Cheslin Kolbe has put his hand as much as remedy the Springboks’ goalkicking conundrum within the Rugby Championship title decider towards Argentina on Saturday.
Kolbe has joined flyhalf Manie Libbok and scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse in practising their kicks at objective forward of the conflict on the Mbombela Stadium.
This comes after Libbok was closely criticised following a last-minute penalty miss within the Springboks’ loss to Argentina in Santiago del Estero final weekend.
Libbok has been promoted to the beginning lineup in a new-look halfback mixture with Hendrikse, whereas Kolbe has been recalled to the beginning lineup after not travelling to Argentina.
Kolbe was trialled as a goalkicker for the Springboks through the 2022 November tour of Europe, slotting 5 penalties and two conversions in video games towards Eire, France and Italy.
“I’m snug kicking for objectives,” stated the speedster. “I’ve been engaged on it all through the season, and the kickers and Tony (Brown, Bok assistant coach) have been giving me ideas.
“One by no means is aware of what’s going to occur on the day, so in the event that they want me to kick, I’ll be prepared to take action. I’m unsure who will take over the kicking but, however we again that particular person 100%.”
Kolbe is considered one of six two-time World Cup winners who’ve been recalled to the lineup after watching final weekend’s defeat from South Africa.
“It positively gave me totally different photos since you see issues from different angles, so I do know what I’ve to do to contribute to the staff,” Kolbe stated.
“Argentina is an outstanding aspect, and so they have many gamers with an X-factor, whereas a lot of them come from a Sevens rugby background. A number of the guys who performed final week additionally gave me recommendation, so I do know what to anticipate this week.”
The Boks enter the match as favourites with home-ground benefit and a five-point buffer on the high of the standings inserting them in pole place to assert the title which they’ve solely received 4 occasions.
Nonetheless, Kolbe is anticipating one other epic encounter with Los Pumas, who enter the match filled with confidence after beating all three of their southern hemisphere rivals for the primary time in a calendar 12 months.
“They’ve actually developed as a staff over time, and this 12 months they’ve confirmed the type of rugby they wish to play, so it’s going to be an enormous problem on Saturday,” stated Kolbe.
“There’s a number of confidence and pleasure of their staff particularly after beating Australia, New Zealand and us this season. However that stated we have to give attention to ourselves and be prepared for them as a result of they will create one thing out of nothing.
“It’s a closing this weekend, and it’ll an enormous sport.
“They’ll be tremendous hungry and enthusiastic about this chance, similar to us,” Kolbe added.
“We might have performed a in few finals, however one can by no means financial institution on what occurred previously. That is going to be a giant sport towards a decided staff, so we have to be at our greatest for the complete 80 minutes.”
Picture: Clement Mahoudeau/Gallo Photographs