Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus reflected on the shock 38-22 defeat to the Wallabies, admitting ‘everyone is embarrassed and disappointed’.
The Springboks raced to a 22-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes at the weekend, asserting dominant control over the visitors at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.
However, a collapse for the ages met a resurgent Wallaby outfit that grew in confidence as the game wore on – piling on 38 unanswered points, stunning the Boks at a ground that had previously been considered an unbreakable fortress against the Wallabies.
Air of hurt looming in the camp
Erasmus spoke of the mental fatigue his side experienced after being battered by the Wallabies by 16 points.
However, he is confident that his side can bounce back in the second Test, galvanised by having their backs against the wall after a devastating loss.
“Everyone is embarrassed and disappointed, but I believe that will make us tighter as a team. One tends to learn a lot from a defeat and that’s surely something we’ll carry into this week,” Erasmus told SA Rugby.
“Everyone in the group agrees on what we have to do and what we need to get right this week, and our focus will go into that at training.
“There’s still a lot of frustration and disappointment, but we know what we did wrong. They totally outplayed us, they scored some tries that weren’t even from phases, and they gave us a hiding at the breakdown.
“We have our backs against the wall, and we know we have to make it right.”
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Wave of injuries hit Boks
World-renowned loose forward Pieter-Steph du Toit has been ruled out of the second Test with a concussion.
Inspirational captain Siya Kolisi suffered a four-week knee injury, leaving him highly in doubt for the eagerly awaited Test against New Zealand at Eden Park on September 6.
With the Springboks now short of their two starting flankers, the side is light on Test-match quality in the loose-forward department.
Also, injury news out wide means lightning wingers Kurt-Lee Arendse (knee) and Edwill van der Merwe (ankle) have been ruled out of the pivotal second encounter against the Wallabies.
Positivity in returnees
First-choice, experienced campaigners Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe have both successfully recovered from the injuries that had initially ruled them out of the first Test.
Both have been confirmed to feature this upcoming weekend.
“Damian (de Allende) and Cheslin (Kolbe) are back from injury, and their experience is always valuable to the team,” said Erasmus.
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Veteran Mapimpi back in the mix
The Boks have recalled veteran wing Makazole Mapimpi to the squad following Arendse’s injury, which sees both Arendse and Kolisi removed from the squad to recover.
Mapimpi was initially cut from the Rugby Championship squad, but remained on the Springboks’ standby list in case he was needed.
The experienced winger has joined the squad ahead of the second Test in Cape Town but is likely to serve as cover on the wing for now, rather than clinch a starting berth.
The 35-year-old wide man sports a 47 Test-match career, and will look to add resilience and calmness in wide areas.
With outside-centre Jesse Kriel set to lead the side in the second Test in Kolisi’s absence – the Boks will be hopeful of a much improved display at DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday, August 23.
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