Boks pass Irish test
Some areas to work on but job done, Coetzee says
RELIEVED Springbok coach Allister Coetzee says although his team’s narrow 19-13 series-clinching win over Ireland at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday had not been pretty, it was the final result that mattered.
The game was in the balance right up until the final hooter, as the Irish attacked the Bok tryline, in a bid to snatch a last-minute win.
But it was only a magnificent tackle by the impressive scrumhalf, Faf de Klerk, that stopped what appeared to be a certain Irish try at the end.
An enthralled crowd of 42 323 were kept on the edge of their seats, as the Boks were forced to build a brick-wall defence to keep the Irish at bay.
“It was not pretty rugby, but it was proper test match rugby. We were able to fight in the trenches and still pull off a win. That is what matters,” Coetzee said.
“We have still got a couple of things to work on, but I am happy in the sense that we have won the series and the young players have got their test caps – and deservedly so.
“Players like Jaco Kriel made a massive impact when he came on and prop Steven Kitshoff was immense.
“There was also Bongi Mbonambi when we needed him to make consecutive tackles in the last couple of minutes.
“I am pleased that the players have taken ownership and shown resilience, and that is one massive step for me.
“I am really pleased with this series win,” the coach said.
Coetzee paid tribute to the Irish who he said had come out with all guns blazing in Port Elizabeth.
“They are a quality side and they really came for us in Port Elizabeth.
“They let it slip at Ellis Park but here at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, they were up for it, to keep us in a bit of a dogfight and we responded well. It was immense for us to win the series.”
Coetzee praised his senior players – and his newcomers – for the manner in which they had gone about their business in the series-decider.
“I am pleased that the senior players stepped up and Faf de Klerk was outstanding in only his third test match.
“It augurs well, and now I am really looking forward to the Rugby Championship to see how this young team can grow,” he said.
Coetzee was happy that certain senior players, who had been under pressure to perform, had delivered the goods in Port Elizabeth.
Players like Frans Malherbe, Francois Louw and JP Pietersen had been under the spotlight, but they all played their part in the victory, with Pietersen lifting the man-of-the-match award.
Pietersen scored the Boks’ only try, when he latched on to a pinpoint cross kick from Elton Jantjies to score at the end of the first half.
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt congratulated the Boks, but was disappointed that his team were not better-rewarded for their massive effort.
Schmidt said a turning point was the injury to fullback Tiernan O’Halloran that resulted in Willie le Roux being yellow-carded.
“Keith Earls hasn’t played much of his recent rugby at fullback and it did affect our backline balance when it became clear that Tiernan wasn’t going to be able to play out the full game,” Schmidt said.
Le Roux was banned for one match yesterday, preventing him from playing for the Sharks against the Lions on Saturday.
Scorers:
South Africa 19: Try: JP Pietersen. Conversion: Elton Jantjies. Penalties: Elton Jantjies (3)‚ Ruan Combrinck. Ireland 13: Try: Luke Marshall. Conversion: Paddy Jackson. Penalties: Paddy Jackson (2). ý