The one tactic Victor Matfield ‘couldn’t understand’ as Boks beaten at own game

Victor Matfield has questioned South Africa’s kicking strategy after the Springboks lost the aerial battle in their 42-38 loss to Australia in Perth on Sunday, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii repeatedly coming out on top under the high ball.

The former Bok captain felt the Wallabies got the better of South Africa in an area they have traditionally dominated, something he admitted was unusual for a side that has built so much of its success around kicking pressure and contests in the air.

What particularly puzzled Matfield was the decision to repeatedly kick towards Suaalii, who proved difficult to contain and was one of Australia’s most effective outlets.

Matfield compared the approach to facing former Wallabies star Israel Folau, arguing that teams once had to devise specific plans to avoid giving one of the best aerial players in the world repeated opportunities to compete.

Speaking on his Rugby Rivals podcast, Matfield said South Africa’s kicking strategy did not appear to account for Suaalii’s strengths, with former All Blacks wing John Kirwan also highlighting the Australian’s athleticism and ability in the air.

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7 Nov 26

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“Well done to Australia, they came at the Boks in that first half. They dominated a lot of things. For the first time in a long time the Boks lost the aerial battle as well,” Matfield said.

“The one thing that I couldn’t understand is – we say we’re a detailed coaching staff – but a lot of our kicks went up to Suaalii, who’s one of the best guys under the high ball.

“That’s almost like in the old days when you played Australia and [Israel] Folau was there. You needed to have a plan not to kick to him because he was the best in the world under the high ball. So you had to have a plan.

“Somehow it just felt that all of our kicks went to Suaalii and he was fantastic on the wing – maybe that’s his position?”

Kirwan added: “I think that Suaalii on the wing, coming from rugby league, I think he had a little bit of a stint in Australian rules as well, and I think his high-ball reception and the first try after South Africa started so well, where the centre scored, just getting in the air and competing. He’s a big man, he’s a great athlete.”