Boks ready to give everything to bounce back against All Blacks

Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick and captain Siya Kolisi made it clear on Friday that the Boks would do everything in their power to make up for their defeat in the opening Test of the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks when they cross paths again in Cape Town on Saturday in the second of four matches between the sides.

“It’s not a secret that we were disappointed with the result last week, especially given the opportunities we had in the game,” said Stick.

“There were moments where we were in control, but if you don’t take your opportunities and convert them against the All Blacks, you will be punished, and that was one of the biggest lessons.

“We prepared very well this week and analysed in depth where and how we missed those opportunities, and although there were some key focus points, it was a Test week like any other for us.

“As coaches, we had to lead by example and come up with solutions, and the way we did that together with the players was one of the main positives about the week, so we are in a good space.”

Stick added: “From our analysis this week, if we create as many opportunities as we did last week, one of the main things we need to do is convert more of them. That was the biggest factor last week. The All Blacks didn’t have many opportunities, but they took their chances when they came.

“That said, this is a new game and we’ve studied and learned from everything we saw, now we need to apply it. We have another opportunity tomorrow and we’ve done everything in our power to make sure the players are ready. You can’t ask for a better venue to turn things around, with the vibe, the stadium, the occasion, and the hospitality in Cape Town. We’ll be prepared.”

Stick also explained the reasons for the inclusion of Sacha-Feinberg Mngomezulu at flyhalf, and Manie Libbok being drafted onto the bench, and the reason for bringing Cheslin Kolbe into the starting team, after it was confirmed on Friday morning that Handre Pollard withdrew from the match due to a niggle.

“It happened on Wednesday and he went for testing, so I can’t say exactly how long he’ll be out,” said Stick.

“I feel for him and hopefully he recovers quickly, but what I admire is that a leader like Handre was honest about how he was feeling and had the courage to say he didn’t feel right during the training session. He’s been in such good shape, and he’s been working very hard, even when he wasn’t in the matchday squad, but he has always been positive and tried to help the guys.”

Of Kolbe’s inclusion in the starting team, which resulted in Kurt-Lee Arendse dropping out of the squad, Stick said: “Both of those players didn’t finish last week’s game, and as a coaching team we do our team selection on a Sunday, but at that stage we didn’t have a final medical report on Cheslin.

“Our team policy, however, is that if a player can train fully on a Monday, there’s no reason not to select him, and Cheslin did that and went well through the week, which is why we made the change.”

Kolisi, who was declared fit on Monday afternoon and named as the captain, was also comfortable with the way he recovered from the strain he picked up in the Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires.

“I feel good and strong – the toughest part was more the mental battle,” said Kolisi.

“You know you’re always going to heal, so it’s more the mental side that is challenging because you don’t know in which game you’re going to be back.

“Fortunately, I had good support from the coaching staff, my teammates, and our medical team, so I’m really happy to be back and able to play this game.”

Kolisi echoed Stick’s sentiments about their determination to level the series after two games and said: “It’s important. All the games are. The nice thing is most of us have been in this position before in the British & Irish Lions Series and in the Rugby World Cup, so we know how to handle things on and off the field.

“But the most significant aspect now is actually on the field. We need to play and execute our game plan well. When we watched last week’s game, we saw the opportunities we missed, and if we had converted those, things might have been very different. That said, experience means nothing if you don’t learn from the mistakes you made the week before.”

Kolisi also praised his teammates Pieter-Steph du Toit and Ox Nche, who will achieve the significant career milestones of earning their 100^th and 50^th Test caps, and he lauded the coaches for their role in making it possible.

“Credit definitely goes to the coaching staff,” said Kolisi.

“Over the past few years, they’ve used more than 50 players in rotation, and people don’t always understand that, but we do. They explain the plan to us and we understand it.

“Some guys are older than others, and playing someone week in and week out isn’t going to help with longevity. As players we want to play every game, but when the coaches come up with a plan, we know the reasons.

“We’re not only playing for each other, we are playing for the whole of South Africa, and what's best for the country is the mindset we have as a group.”

The match at the DHL Stadium kicks off at 17h10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.