It’s taken just two performances for Marnitz Boshoff to be hailed the new hero of Lions rugby.
It’s been years since a Lions player has made such an impact on the game in South Africa; the flyhalf leading his team to two victories in their return to Super Rugby.
Boshoff’s scintillating performances against the Cheetahs and Stormers have rocked the rugby fraternity and in many quarters there is now genuine hope the Lions are going to do something special in this year’s southern hemisphere interprovincial competition.
After two rounds, the inexperienced team of Johan Ackermann have picked up two unlikely wins – against a Cheetahs team, away from home and who went all the way to the play-offs last year, and the Stormers, a side full of Springboks and without question South Africa’s most consistently performing team in recent years.
While the wins this last Saturday and the previous week in Bloemfontein were down to team effort, one can’t help but single out the contribution made by 25-year-old Boshoff. In the two games. He has nailed every kick he’s taken at goal – six penalties, a conversion and drop-goal against the Cheetahs and six penalties, a conversion and three drop-goals against the Stormers. He hasn’t missed a place-kick, totalling 52 points in two games.
“The forwards have made it easy for me; they laid the platform,” said Boshoff about his three drop-goals that helped sink the Stormers on Saturday. Asked if he’d gone into the game planning to have a crack from anywhere on the field, he said, “No ... but if there’s nothing on, I’ll go for it. It’s either that or trying to put the ball into touch.”
Ackermann explains it’s up to his flyhalf to make the call. “Bossie knows we like to play a running game, but I trust him to make the right decision.” - The Star