By GEORGE BYRON
Relieved Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said although his team’s narrow 19-13 series clinching win over Ireland 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 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
An enthralled crowd of 42323 were kept on the edge of the 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. That showed how each and every player fits into their role and takes responsibility.
“I am pleased that the players have taken ownership and resili-ence and that is one massive step for me.”
Coetzee paid tribute to the Irish who he said had come out with all guns blazing in Port Elizabeth.
“Nobody should underestimate how badly the Irish wanted this Test series. 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.”
Coetzee praised his senior players and his newcomers for the manner 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 augers well and now I am really looking forward to the Rugby Championship to see how this young team can grow.
“We can play more together and the Irish really tested us in all departments and we have a good understanding of what Test match rugby is all about now.”
Coetzee was happy that 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. The wing 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. He 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.
Meanwhile, Springbok full-back Willie le Roux was banned for one match yesterday after being yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle in Saturday’s Test.
The next Springbok Test is against Argentina in the Rugby Championship in Nelspruit on August 20.
Boks, Bafana do SA proud
Relieved Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said although his team’s narrow 19-13 series clinching win over Ireland 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 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
An enthralled crowd of 42323 were kept on the edge of the 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. That showed how each and every player fits into their role and takes responsibility.
“I am pleased that the players have taken ownership and resili-ence and that is one massive step for me.”
Coetzee paid tribute to the Irish who he said had come out with all guns blazing in Port Elizabeth.
“Nobody should underestimate how badly the Irish wanted this Test series. 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.”
Coetzee praised his senior players and his newcomers for the manner 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 augers well and now I am really looking forward to the Rugby Championship to see how this young team can grow.
“We can play more together and the Irish really tested us in all departments and we have a good understanding of what Test match rugby is all about now.”
Coetzee was happy that 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. The wing 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. He 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.
Meanwhile, Springbok full-back Willie le Roux was banned for one match yesterday after being yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle in Saturday’s Test.
The next Springbok Test is against Argentina in the Rugby Championship in Nelspruit on August 20.
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