Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ plan to take the pressure off Manie Libbok can come in one of two ways - either Jaden Hendrikse or Cheslin Kolbe will take over the goal-kicking duties.
While the Boks have not confirmed this, the duo were seen at practice this week taking shots at goal alongside Libbok, a clear indication that the “plans” that Erasmus had spoken about at the team announcement go hand in hand with this shift.
Kolbe, who briefly flirted with goal-kicking in the 2022 November tour, has kicked two penalties and five conversions in a very short stint in the role, but is primed to take the pressure off Libbok to ensure the Boks claim the Rugby Championship title in Nelspruit this weekend.
Hendrikse has also kicked at posts for the Sharks and did so prolifically as a schoolboy, which makes him ideal as back-up for the Boks in a situation like this.
But Kolbe’s usefulness, his ability to chase lost causes, and popping up everywhere from scrumhalf to throwing the ball in at the lineout against the All Blacks shows that right now he is one of the most valuable members of the Bok team.
The Swiss army knife nature of Kolbe has been a perfect reminder of how the Boks have worked around challenges, with the winger still performing when he gets the ball and still showing how dangerous he can be in space.
This week he confirmed that he had been training as a goal-kicking option for the Boks all season.
“I’ve been training and working on it throughout this season, and getting tips and advice from Handre Pollard, Manie and coach Tony Brown, which definitely helps me and gives me confidence,” Kolbe said.
“I’m comfortable because I’ve been working on it and you never know what can happen on the day. As long as I'm comfortable and did the work throughout the week, I’m good.”
Kolbe credits Sevens for giving him the ability to fit into different places that the Boks need him to.
“It definitely gave me different pictures because you see things from other angles, so I know what I have to do to contribute to the team,” Kolbe said.
“Argentina is a phenomenal side, and they have many players with an X-factor, while many of them come from a Sevens rugby background. Some of the guys who played last week also gave me advice, so I know what to expect this week.”
'A MASSIVE CHALLENGE'
Kolbe is also wary of Los Pumas, who have beaten all three sides in the Rugby Championship this year.
“They’ve certainly developed as a team over the years, and this year they’ve shown the style of rugby they want to play, so it’s going to be a massive challenge on Saturday,” said Kolbe.
“There’s a lot of confidence and excitement in their team, especially after beating Australia, New Zealand and us this season. But that said, we need to focus on ourselves and be ready for them because they can create something out of nothing.
“It’s the final this weekend, and it is going to be a huge game. They’ll be super hungry and excited about this opportunity, just like us.
“We may have played in a few finals, but one can never bank on what happened in the past. This is going to be a big game against a determined team, so we must be at our best for the full 80 minutes.”