Last Saturday, the Springboks plunged to a first-ever defeat in opposition to Wales in South Africa, and the group will now head into a vital series-decider in Cape Town this weekend.
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To recap, solely three gamers within the Boks’ match-23 had retained their locations within the squad from the opening 32-29 victory in opposition to Wales.
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In the primary encounter, the Springboks’ so-called ‘first team’ so very practically misplaced to Wales, however the second match-up was at all times about presenting new alternatives to the broader squad.
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It’s clear that the Boks didn’t get their alternatives for this Test right in each side, however there actually was little or no to lose within the grand scheme of issues.
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In his column for Sport24, Nick Mallett stated the Springboks have to re-establish some self-discipline and organisation this week.
“A lack of South African discipline, as it did in the first Test, let Wales back into the game (in the second Test), and one has to ask questions about the nature of the penalties that have been given away.
“Rather than Wales having been outstanding to take the series the distance, it is South Africa who have been remiss. They have been their own worst enemies, making unforced errors and showing a lack of discipline that allowed Wales in.
“The defeat last weekend, I feel, was not down to selection and Nienaber fielding a new-look side. There was a lack of organisation in our driving mauls and the attack wasn’t well constructed because we played wide quite quickly without being direct enough.
“We didn’t manage to get forward momentum up front or through the middle before moving it out wide, so that made it very easy for their defence to shift across and cut us off. We basically produced a lateral attack from our backs and a very direct, but predictable attack from our forwards.
“Wales’ ability on the ground was also very impressive, with Tommy Reffell having an exceptional series. The Welsh have all attacked the breakdown well, so we haven’t been able to get good ball.
“It wasn’t the selections – the players picked were all very capable – but the defeat was instead down to the way the Springboks played and, again, the discipline at the end.
“You can’t blame experience for that, either, because the penalties that were given away that cost us the game came from the most experienced guy (Etzebeth) on the field.”
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Kick-off is at 17:05.
TEAMS:
South Africa
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Trevor Nyakane
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Elrigh Louw, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux
Wales
15 Liam Williams, 14 Louis Rees-Zammit, 13 George North, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar (captain), 9 Kieran Hardy, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Gareth Thomas
Substitutes: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Wyn Jones, 18 Sam Wainwright, 19 Alun Wyn Jones, 20 Josh Navidi, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Owen Watkin
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