Few people are better placed to discuss the state of South African Rugby than DHL Stormers head coach John Dobson.
Winning the United Rugby Championship with the Cape Town franchise during the tournament’s inaugural season. Dobson and his team backed their great start to life in the Northern Hemisphere by hosting the final in 2023.
Coming up just short to Irish giants Munster in that final, Dobson knows what Irish Rugby brings to the party.
Going deeper into his knowledge, Dobson has an intricate understanding of several key Springboks stars in particular flyhalf Manie Libbok.
Discussing Libbok’s goal-kicking struggles, Dobson questioned the Bok’s tactics of routinely opting to kick at goal.
“Why, with the 7 – 1 bench split, did we not go to the corner like the Irish went to the corner?” Dobson questioned.
“Why didn’t we go into the corner with Manie kicking like he is with the 7 – 1 and take Irish legs in a maul?
“And rather we went for the distance penalties and twice with Faf (de Klerk), I mean, that is something I would like to know the answer to,” Dobson said.
Looking ahead, Dobson brought up the topic of the returning Handre Pollard and how he would fit in the South African game plan.
“Look, there is another option which has been talked about; you push Pollard to 12 and move Damian de Allende out.
“That would mean a move away from the 7 – 1. I didn’t get that one; why go 7 – 1 and go for posts with a kicker that is described as erratic,” Dobson said.
Watch the full clip from the Irish show “Off the Ball” below.
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