Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe scores a try against Ireland after chasing a Handre Pollard penalty kick. FILE - Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe scores a try against Ireland after chasing a Handre Pollard penalty kick.
Image: Marco Longari / AFP
The Springboks scored an amazing 57 tries as they dominated the rugby landscape in 2024.
IOL Sport's John Goliath picks five of his personal favourite tries during a year when the Boks only lost two out of their 13 Test matches, won the Rugby Championship and went through their November tour unbeaten.
Edwill van der Mewe (vs Wales at Twickenham)
Lions speedster Edwill van der Merwe enjoyed a bright afternoon in the Twickenham sunshine in June, as he dazzled on debut for the Springboks against Wales. One of the highlights of his performance was a superb double tackle on the Boks' line in the first half, which saved a certain try. But his performance will mostly be remembered for his incredible stepping, as he danced past the Welsh defenders close to ruck before out-sprinting the opposition to score his first Bok try.
Cheslin Kolbe (vs Ireland at Loftus Versfeld)
After scoring this try, mercurial Springboks wing Cheslin Kolbe was named the "patron rugby saint of lost causes" by the rugby-loving pundits. Just like his charge down in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, when Kolbe sprinted to prevent France's Thomas Ramos from kicking a conversion, Kolbe chased hard after a Handre Pollard kick penalty to touch against the Irish. He pounced on a loose ball after Ireland's James Lowe kept the ball in play, before kicking it ahead and scoring.
Siya Kolisi (vs Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium)
A standout feature of the Springboks' year was their innovation and willingness to try new things. And they hauled out this gem of a lineout move against the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship in Brisbane. Flank Ben-Jason Dixon won the ball at the back of the lineout, but threw the ball back from to where it came from. Eben Etzebeth then jumped to catch the ball at the front of the lineout before the Boks started a maul. Captain Siya Kolisi then dives over to score.
Aphelele Fassi (vs Wallabies in Perth)
Aphelele Fassi's second coming in the Springboks jersey was quite spectacular in 2024. He scored many tries this year, but this one against the Wallabies in Perth is a five-pointer that stood out for many. The Wallabies lost the ball in contact on the Springboks 22, before prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels scooped it up and moved it wide to Lukhanyo Am. Am then fed Jesse Kriel, who released Makazole Mapimpi. Mapimpi then kicked the ball ahead for Fassi, who out-sprinted the Aussie's cover defence to score.
Cheslin Kolbe (vs England at Twickenham)
This try featured two great moments of individual brilliance. The first came from inside centre Damian de Allende's unbelievable break, when he fought through two defenders before sending out a no-look pass to Kolbe. Kolbe, though, still had some work to do to score. But he stepped his defender brilliantly, before racing down the touchline to cross the whitewash.
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