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Erasmus: ‘Springboks lucky to escape with draw

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    Posted: 29-Jul-2019 at 8:12am

Rassie Erasmus, the national director of rugby, attributed the Springboks’ nail-biting 16-16 draw against the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday evening (NZ time) to a heavy stroke of luck.

 

Replacement scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies scored the match-saving try on fulltime, which Handré Pollard converted, to tie the game at 16-16 after the All Blacks had managed to break the Springboks’ tight defensive grip in the second half.

 

“To play the No 1 team in the world and be lucky at the end there, it was almost like last year,” Erasmus said after the second round Castle Lager Rugby Championship match.

 

“Right at the end we could have lost it and we managed to draw the game, and Handré could have missed that last kick so we could have lost that game.

 

“To come away with a draw, I guess we’re satisfied with that. The first 35 minutes we played very well while they totally dominated the second half. So fairly lucky, in a big way,” said Erasmus.

 

The Springboks started impressively, especially in defence, and were unlucky to go into the halftime break 7-6 behind after they had dominated territory and possession.

 

A turnover in midfield, just inside the All Black half, opened up an opportunity for fullback Beauden Barrett to outflank the Springbok defence and turn a pass back  infield for centre Jack Goodhue to sprint in from 20 metres.

 

Barrett, who had earlier missed a penalty from the same position, nailed the conversion to give the All Blacks an unlikely, 7-6 lead.

 

There were however positives to take from another massively tough tussle with the arch rivals, according to Erasmus.

 

“We certainly take a lot of positives out of this because they are the world's No 1 team, they're the benchmark and we all strive to be where they are.”

 

The Bok mentor was frustrated that his team did not collect more reward for their early efforts, when they were clearly dominant.

 

“I was frustrated in a sense that we dominated a lot of things except lineouts. All the other facets we dominated. Especially when they were almost under caution from the referee for repeated infringing and we missed the penalty when we could have gone nine points up, then they scored that turnover try and that swung the momentum,.

 

“Lucky to escape, but the first 40 minutes we played really good tactical rugby."

 

The Springboks now travel to Auckland for a week-long training camp before their third and final Castle Lager Rugby Championship match against Argentina in two weeks’ time in Salta.

 

Apart from scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who did failed his HIA assessment, and was replaced by Jantjies in the second half, there were no notable injuries on the Springbok side.

 

Scorers:

 

New Zealand 16 (7) – Try: Jack Goodhue. Conversion: Beauden Barrett. Penalties: Barrrett, Richie Mo’unga (2).

 

South Africa 16 (6) – Try: Herschel Jantjies. Conversion: Handré Pollard Penalties: Pollard (3)

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Niela Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-Jul-2019 at 8:57am
One must surely be happy with a draw here.

the first 35 min, we dominated, but didn't really look like we could score a try. Line outs were a major issue and stopped our momentum. 

Overall we didn't look as hungry as we were last year or even at loftus, we were definitely "lucky" to draw here. 

some learning:
- Trevor Nyakane has come a long way and its time for him to start
- Kwagga passed the "To small for international rugby" test.
- We need Elton on the bench, We looked flat footed in the 2nd half , when the game opens up, Pollard isn't as effective. Where Elton is the exact opposite , he doesn't do well in the tight exchanges , but can create when the game is open. He was great vs NZ last year in the last 30 min and on the end of year tour as well.
- We should drop DDA , play Steyn at 12 , then finish the game with Elton at 10 and Pollard at 12.






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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Transvaal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-Jul-2019 at 9:00am
Niks oor Duane nie? LOL!
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Niela Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-Jul-2019 at 9:21am
Duane was average on the day. 

@Transvaal, who should be our 8 ?? 

I prefer WW, but he is to injury prone and didn't play much, in his absence Duane is the only logical player. 

Francois Louw will be my backup 8. But in a trio of Kolisi , PSDT and DV, you can have Kwagga on the bench. With Louw in the squad as cover on 8. 





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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Leeubok Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-Jul-2019 at 9:29am
There are a number of positions where we are really do not have anyone putting their hands up: 8, 12, 13, 15. 

Duane probably is the only logical choice with WW out. It always annoys me when a player was injured all year and then gets picked on reputation, so unfortunately I have to say that WW AT THE MOMENT doesn't deserve to be in the squad. But if Rassie can pick Lood after playing just 1 CC game then the same should apply to WW. Give him a chance against the Argies to show he still has it. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Transvaal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-Jul-2019 at 9:36am
I would also not play Warren, it wouldn't be fair, but any of the loosies in the current squad would be better than Duane, he just didn't offer anything on Saturday, and the Argentina pack is also tough so it's going to be the same if he plays in 2 weeks time. He only shines against weak opposition
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