Franco Mostert: cohesion and form will take time

Springbok Rugby World Cup-winning lock Franco Mostert was delighted with the victory after a 20-month hiatus from Test rugby.

The second-rower, who played a full 80 minutes, admitted it would take time for the team to build the cohesion and form that earned them the title as World Champions in Japan in 2019.

"Personally, I think it is going to take a while (to get that level),” said Mostert.

“But I have to take my hat off to the forwards. I think they really did the job. I’m happy with our first match. But we have a lot to work on (before the Lions Series). We still have another match against Georgia next week.”

Commenting on the areas they could improve on, the towering lock said: “There are a lot of things to work on. We haven’t been together in more than a year, and the new guys stepped up and they are all in the system now, so everyone is on the same page.

“We have another test to go next week and hopefully we can improve a lot.”

Mostert gave the Georgians credit for their fighting spirit early in the match.

“They were solid in the first 30 minutes and their defence was very good, so there are a lot of work-ons for us, such as our carries and tackle technique - but luckily we have time to prepare for our next game," he said.

The Springboks will line up against Georgia at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg on Friday, 9 July, in the second Test before embarking on their 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series campaign. The players had Saturday off to rest and recuperate following the physical encounter and will return to the training field on Sunday.