Bok legends fear kicking competition series tiebreaker

Three former Springboks have weighed in on how the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series between the Boks and the All Blacks should be decided if it ends 2-2.

The two great foes will meet in three Tests in South Africa and once in Baltimore, USA, but the even number of matches has raised the prospect of a 2-2 stalemate similar to the 2017 British & Irish Lions tour of New Zealand, which ended 1-1.

But according to SA Rugby, that won’t be allowed to happen.

“There will be a tiebreaker in the event the series is drawn, and there will be an ultimate winner,” SA Rugby general manager of operations Yusuf Jackson told SARugbymag.co.za.

Jackson confirmed they are still exploring options – including extra-time or sudden death – but stopped short of revealing which format will be used.

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The prospect has divided opinion among former Springboks.

Speaking on the Boks Unpacked podcast, Hanyani Shimange embraced the potential drama.

“It would be the greatest tour of all time if it gets down to 2-2,” he said.

But Schalk Burger was less enthused, particularly at the thought of a kicking competition deciding the outcome.

“I thought these tours just end in a drawn series, doesn’t it? Like they’re going to have a tiebreaker, like a goal kick-off,” Burger questioned, with Jean de Villiers interjecting: “Please no.”

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“I tell you what, if it comes to a kick-off, we might have more kickers than them,” Burger continued. “But surely it shouldn’t be coming down to one of those.

“I’ve actually got no idea, guys, but let’s see. Hopefully, they clarify that with us if there’s extra-time.”

Burger suggested sharing the spoils if extra time failed to produce a result.

“If there are no points in the extra time, they should just share the series at two all. I mean, we can’t go to a goal kick out or whatever.”

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But De Villiers floated a controversial alternative: awarding the series to New Zealand if it finishes 2-2, given South Africa’s home advantage.

“Three games in South Africa, one in Baltimore, if it goes to 2-2, it’s almost like the victory needs to go to New Zealand because of the home ground advantage that South Africa gets,” he said.

That didn’t go down well with his former teammates.

“You are feeling very kind today,” Shimange chirped.

“Is it like retaining the Ashes then?” Burger added.

Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images

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