Coetzee praises forwards for laying solid foundation
SPRINGBOK coach Allister Coetzee has praised his team’s clinical 35-6 destruction of Italy in wet and slippery conditions in Padua.
South Africa ran in five tries on Saturday to achieve their biggest win in Italy since 1997.
Coetzee was particularly delighted with the forwards, who scored four tries, sealing a second straight win after beating France 18-17 in Paris the previous weekend.
“I think it was a very clinical effort by especially our pack of forwards, who laid the foundation for a pleasing performance,” he said.
At the time of Italy’s first ever victory over South Africa in Florence in November last year it had looked that Coetzee would not see out the year as coach, but he has rebuilt a squad that on Saturday had just five players from that ignominious day.
“You have to work very hard up here in the northern hemisphere and be able to adjust your game, which I thought we did very well,” the 54-year-old coach, who has won just 11 of 23 tests since taking the helm last year, said.
“Our set piece was excellent and although the conditions were not good for our backs, they contributed with a very good defensive effort to help keep our opponents scoreless.
“Our composure was good throughout the match, and I have to praise the team’s leadership, who were yet again outstanding. We had a plan and they ensured we stuck to it.”
Francois Louw scored the first try after 13 minutes, and he was followed by Bongi Mbonambi, Francois Venter, Steven Kitshoff and Franco Mostert, who all scored their first test tries.
The Springboks, who lost the opening test of their European tour to Ireland 38-3, travelled to Cardiff yesterday, where they will prepare for their final tour match against Wales.
Springbok loosehead prop Tendai Mtawarira could miss that clash this coming weekend.
The Sharks’ Thomas du Toit has been called up as cover in the event of the 98-test capped Mtawarira failing to regain fitness in time.
Mtawarira was helped off the field in the first half against Italy.
“I’m not too positive about it,” Coetzee said about his most experienced player’s injury. “It’s his quad‚ close to the groin area.”
Adding to Coetzee’s personnel problems, No 8 Duane Vermeulen‚ flank Louw‚ lock Mostert and flyhalf Elton Jantjies will miss the game against Wales, as it falls outside the international window, and are returning to their northern hemispherebased clubs. – AFP, additional reporting by Liam del Carme