Jacques Nienaber couldn't watch Morne Steyn's kick

August 07, 2021
2337
Ultimate Rugby

Jacques Nienaber was too nervous to watch his side clinch victory with Morne Steyn slotting the match winning penalty.

Steyn had last made a Test appearance for the Springboks back in 2016 but the 37-year-old came on from the bench to prove the difference in Cape Town.

Having replaced Handre Pollard, whose kicking was off in the second half, Steyn converted two penalties to secure a hard-fought victory from a tense tussle.

However, his head coach missed the match winning moment in Nienaber's most important test to date.

Jacques Nienaber on Morne Steyn's winning kick and the role Elton Jantjies played during the week.#LionsSA2021 #BoksvLions #RSAvBIL pic.twitter.com/qdvmi6Tj4q

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) August 7, 2021

“I had my head down between my legs when he kicked that last penalty goal, to be honest – I just could not watch,” he admitted.

“It was just happy for him that he succeeded – it is amazing that he did the same thing 12 years ago."

Nienaber praised the other two flyhalves in the Springboks' camp, reserving a special word for Elton Jantjies who helped prepare the side for the decider.

"I also want to congratulate the other two flyhalves in the group – Handré Pollard was great during the series and Elton Jantjies was just amazing this week for us. He contributed so much, even after he knew he was not going to be involved in the third test.”