After Saturday’s epic Test at Ellis Park between the Boks and All Blacks, South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber lamented an absence of accuracy as his workforce’s fightback from a 15-0 deficit, to lead 23-21 with 12 minutes remaining, in the end wasn’t sufficient to file a 3rd successive victory over their arch-rivals. Understandably, referee Luke Pearce additionally discovered himself on the centre of loads of debate because the All Blacks scored two tries in the ultimate seven minutes to regain the lead and claim a 35-23 victory (halftime 15-10).
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As anticipated, there was a widespread reaction on social media over the efficiency of Pearce, with many South African supporters lamenting a few of his decision-making.
Many felt it was a harsh resolution to rule out a strive to Makazole Mapimpi after penalising Jaden Hendriske for working a blocking line in the build-up. That resolution from the referee successfully resulted in a vital 10-point swing.
However, many different ‘neutrals’ in reality reacted to counsel that Pearce had produced a close to flawless efficiency in dealing with such a high-intensity conflict.
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The Springboks’ subsequent match is towards Australia in Adelaide on 27 August.
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“We weren’t as accurate as we were last week and they kept offloading, taking high risks which we didn’t contain that well,” stated Nienaber upon reflection after the All Blacks sport.
“I thought we did well to come back; 15-0 down against the All Blacks is a tough ask to get back into the game, which we managed to do in the back end of the first half and up to 73 minutes. And then we slipped at the back end.”
The Springboks scored tries by way of Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am whereas Handre Pollard had a second successive good weekend with 5 out of 5 profitable kicks at purpose for 13 factors. But the All Blacks’ robust begin and end – scoring a brace of tries in every half in the area of not more than six minutes – gave them a well-known victory.
“We would have loved to gain momentum with a win, but we can’t let our heads drop for long,” stated Springbok captain Siya Kolisi.
“There are still four more games to go but we have missed an opportunity. New Zealand played really well today; they controlled the game more. We fought back really well in the second but we slipped up in one moment; we fell asleep and that’s what they can do to you when that happens.”
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The Springboks created a number of try-scoring alternatives with out reward and likewise had to overcome the loss to concussion of wing Jesse Kriel in the opening minutes. That positioned stress on the bench with its 6-2 cut up between forwards and backs.
“We were over the try-line three times but we got zero points for that and rightly so,” stated Nienaber.
“But we created the opportunities – just sometimes it goes for you and you score those tries. There were nice opportunities but sometimes it goes against you. The 6-2 bench split sometimes works for you and sometimes against you.
“I think since we have been back, we have coached 45 games and we’ve probably gone with a 6-2 split more than 30 times and it did bring us some positive results with a World Cup win and series victory over the British & Irish Lions, but saying that we know it is a risk if you get a backline injury and it’s just unfortunate.”
Kolisi stated the main target was now on the subsequent match towards Australia, whereas praising the 61,500 crowd.
“Since we started playing at home this year the South African public has been next level,” he stated. “We don’t take it for granted at all – for people to keep coming out like they have done is special. It might be hostile for our opponents, but we definitely use it for motivation.”