Springbok rugby coach Rudolph Straeuli singled out Brent Russell for particular praise after the diminutive flyhalf played a pivotal role in spurring the Springboks to a heart-stopping 33-31 win over Australia in the Vodacom Tri-Nations at Ellis Park on Saturday.
What made Russell’s first game at Ellis Park all the more extraordinary was that he stepped into the breach after Andre Pretorius was ruled out with a knee injury just hours before kick-off.
”Brent came in and did a great job, scoring a great try and always giving the Aussies something to think about,” Straeuli said.
Werner Greeff, Jannes Labuschagne and Lawrence Sephaka were also praised for their role in the pulsating win.
It was Greef who stormed through in the final minute of the match to snatch victory and assure that South Africa avoided an embarrassing whitewash in the premier Southern Hemisphere competition.
”The difference between winning and losing at this level is marginal and this team showed exceptional character to pull off the win,” Straeuli said.
Skipper Corne Krige was understandably upbeat at the post match press conference.
”We showed guts to come through. We were hoping that the turning point would have been last weekend, but I’m proud of the guys for picking themselves up.”
Of the ugly incident involving spectators throwing bottles at the Australians after replacement hooker Brendan Cannon scored towards the end, Krige said it was not acceptable.
”We as the players do not condone it and I’m sorry it happened,” said the captain.
”We wanted to make it exciting for the crowed,” added a smiling Krige. ”We owed it to the public and the players have appreciated the support. The best way to show our appreciation was to win today.” Said assistant coach Tim Lane: ”The backs are improving tremendously but it is forwards like Lawrence Sephaka that have laid the foundation.” ”Lawrence has shown that he is one of the finest props around,” added Lane.
Said Sephaka: ”I felt good. I haven’t seen a video of the game yet but, looking at my basics, it was one of my best games.” Having built up a commanding 26-9 lead going into the final quarter, the Boks almost managed to throw away the victory.
Having run in four tries through a wonderful display of attacking rugby, the Boks went on the defensive, conceding the 17 point cushion and even trailed 31-26 with seven minutes remaining.
Eddie Jones, already irate after his players had been pelted with bottles, felt that his side should have won the Test.
”We made a couple of mistakes and we were made to pay for it,” admitted Jones. ”We’ve managed to win a couple of games in those (close) conditions in the past couple of years, so it was disappointing to lose this one now.” Asked why the Wallabies only really fired in the second half, Jones replied ”you have to get your hands on the ball first.”
”We didn’t have the ball in the first half. It’s very difficult to play when you don’t even see the ball.” Jones, who won the Tri Nations at his first attempt last year, said that the differences between the three sides was marginal.
”The All Blacks I suppose have been the most consistent, we’ve been a little inconsistent and South Africa is definitely on the up.
”I suppose all the sides have played some decent rugby this competition.”
Meanwhile, Springbok captain Corne Krige was Sunday found not guilty of punching Australian flanker George Smith.
Krige appeared before a South African Rugby Football Union disciplinary hearing along with outside centre Marius Joubert, who was red-carded 10 minutes from fulltime for a high tackle on replacement fullback Mat Rogers.
The hearing found that Joubert’s sending off was punishment enough and he would not face any further sanction. – Sapa