Rassie Erasmus says the first 15 minutes of the blockbuster Test at Eden Park shook the Springboks’ belief.
The Boks ‘won’ the last hour 17-10 but left themselves with too much to do after the All Blacks took an early 14-0 lead – striking twice from lineout possession, having profited from turnover possession in their own half.
“The one positive is that we’re at least still in the running to win the Rugby Championship,” Erasmus said.
“Overall, if you look at the 80 minutes, we had 15 really bad minutes which led to a little disbelief. We came out after half time with a bit more belief and I thought the subs really injected some energy into the game.
“We’re all very disappointed and we realise people will be very gatvol of us and that we’ll take plenty of heat for this one.”
MORE: Boks fall in World Rugby rankings
Erasmus refused to blame the slippery conditions for his team’s high error count.
“New Zealand played in exactly the same weather with the same ball and their ball control was much more steady and you can’t pinpoint why,” he said. “I don’t think they did anything illegally, we just didn’t control it well enough.”
JESSE: We’ll be back next week
But the Bok mentor said they had a chance to set things right in Wellington next Saturday in what is now a must-win match.
“Seven days later, we have the opportunity to beat New Zealand and stay in the mix for the Rugby Championship.
“It’s like any other loss. It was away from home against the world’s No 1 team, but it doesn’t make the loss any easier to take.”
PICK YOUR MVP: Boks vs All Blacks
Erasmus said he would make changes to his side.
“Before this game we thought we’d go with more or less the same team next week, but we’ll definitely make a few changes.”
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The post Rassie rues ‘really bad’ 15 minutes appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.