Allister: This team stepped up
JOHANNESBURG: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has hailed his team’s character and bounce-back-ability after edging France 18-17 in Paris on Saturday night.
A week earlier the Boks suffered a record – and humiliating – 38-3 defeat by Ireland in Dublin, raising fears Coetzee’s men would again tour through Europe at the end of the year and fail to pick up a win, as they did a year ago. But a fired-up Bok team, with captain Eben Etzebeth leading the way, and followed by the likes of Lood de Jager, Malcolm Marx and Francois Venter, upped the ante and helped turn the Boks’ tour around.
“It was a pleasing and satisfying effort from the players,” said Coetzee afterwards. “It’s never easy in France and they certainly came out to play. We had to defend strongly throughout, but I thought we showed unbelievable character once again and that’s a sign of something special in this team ... how prepared they are to work hard for each other.”
Coetzee explained this was not the first time this season that his players had to stand up and be counted. “We won five in a row (three against France in June and back-to-back wins against Argentina at the start of the Rugby Championship), then drew to Australia and then took nought in Albany. It was a setback, but we bounced back with a draw against the Wallabies again, and a onepoint Next up for the Springboks is a date with Italy in Padova this weekend. Jacques van der Westhuyzen picks five men he believes will strengthen the side 1. The only time Steven Kitshoff started for the Boks was when Tendai Mtawarira wasn’t available for personal reasons. It’s time Kitshoff got a start again, and Italy would be the perfect place to unleash his frustration. 2. While Lood de Jager was full of fire and aggression against France, I believe Franco Mostert should get another look-in. He’s a player who thrives in the starting role and doesn’t tire for as long as he’s on the field. 3. Italy is also the ideal opponent, not that I’m suggesting they’re easy-beats, to give Rudy Paige an opportunity at scrumhalf. Ross Cronje was better against France, but Paige brings a zesty vibrancy to the No 9 jersey. 4. Jesse Kriel’s time is up, for now. He has been given enough chances to stamp his authority on the No 13 jersey, but has failed to fire. His weak defence was exposed by France, so why not bring in Lukhanyo Am, please. 5. This is also a wonderful opportunity to hand Warrick Gelant a debut. He’s the only out-and-out man with X-factor in the team, and a player with real vision, so Bok coach Allister Coetzee must bring him in at fullback or on the wing. loss at Newlands,” he said. “Now, Ireland gave us a drubbing and again we were under huge pressure, but we bounced back. It says a lot about the team’s character and them accepting accountability.
“It’s easy when things go well and are working, but it’s when things aren’t working and you’re under pressure when the blame game starts ... but this team stepped up and took responsibility.”
It was a nervy performance by both teams, with plenty of errors, but the Boks certainly created more opportunities and looked the better team. However, that does not mean they were clinical or reached
a level to suggest they have actually turned the corner on tour. While the pack looked menacing and put in a powerful performance, the backs still looked far from a threatening unit, and flyhalf Handre Pollard’s goal-kicking woes – he missed four kicks – nearly cost the Boks dearly.
“This team does not have a lot of experience,” said Coetzee. “Eight players have less than 15 Test caps, this is their first experience of rugby in the northern hemisphere, the conditions, the different mindset. But the players all learnt from the Irish game and bought into the plan for this week ... and they translated what they learned on the training field to the match.
“We had two draws this year, lost at Newlands by a point ... but what is pleasing about this result is that they closed it out, they finished the job.”
With regards to the newlook loose-trio combination, which included the seasoned Duane Vermeulen for the first time since June last year, Coetzee said: “We’ve got a philosophy in the team that the number on the backs mean nothing. They’re all talented players, who can play towards the ball and carry it ... and in Duane we have a lineout option, too.
“I’m really pleased with the combination. Dan du Preez was also used for his stopping power, so we’ve got talented loosies. Pieter-Steph (du Toit) is also back next week so that leaves me with a big headache.”
And while Coetzee, like the rest of South Africa, will be concerned with Pollard’s woeful kicking display, he was generally happy with his No 10’s overall game.
“Handre has been training with us for a long time, but he’s had little game time. His kicking at goal was not his best, but he slotted a kick at right time (in the 58th minute to put the Boks 11-10 up) and his confidence came back,” Coetzee said.
Meanwhile, Etzebeth is nursing a leg injury following the Paris clash and will be assessed today, while Siya Kolisi is returning home for personal reasons and won’t be available this week, meaning Vermeulen may well end up leading the Boks against Italy. Also Marx, Man of the Match on Saturday, hurt is shoulder and will undergo an MRI scan today to determine the severity of the injury.