When the Springboks trampled Japan with a dazzling 61-7 scoreline at Wembley, it wasn't just the nine tries that had fans roaring—it was the masterclass in kicking, especially from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, that really stole the show. Jean de Villiers, speaking on the Boks Unpacked X The Verdict podcast, didn't hold back on his praise for the flyhalf's precision boot-work.
“From Siya [Kolisi] nailing the first try, you could just feel the vibe—we were the dominant squad,” De Villiers remarked. “The real game for us was all about kicking dominance, owning the aerial battles, and smashing the set piece. And boy, did we check those boxes!”
"Sacha’s kicking was the finest I've witnessed from him—his intent to reclaim the ball post-kick is simply brilliant."
De Villiers wasn't the only one impressed. Robbie Fleck, former Stormers coach, highlighted the overall aerial dominance as a key factor in the Springboks' current rugby supremacy. “Ethan [Hooker], Kurt-Lee [Arendse], Cheslin [Kolbe]—they’re all turning the skies into no-fly zones for the opposition. For me, Kurt-Lee was absolutely stellar today, a real contender for Man of the Match with his transitions, aerial skills, and defense,” Fleck added.
Rito Hlungwani, Stormers forwards coach, pointed out the tactical shifts that put Japan under unyielding pressure. “You can only fend off five-metre mauls for so long. Plus, with our guys carrying lower and winning the height battles, it’s forcing the opposition into committing high tackles,” Hlungwani explained.
As the Boks gear up to face France in Paris for a spicy rematch of the 2023 World Cup quarter-final, De Villiers underscored the unchanged game plan. “Make the pack sweat, win the kick battle, defend like warriors at the breakdown, and control the field areas,” he stated, confident that the same strategy that previously edged out France will prevail once again.
Fleck supported this, reflecting on past victories. “Those foundational strategies—nailing the aerial pressures, heating up the breakdown, and pinpoint set-piece execution—are what got us through in the past and what we’ll lean on in Paris.”
The Springboks' next showdown in Paris isn't just another test match; it's a chance to reaffirm their world champion status, making every kick, tackle, and try count even more.
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When the Springboks trampled Japan with a dazzling 61-7 scoreline at Wembley, it wasn't just the nine tries that had fans roaring—it was the masterclass in kicking, especially from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, that really stole the show. Jean de Villiers, speaking on the Boks Unpacked X The Verdict podcast, didn't hold back on his praise for the flyhalf's precision boot-work.
“From Siya [Kolisi] nailing the first try, you could just feel the vibe—we were the dominant squad,” De Villiers remarked. “The real game for us was all about kicking dominance, owning the aerial battles, and smashing the set piece. And boy, did we check those boxes!”
"Sacha’s kicking was the finest I've witnessed from him—his intent to reclaim the ball post-kick is simply brilliant."
De Villiers wasn't the only one impressed. Robbie Fleck, former Stormers coach, highlighted the overall aerial dominance as a key factor in the Springboks' current rugby supremacy. “Ethan [Hooker], Kurt-Lee [Arendse], Cheslin [Kolbe]—they’re all turning the skies into no-fly zones for the opposition. For me, Kurt-Lee was absolutely stellar today, a real contender for Man of the Match with his transitions, aerial skills, and defense,” Fleck added.
Rito Hlungwani, Stormers forwards coach, pointed out the tactical shifts that put Japan under unyielding pressure. “You can only fend off five-metre mauls for so long. Plus, with our guys carrying lower and winning the height battles, it’s forcing the opposition into committing high tackles,” Hlungwani explained.
As the Boks gear up to face France in Paris for a spicy rematch of the 2023 World Cup quarter-final, De Villiers underscored the unchanged game plan. “Make the pack sweat, win the kick battle, defend like warriors at the breakdown, and control the field areas,” he stated, confident that the same strategy that previously edged out France will prevail once again.
Fleck supported this, reflecting on past victories. “Those foundational strategies—nailing the aerial pressures, heating up the breakdown, and pinpoint set-piece execution—are what got us through in the past and what we’ll lean on in Paris.”
The Springboks' next showdown in Paris isn't just another test match; it's a chance to reaffirm their world champion status, making every kick, tackle, and try count even more.