tonga and the USA similarly came unstuck in that area. In fairness, Argentina had a decent crack at it. What ensued, though, was perhaps Elliot Daly’s most reliable and secure performance at the back, in terms of his defensive output, at the international level.
That said, it is one area of Daly’s game that has been critiqued in the past, especially in terms of owning the space in the back field and dealing with those contested high-balls. It has also afflicted his former Wasps teammate and current Springbok full-back, Willie le Roux. Both teams will be looking at the potential gains they could find if the opposing 15 is not at their sharpest.
England have had a good season but there are plenty of players from across the world who have stood out at the @rugbyworldcup.@TomVinicombe runs his eyes over the potential players of the year.https://t.co/RXIzb6JfjF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 28, 2019
There are also concerns over the fitness of Jonny May, who left the semi-final with New Zealand prematurely, seemingly struggling with his hamstring. A hamstring injury had threatened to keep him out of that game, although he was deemed fit enough to start. If he has suffered from a relapse, it will bring one of Jack Nowell, if fit, Joe Cokanasiga or Ruaridh McConnochie into the starting XV. May’s ability in defence defusing those aerial bombs has been vital for England and his loss would be keenly felt.
Nowell, Cokanasiga and McConnochie all bring their own unique attributes, but none perfectly replicate the skill set of May. McConnochie is arguably the closest, though he has just two caps to his name thanks to a pre-Rugby World Cup injury. Nowell would be the most likely replacement if he is fit again after his hamstring injury, whilst Cokanasiga would offer intriguing offensive possibilities, though he is someone Erasmus would have his team intent on turning and trying to exploit in the aforementioned kicking game.
Faf de Klerk has come in for some unfair criticism this Rugby World Cup as he has contributed heavily to South Africa’s territorial approach, rather than playing with the freedom and opportunistic nature that won him his starting spot in the team. He is playing to Erasmus’ game plan and based on results so far, it’s working. There will be a pressure on him on Saturday to find space, to attempt to move Daly around and if May is out, try to expose any disconnects in the new-look England back three. If May is available and still not 100% after the hamstring injury, that provides opportunities in itself.
Similarly, Handré Pollard will have to kick precisely if South Africa are to beat England at their own game, with Watson and May, again, if fit, two of the better kick receivers in the international arena. The Springboks’ chase isn’t too shabby, either, especially with Makazole Mapimpi and Siya Kolisi among the more effective chasers. Cheslin Kolbe plays above his height and weight, too, whilst Sbu Nkosi can excel in that area also.
Potentially, the final is a coming together of two potent offensive kicking games who will have possible defensive frailties imposed on them by injury and/or full-backs who prosper in other aspects of the game, away from the aerial contest. Both teams have, prior to the Rugby World Cup, looked vulnerable when opposition sides have played a shorter kicking game, drawing the full-backs forward and not giving them time to set themselves to receive the ball. Again, both teams have the athleticism in their chase to really up the pressure.
Of course, if the Daly that showed up against Argentina is now the consistent standard he will bring at 15 and le Roux can rediscover his form from a season or two ago, the two teams could cancel each other out. At worst, it’s an intriguing tactical chess game ahead of kick off, at best it’s the decisive factor in the Rugby World Cup final.
'There is a point, of course, where a villain becomes so good at being bad, that we actually start to love them.'
– @samrobertsrugby inimitable take on Eddie Jones and England's immaculate #rwc2019 bank heist🥀#rwc2019 #ENGvNZL #englandrugby https://t.co/9swbviTueE
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 27, 2019
For those insisting that South Africa move away from the approach that has got them to this point, at such a late stage in the tournament, are probably setting themselves up for disappointment. Erasmus will have an ace or two up his sleeve going into the game, but he is unlikely to tinker with the basic approach of his team too heavily.
The Springboks have the kicking options and chasers to make England uncomfortable, they just have to execute consistently and not waste possession with aimless kicks. Territory has arguably been much more important at this Rugby World Cup than possession, but if they gift England the ball cheaply, with the calibre of player the northern hemisphere side has, they will be in for a long evening on Saturday.
Watch: Sam Smith caught up with fans after England versus New Zealand
Comments on RugbyPass
The game was already over leave the bloke alone ….from a Welsh fan 😀👍
2 Go to commentsShamefully the Toulouse players acted like footballers, falling down feigning injury at the slightest knock. About time refs penalised this play acting.
6 Go to commentsAnother non Scot for the anti Scot Townsend. Soon there will be no Scottish born and bred players in the National team.
1 Go to commentsGreat comeback to the playing field by Richie Mo’unga after the loss of his father. A great performance by Richie . I know him well and he is a great guy. On and off the field one of the greatest for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson would have loved him in his All Black’s side. A very missed player and person.
1 Go to commentsYeah nah he comes across as a funny bloke, but that stopped abruptly after the Nutcracker Prince debacle✋
2 Go to commentsAt this point I can’t watch him without thinking he’s a dirty slimebag. He should have been banned for the same amount of time that Quinn was out. It took Tupaea near on a fricking year to get fit enough to play again and his leg will never be the same. The other crap thing is that he was at ABs level and now he has to claw his way back there when he could have had several games under his belt.
4 Go to commentsThe Black Ferns 7’s have been without Captain Sarah Hirini now since Dec 23 in Dubai where she suffered a bad ACL injury - hopefully she is on the road to recovery for Madrid and Paris. Now also have Tyler King and Shiray kaka on the Injured List but the Team still found a way to win in Singapore and claim the overall Title.
1 Go to commentsUtter grub, hope he gets his leg broken. Shocking he is still playing after intentionally breaking quinn tupaeas knee
4 Go to commentsGreat to see NZ 7s teams finally coming into form and playing at the level that is expected of them.
2 Go to commentsChief Cheapshot on the market again.
4 Go to commentsCrusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
13 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
13 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
13 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
6 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
6 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
6 Go to comments