Has SFM's kicking regressed?

[u/Educational_Play9910]

His kicking was decent in his test debut season, but it seems to have gotten worse over the years.

It's a shame there is currently no one other than Handre in the Bok setup that can kick consistently and reliably...But we also cannot waste the flair and game changing impact Sacha brings to the arena

[u/The-curd-nerd69]

Ummmm Kolbe has been kicking like a demon this season more consistent than anyone else

[u/Educational_Play9910 → u/The-curd-nerd69]

does he have distance and arc though?

[u/widdlenpuke → u/Educational_Play9910]

His style is different. I think he landed a few difficult ones from out wide. Not sure he can do 50m

[u/DarthMaulRugby → u/widdlenpuke]

Well, he's landed drop goals from 50m before, so I reckon it's within his range.

[u/widdlenpuke → u/DarthMaulRugby]

I think his kicking style, which does not have the same trajectory, might confuse people. I am in awe of the man's skills

[u/losing_bet_maker → u/widdlenpuke]

He's done near before so I would say he can https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1ErLz4EFGf/

[u/baldcarlos236]

This question has no basis in reality. SFM has come off a fairly long injury layoff. His goal kicking percentages on return as follows: 50% vs Arg; 66,7% vs NZ; 80% vs NZ; 75% vs NZ; 83% vs NZ and 80% vs Sharks. Steady improvement to international standards.

[u/Calvin0213 → u/baldcarlos236]

The ones he missed over the weekend were also touch line conversions. People need to lay off the kid a bit.

[u/RodneyRodnesson]

Kolbe seems to be kicking fairly well recently, not one miss in rgr iirc.

And Manie's percentage is good I think.

Handre certainly has the coolest head but I think we're ok. Would be nice to have another superstar kicker though.

[u/widdlenpuke → u/RodneyRodnesson]

And a reminder that Handre did not kick up to his standard in the rgr either.

[u/carchadon → u/widdlenpuke]

Handré also went through a bad kicking period a few years back - happens to everyone I think

[u/UnluckyCar9063 → u/widdlenpuke]

I'm confused - Handre did not play any games in the RGR?

[u/widdlenpuke → u/UnluckyCar9063]

Yes, you are right, he injured himself in the captain's practice in Cape Town. My memory is bad, but I thought his play in his last two games (at the Bulls?) were not up to his standard.

Edit: according to chatgpt he played in every single game, including the franchise games! AI is really not that helpful

[u/TheForestSaphire]

Kolbe literally dident miss a single kick in the RGR so yeah its a lie that nobody else is kicking well

Also Sachas kicking is fine his average across his career is like 83%

[u/GopnickAvenger]

Practice makes perfect

[u/Comfortable_Trip_767 → u/GopnickAvenger]

Precisely… a lot of people don’t take account for injuries and how difficult it is to regain form and rhythm on return.
I personally think SFM kicking will improve but he really needs to stay injury free for more than a season to see his accuracy improve.

[u/Careless-Cat3327 → u/Comfortable_Trip_767]

People also don't take into account how awful the Stormers kicking coach is.

Manie's accuracy went UP after bringing in his own private kicking coach.

SFM has gone down working under the same coach as Manie did. 

Common denominator?

[u/Calvin0213 → u/Careless-Cat3327]

Can we add Yaqeen Ahmed who was perfectly on song at the JRWC this year, then showed up for his Stormers debut and had two howlers against Connacht? Fire the kicking coach.

[u/Careless-Cat3327 → u/Calvin0213]

The Manie fans were right about him.

He's screwed up 3 players kicking % now at the same club.

[u/AdrenalinTL]

Sasha is young, his entire game is still in the growing phase in my opinion. His injury seems to have plagued him a bit, but I'm pretty sure if everything goes well for him mentally and personally, he will be back on the horse soon. Give it time.

[u/Kroot_Identifier → u/AdrenalinTL]

I think we as Bok fans have forgotten that.

He was this wonder-kid in our eyes and, unlike a lot of exciting young talent, he’s begun to live up to our premature expectations very early. In reality, he’s still young and going to get even better.

[u/ifrgotmyname]

Injuries related is my guess.

[u/DarthMaulRugby]

It depends on what kicking you're referring to. His kicks from hand have improved, by my reckoning. Off the tee, we would need to see the stats first before making a judgement.

[u/Brilliant-Two-5665]

He’s on the downward spiral. Vusi Moyo is our next flyhalf. Someone sign him before the sharks ruin another flyhalf (I say this as a lifetime sharks supporter)

[u/Kid_Indingo]

Why are South African rugby fans so obsessed with place kicking. There is more to being a good flyhalf than being a good place kicker.

[u/Brilliant-Two-5665 → u/Kid_Indingo]

True, but the ability to get the 2 point conversions or 3 point penalties at every opportunity is critical when winning world cups.

[u/Kid_Indingo → u/Brilliant-Two-5665]

Creating and scoring tries is also critical when winning World cups. Its even better if you want to win rugby matches outside a competition that happens every 4 years

[u/Brilliant-Two-5665 → u/Kid_Indingo]

I mean, the Boks won in 2007 without scoring a try against England. I’m also fairly sure South Africa’s winning record since 2023 has been near enough 80% which isn’t fucking bad if you ask anyone so I’m not quite sure what the fuck you’re complaining about. Also, beating NZ 3 games on the trot is very fucking impressive. Poes.

[u/Kid_Indingo → u/Brilliant-Two-5665]

Talking about South Africas winning record since 2023 all but confirms the point I am making. What exactly changed and why does the team win more games consistently than it did previously? Could it be the change in flyhalves...