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A day when the fine margins went against Boks

rugby13 July 2024 19:00
By:Gavin Rich
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Siya Kolisi © Gallo Images

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was disappointed because he felt his team had thrown it away but coach Rassie Erasmus was in a philosophical mood after for once a one point margin went against the South Africans and not for them.

Lest it be forgotten in the emotion of the moment, the last-gasp drop-goal from Ireland’s replacement fullback Ciaran Frawley did not win the two-game series at a packed Hollywoodbets Kings Park.

With the Boks winning 27-20 in Pretoria last week, the 25-24 win to Ireland meant the series was drawn, and Erasmus said that neither team would be feeling too happy.

“We would love to have beaten them 2-0 but now it is a drawn series, which is consistent with the games between these two teams over the last few years. There always seems to be two or three points in it and it is always tight when we play them there (in Ireland) too,” said Erasmus.

“Ireland were definitely in the mood of a team that was playing its last game of the season and has a five-week break to look forward to after this. They came out firing and really started well, and it was a well executed drop-goal that won it for them. We fought well but it just wasn’t enough.

“We wanted to win the series 2-0 so we are disappointed that we didn’t get that result. But then so would they have been aiming for a 2-0 win, so neither side will be happy.”

FARRELL KEEN TO DRINK WITH BOKS AFTER 'IMMENSE BATTLES'

It is indeed a huge pity after two closely fought test matches between the top two teams will not have a decider next week, for Erasmus is right.

Ireland coach Andy Farrell appeared to be in agreement with Erasmus when he spoke about his team’s achievement in beating the world champions in Ireland’s final game of a long season.

“We are going into a function now and I am really looking forward to enjoying a drink with the South Africans because the tussles between us have been immense,” said Farrell.

“It was a case of two really good sides going at it. The first half was right up there physically, with the collisions being right up there with our clashes in the past, which they need to be if we are to beat them. In the first half we were much better than we were in the first half of last week’s game, and then there was a complete role reversal after that from the Pretoria game.

“South Africa showed their class in the third quarter but we knew if we hung in and showed character we’d have a chance of winning it. There was a lot of drama and pressure on us to perform. South Africa are a wonderful team, magnificent. Last week we weren’t happy so we just had to come out and perform. In the first half we did that, but in the second half we were ridiculous and made enough mistakes for two games. But the character we showed got us through.”

KOLISI NOT HAPPY WITH FIRST HALF

While Farrell felt his team made too many errors in the second half, Bok skipper Kolisi wasn’t happy with the mistakes his side made in the first half, when he appeared to feel the Boks made way too many mistakes of their own and just never showed the necessary cohesion in the face of a ferocious Irish start.

“It always hurts when we lose and in this game we only had ourselves to blame,” said the double World Cup-winning skipper.

“We were not all on the same page. Credit must go to the guys who came on for bringing us back into the game. It would have been amazing to win the series, but we are hurting, we are not dead. Will come back again and fight again and keep going.”

WILLIE’S INJURY IMPACTED BOK ATTACK

Erasmus admitted that the injury to fullback Willie le Roux in the early minutes had an impact on the effectiveness of the Bok attacking game, but he felt that Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s performance in the last line of defence showed that he belonged at international level and that was one consolation from the defeat.

“If Willie is there our attack is different and he connects the centres,” said the Bok coach.

“Sacha brings something else, but he didn’t look out of place. Next week (against Portugal) we will field a completely different team and we hope those guys will do what Sacha did today. The guys who played this game will help prepare the playing team in Bloemfontein until Wednesday and will then take a 10-day break.”

Erasmus added that he thought Ireland were the better team on the day and praised them for the composure they showed in setting up the position from which Frawley’s winning drop goal was slotted.

“Ultimately it was the drop goal that made the difference and one very good inside pass earlier in the game (that led to Conor Murray’s try) that cost us. We did miss Willie’s vision and feel for the game. He’s not the youngest and fastest anymore but he links the two centres. We are disappointed and we know our fans will be disappointed.

“I was impressed with Ireland, with the way they planned things from that middle scrum in their own 22, they had a well organised move to the left side and we had to take the ball out eventually and they got the throw at the lineout. We were going to try a similar thing earlier (to close the game out) but it didn’t work out. That is why Ireland are a good system team.

“This game reminded me of the last four games between these teams. The difference was three points when we were in Dublin in 2022, then it was five in the World Cup game, seven last week and one point today. I can sit here with a sad face and have excuses but the best team on the day won.”

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