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Johannesburg - Springbok fullback Zane Kirchner admits he hasn’t had the greatest of starts to his Springbok career but hopes that the faith and confidence that the Bok management has in him will pay off as he settles into the fullback role this weekend against Italy.
Kirchner’s Bok start was hardly a dream one – losing to the British Lions in the third Test at Coca Cola Park last year and then after being solid under the aerial assault all season – dropped his first ball in Cardiff after coming on as a second half replacement for the team. The ball was picked up by Wales and the try scored, leaving Kirchner shaking his head about his luck on the day.
Last week he was close to scoring a try against France, but was stopped inches close to the line. But the Bok management has chosen to support him, given the potential they have seen in him while playing for the Bulls in their Super 14 back-to-back titles in the last two years.
Kirchner admits he has had a bad run, but is hoping to settle into the role this weekend and make a significant impact for the national team. “I want to settle and play my normal game,” he said at the team’s base in Witbank ahead of Saturday’s first Test against the Azzurri.
“Against Wales when I dropped that ball I was disappointed in myself, because that isn’t the standard of rugby that I play. I knew I hadn’t dropped a ball in the air the entire season and I told myself that I needed to be better.
Kirchner knows all too well that the fullback role is up for grabs – especially with De Villiers sending Frans Steyn back to Paris after he was disappointed in his showing in the Cardiff outing. There are few other candidates for the position and it is clear the faith that is being shown in Kirchner is a clear indication that the selectors and Bok management want him to take the step up to international level and make the position his own.
Kirchner adds that he took a lot of confidence out of last week’s victory over France for the upcoming season, and admits that it was “fantastic” to be part of such a victory.
But now he knows he has to make the step up. If he manages to elevate his play to his own high standards, then his performance will be one that will be remembered for a long time to come.
Johannesburg - Springbok fullback Zane Kirchner admits he hasn’t had the greatest of starts to his Springbok career but hopes that the faith and confidence that the Bok management has in him will pay off as he settles into the fullback role this weekend against Italy.
Kirchner’s Bok start was hardly a dream one – losing to the British Lions in the third Test at Coca Cola Park last year and then after being solid under the aerial assault all season – dropped his first ball in Cardiff after coming on as a second half replacement for the team. The ball was picked up by Wales and the try scored, leaving Kirchner shaking his head about his luck on the day.
Last week he was close to scoring a try against France, but was stopped inches close to the line. But the Bok management has chosen to support him, given the potential they have seen in him while playing for the Bulls in their Super 14 back-to-back titles in the last two years.
Kirchner admits he has had a bad run, but is hoping to settle into the role this weekend and make a significant impact for the national team. “I want to settle and play my normal game,” he said at the team’s base in Witbank ahead of Saturday’s first Test against the Azzurri.
“Against Wales when I dropped that ball I was disappointed in myself, because that isn’t the standard of rugby that I play. I knew I hadn’t dropped a ball in the air the entire season and I told myself that I needed to be better.
Kirchner knows all too well that the fullback role is up for grabs – especially with De Villiers sending Frans Steyn back to Paris after he was disappointed in his showing in the Cardiff outing. There are few other candidates for the position and it is clear the faith that is being shown in Kirchner is a clear indication that the selectors and Bok management want him to take the step up to international level and make the position his own.
Kirchner adds that he took a lot of confidence out of last week’s victory over France for the upcoming season, and admits that it was “fantastic” to be part of such a victory.
But now he knows he has to make the step up. If he manages to elevate his play to his own high standards, then his performance will be one that will be remembered for a long time to come.
