Kirchner a key weapon for the Springboks
ON first impressions, Zane Kirchner would look like a bluetinted selection sprinkled with a hint of transformation to appease the masses.
When his playing time at Irish club and European powerhouse Leinster is tallied up, it’s clear he is an important and often used cog in their back three.
In 23 matches in all competitions, Kirchner has ploughed through 1 589 minutes of rugby. More importantly, he was used in an unfamiliar right wing position regularly to accommodate Irish international fullback Rob Kearney, which adds to the versatility box that Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer always likes to see his players tick.
Golden Lions assistant coach Swys de Bruin will know more about Kirchner as he was the one who hauled him in from George to join the Griquas.
Zane tailored his game to suit needs of the team and coach
“Zane’s experience, especially the one he has gained with his time in Leinster, will be vital. From a back’s view, conditions are far more important for your halfbacks and your fullbacks,” De Bruin said. “Incidentally, Fourie du Preez’s selection could be a masterstroke because of his experience, but when you’ve had a player like Zane thrive in those conditions on a weekly basis, you have a leg to stand on from a selectorial vantage point.
“There are more exciting players one could pick from, but when the conditions get heavier, what you’ll need is a solid kicking and excellent high-ball skills. There will be room for flashy fullbacks, but that will be determined by the conditions.”
As a coach, De Bruin is understanding of the trust Meyer places in specific players but he feels Kirchner isn’t one of those who are in the Boks through past association with the Bulls.
After all, the Stormers have the most players in the 31-man squad with seven while the Bulls and the Sharks boast six each.
De Bruin is aware of Kirchner’s much talked about lack of a counterattacking game, but said it was a potential weapon that could work in the Boks’ favour. For one, the Boks carry multiple attacking back three threats that can allow Kirchner to operate in obscurity. But it’s a fallacy that Kirchner doesn’t attack. “When I coached Zane, he had a very good counterattacking game, which was one of the reasons why I brought him up from George,” he said.
“When he moved to the Bulls, he tailored his game to suit the needs of the team and the coach.”