Well-known for its endless summer ambiance even during winter months, Kings Park, located in Durban, is acclaimed for hosting the finest post-match celebrations in global rugby. The aftermath of a significant match, such as the recent Springboks vs Ireland game, sees the outlying fields illuminated with thousands of barbecue flames, as merriment persists into the wee hours.
The late Tom Bedford, previous Springbok number eight and captain, and a cherished personality from Durban, famously labelled Kings Park as the “final stronghold of the British Empire”. This is reflected in the uniquely British and Irish ambiance that endures during these grand fiestas.
During my carefree youthful days in Durban, we would partake post-game in jovial sing-alongs to the tunes of the Blarney Brothers, front lined by the esteemed McIlroy siblings from Antrim in Northern Ireland.
This past Saturday, the revelry reached a new level at Kings Park, with a young chap from Skerries being the main catalyst. This lanky, redhead substitute outhalf rapidly etched his name in Irish lore by landing a remarkable pair of long-distance kicks, helping secure an astonishing 25-24 victory for Ireland over the current Rugby World Cup champions.
Andy Farrell, the coach of Ireland, gave praise to the player’s tenacity, saying that it was remarkable how he had summoned the bravery to score the winning drop goal, underscoring his initial courage to lead the first dropped goal.
It was only the second time South Africa and Ireland had competed at Kings Park. The previous game took place over four decades ago, in 1981, where the tables were turned with the Springbok sharpshooter Naas Botha securing three dropped goals, edging out Ireland 12-10.
Strikingly, it was only the second instance when a British or Irish team claimed victory over the Boks in Durban; the first being the formidable 18-15 win by the British and Irish Lions at Kings Park back in 1997. The victory then was decided by a last-minute drop goal, a move that snatched the victory from the South African team’s grasp, with Jeremy Guscott being the player to secure the victory.
Reflecting on the recent defeat, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus recognised the superior play of the opposition. “We may feel apologetic and try to find excuses, but ultimately, the superior team claimed the victory,” he said. “In that final minute, they outplayed us.”
Rugby history is often created in these final, last-minute instances. Nevertheless, it’s not always a spectacular try or perfect penalty goal that makes an enduring impact, as Frawley demonstrated during the weekend fixture.
Naas Botha, the player responsible for Ireland’s defeat in 1981 having accrued a total of 312 points over just 28 tests, believes that the drop kick as a victorious mechanism is underappreciated. Despite this, he says, it’s not that players avoid drop kicks, but rather they are so concentrated on their game strategy that they prefer to hold onto the ball for another play.
“What could be simpler for a halfback or fullback when only a point or two is needed, than to make a bid for a drop kick?” he said. “Maybe the fear of failure plays a part, that if the kick is missed they’ll be questioned about why they didn’t pass. However, you should never be criticised if you make an attempt.
Botha suggested that if a team struggles to score a try after several minutes of trying, they might as well drop for a goal and put some points on the board. Of course, numerous factors come into play and it’s often hard to pinpoint exactly what the issue is – perhaps it’s simply that the technique just isn’t well-practised.”
Saturday’s game revealed Frawley’s adeptness at reading the scoreboard and tailoring his approach accordingly. These days, many teams disregard the scoreboard and clock, preferring to adhere strictly to their game pattern.
Drop-kicks form an integral part of rugby – one of the few elements where a player can lose three points without committing any blunders such as penalties or missed tackles. It’s an aspect definitely worth considering.
One of the most memorable drop goals in the history of rugby was delivered by the Springbok fly-half, Joel Stransky, during extra time in the unforgettable 1995 World Cup final against New Zealand. This goal amplified South Africa’s freedom journey, inspired by Nelson Mandela, 30 years prior.
Stransky narrates that Kitch Christie, the late coach who approached him during lineout practice prior to the final, was the one who suggested he attempt more drop kicks. Christie was of the viewpoint that drop kicks were a straightforward strategy to accumulate points. This encouragement led Stransky to invest more time in perfecting this technique.
Indeed, he succeeded in delivering a drop goal early on in the final match. In the 12th-minute of extra time, when the scoreboard was at a stalemate, 12-12, a backrow move was initially planned involving Rudolf Straeuli. However, upon realising the All Blacks had anticipated their strategy, Stransky and his scrumhalf, Joost van der Westhuizen, altered their course. Westhuizen passed the ball to Stransky, who successfully converted the kick, exemplifying the importance of situational awareness and finesse.
Despite its value, mastering a drop-kick is not simple, Stransky admits. It involves more than just dropping the ball right and accurately setting a target; it requires managing pressure, evading rushing players, and accepting the inherent risks. The difficulty associated with it possibly explains its minimal use.
However, Stransky affirms without a doubt that in intensely competitive games, like the one on Saturday, drop goals can be pivotal in maintaining a steady flow of essential points.
Usually, defensive structures aren’t programmed to halt drop kicks because it’s not often that a player would bolt from deep within the pocket. Their primary goal is to overlook the kicker, shield the wide channel, and aim to rush teams behind the gain line.
However, when one or two drops sail over, the opposition is inevitably compelled to tweak their defensive layout. During Ireland’s initial drop, Frawley had ample time, but the second one came under more pressure. Nevertheless, Frawley perfectly executed it.”
Frawley didn’t just ensure a series tie with his surgical takedown of the Boks at Kings Park; it also narrowed the margin between Ireland and South Africa according to World Rugby’s rankings.
While the likelihood of Rassie Erasmus’s team faltering against Portugal in Bloemfontein is slim, it will be fascinating to observe the shifts in the top two positions in the rankings post the forthcoming Rugby Championship. Here, the Boks will square off twice against each of Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina.
It raises an intriguing question – how many of the above face-offs will be swayed by the resurgent skill of drop-kicking?