Steven Kitshoff, the Springbok prop, expressed his feelings of frustration, describing their recent Rugby Championship match in New Zealand as chasing elusive ghosts for the first 20 minutes. The All Blacks made an explosive start in Auckland, scoring two tries and amassing 17 points in the opening quarter, taking advantage of the error-prone Rugby World Cup champions.
Traditionally known for their set-piece prowess, South Africa struggled in the initial stages, conceding penalties, missing tackles, and losing out in the lineout, breakdown, and aerial battles. Kitshoff emphasized that the All Blacks’ attacking prowess was rooted in a solid set-piece, and the Springboks had much to learn from this experience, especially in terms of set-piece defense.
Head coach Jacques Nienaber echoed Kitshoff’s sentiments, expressing disappointment in their defensive lapses, particularly the numerous missed tackles in the early minutes of the game. He also highlighted the Springboks’ failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities, citing instances where they came close but couldn’t convert their chances against a formidable All Blacks side.
Nienaber commended Eben Etzebeth, who stood in as captain for the injured Siya Kolisi, acknowledging the difficult personal circumstances he faced, having played despite the recent passing of his father Harry after a prolonged battle with cancer. The coach also empathized with scrum half Jaden Hendrikse, who was grieving the recent loss of his father Brian but was expected to be available for World Cup selection.
Looking ahead, Nienaber stressed the importance of improvement and learning from this wake-up call before their final Championship match against Argentina.
With New Zealand holding the top spot going into the final round, the clash between the second-placed Springboks and the Pumas would determine the second spot in the Championship.
After the Championship, South Africa has a series of warm-up matches lined up, including games against Argentina in Buenos Aires, Wales in Cardiff, and New Zealand in London ahead of the World Cup. They find themselves in Pool B for the World Cup, along with Scotland, Romania, Ireland, the current top-ranked test nation, and Tonga. The section winners and runners-up would secure spots in the quarterfinals, where the reigning world champions might potentially face second-ranked France or New Zealand. The road to retaining their title promises to be challenging, but the Springboks remain determined to give their best effort in pursuit of World Cup glory.
Source: SuperSport
