Springbok head coach Peter de Villiers says he is delighted to have appointed Percy Montgomery to his coaching staff ahead of next month’s Test series against the Lions.
Montgomery was named as a specialist kicking coach earlier this week and de Villiers feels the appointment will be of huge benefit to the world champions as they look to avenge their series defeat to the Lions 12 years ago.
“I am very excited by the prospect of welcoming Percy Montgomery on board as our kicking consultant,” said de Villiers after the Boks’ record appearance maker and points scorer officially joined his coaching staff.
”Monty last week agreed to join the management team and I am certain that he will add great value to what we want to achieve.”
Montgomery scored 893 points for his country over an 11-year international career that began against the Lions the last time Ian McGeechan and co toured South Africa.
Goal kicking proved a major factor in that famous series back in ’97 as the Boks missed numerous penalty and conversion attempts in the first and second Tests, while Neil Jenkins kicked almost everything in sight for the tourists.
With the 2009 Lions Test series now just over a month away, de Villiers believes his new addition will ensure the Boks do not suffer the same fate this time around.
“What better way to improve your squad’s overall kicking abilities than by employing one of the most experienced and accurate kickers the game has ever seen.
Percy’s goal-kicking success rate is a thing of envy and his out-of-hand kicking is world class. He is also technically and tactically astute.
”His involvement will be well accepted by the squad and I am excited about this development.”
