The Boks may have levelled the series against Ireland with their 31-26 victory against Ireland at Ellis Park on Saturday night‚ but coach Allister Coetzee will have some tough decisions to make going into the series decider at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium next week.
It looked like the home side was headed for an embarrassing second consecutive defeat‚ and series defeat in the three-match incoming tour against the Irish.
However‚ it was the bench‚ instead‚ of the preferred starters that saved Coetzee and Co a few blushes.
On any other occasion it would not be much of a fuss for a team to come from behind to keep their hopes of a home series win alive‚ but it is the manner in which Coetzee’s charges‚ particularly his more trusted senior players‚ almost fell on their sword.
The lacklustre display should surely leave the Bok coach pondering his team selection going forward.
In the build-up to the Ellis Park battle‚ Coetzee himself indicated that he was giving second‚ and possibly‚ last chances to individuals whose below par performances a week ago in Cape Town contributed to the defeat in the first test.
Most of the players who were expected to lift their game and lead from the front were nowhere to be seen. And when they were‚ they contributed largely to the errors which could have cost the team the series.
Instead‚ it was the charges who came off the bench that ignited the spark that led to the Boks levelling the series ahead of the decider in Port Elizabeth next week.
There was an air of confidence in the Irish camp in the build up to their first test against the Boks at Ellis Park.
The visitors carried that confidence into the game as they put on the early pressure.
It was‚ however‚ more of the Boks’ lack of direction‚ dedication and delivery of whatever game plan they had come into the game with that gave the Irish the early upper hand.
Despite the home side getting in the first punch with a penalty from flyhalf Elton Jantjies as early as the fourth minute‚ that was the only blow the Boks would inflict on the Irish in the first 40 minutes.
The visitors stamped their authority en route to a half time 3-19 lead through the boot of pivot Paddy Jackson and a try by giant lock Devin Toner.
Coetzee had no option but to have some harsh words for his charges at the break if he wanted to see any change in their poor performance. He too needed to make calls that would not sit well with his players who gave under-par displays in the opening 40 minutes.
Lwazi Mvovo was one of the culprits after he failed to withstand the aerial bombardment from the Irish. The winger fumbled his takes too often.
Then there was the experienced Duane Vermeulen‚ who has failed to fire in both of the first two tests.
The Bok coach made a call not to give the duo any further action in the second half.
When the team returned it was Lions duo Warren Whiteley‚ who came on as No8‚ and winger Ruan Combrick who played the remaining 40 minutes of the game.
Fullback Willie le Roux‚ who has for the past two weeks been one of the Boks’ weakest links on both attack and defence‚ was lucky not to be among the players called off the field.
The changes paid dividends as both Combrick and Whiteley spearheaded the Boks fight back with two back-to-back tries.
The changes‚ and whatever Coetzee said at the break shook the Bok side as they came from behind to claim the late victory.
In contrast to the boos the home side received when they left the field at half-time‚ the stadium was on their feet and in full voice as Damian de Allende crossed over for the winning try four minutes from the final whistle.
There was an even louder roar when Janjties slotted in a penalty on the whistle to put in the last nail in the Irish coffin.
There will be all to play for in Port Elizabeth next week‚ with the winner of the next game taking the bragging rights and the series.
Springboks (3) 32
Ireland (19) 26 — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
Boks level series against the Irish but Coetzee still has many questions to answer
It looked like the home side was headed for an embarrassing second consecutive defeat‚ and series defeat in the three-match incoming tour against the Irish.
However‚ it was the bench‚ instead‚ of the preferred starters that saved Coetzee and Co a few blushes.
On any other occasion it would not be much of a fuss for a team to come from behind to keep their hopes of a home series win alive‚ but it is the manner in which Coetzee’s charges‚ particularly his more trusted senior players‚ almost fell on their sword.
The lacklustre display should surely leave the Bok coach pondering his team selection going forward.
In the build-up to the Ellis Park battle‚ Coetzee himself indicated that he was giving second‚ and possibly‚ last chances to individuals whose below par performances a week ago in Cape Town contributed to the defeat in the first test.
Most of the players who were expected to lift their game and lead from the front were nowhere to be seen. And when they were‚ they contributed largely to the errors which could have cost the team the series.
Instead‚ it was the charges who came off the bench that ignited the spark that led to the Boks levelling the series ahead of the decider in Port Elizabeth next week.
There was an air of confidence in the Irish camp in the build up to their first test against the Boks at Ellis Park.
The visitors carried that confidence into the game as they put on the early pressure.
It was‚ however‚ more of the Boks’ lack of direction‚ dedication and delivery of whatever game plan they had come into the game with that gave the Irish the early upper hand.
Despite the home side getting in the first punch with a penalty from flyhalf Elton Jantjies as early as the fourth minute‚ that was the only blow the Boks would inflict on the Irish in the first 40 minutes.
The visitors stamped their authority en route to a half time 3-19 lead through the boot of pivot Paddy Jackson and a try by giant lock Devin Toner.
Coetzee had no option but to have some harsh words for his charges at the break if he wanted to see any change in their poor performance. He too needed to make calls that would not sit well with his players who gave under-par displays in the opening 40 minutes.
Lwazi Mvovo was one of the culprits after he failed to withstand the aerial bombardment from the Irish. The winger fumbled his takes too often.
Then there was the experienced Duane Vermeulen‚ who has failed to fire in both of the first two tests.
The Bok coach made a call not to give the duo any further action in the second half.
When the team returned it was Lions duo Warren Whiteley‚ who came on as No8‚ and winger Ruan Combrick who played the remaining 40 minutes of the game.
Fullback Willie le Roux‚ who has for the past two weeks been one of the Boks’ weakest links on both attack and defence‚ was lucky not to be among the players called off the field.
The changes paid dividends as both Combrick and Whiteley spearheaded the Boks fight back with two back-to-back tries.
The changes‚ and whatever Coetzee said at the break shook the Bok side as they came from behind to claim the late victory.
In contrast to the boos the home side received when they left the field at half-time‚ the stadium was on their feet and in full voice as Damian de Allende crossed over for the winning try four minutes from the final whistle.
There was an even louder roar when Janjties slotted in a penalty on the whistle to put in the last nail in the Irish coffin.
There will be all to play for in Port Elizabeth next week‚ with the winner of the next game taking the bragging rights and the series.
Springboks (3) 32
Ireland (19) 26 — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
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