Siya Kolisi was delighted with the composure proven by the Springboks to return from behind and beat the All Blacks in an Ellis Park humdinger on Saturday.
The Springb0ks trailed by 10 factors going into the ultimate 20 minutes of the match, earlier than tries from supersubs Kwagga Smith and Grant Williams snatched a 31-27 victory at a sold-out Ellis Park.
Kolisi, who was off the sector for a Head Impression Evaluation through the Bok comeback, was delighted to see the cool heads proven by his teammates to tug the win out of the hat.
“Each time we’re behind, we by no means panic,” Kolisi stated.
“We now have been in far worse positions earlier than and have come again. After they scored first within the second half (to place New Zealand 19-11 forward) we got here collectively and we stated ‘cool, superb, they’ve scored an intercept strive, let’s go to the following set.’ No person panicked.
“We now have so many cool heads and leaders; if I’m not speaking, Eben’s speaking or if it’s not him it’s Pieter-Steph and even the younger guys with simply a few caps.
“They’re given the license by the coach to talk as a result of rugby data isn’t measured by the variety of caps you’ve got – when you see one thing, say it. And that’s the wonderful thing about this group immediately: we by no means panicked.”
KEO: Thanks to Springboks and All Blacks
Rassie Erasmus was equally delighted, however added that the Boks might haven’t any complaints if New Zealand had held on to assert the victory.
“I feel the fellows did rather well to tug off a victory in opposition to a New Zealand group that performed rather well and dominated the entire recreation,” stated Erasmus.
“Our boys had just a few alternatives however for lengthy spells we have been out of the sport. They dominated for lengthy durations, however the guys stayed centered and got here by.
“At one level they have been three tries up and searching like getting 5 factors and our focus was on stopping them getting the bonus level. New Zealand would have been deserving if they’d gained.”
Erasmus confirmed that Kolisi (suspected fractured cheekbone) and Kurt-Lee Arendse (concussion) are the main damage considerations going into subsequent Saturday’s rematch in Cape City.
The Bok coach praised the contribution of Aphelele Fassi and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who each produced wonderful performances of their first recreation in opposition to New Zealand.
“We wished to see how the newer gamers might deal with the event and the stress and Aphelele Fassi got here by with flying colors,” stated Erasmus.
“Sacha got here by as nicely – however that’s to not say that Handre (Pollard) is out of it or that Manie (Libbok) is out of it. We’re going to maintain on constructing the squad.
“To play New Zealand is massive; to beat New Zealand and is massive and for gamers to step up in opposition to Tier One nations like Eire and in opposition to an incredible New Zealand group is de facto good for our long-term plans.”
Picture: Dirk Kotze/Gallo Pictures
