Kolisi: 'It was a perfect example of what we are trying to achieve'
REACTION: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi believes that his team’s win over England at Twickenham was more proof that they are not one-trick ponies.
The Boks completely outplayed England on their way to an emphatic 27-13 win. It was their first victory over the English at Twickenham since 2014.
Probably the big highlight of the match was Kurt-Lee Arendse’s fantastic try in the 33rd minute.
Flyhalf Damian Willemse, who produced two stunning drop goals in the match, launched a stunning counter-attack starting on his own 22. Accelerating into space, he found Willie le Roux, who presented Arendse with a one-on-one against Marcus Smith.
Smith was no match for Arendse, who stepped away from the young England flyhalf with his sheer speed.
“Our game plan is always bout opportunities over anything else and I think today [Saturday] was a perfect example of what we are trying to achieve,” said Kolisi.
“We are going into a kicking shape, but we are also able to play off it and that is what happened.
“Guys like Gaza [Willemse] and Kurt-Lee, when they see an opportunity, with their skills, they are capable of doing things like that and they are allowed to do it.
“That is why they are chosen. In this system, you have to work hard and then the rest is up to you.
“It’s important that we can show that side of us. I am proud of what he [Arendse] did today [Saturday] and it’s two weeks in a row he has been doing that.”
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#ICYMI: It was an emphatic win for the Boks – Check out the Player Ratings 👇#England #SouthAfrica #Springboks #ENGvRSA https://t.co/kdmIm2nJvO
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) November 27, 2022
‘Synergy is critical’
Kolisi believes the morale in the squad is good and that his team is on the right track, despite winning only two of their four Tests on tour.
“I have been in teams where it has been horrible. Where you don’t know who to look at.
“When they [Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber] started in 2018, they came up with a plan and they allowed us to have our say.
“It was a collective thing and that is what I love about this group.
“We’re all working together and finding that synergy is critical.
“For us as players we just want to learn the whole time and we are always ready to get better.
“Everybody is equal and everybody is allowed to speak, whether it is your first cap or you have zero caps
“We are really enjoying it and it has been fun.
“We have to enjoy moments like this. You don’t know if we are going to make it to the World Cup. It could be someone’s last game.
“I thought it was special. We will enjoy tonight [Saturday] and travel back home and then smash each other to try and make the squad again.”
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#REACTION: ‘I don’t really care what anyone else thinks’ 👇#England #SouthAfrica #Springboks #ENGvRSA https://t.co/s1etTXj194
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) November 27, 2022
