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AUDIO: Bok praise for 'gutsy' ref

AUDIO: Bok praise for 'gutsy' ref

LISTEN as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus appears to take another subtle swipe at controversial Australian referee Angus Gardner.

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Erasmus, speaking to the media in the wake of South Africa’s 29-26 win over France in Paris at the weekend, said it is a “much better feeling than last week” when the Springboks lost 11-12 to England courtesy of heartbreaking and sickening decision from the Aussie match official.

The Bok coach was not happy with Gardner’s contentious decision not to penalise England flyhalf Owen Farrell the previous week and even staged a mock tackle practice at training to show his displeasure.

At the weekend Erasmus praised Welsh referee Nigel Owens, regarded as the world’s foremost match official, who was brave enough to make the tough calls in the match – regardless of the final outcome of the contest.

“Last week [against England] we took it through 15 phases to get a penalty to win the game [and the penalty was not awarded] and this week we had to score a try to win the match,” Erasmus said.

“[Referee] Nigel [Owens] had the guts to give the penalties,” the Bok coach said, adding: “It is nice to get the reward.”

Erasmus admitted the come-from-behind win in Paris was definitely not the most clinical performance, but praised the players for their determination and persistence.

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“There were a few big moments and I thought the players handled those well,” he said.

“We learnt from last week in terms of handling the pressure and the big moments better.”

The Springboks beat the French thanks to an 85th minute try from replacement hooker Bongi Mbonambi, despite trailing by four points going into the final 30 seconds of the game.

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Erasmus avoided a third straight defeat thanks to Mbonambi’s efforts, which would have been his worst run of results since taking over from Allister Coetzee as coach of the national team in March this year.

The 36-time former international takes his squad to Edinburgh to face Scotland next Saturday, before finishing their November tour against Wales a week later.

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