Springboks rule the skies as access law leads to more kicking

Former Wales and British & Irish Lions international Dan Biggar has proven to be an astute observer of the game in his new role as a TV pundit, and his recent LinkedIn post saying that kicking has become a key attacking weapon appears to be bang on the money.

Last Autumn, the access law was tightened up to allow a fairer contest of high balls. Defenders blocking the running lines of attacking players have been scrupulously penalised for obstruction over the last 12 months or so, and as a result, the frequency of kicks and the chances of retaining any kicked possession are higher.

Reflecting on the Quilter Nations Series, Biggar, who works for TNT Sports, noted: “Kicking ‘for a purpose’ versus kicking ‘to get rid of it’ separated contenders from pretenders. The teams who attacked the air – with a plan – controlled territory, pressure and momentum. It’s become a genuine attacking platform.”

Comparing the Autumn Nations Series of 2024 to internationals featuring Six Nations and Rugby Championship sides in October/November 2025, the Opta stats show that on average there have been seven more kicks per game in open play, and the retention rate on those has increased by four per cent. It is little wonder then that the aerial skills of back-three players in particular are now front and centre when it comes to discussions around selection.

Gloucester’s Irish international fly-half, Ross Byrne even went as far to say in a recent interview with The Guardian that the crackdown on players blocking kicking lanes could lead to some locks being converted into wings, to give their team an advantage aerially in the wide channels.

With players springing into the air and flailing their arms in a desperate attempt to win the ball back, it would be reasonable to assume that an unwanted by-product of the tighter policing of the access law would be an increase in the number of knock-ons and, consequently scrums. However, there is no discernible difference when comparing figures from one year to the other.

Given the importance placed on kicking and retaining possession, it comes as no surprise that the most dominant team in world rugby, the Springboks, are currently the best practitioners of this side of the game.

Rassie Erasmus’ champion side had a 28 per cent kick retention rate – seven per cent more than the next best team, Ireland. They also contested the most kicks (31%).

The Springboks were one of only three major national teams involved in Tests this Autumn to average more than 30 kicks per match (30.2), behind England (35.7) and Ireland (31).