Malcolm Marx Takes Responsibility as Springboks Struggle With Lineouts
- Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx has taken personal responsibility after the team struggled in a recent loss, particularly in set-piece execution
- South Africa’s lineout performance has been inconsistent throughout the Rugby Championship, costing them momentum in crucial matches
- In response to errors and underperformance, coach Rassie Erasmus has made several squad adjustments, including changes in key positions
South African hooker Malcolm Marx has openly acknowledged that the Springboks need to improve their lineout performance in the Rugby Championship.
The No. 2 scored a try in last Saturday’s narrow 24-17 defeat to the All Blacks in Auckland, but the Boks’ set-piece issues continued to haunt them.
Source: Getty Images
Against New Zealand, South Africa lost four of their 18 lineouts, highlighting a tournament-long struggle with accuracy.
Across three rounds, the Springboks have succeeded with just 79% of their throws, winning 34 of 43 lineouts. This includes an 11/16 return against the Wallabies in Johannesburg and a perfect 9/9 in Cape Town the following week.
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By comparison, Argentina leads the Rugby Championship with an 88.2% success rate, while New Zealand and Australia sit at 86.4% and 84% respectively. In Auckland, the All Blacks completed all 15 of their lineouts, despite challenging weather conditions, underscoring the gap the Boks need to close.
Take a look at the video below:
Marx, who is set to start again at hooker in Wellington next Saturday, admitted the issue requires a personal and collective response. Speaking at the team’s latest media session, he said,
“I need to make a personal step-up and take formal responsibility for this area. It’s something I will focus on ahead of the next match.”
The Boks’ lineout woes may have cost them crucial momentum in Auckland, but with Marx leading from the front, South Africa will look to tighten their set-piece execution as the Rugby Championship intensifies.
As seen in the video below:
Rassie Erasmus names revamped squad
Erasmus named his squad earlier this week, on Monday, 9 September, making several changes after a series of individual errors contributed to the defeat against the world’s top-ranked side.
The scrum positions saw numerous alterations, with SA Rugby Player of the Year Cheslin Kolbe the only survivor from the previous match.
Jesse Kriel, who had captained the team at Eden Park, was left out of the squad. Ethan Hooker was called up to replace Canan Moodie, who has been shifted to the centre.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach will occupy the half-back positions after strong performances last weekend, while Handre Pollard has been omitted from the 23-man squad entirely.
Erasmus said that it was an exciting team, which they believed would provide the forward power required and add spark to the backline against a quality All Blacks side.
Source: Getty Images
Springboks legends advise Erasmus
Briefly News previously reported that Springboks legend Steven Kitshoff urged coach Rassie Erasmus to reassess the team’s playing style as South Africa prepares to face the All Blacks at Eden Park on 6 September.
Erasmus named a full-strength squad packed with experience, to be captained by Jesse Kriel, while regular skipper Siya Kolisi will take on a different role, playing at number eight.
Source: Briefly News
