Beaten, but Boks ‘making progress’

After ending their season on a disappointing note against Wales in Cardiff at the weekend, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi (below) said the national team had learned some valuable lessons this year.

Kolisi captained the side in 13 of their 14 Tests in the 2018 campaign and missed only the first Test of the year against Wales in Washington, and he felt they had every reason to be optimistic ahead of the World Cup in Japan next year.

“We are making progress and although we are nowhere near where we want to be, we are heading in the right direction,” Kolisi said.

“However, we have to become more consistent because you cannot win two or three matches and then lose the next few. You have to pitch up for every Test and that’s what we will have to strive for in the future.”

The Boks were set to play only four Tests before the World Cup, but a possible fifth match against hosts Japan was in the pipeline just before the tournament kicks off.

Due to the global showpiece, there would be no June Tests, and in the Rugby Championship the South Africans would face Argentina twice but New Zealand and Australia only once each.

According to Kolisi, it was tough to look for positives after their defeat to an in-form Wales outfit, but he was pleased with the overall growth of the team.

“All of us knew that this was going to be our most difficult match of the tour and they made it tough for us,” the skipper said.

“They were smart each time we got into their half and we let ourselves down with ill-discipline by giving away penalties, which allowed them to exit from their half.

“All credit to Wales because they had a great plan and it worked out well for them.”