Try like ‘winning lottery’

Fullback Willie le Roux does not score many tries and the one he got for the Springboks in the Rugby Championship win against the All Blacks on Saturday was like winning the lottery.

Le Roux explained after the match that he was preparing for a tackle when a throw from the normally reliable New Zealand Jordie Barrett fell kindly in his path, leaving him with the simple task of touching down after 25 minutes.

The converted try was significant in the bigger scheme of things because the Boks took a two-point lead and recovered from being 12-0 down inside 17 minutes and conceding two tries.

“It was the luck of the bounce and I ran towards the line to score a try,” he said.

“I don’t get to score many tries, but it is a nice feeling and I can say that I was lucky with the lottery there.” Later in the game, Le Roux almost became a villain as he was sent to the bin for a deliberate offside and left the Boks to play for 10 minutes from the 67th minute with a man down.

The visitors conceded a try from Ardie Savea in that period.

“When I walked out of the field, I was thinking that I had let my team down.

“But, we managed to cross the line in the end and that is what is important,” he said.

Le Roux also praised his teammates for the manner in which they managed to capitalise on attacking moments in the game, especially in the second half where substitute Cheslin Kolbe scored a try immediately after the restart.

“The All Blacks are always switched on and if you lose concentration for one second they will punish you," he said.

“The ball is bouncing and you never know where it will land and luckily it went our way.

“Everyone who was part of the travelling team, it was about putting pride back in the jersey and make people back home proud.”

His participation for the remainder of the tournament remains in doubt as he returns to his club Bath this week.

Le Roux said he was not sure whether he would be available against Australia and New Zealand in South Africa.

Later in the game, Le Roux nearly became a villain as he was sent to the bin for a deliberate offside and left the Boks to play for 10 minutes from the 67th minute with a man down