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'This guy can have erratic kicking nights': Return of Faf de Klerk is music to the ears of ex-All Black

(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Former All Black first five-eighth Stephen Donald has said that he has ‘no issue’ with the recall of Springboks scrumhalf Faf de Klerk as his selection could favour the All Blacks.

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The livewire No 9 was a shock dropping for the Springboks during the Wales series, missing selection in the starting line up for the third and final deciding test.

Jaden Hendrikse of the Sharks was given the opportunity to partner with Handre Pollard in the halves, a sign that the Springboks are prepared to abandon their winning 2019 combination.

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De Klerk has been named to start again against the All Blacks, which is music to the ears of Stephen Donald who believes that he is not in the same league as Fourie du Preez when it comes to box kicking accuracy.

“I’ve got no issue if they pick Faf [de Klerk] because he can have rough days,” Donald said on SENZ The Run Home radio show.

“He is not the likes of a Fourie du Preez who could put every single box kick on a 10-cent piece.

“This guy can have erratic kicking nights, and if his box kicks are too long, if they’re too short but particularly if they’re too long, it will give Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett, and Sevu Reece time and space.

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“As soon as they get time and space, that’s when we’ll worry the South Africans.”

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Donald went on to explain that the Springboks ‘entire’ game is based around the set-piece and the rolling maul but more importantly, it would be the kicking game that would be key.

The 2011 World Cup hero wanted the All Blacks to pressure both of the South African halves, but it was the Springbok scrumhalf who could self-implode out there.

“So you put pressure on Faf de Klerk, you put pressure on Handré Pollard, who isn’t in vintage form at the moment coming back from a serious injury, but Faf’s the one that I reckon we can get to,” he said.

“You get to Faf de Klerk and then suddenly his kicks – too long, too short; that’s where we can make them pay and that’s where you can take them out of their comfort zone.

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“As soon as they can’t get to rucks to then bring their line speed, a lot of their game is gone.”

In his column for RugbyPass, former Springbok scrumhalf Neil de Kock backed the selection of De Klerk and is expecting a signature performance from the scrumhalf who has put Aaron Smith off his game in recent contests.

De Klerk’s defensive pressure has been key to the Boks suffocating opponents and throwing them off their game, including the All Blacks.

“I suspect you are going to see a massive display from him because such is his character and the competitiveness he holds deep within his bones,” de Kock wrote.

“He has had the rub of the green against Aaron Smith of late and that is probably part of the reason the selectors brought him in.

“Faf gets under the skin of the All Blacks owing to his feisty nature, and I expect a big performance from him.”

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Easy_Duzz-it 19 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

The world never caught up the All Blacks just went backwards . After 2015 they had a plan to build the team around 2 players . Sam Cane and Beauden Barrett , Cane was hailed as the next Mccaw and Barrett the next carter . Unfortunately Cane sustained too many injures and Barrett despite being a great ball runner didn't have a high enough conversion rate or the game management skills to control the team and the game . Then to make matters worst , the selections were so bad year after year the forward pack became shockingly weak .

New Zealand had so much talent wasted betwen 2016 - 2023 . Laumape , elliot dixon , ben tamefuna , pita gus , ben lam , vaea fifita and so many other in form players that never got a look or the time to develop into great All Blacks .


Then you have the dual playmaker system that never worked , but they kept using it . why ? cause some men cant admit when they're wrong . thats the All Blacks between 2016-2023 . wrong coaches with the wrong vision , going in the wrong direction . now it appears the world caught up . but like I said the world never caught up . then you add the obvious flawed referee calls that happen to go against us more often then for us now . the worst of which that never gets called is when the opposition use rush defence but have players offside . this has been going for years , but who cares ? .


anyway its almost 10 and i need to get some shut eye .

Go the might All Blacks !!!!

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