Neil de Kock: How the Springboks can pull a rabbit out of the hat
Over and above a watertight defence, from a tactical point of view it’s clear that the Springboks’ kicking approach is extremely sound and is right up there with the best teams in the world.
During the British & Irish Lions series, it was notable how the home side targeted the visitors through a range of kicks (box, distance and touch) with the primary aim of generating a favourable kick return.
Much like their critically acclaimed defence, the Springboks’ tactical kicking game is layered and has been built over time. The fact that the Springboks have only conceded a single try after two rounds of the Rugby Championship is credit to their defensive system, but it also has to do with their kicking game.
In back-to-back Test matches, the Springboks neutralised the Pumas attack by doing well aerially and kicking effectively. The Pumas pounce and really take advantage of poor kicks and turn-overs, but the Boks didn’t really give them many broken-field opportunities to do what they do best.
As much as the aerial contest within the modern game may frustrate some people, it’s mightily effective and the Springboks do it damn well. I believe the Boks are on par when it comes to their kicking game because it has been a total focus for them over the last few years.
It might not be the most aesthetically pleasing aspect of the oval game, but the kicking battle was the most influential facet of play during the British & Irish Lions series.
Faf de Klerk, who launched 18 kicks in the first Test and 11 in the second, drove the Springboks’ kicking strategy before he succumbed to a hip injury. His tactical kicking game has advanced and it’s fair to say that South Africa depend on him to do the bulk of their kicking.
In the early stages of De Klerk’s career, it was neither a natural part of his repertoire nor necessarily his go-to tactic. However, he has since honed said skills incredibly well.
With De Klerk missing the final Test against the British & Irish Lions and consecutive matches against Argentina, the triumvirate of Cobus Reinach, Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux shared the kicking duties. However, as the well-worn cliché in the game goes, the kick is only as effective as the chase.
At Saracens, we at times broke away from tradition by sending players out of the defensive line on the kick-chase. In many stages, what we had is what we called a ‘Rabbit’ who was a player that was given licence to go out and disrupt opposition on the counter-attack. However, effort off-the-ball was more of a focus for us than the ‘Rabbit’ tactic so to speak. It was about the kick-chase and the effort involved in that endeavour.
It was an aspect of our play that was closely monitored and measured in real time. The GPS trackers fitted onto the players’ backs recorded the distances covered and the speeds clocked when it came to the kick-chase. Based on the empirical evidence, it was no secret at the time that if we weren’t chasing kicks hard enough or covering the ground at sufficient speed, we would be taken aside and read the riot act.
Brendan Venter, who was highly influential in reshaping Saracens, often stressed to the playing group that the coaching staff would be more lenient when it came to skill errors as opposed to effort errors. As a consequence, effort off the ball was paramount and I notice the Springboks have a similar approach in terms of work ethic.
Speaking to that point, I would say that the return of Duane Vermeulen will be key for the men in green and gold. Not only is he the defensive organiser among the forwards, he is a proper leader in the pack and has been unbelievable in 54 Tests for South Africa. As an old-head – at the age of 35 –he also takes plenty of heat and responsibility off captain Siya Kolisi’s shoulders because he brings calmness and decision-making to the team.
Having someone like Duane within the Springbok camp is like gold because, not only is he extremely pivotal on the Saturday when he does battle between the four white lines, from the Monday to the Friday he offers a massive impact on the training pitch.
The Springboks are going to get tested against different opposition in the coming weeks – namely Australia and New Zealand – and there will be injuries to players in certain positions. However, it has been amazing to witness what this team has already accomplished. Even when the chips have been down they have managed to come up with the goods which speaks to their impressive squad depth.
Following an 11-year career with Saracens, which saw him earn 264 caps, Neil de Kock now works in the rugby division at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport in South Africa. De Kock, who featured in 10 Test matches for the Springboks, provides RugbyPass with expert opinion and insight focusing on the southern hemisphere sides.
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments