MONDAY, 11.30AM:
THE Springboks won Saturday’s third Test match against the British Lions 35-16, salvaging some of their honour after losing the first two matches and the series. Bok captain Joost van der Westhuizen said he and his teammates were suprised by the visitors’ play, their handling skills and the way they took the ball forward. For the world champions to admit they had learned lessons from a side written off as “pussycats” two months ago is a sign of how good the tourists have been.
“They suprised us with their handling skills and the way they took the ball forward. We learned a lot,” said Van Der Westhuizen.
British coach Ian McGeechan said from the start that the only way to win was to be creative, moving the ball forward quickly and using the pacy backs to unlock what he knew would be a well drilled Springbok defence. McGeechan’s methods paid off handsomely in the provincial games. Although there was less room for expansion in the Tests, there was enough neat work to show it is the way forward.
Springbok coach Carel Du Plessis agreed that “the Lions are one of the best four teams in the world”. While he still rates the Springboks, Australia and New Zealand as the front-runners, Du Plessis thinks that the Lions success can help boost the game in the North.