Despite the more-than-convincing 43-12 win in Tshwane, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the Springboks would not let the result get them overconfident as they are focused on building up for the Rugby World Cup
The Springboks’ demolition job of the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship opener on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld has left South African rugby on cloud nine.
However, despite the more-than-convincing 43-12 win in Tshwane, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the team would not let the result get them overconfident. Two more matches are left in the truncated competition, with New Zealand up next and Argentina after that.
According to SuperSport, this is what Stick had to say in a post-match interview:
“I am happy at the manner in which we executed our game plan and, once again, if it was not for the way we defended early in the game, those opportunities would not have come later. The most important thing for the Springboks is to keep improving as a team. It is a World Cup year.
“We want to make sure we keep building, and to have a start like this – even though there is a lot of room for improvement – is something we can build on. Everyone is focusing on that tournament.”
A Springbok winger in a scrumcap 🕺
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 8, 2023
Kurt-Lee Arendse's two tries and Manie Libbok's conversions give the Springboks a 17-5 lead at the break 👏
📺 Stream #RSAvAUS live: https://t.co/bDeiretOMn pic.twitter.com/xxUHiR5bzS
Stand-in captain Duane Vermeulen, meanwhile, was thrilled with his effort as well as that of his teammates, with the 36-year-old saying:
“I would love to keep on playing. Sometimes you have to realize your time is running out. You don’t know when your last game on home soil is. We are really, really happy with the performance, but we left a few out there as well.
“I try to enjoy every single moment out there, especially with this win. It ticks a different box. It hits somewhere pretty close to your heart. It is a special performance from a special group of guys. Some day it will all come to an end, so you just have to enjoy every moment, second of it.”
Springboks squad for New Zealand clash
Forwards: Thomas du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen.
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Andre Esterhuizen, Herschel Jantjies, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok,Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams.
Players who have already arrived in New Zealand: Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Franco Mostert, Jean-Luc du Preez, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Makazole Mapimpi, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Siya Kolisi.
