South African kicking coach Vlok Cilliers is using his expertise to turn France into RWC 2023 favourites.
France have added several layers to their game since coach Fabien Galthié came to power in 2020. The appointment of former Bulls and Stormers kicking coach Vlok Cilliers has transformed rugby’s great entertainers into a more complete attacking unit that can win consistently and challenge for major titles.
While scrumhalf Antoine Dupont showcased his running threat, more should be made about the fact that France completed the second-most kicks overall — after Italy flyhalf Paolo Garbisi. Cilliers was capped by the Springboks and the SA Sevens side in the 1990s, and went on to become the country’s first specialist kicking coach with the Bulls in 2004.
More than 20 years later, Galthié and Cilliers reunited, first at French club Toulon, and then at Test level. “Each coach brings something different to the table,” he adds. “Defence coach Shaun Edwards has his own way of doing things. I also have my flavour. But we are committed to working towards one solution… Fabien is the frontrunner in that respect; he always makes sure the message is clear.”that he felt like a kid in a toy store.
Kurt Coleman watched by Vlok Cilliers during the DHL Stormers training session and press conference at DHL Newlands Stadium on 26 February 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa. France in their current guise bear a striking resemblance to the Boks — a team with a world-class set piece, defence and kicking game. When asked if France have overtaken the Boks in the latter discipline, Cilliers suggests that Les Bleus are still a work in progress.
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