Clayton Blommetjies boots the ball past the uprights in the closing stages of the Stormers’ clash against the Bulls. Photo: HENK KRUGER Independent Media
Comment by Ashfak Mohamed
One of the finest goal-kicks that I’ve seen live at a rugby field was a stunning effort by Morné Steyn – who else – in a 2009 Currie Cup semi-final at Newlands.
It was a thunderous affair between Western Province and the Blue Bulls, and after Gio Aplon’s try and a Joe Pietersen penalty saw the home side lead 19-18, it looked like it was going to be a grand party on the streets of Cape Town that Saturday night.
But with less than four minutes to go, WP’s much maligned Fijian wing stuck out on arm to make a high tackle on Bulls centre Jaco Pretorius just short of the 10m line and five metres in from touch – and it was time for Steyn to step up and win it for his team.
No problem for the ice-cool Springbok flyhalf as he slotted the kick without any fuss, with the ball sailing ‘over the colour’ (the middle, painted part of the crossbar) to clinch a 21-19 Bulls win.
Another special penalty I saw live was Handré Pollard’s match-winning three-pointer in the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final against Wales in Yokohama.
With the score at 16-16 in a titanic battle, the South Africans won a penalty from a collapsed lineout drive about 10 metres outside the Welsh 22 – and eight metres in from touch.
The pressure was immense on Pollard, as a miss would take the match into extra time. The Bok pivot, though, slotted the penalty to secure a 19-16 victory.
Pollard booted over some crucial goal-kicks at the 2023 World Cup as well, of course – including the late ones against France and England, and then the four in the final against the All Blacks.
Frans Steyn’s nearly 50-metre missile against England in the 2007 World Cup final is also one for the memory banks.
And who can forget Jordan Hendrikse’s 59-metre monster for the Sharks XV to win the 2024 Currie Cup final against the Lions at Ellis Park?
But in recent weeks, we’ve seen a number of misses from close range that have cost SA teams victories in the United Rugby Championship.
Everyone highlights Clayton Blommetjies’ effort late against the Bulls, but Stormers flyhalf Jurie Matthee was also off-target with a few kicks.
Let’s also not forget that Bulls centre David Kriel missed some shots at goal as well that day, which would’ve seen his team go down too.
Blommetjies, who was in tears afterwards, and Kriel – who was off radar a few times against the Sharks last weekend, as was Jordan Hendrikse – are not recognised goal-kickers, but they should have slotted most of those attempts.
And games involving SA franchises wouldn’t be complete without a few missed touches from penalties, which is likely to push up most coaches’ blood pressure.
Manie Libbok’s goal-kicking woes have also been well documented in recent years.
The heat is on for whoever lines up a shot at goal, but surely SA kickers can do better than they have been?
Many teams do have specialist kicking coaches, and are working every week to assist those players who have the courage to place that ball on the tee and score some relatively easy points for their team.
Rugby players often speak about “controlling the controllables”, and goal-kicking is arguably one of those aspects of the game.
Let’s hope that our kickers can find the target more often than not, and emulate the likes of Steyn and Pollard.