Faf Shines as Springboks Secure Series Win against Ireland
Ireland were determined to secure their first ever series win on SA soil… but the Springboks hung on and defeated Ireland 19-13 in Port Elizabeth today, bringing a Castle Lager 2-1 series victory to South Africa, an important first win for coach Allister Coetzee who has been under pressure and scrutiny in his new role. […]
Ireland were determined to secure their first ever series win on SA soil… but the Springboks hung on and defeated Ireland 19-13 in Port Elizabeth today, bringing a Castle Lager 2-1 series victory to South Africa, an important first win for coach Allister Coetzee who has been under pressure and scrutiny in his new role.
Ireland’s coach Joe Schmidt said after the match: “Massively disappointed. It’s been 12 years since we’ve been in this country and to come so close is disappointing.”
Faf de Klerk – although not awarded Man of the Match (which went to JP Pietersen, who scored a fantastic try in the first half) – was heralded by most on social media as the match’s hero.
“Faf is here, he’s there, he’s in the air, he’s everywhere,” said one commenter. Another – Sihle Ngobese – said: “Let’s be honest: Faf de Klerk deserved Man-of-the-Match. The guy was like having two players on the field.”
The South African scrumhalf shone in a match-defining moment when he soared through the air to intercept an Irish pass that could have helped the visitors win the match.
Coetzee’s prediction during the week that Ireland wouldn’t surrender and would fight to the end came true as the Irish team led a strong onslaught at the end at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
South Africa’s defence – which has improved with each match – played well today, although they did concede one easy try from Irish centre Luke Marshall at a point when the Springboks were one man down after fullback Willie le Roux was given a yellow card. The scrum also performed well throughout the game.
Coetzee said: “The resilience and character of the team really came through. We fought in the trenches and played test rugby out there today. It was not attractive, but we needed to win.”
He said the team’s attitude and the performance of senior players was great. “What was also pleasing was the way the new players adapted to test match rugby. There are many instinctive players in the team, but they learned valuable lessons from the step-up to test rugby.
“This is all part of the building process for this team and the foundation looks solid,” the coach said.
“We are busy creating a new culture that must develop and bear fruit over four years. It was rewarding and pleasing that new guys got the opportunity and each and every player took ownership of his position and delivered. The guys need to continue playing well for the remainder of the Vodacom Super Rugby. I will keep on rewarding form.”
Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss said: “The last couple of minutes we showed a lot of character. They were still in the game at that time and we defended for our lives, so the effort was brilliant. I think we progressed technically and tactically over the three weeks. We had to, we played against a very good team.”
Strauss gave credit to Ireland saying, “They were very tough opponents and really tested us. They forced us to improve from where we started and I am happy that we could respond accordingly.”
New caps today were Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff and Jaco Kriel. Kriel said: “As a little boy my dad would say, ‘Son, you’ll be a Springbok one day.’ Today was that day. #JacoKriel #LoveRugby.”
The Springboks next test is against Argentina in Nelspruit on 20 August.
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