Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Andre Esterhuizen were frank in their assessment of the team's disappointing defeat against the Wallabies at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday. The Wallabies entered the break leading by 24-17 and extended that to 42-17 after 65 minutes, but the Boks managed to claw their way back into the match, taking the game down to the wire. The final score was a 42-38 defeat for the Springboks.
Erasmus made no excuses for the loss, stating that the team had only themselves to blame for the result. He emphasized that despite disruptions, including technology failures, the team controlled what they could and didn't play well enough to beat a stronger team. Erasmus also noted that when you're 25 points behind, there's nobody else to blame but yourself.
The Bok coach added that the team had rolled the dice a bit, with some players not having played together in a long time, but he didn't consider this an excuse. He believed the better team won on the night and that it was sad to lose, but not because of a lack of cohesion due to being together too long. Instead, it was simply a matter of not playing well enough.
Erasmus highlighted the value of this experience for the team ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia. He noted that Australia is a good team that has improved a lot, and they may meet again in a vital playoff game. The coach considered the match a valuable experience, allowing the team to gain a better understanding of their opponents.
Captain Andre Esterhuizen was equally disappointed with the result, describing the game as intense. He emphasized that the team should never have been in the situation they found themselves in and that they put themselves there. Esterhuizen acknowledged that fans and viewers may have enjoyed the game, but the team should strive to be better.
The defeat was a hard grind for the Springboks, who will look to learn from the experience and improve ahead of the Rugby World Cup. Erasmus and Esterhuizen's candid assessment of the team's performance reflects their commitment to growth and improvement. The team's resilience in clawing their way back into the match was a positive takeaway.
The Springboks will look to regroup and refocus as they prepare for future challenges. The team's encounter with the Wallabies provided valuable insights into their strengths and weaknesses, and they will aim to apply these lessons in upcoming matches. Key lessons will be taken from this experience as they strive for success in the Rugby World Cup.
Key points
- Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Andre Esterhuizen take responsibility for the team's 42-38 defeat against the Wallabies.
- Erasmus emphasizes that the team had only themselves to blame for the loss, citing poor performance as the primary reason.
- The defeat serves as a valuable experience for the team ahead of next year's Rugby World Cup in Australia.
