ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
REGISTER
LOGIN
ADVERTISEMENT
RugbyDump
Tuesday Aug 10, 2021

Experts analyse brilliant space scanning to set up crucial Kolbe try

Aside from Morné Steyn’s final-minute penalty to win the game, Cheslin Kolbe’s second half try against the British and Irish Lions was perhaps the decisive turning point in the final test.

ADVERTISEMENT

While on the face of it, the try is a typical counter-attack move finished as a result of sloppy tackling from Liam Williams and Luke Cowan-Dickie, detailed analysis into the Springboks’ attacking structure has shown that the counter down the blind side was not as instinctive as first thought.

Super Sport’s panel trawled through the build-up to the try and broke down the key decisions which led to Kolbe going over for what proved to be a crucial score for the home side.

In much the same way as Kolbe’s World Cup-sealing try against England in 2019, the counter-attack from the Springboks has been used to deadly effect, particularly in the narrow channel in which Kolbe operates best.

This time, the conduit comes from full-back Willie Le Roux, who takes play back down the blind side channel from where the up-and-under from the Lions originated.

The key here is the up-and-under chase from winger Duhan van der Merwe and the failure to cover that vacated space by flanker Tom Curry. Van der Merwe is challenging the ball in order to slap it back to his side and for the Lions to maintain possession whilst in a more favourable position on the field.

ADVERTISEMENT

Unfortunately for the Lions, the ball is recovered on the South African side and quickly finds its way to Le Roux, who eyes up the options in front of him, while bringing two more team-mates, centre Damien de Allende and scrum-half Cobus Reinach into the breakaway.

With Kolbe sticking to his wing, the Lions are in real trouble, but Kolbe won’t get to the line unless Williams and Cowan-Dickie fall off the tackle.

The strength of Kolbe bumps off Williams initially and the momentum he carries into his fend on Cowan-Dickie means it’s a fairly easy finish, but the identification of the space from Le Roux and the snap counter is what ultimately cost the Lions dearly.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 64 WEEKS AGO

    Absolute scenes from triple threat centre...

  • 65 WEEKS AGO

    Henry Arundell wonder try shows he is the...

  • 72 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Blues score two STUNNING tries against...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    South African schoolboy produces the greatest goosey in the sport

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    Individual brilliance as player scores off his own kick off

  • 9 WEEKS AGO

    Match Report: Australia challenge the All Black HAKA in extraordinary test

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Tom Curry receives ban following red card tackle against Argentina

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Off the ball 'punches' being called out by fans following All Blacks vs Springbok match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Scott Barrett's World Cup on the rocks following reckless shoulder charge

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Bizarre tackle school video divides viewers

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Shocking record set to be broken at this year’s World Cup

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible team try showcases thrills of the grassroots game

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Dane Coles stunned as he hears news of Steve Hansen joining the Wallabies

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Moment of madness leads to incredible Springbok score

  • 7 WEEKS AGO

    Highlights video shows just why Vakatawa’s return is so highly anticipated

View All

Funnies

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    Irish players prove the work/life balance is possible even at a World Cup

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Springbok head coach Jacques Nienaber offers ice cold response at the press conference

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Stone Cole’d: Dan Cole channels his inner Steve Austin in brilliant behind the scenes action

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Chaos ensues as off-field substitute is caught up in try scoring opportunity

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Springboks set to sing additional song post national anthem in future test matches

View All

Amateur

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 38 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 61 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 HOUR AGO

    Incredible spreadsheet shows exactly how Scotland can progress to the quarter finals

  • 3 HOURS AGO

    Makazole Mapimpi out of World Cup as world class centre drafted back in

  • 4 HOURS AGO

    Raw power and camaraderie displayed as South Africa and Tonga came together in incredible match

  • 18 HOURS AGO

    Springbok players pay tribute to incredible fans that support them around the world

  • 2 DAYS AGO

    Springbok’s reign as world champions in peril as Dupont returns

View All