Bok warns of another fierce aerial contest
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: All Blacks should expect another effective kicking game from the Springboks says World Cup-winning wing Makazole Mapimpi.
The Springboks’ aerial tactics during their 26-10 win over All Blacks have been highly debated the last few days.
The Boks kept the All Blacks under pressure with high balls and committed chasers in the Rugby Championship opener in Nelspruit.
However, the All Blacks were not happy with South Africa’s tactics and they made a point of using the Kurt-Lee Arendse incident as an example of how dangerous it is.
Arendse, who scored the first try in the Springboks’ win in Mbombela, fouled All Blacks flyhalf Beauden Barrett when he jumped to catch a kick in the 75th minute, leading to both players being injured and forced to retire.
Consequently, Arendse has been suspended for four weeks.
#ICYMI: The Boks have been forced into a big change 👇#RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #NewZealand #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL https://t.co/gv8KARN3DH
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Speaking to reporters Makazole Mapimpi, who has also put enormous pressure on the All Blacks back three, revealed it is an attacking weapon which the Boks will again try to execute this weekend when the sides meet at Ellis Park.
“Our kicking is always a key area of our game plan,” Mapimpi told reporters.
“Our box kicks help to transfer pressure on the opposition and our wings will again contest the high ball as much as we can.
“They have a very good back three so we need to make sure that our kicking game is effective this weekend.
#SPOTLIGHT: Is it playing on the Boks’ minds? 👇👇#RugbyChampionship #SouthAfrica #Springboks #NewZealand #AllBlacks #RSAvNZL https://t.co/sR4GGXayMV
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) August 10, 2022
The mighty maul
Albertus Smith, who will be playing in his first Test at Ellis Park, revealed he expects another stern test against the All Blacks
“We worked hard for the win against the All Blacks last week, but this is a new game and a new week and we know they are going to present a huge challenge,” Smith said.
“The All Blacks are a top side, and they will play their hearts out.
“It certainly won’t be easy against them. If they create three chances against us and use it, we know what can happen.”
When quizzed about the prospect of winning rare back-to-back home Tests against their archrivals, Smith said: “It would be nice to win two of out of two against them, but we know they are going to come out guns blazing, so need to go out there and play some of our best rugby to achieve this. It is going to be tough, and as a team we have to be prepared from the first minute of the match.”
Smith also spoke of the importance of improving the Boks’ maul play.
“I don’t think we got the penalties we wanted from our mauls last week, but that facet of the game tires teams out,” said Smith.
“That said, we are not going to change anything besides trying to improve on how we do things.”
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