Springbok captain Pieter-Steph du Toit admitted the world champions had only themselves to blame after suffering a disappointing 33-16 defeat to New Zealand in the opening match of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Springboks dominated large parts of the opening 55 minutes and created more opportunities than the All Blacks, but failed to turn their pressure into enough points.
New Zealand, by contrast, were ruthless when chances came their way, scoring from almost every meaningful entry into the Springbok 22.
The hosts managed just one try as the All Blacks ended the Springboks’ 12-Test winning streak with a clinical victory in Johannesburg.
Du Toit takes responsibility
Speaking after the match, Du Toit was frank in his assessment, saying the Springboks had made costly mistakes and failed to capitalise when it mattered most.
“All credit to New Zealand. We made some mistakes and weren’t able to convert those opportunities we had. So unfortunately we shot ourselves in the foot, and in a game like this those small errors and opportunities count,” said Du Toit.
The skipper said the team would have to carefully assess their performance before the next encounter.
“We definitely have to go back to the drawing board and see what we did well and improve on that, and what we can do better.”
All Blacks punish Springbok mistakes
The defeat was particularly frustrating for the Boks after they spent long periods putting New Zealand under pressure.
However, ill-discipline and errors in the latter stages allowed the visitors to take control and pull away on the scoreboard.
All Blacks wing Will Jordan made a sensational return from injury, scoring two tries in a man-of-the-match performance after missing New Zealand’s three tour matches against South African franchises.
Jordan said the victory was a major moment for the visitors, especially given the intensity of playing the Springboks at Ellis Park.
“It means everything. Ellis Park, what an arena. It was a serious shift for 80 minutes. I loved the way our boys dug deep,” he said.
“Some guys were playing here against the Springboks for the first time and got a taste of what it is like. It is just one game of four, but an awesome start to the series for us.”
A painful setback for the world champions
The Springboks now face the challenge of responding after a rare defeat on home soil, with the result exposing their inability to convert territorial dominance and attacking opportunities into points.
For Du Toit and his teammates, the message is clear – possession and pressure will count for little unless they are turned into points.
New Zealand captain Ardie Savea praised his side for absorbing the Springboks’ physical onslaught before taking control in the decisive moments.
“We always knew the Springboks were coming at us with big carriers and quality players. When they get a head of steam they are hard to stop. So I am really proud of my boys’ efforts tonight,” Savea said.
“It was a boxing match out there. It just came down to crucial moments and I thought we held it together when it was tight, and we got there in the end.”
The defeat gives the Springboks plenty to reflect on, with Du Toit acknowledging that the world champions must quickly return to the drawing board if they are to bounce back against their greatest rivals.
