VIDEO: SA spoilt for choice in kicking department
There was much focus on the Springbok Women’s kicking and flyhalf positions heading into the Rugby World Cup.
On Sunday, however, 22-year-old fullback Byrhandra Dolf showed that the team is spoilt for choice in that department.
Playing in her first World Cup, Dolf was handed the kicking responsibility in South Africa’s opening match against Brazil – and she delivered impressively.
She successfully kicked eight conversions (missing just two) as the Springbok Women powered to a 66-6 victory at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton.
The performance was built on power and physicality, with Swys de Bruin’s team scoring 10 tries in total.
Alongside Dolf, players such as Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Nadine Roos, Jakkie Cilliers, and Mary Zulu are all considered solid kickers from the tee.
*Article continues below…
“Dolf stood up,” Janse van Rensburg told Rugby365 after the match.
“She said she can take it- I’m so proud. I haven’t been having the best of times off the tee lately. I came from injury and hadn’t kicked off the tee in like a year and a half, so my confidence wasn’t there.
She showed she is a world-class player, and it’s so good for us to have a youngster like her stepping up and putting the points on the board. I’m really proud of her.”
Though Janse van Rensburg didn’t kick in the match, she was a vital contributor, scoring two tries and orchestrating play from flyhalf.
Now playing in her second World Cup, the Bulls Daisies star understands the magnitude of the team’s win but acknowledges there is room for improvement ahead of their next match against Italy.
“We had a couple of moments where we got a little loose,” Janse van Rensburg said.
“That’s something we need to address against a more structured team like Italy. But step one was Brazil – we ticked that box and we’re on to the next one now.”
She added: “Italy is going to be a different ball game ans i said they’re a lot more structured, so we’re going to follow the coach’s plans and trust their guidance.
“But I think we’re ready for it.”
