Rassie Erasmus has exposed angry French fans who are sending threats to the Springboks.
Image: X/@PlanetRugby
Springboks: Faf’s decision to kick was the right one!
Was kicking the ball away with one minute to go the right decision by the Boks?
Rassie Erasmus has exposed angry French fans who are sending threats to the Springboks.
Image: X/@PlanetRugby
In a nail-biting clash during the Rugby World Cup, with roughly one minute left on the clock, the Springboks managed to secure a one-point victory over the host nation, France, sending shockwaves to certain pundits who claimed this weekend was to be a Northern Hemisphere clean sweep. Faf de Klerk’s decision to kick the ball away might’ve made you scream at the TV, but was it the right call? Let’s find out.
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WHY KICK THE BALL AWAY?
Kicking the ball away in rugby, especially when clinging to a slender lead in the dying moments, has always been debated. The question is: should you maintain possession or opt to boot it downfield? Faf de Klerk’s decision to send the ball skyward with little time left on the clock was definitely bold, but was it the right call? Let’s revisit two instances. They both were clashes between New Zealand and Ireland; the first one was in 2013 when Ireland decided not to kick while 22-17 up; the outcome was New Zealand won a penalty, marched them down the field, and scored, ultimately winning 22–24 and breaking Irish hearts in the process. The second was the clash this past Saturday, where Aaron Smith kicked the ball away with New Zealand up by 4; the outcome was Sam Whitelock making a crucial steal after Ireland had gone through 30+ phases, again causing agony to the Irish. So the question is, was this the right decision?
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SHOULD FAF HAVE KICKED?
Many fans have questioned whether Faf’s decision to kick the right one or if the Boks should have tried to run down the clock. Ultimately, he made the right call; referees have been instructed to stop teams from killing games off with 10 minutes to go by penalising teams when they ‘seal off’. With the Boks in their own half and considering France’s remarkable counter-rucking capabilities, the risk of conceding a penalty in the final moments and handing a gift-wrapped opportunity to French sharpshooter Ramos was a gamble too risky to take. Instead, the Boks chose to back on their unbelievably tight defensive structure, and ultimately, it paid off, but even if it hadn’t, the Bok scrumhalf’s choice to kick the ball away was the right one.
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SPRINGBOKS VICTORY OVER FRANCE
The Rugby World Cup quarter-final match between France and South Africa will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most intense and closely contested games in recent rugby history. The Springboks, defending champions, managed to edge past the French team with a thrilling one-point victory, eventually eliminating the tournament hosts from contention.
Pitbull Faf de Klerk with match-winning rip. 💪 #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/lrRfpMVB5K
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) October 16, 2023
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The Springboks’ victory sets the stage for a thrilling semi-final clash against unbeaten England, promising another electrifying showdown. Was Faf’s decision to kick the ball away the right call? Comment below and join the discussion as we eagerly await the next stage in this gripping Rugby World Cup journey.
