Huge satisfaction in beating old enemy twice
It turned out to be one of those weekends where South African rugby flickered and flared but at the same time showed there is still some of the old iron in the soul which has traditionally been the benchmark of the game in this country.
Leading the way were new Bok skipper Siya Kolisi and his revamped team at Ellis Park in the first of three Tests against England. But for two heart-rending periods of the game it looked as if all the gremlins of the last management structure had come back to haunt new coach Rassie Erasmus.
The Former Free State Hooker had a look of almost startled dis- belief as the Springboks somehow contrived to shake off a start that could hardly have typified as anything but short of disastrous.
“When England hit us right in the underbelly with three rapid-fire tries just on the 17-minute mark, I thought ‘Here we go again.’ I seriously didn’t think the Boks would come back from 24-3 down with a quarter of an hour on the clock. We seem to have lost that ability.” In truth, the Free State Hooker was not alone in his summation of the three-try blitzkrieg.
“But,” the Free State Hooker continued, “they reckoned without two factors; a team that bounced back under their captain, a super individual try from Faf de Klerk – who has really grown up as a scrumhalf during his time at Sale Sharks in the UK – and two equally fine scores by S’bu Nkosi in registering a debut double.
“Amazingly – although I’m sure the altitude had something to do with it – the Boks fed off what looked like a new spirit of pride in the jersey to hold a slender 29- 27 lead at the break – one that one would have not given them a chance of earlier in the game.
“But the English were not finished yet even with the yellow card for Mako Vunipola for a late hit on De Klerk at a critical moment in the second half that allowed the Springboks to break clear with a try by Aphiwe Dyantyi which followed Willie du Plessis crossing the line. The visitors managed late tries by Maro Itoje and Jonny May that made it a lot closer than it should have been.
“Yes, I know it is a young team – though the inclusion of De Klerk, Du Plessis and Duane Vermeulen, who had a huge game, helped this a huge amount – and they can only get better. But the Boks have to make sure they play a full 80 minutes in every Test from now.”
Then the Free State Hooker let go and smiled. “I’ll also tell you something for nothing about a South African side, who don’t have to put in 80 minutes of effort. I’m expecting something special from the Blitzboks in Paris. Those boys can really play.”
He was proved right as the SA Seven side won the final, in some ways far more unexpected than Rafa Nadal winning an unprecedented 11th French Open title at Roland Garros, to retain their Seven Series crown.
And by far the most satisfying aspect was beating England 24-14.