Big sigh of relief for Coetzee
Surprise call-up to SA squad, but Duane may carry bigger responsibility
THEIR victory over France on Saturday must have felt like a shot of morphine for the beleaguered Springboks and their coach Allister Coetzee.
In some way it would have eased the pain of the devastating defeat against Ireland and Coetzee gets to fight another day‚ if not two more weekends. He spoke of his relief after their 18-17 win. “A lot of relief‚ I’d say. I’m pleased and satisfied about the effort,” Coetzee said.
“It is also pleasing when they translate the hard work off the field onto the pitch.”
He said that they had learnt from their errant ways in Dublin the week before.
“They took the lessons. They adapted to the referee and they adapted to the conditions. And they were able to close out a tough match.”
The fact that his young team‚ which includes eight players with fewer than 15 caps‚ held out in the closing minutes speaks of their resolve.
They did that without captain Eben Etzebeth, who departed injured with about 15 minutes to go.
They were particularly resolute in defence as France threw the ball around with gay abandon.
There were not many superstars, but hooker Malcolm Marx again delivered a performance of grunt and gravitas‚ Francois Venter was incisive at inside centre and Ross Cronje almost looked himself again.
The Boks again fell short in the kicking department where Handre Pollard’s crooked aim almost cost them the match.
Coetzee did‚ however‚ declare himself satisfied with Pollard’s overall performance.
“Despite the poor goal kicking‚ sub-standard goal kicking‚ not his best at all‚ he slotted a kick that brought his confidence back‚” he said.
“With his general play I have no problem. His goal kicking didn’t affect his play.”
He conceded that it was not a position in which the Springboks had dictated in the way they should.
“Our flyhalfs are still getting to grips with what gets the territorial battle won.
“We did overplay a bit in some stages. It is a step in the right direction and I think both of them can only improve.”
The Springboks crossed the Alps yesterday in the hope of securing wins either side of the range.
The Azzurri will bring a different challenge and unlike the French, the Italians will be typically‚ tactically pragmatic.
Unfortunately, Marx injured his shoulder against France and will go for an MRI scan today to determine the severity of the injury.
Marx and Etzebeth both went for X-rays yesterday and while both were “normal”, the team doctor said, Marx’s injury warrants closer inspection.
Although he didn’t give Etzebeth the all clear to play this weekend‚ the skipper now looks likely to resume duties in the second row. Vermeulen could get skipper role for Italy – Page 15
AWEEK ago, burly Duane Vermeulen was not part of the Springboks’ plans for their tour of Europe but may end up captaining the South Africans against Italy on Saturday.
Vermeulen may get that elevated status because captain Eben Etzebeth suffered an injury that necessitated him leaving the field with quarter of an hour to go against France‚ while the next man in line for the armband‚ Siya Kolisi, is returning home for the birth of his next child.
Vermeulen‚ who was on Sunday last week summoned from Toulon as the official replacement for prop Coenie Oosthuizen‚ found himself in the Bok starting team against France on Saturday in the place of utility forward Pieter-Steph du Toit, who has suffered a concussion.
The extent of Etzebeth’s injury was not clear and the Springboks were opaque about the nature of the knock after the game.
“Lower part of the leg‚” was all coach Allister Coetzee said to shed light on the matter, before confirming that Etzebeth would have to undergo a scan.
The lock grimaced when seated next to the coach during the post-match media conference.
Etzebeth sustained the injury when he was tackled in the buildup to Jesse Kriel’s try that helped South Africa overcome France 18-17.
Vermeulen played down his role as stand-in captain in the closing stages of Saturday’s test‚ with Etzebeth and Kolisi both off the field. “I only deputised for Eben. He led the team well,” Vermeulen said.
“I don’t know why they said I should take the captaincy.
“There are players who are capable of doing it. We hope Eben will be ready for Italy‚” he said.
“I will definitely take the captaincy if offered to me. It will be an honour.”
Vermeulen’s return to the side drew raised eyebrows last week.
Coetzee had spoken of the complications in getting foreignbased players to blend in quickly in the Springbok setup.
Vermeulen, however, is an old hand and has been there before.
“It was good to be back and it happened a lot quicker than I thought,” the No 8 said.
“I got back into a Bok side that was under a bit of pressure. I missed the setup. It is special.”
The Springboks showed some character in holding out France in the closing stages, but Vermeulen was forthright about the performance.
“It was not pretty. It wasn’t a great win,” he said.
“We had to work hard – and it could have gone either way.
“Given what happened the weekend before, it was a good comeback. Before the game, both sides were under pressure.
“The performance against Ireland was shocking and disappointing,” Vermeulen said.
“I wasn’t part of the team meeting the Sunday after that match, but I think a few hard words fell.
“By the time I joined the team on Monday, the guys were already tuned in to what they should do. It was easy to slot in.”