The 'heartful' moment with the Boks
VIDEO: With the Britsh and Irish Lions tour in less than a year, former Springboks coach Peter De Villiers shared a ‘heartful’ post-match speech following his team’s win 11-year-ago.
In 2009 the British and Irish Lions, coached by Sir Ian McGeechan, succumbed to a 2-1 series defeat to the Springboks.
South Africa, coached by Peter de Villiers recorded a 26–21 win in the first Test in Durban, and then a 28–25 victory in the second Test at Loftus Versfeld.
The third Test was won by the Lions 28–9 in Johannesburg.
Claiming the historic Test series was an incredible feat and the manner in which the Springboks won the second Test could easily be regarded as one of the greatest performances.
The Lions were well on their way to level the series as their led until the 76th minute before they fell 22-25 behind.
Wales flyhalf Stephen Jones scored a penalty to draw the sides level at 25–25 with only two minutes left.
However, a last-gasp 52-metre Morne Steyn penalty kick in injury time dashed the Lions’ hopes and clinched an iconic win for South Africa.
Former Springbok coach De Villiers has described the Test “as one of the greatest of all time” and added it was “a privilege to coach the group of players”.
The likes of Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Bismarck du Plessis, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Jean de Villiers, Francois Steyn, John Smith and Heinrich Brussow were just a few of the players who were part of the squad that edged the British and Irish Lions in a brutal series.
In one year the @lionsofficial will try and take back what we won 11 years ago.
The 2nd Test was one of the greatest test matches of all time.
It was a privilege to be part of that tour and to coach this group of @Springboks players. pic.twitter.com/pM44LkCRNQ
ADVERTISEMENT— Peter De Villiers (@PeterDeVillier5) August 18, 2020