Boks happy with 'backs to the wall' position
PRE-MATCH SPOTLIGHT: Looking for answers and building. Those are not the pre-match statements embattled Springboks fans wanted to hear ahead of the decider against Wales on Saturday.
However, those were the cliched responses captain Siyamthanda Kolisi and assistant coach Mzwandile Stick produced during their customary Friday media briefing.
The South African skipper, Kolisi, believes that cup Final experiences build character as the Boks prepare for a Test series decider against Wales.
The Cape Town Stadium hosts a winner-takes-all third game on Saturday – after South Africa triumphed in Pretoria and Wales levelled things up with a historic success in Bloemfontein last weekend.
The 13-12 victory was Wales’ first over the world champion Springboks in South Africa, setting up an intriguing finale.
“We have been in these situations before, and it builds character,” Kolisi said.
“The coaches want us to be in situations such as these, so this is nothing new for us.
“But I am sure Wales have been in these situations, too.
“Wales are a tough team – they don’t stop playing for 80 minutes – but we are looking forward to this weekend.
“We looked at last week’s game and where they were strong, and we have been working on that and on improving our game.”
Stick said this match would serve as a good yardstick for the Boks to measure where they are as a unit as they look forward to the rest of the season.
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“We are still in a building phase to the Rugby World Cup, and for us it is great to win games,” said Stick.
“Last week we were not happy with the result. We had several opportunities which could have allowed us to put them away, but we didn’t use them.
“This week will probably tell us where we are as a team.
“We have no doubt it is going to be another big tussle, but we will do everything we can to win.
“Wales have a similar style of play, and they can feed off the scraps and create something from nothing, so we are aware of the challenge that lies ahead.”
It is also South Africa’s last game before they open their Rugby Championship campaign against New Zealand on August 6.
The third Test marks Springboks lock Eben Etzebeth’s 100th cap – he is the seventh South African to reach that landmark – with hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi making his 50th Test match appearance.
Kolisi added: “This is a special occasion for Eben and his family.
“It is special to achieve what he has, and to be the youngest player to achieve it makes it even more remarkable, so we are happy for him and for Bongi.
“We want to win this match for them, but more importantly for the Springboks and the people of South Africa.”
Sources: @Springboks & PA
