Springboks consider going the boot
August 17, 2000

After eschewing kicking this season, the struggling Springboks are set to make more judicious use of the boot against the All Blacks at Ellis Park on Saturday.

While kicking the ball down the throats of the dangerous All Black three would admittedly be suicide, grubber kicks and putting the fragile Kiwi lineout to the test would serve the Boks well.

The Boks need to vary their tactics more as they have been highly predictable in their intent to run the ball just for the sake of it - although, for all their talk of an expansive game plan, the ball hasn't been spread to the wings enough.

All Black No 8 Ron Cribb proved the effectiveness of a well-placed grubber kick in their previous test against Australia in Wellington, when Christian Cullen scored. The difference between the Australasian teams and the Boks has been in the option-taking, with the Boks not backing their instincts and judging each situation on its merit.

"I think the attacking grubber from fourth or fifth phase could be a good option," Mallett said. "But it's up to the individual player to make the decision.

"I think that when we're in our own half we should perhaps think about kicking deep and trying to turn their last man. At the same time, though, kicking a ball down someone like Christian Cullen or Stephen Larkham's throat is just asking for trouble."

The Boks are, for example, clearly looking to exploit Jonah Lomu's dislike for having the ball placed behind him - something which they failed to do in their Christchurch loss.

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