CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus was trying ahead to watching New Zealand counterpart Dave Rennie squirm for the following week after tying s on Saturday.
The Springboks relied on a masterclass of goalkicking by Cheslin Kolbe — seven from seven off the tee — to six after New Zealand outscored them on tries 4-3.
World champion South Africa t in Johannesburg and hasn't misplaced consecutive checks at dwelling on Erasmus' watch — since 2018 — and he was relieved they received again right into a collection wherein they began because the heavy favourite.
“In fact I felt the stress, and the gamers will let you know I felt the stress. I strive to not put it on them however I used to be nervous,” Erasmus stated.
He famous he and the older Rennie had been November infants, each Scorpios, and quipped: “That's why he's in a position to work me out.
“It's his first loss (as All Blacks coach) … and he'll really feel what we felt this week.
"We 100% perceive why persons are upset as a result of nobody needs to help a dropping staff. Nobody in South Africa needs to help something that's not working. A loss right here and there doesn't make you a dropping staff instantly, but it surely's whenever you go on a dropping run that the stress comes on.
“We should ensure we're not assured and suppose we're all good once more as a result of there have been loads of issues we didn't do effectively.”
One of many causes Rennie was employed in March was as a result of predecessor Scott Robertson had a 1-3 report towards South Africa. Erasmus believed the All Blacks had been “two courses up” from final yr.
“They're rather well coached and so they've received athletes who can beat you on a dime,” he stated. “A few extra phases on the finish and it might have been a draw.”
He defined the late swap of the entrance rows was due to the climate. They anticipated moist circumstances however they turned out dry so he went with the lighter entrance row within the reserves. They had been nonetheless just a few kilograms heavier than New Zealand's starters.
Fullback Damian Willemse, a key playmaker who can cowl midfield and flyhalf, injured a hamstring and Erasmus wasn't relying on him for the third check in Soweto subsequent Saturday.
Rennie reported a clear invoice of well being other than a neck concern for winger Will Jordan, who completed the match.
He described their lineout points as “a piece on” and thought the scrummaging, a problem within the first check, was fairly managed by referee Angus Gardner however claimed the Springboks had been nonetheless strolling round and coming by the tighthead.
Erasmus referred to as it “nonsense” and Boks loosehead Ox Nché stated there have been no problems: “We wasted loads of time in scrums as we speak as a result of all of us had completely different interpretations.”
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