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Pretoria – Former drop goal king and Springbok captain Naas Botha has a message for the the world champions: forget about penalties, drop goals can win the series against the British and Irish Lions.
Not only is it an alternative method of scoring points far away from the opponents’ goalline, but the timing can floor an opponent, explained Botha.
Botha believes the value of a drop goal cannot be overstated. “It has been proved over and over that it can win tests for you, also in previous series’ between the Springboks and Lions, as well as at World Cups,” said Botha.
“It remains a valuable way of scoring points, but few teams take it. Remember, you can only score points off penalties if your opponents makes mistakes. If they remain disciplined and do not make mistakes, you won’t get any points, even if you have the world’s best kicker in your side.”
Botha believes that is when drop goals can rescue a team.
“A drop goal from 40 metres is a setback for any opponent as he is punished even if he managed to keep you out of his 22,” said Botha.
“The timing of drop kicks is often crucial. It’s the perfect way of taking out opponents and defending a lead.”
With regard to team selection, Botha would also like to see Zane Kirchner picked at fullback now that Conrad Jantjes has been injured.
“I understand Peter de Villiers is considering Jaque Fourie there, but I don’t understand that because he is our best centre. You don’t want to play without experienced players against the Lions, but Zane is impressing me every week,” said Botha.
“He kicks the ball superbly and things happen when he joins the line.”
Botha also believes Peter Grant is an option for fullback, but that his kicking technique leaves a lot to be desired.
Botha added that Morne Steyn and Frans Steyn are South Africa’s best exponents of the art. There were only 61 drop goal attempts in this year’s Super14, of which 21 were successful.
If Botha was the Boks coach, Ruan Pienaar would play flyhalf against the Lions. “I believe the man in the saddle should remain there unless someone else is obviously better,” he said.
“Pienaar has done well to date and while Morne should be in the squad after a good season, he is not obviously better.”
Pretoria – Former drop goal king and Springbok captain Naas Botha has a message for the the world champions: forget about penalties, drop goals can win the series against the British and Irish Lions.
Not only is it an alternative method of scoring points far away from the opponents’ goalline, but the timing can floor an opponent, explained Botha.
Botha believes the value of a drop goal cannot be overstated. “It has been proved over and over that it can win tests for you, also in previous series’ between the Springboks and Lions, as well as at World Cups,” said Botha.
“It remains a valuable way of scoring points, but few teams take it. Remember, you can only score points off penalties if your opponents makes mistakes. If they remain disciplined and do not make mistakes, you won’t get any points, even if you have the world’s best kicker in your side.”
Botha believes that is when drop goals can rescue a team.
“A drop goal from 40 metres is a setback for any opponent as he is punished even if he managed to keep you out of his 22,” said Botha.
“The timing of drop kicks is often crucial. It’s the perfect way of taking out opponents and defending a lead.”
With regard to team selection, Botha would also like to see Zane Kirchner picked at fullback now that Conrad Jantjes has been injured.
“I understand Peter de Villiers is considering Jaque Fourie there, but I don’t understand that because he is our best centre. You don’t want to play without experienced players against the Lions, but Zane is impressing me every week,” said Botha.
“He kicks the ball superbly and things happen when he joins the line.”
Botha also believes Peter Grant is an option for fullback, but that his kicking technique leaves a lot to be desired.
Botha added that Morne Steyn and Frans Steyn are South Africa’s best exponents of the art. There were only 61 drop goal attempts in this year’s Super14, of which 21 were successful.
If Botha was the Boks coach, Ruan Pienaar would play flyhalf against the Lions. “I believe the man in the saddle should remain there unless someone else is obviously better,” he said.
“Pienaar has done well to date and while Morne should be in the squad after a good season, he is not obviously better.”
