South Africa U20 overtly ignore the Boks’ ‘Boring Tries Only’ policy
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber’s life must have been flashing before his eyes on Tuesday when South Africa U20 fullback Hakeem Kunene was running in for a try against Argentina U20. This was a try that started well within their own half and included two solo efforts from winger Jurenzo Julius and Kunene himself. We are not sure if they did not get the memo, but South African teams are not supposed to score tries like that.
Nienaber would have been furious as this try flew in the face of everything that the Springboks stand for when scoring tries. Driving mauls and pick and goes are seemingly the only method of scoring for the Boks, so this swashbuckling effort from the winger and fullback was directly disobeying orders. The sensation of scoring a try like this for South Africa was so strange for Kunene that he actually fumbled the ball near the line, but was able to recover and score what he thought was going to be one of the tries of the Championship.
Fortunately for Nienaber and the two players, Julius’ foot was just in touch during his run, ruling the try out. The other three tries they scored as they beat Argentina 24-16 to book their place in the semi-final would have been much more to Nienaber’s liking as they were all scored by forwards from close range, hooker Juann Else and two for No8 Corne Beets. Then again, the build up for those tries was quite expansive, rather than the traditional kick and maul that seems to be the formula for any Bok try these days.
Of course, Nienaber’s side did score a pretty classy try against England at Twickenham last year, but who didn’t? The only thing stopping teams from scoring long range tries against England’s sieve-like defence was forgetting to show up to the match.
Take a look at the try that almost was for South Africa U20:
One of the greatest non-tries you will ever see 😭
A foot on the line costs @Springboks after an incredible move#WorldRugbyU20s pic.twitter.com/6NgXbDDspw
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) July 4, 2023
