The Springboks have registered first back-to-back wins in Australia since re-admission in 1992, by beating the Aussies 30-12 in the second Castle Lager Rugby Championship Test match in Perth.
The rare feat, played under wet and slippery conditions at the Optus Stadium, saw the Boks score four tries, once in the first half and three times in the second, and prevented the hosts from registering a try.
Coach Rassie Erasmus applauded the team, which was labelled a B-team by many critics following 10 changes made to the starting line-up after last week Saturday’s first match in Brisbane.
“We are always pleased with a win, and to get two bonus-point wins over here and the fact that all 33 players on tour played was fantastic.
“The weather was challenging, we lost our captain early on with concussion, and we made 10 changes to the starting team, but that didn’t disrupt the team, so overall it was a pleasing result.
“There were a few more tries that we could have scored, so it could have been a bigger winning margin, but we are pleased with earning five points two weeks in a row,” said Erasmus.
The coach’s sentiments were echoed by Eben Etzebeth, who stepped in as captain after Salmaan Moerat was forced to leave the field due to concussion.
“It was a good start to the Castle Lager Rugby Championship for us to get the two bonus-point wins, but we know facing the All Blacks next will be massive.
It took a big squad effort in the last two weeks, and everyone deserved their chance.
The guys who started laid a good foundation for the replacements and it was great to see them perform at this level. It shows the depth we have in this squad,” said Etzebeth.
The Boks will host the All Blacks in a rematch of the World Cup final on 31 August at the Emirates Airline Park, previously known as Ellis Park, in Johannesburg.
