Coetzee stands firm as a Parkes debut double stuns ‘Boks
SPRINGBOKS head coach Allister Coetzee was in defiant mood when asked about his future as South Africa ended their European tour with defeat against Wales after starting it with a 38-3 thumping at Ireland’s hands in Dublin.
Wales looked to be cruising to victory as they raced into a 21-3 first-half lead, thanks largely to debutant Hadleigh Parkes’ double, but were then left staring at a demoralising defeat as South Africa staged an impressive fightback.
The Springboks led 22-21 with less than 15 minutes on the clock but Leigh Halfpenny’s penalty sealed a hard-fought win for Warren Gatland’s men, who had beaten Georgia but lost to Australia and New Zealand in their previous three autumn internationals.
‘I am signed for 2019 – that is what my contract says,’ said Coetzee, whose side beat France and Italy in their other games. ‘The team has really grown and there has been a lot of improvement. The players are hurting at the moment because they feel they let themselves down, and you can only feel like that if you have a good team environment.
‘What needs to change? We obviously need to cut out individual errors, which is one massive thing, but this team has grown. We have got to give players opportunities to grow and develop. You cannot expect to build Rome in one day. Last year was a fiasco, definitely, so we started from scratch this year.
‘The players are much better conditioned than last year, so there is already progress, and I am positive about that. They (Wales) got off to a flyer – 14 points in the first 10 minutes – and I am proud of the team in the way they came back.
‘We changed our plan in the second-half and clawed back and played really well. We won that half 12-3, and it showed the character in the side.’
Parkes said he felt humbled and honoured after scoring two tries in a ‘dream’ debut. The New Zealand-born centre made an immediate impact just hours after completing his three-year qualification period to become eligible to play for his adopted country. The 30-year-old former sheep farmer was named man of the match.
‘It’s been amazing, a dream come true. I never thought this day would come and I’m just extremely humbled by the opportunity,’ Parkes said. ‘It’s a huge privilege and an honour to come out here and play in front of a fantastic stadium and a fantastic crowd. It’s a lovely country. You dream of these kinds of days, so very happy.’
Halfpenny’s penalty saved the day and leaves Wales to reflect on an autumn series that realised losses to Australia and New Zealand, plus an ugly 13-6 victory against unfancied Georgia and the win against South Africa that raised more questions than it delivered answers.
Even though Wales’ list of absentees ran into double figures, South Africa were there for the taking and Parkes became the first Wales player since George North seven years ago to score twice on debut.
Wales settled impressively and took a fifth-minute lead when flyhalf Dan Biggar’s superbly-placed kick was caught at full speed by wing Hallam Amos, who cut inside before a delivering a scoring pass to Scott Williams.
Halfpenny converted, and Biggar struck again with another teasing kick over the top that Parkes collected for a debut Test try. Halfpenny’s second conversion made it 14-0 after just 10 minutes.
Handre Pollard opened South Africa’s account with a penalty nine minutes before half-time, before full-back Andries Coetzee saw an attempted clearance kick charged down by Biggar before Taulupe Faletau gathered and sent Parkes over unopposed for another touchdown.
Halfpenny’s conversion took Wales 18 points clear, only for South Africa to keep their slender hopes alive when wing Dillyn Leyds ran from inside his own 22, and a flowing move ended with Warrick Gelant marking his first Test start by winning a race to score. Pollard’s extras made it 2110 at the break.
Springboks’ injured skipper Eben Etzebeth failed to appear for the second period, but a 46thminute Pollard try gave Wales cause for concern and the visitors went ahead for the first time nine minutes later as Jesse Kriel rounded off a crisp move to claim a try that Pollard converted.
Halfpenny’s penalty and good defensive work sealed a hardfought win.