Aerial battle takes centre stage as Boks brace for big high bombs

A MASSIVE part of the Springboks’ success against the All Blacks in their historic Rugby Championship win in Wellington was their contestable kicks.

- JOHN GOLIATH

MANIE Libbok was at his sublime best for the Springboks against New Zealand in Wellington.

(AFP)

The New Zealanders were all at sea when scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and flyhalves Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok peppered their back three with high bombs. The accuracy of those efforts helped the likes of wings Cheslin Kolbe and Ethan Hooker regain possession, from which the Boks launched further attacks.

It essentially set the platform for their 43-10 victory, as it gave the Boks the momentum they needed to get their big forwards into the game, which in turn provided the backs with quick ball to punish the All Blacks out wide.

Not being able to field contestable kicks is an absolute nightmare for a Test team, because it’s the worst ball to concede.

For one, you find yourself constantly on the back foot, with your defensive structure at its most vulnerable. The domino effect it creates is, most times, unsalvageable.