Cape Town - Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn is confident that he will be at his very best when kicking at the posts during the World Cup.
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New Zealand, with it's trying conditions, is renowned as a place where goal-kickers struggle, and South Africa's first venue for their clash against Wales is particularly well-known to be an Achilles-heel for place-kickers.
The Boks tackle the Welsh at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington and the "Cake Tin", as its more popularly known, has proved to be many a place-kicker's worst nightmare over the years. The often swirling wind inside the stadium makes goal-kicking a very tough skill to master.
However, according to the Beeld newspaper, the Bok pivot is confident he will be able to master the expected trying-conditions. "We have played here a number of times, so I know the conditions well," said Steyn.
The Afrikaans daily also reports that Bok fans can be assured that their kicking ace is ready and raring to go. He is kicking the ball well in practice and has no problem with the new Gilbert Rugby World Cup ball.
Steyn also believes the fact that they have played at the ground more often than their Welsh counterparts could give them a slight advantage. "It could count in our favour a bit - the fact that we have played here a couple of times, and probably no one from Wales."
Steyn feeling confident about his game, especially his kicking game, will be welcomed by Springbok fans all over. History has shown that World Cup tournament's are won by team's with good place-kickers.
Earlier in the season there were fears that Steyn could have fallen out of favour with Bok coach Peter de Villiers when he was sent over to Australasia with the so-called Bok "B-team". But a stellar performance in the Boks' last Ti-Nations encounter - where he kicked all of their points in the 18-5 victory over the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth - has cemented his place in South Africa's starting line-up.
"That was a bit of an up-and-down period (the Boks took a hammering in Australasia), but I think all the guys are now positive again after what happened in Port Elizabeth.
"The coach probably had a few things he wanted to try out.
"I'm just happy things worked out fine for me," said Steyn.
* Can the Springboks hold off Wales in their RWC opener? Click HERE for the latest odds on BET.CO.ZA
Click to BUY the new Drifta Mobile USB Decoder
Click to BUY the Rugby World Cup 2011 Game for Xbox
New Zealand, with it's trying conditions, is renowned as a place where goal-kickers struggle, and South Africa's first venue for their clash against Wales is particularly well-known to be an Achilles-heel for place-kickers.
The Boks tackle the Welsh at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington and the "Cake Tin", as its more popularly known, has proved to be many a place-kicker's worst nightmare over the years. The often swirling wind inside the stadium makes goal-kicking a very tough skill to master.
However, according to the Beeld newspaper, the Bok pivot is confident he will be able to master the expected trying-conditions. "We have played here a number of times, so I know the conditions well," said Steyn.
The Afrikaans daily also reports that Bok fans can be assured that their kicking ace is ready and raring to go. He is kicking the ball well in practice and has no problem with the new Gilbert Rugby World Cup ball.
Steyn also believes the fact that they have played at the ground more often than their Welsh counterparts could give them a slight advantage. "It could count in our favour a bit - the fact that we have played here a couple of times, and probably no one from Wales."
Steyn feeling confident about his game, especially his kicking game, will be welcomed by Springbok fans all over. History has shown that World Cup tournament's are won by team's with good place-kickers.
Earlier in the season there were fears that Steyn could have fallen out of favour with Bok coach Peter de Villiers when he was sent over to Australasia with the so-called Bok "B-team". But a stellar performance in the Boks' last Ti-Nations encounter - where he kicked all of their points in the 18-5 victory over the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth - has cemented his place in South Africa's starting line-up.
"That was a bit of an up-and-down period (the Boks took a hammering in Australasia), but I think all the guys are now positive again after what happened in Port Elizabeth.
"The coach probably had a few things he wanted to try out.
"I'm just happy things worked out fine for me," said Steyn.
* Can the Springboks hold off Wales in their RWC opener? Click HERE for the latest odds on BET.CO.ZA