No excuses after Bok defeat
We will have to step up against England, says coach Erasmus
SA RUGBY’S director of rugby Rassie Erasmus offered no excuses for the Springboks’ narrow 22-20 loss against Wales in difficult conditions in Washington DC on Saturday evening. Wales scored their third and decisive try right at the end of the test when reserve hooker Ryan Elias dotted down after a clearance kick by Robert du Preez was charged down.
Earlier, the Springboks fought their way back from a half-time deficit of 14-3 to lead 20-17, thanks to second-half tries by both debutant wings, Makazole Mapimpi and Travis Ismaiel, and penalty goals by Elton Jantjies and Du Preez.
“We knew there would be risks involved by coming over only later in the week, but we’re not making any excuses – the Welsh showed more determination in the end to clinch the game,” Erasmus said.
“All their tries were scored as a result of kicking – a charged-down kick and box kicks we failed to control – and we committed some defensive errors.
“We had our chances to score, and overall I think it was the pressure which they were able to put on us at the end that won it for them.
“The one positive for me is that there were quite a few new players who got caps today and now know what it’s like to play against a quality team like the Welsh, but it’s still a test that we lost, and that hurt.
“It’s never nice when you play your first test and you lose, and we didn’t want that result, but we wanted to get all of the uncapped players on the field and start building towards the future.
“However, we still lost and that almost nullified the fact that we capped a lot of new players.”
Looking forward to the threematch incoming series against England, which starts in Johannesburg on Saturday, Erasmus said: “We will have to step up against England.
“We know the pressure will be on us to win, just as they would also be under pressure to be successful following their recent results.”
Wales coach Warren Gatland said his young players had shown Welsh rugby had a bright future.
Gatland had hit back in the buildup to kickoff, declaring critics bitter and twisted and then saw his players deliver on the pitch.
“Who would want to be a coach?” Gatland said.
“The end was dramatic and maybe our game management could have been better, but I thought we played well in the first half.
“The young guys will take a lot from this and there will be a lot of learning from them moving forwards.
“Captain Ellis Jenkins was outstanding and so was Tomos Williams.”
Scorers: Wales: Tries: Amos, Williams, Elias; Conversions: Anscombe (2); Penalty: Anscombe Springboks: Tries: Ismaiel, Mapimpi; Conversions: Jantjies (2); Penalty: Jantjies – Saru, AFP