Boks need to up their game after losing streak

THE Springboks may have tasted a second defeat in a row in their first two Test matches of the end-of-the-year tour but the fans who watched South Africa go down 30-26 will know the boys have not lost pride.

It was always going to be a tough task against a French team playing in front of 80 000 fervent supporters in Marseille but Siya Kolisi’s men showed that the fighting spirit that carried them to the world championship in Japan in 2019 is still there.

Defeats aside, it was unquestionable why South Africa are world champions and they would have taken some confidence in that show against a world class and in-form team like France.

The Webb Ellis trophy holders will in 10 months play two group games, against Scotland and Tonga, at the same Stade Velodrome and they now have a feel of what it’s like to be expected to deliver there.

Before the France defeat they spent the week in Toulon, 70km up the Mediterranean coast, where they will be based during the tournament. That’s a very good experience under their belt as preparations for their World Cup defence next year in France begin.

The defeats to Ireland and France will always negatively affect their record and that doesn’t bode well for their confidence in the long term.

Starting with Italy this coming weekend and, more importantly, against England the following week the Boks must prove they have what it takes to stage a successful defence of the title they won in Japan.

The game in southern France was just Willemse’s fourth Test start in the No 10 jersey, having mainly featured at full-back for his country.

“It’s good to get the experience. The coaches have been backing me which helps a lot,” Willemse said.

“This result, and last week’s result, don't define this group.

“We’re heading in the right direction, we’re just not getting the right results at the moment,” he added.

Next Saturday, Willemse's side heads to Genoa to face Italy, who beat Australia hours before the Boks’ loss to France, ahead of ending their year with a game against England on November 26.

“It’s going to be a tough contest. For now we need to regroup, look at the footage on Monday, and recover well,” Stormers’ Willemse said

“In World Rugby now, it’s really tight. Any team can beat any team.

“We're going to prepare as best as we can for next week’s Test,” he said.