Rugby World Cup 2011
Springbok pace was too much
2011-09-22 22:22
Email | Print
Danie van Wyk (File)
|
|
Cape Town - Namibia's centre Danie van Wyk says he has never encountered a game played at such a high tempo after their
87-0 loss to the Springboks at the North Harbour Stadium.
Video: Which All Black is a Justin Bieber fan?
WIN a Rugby World Cup ball"I have never in my life had to run so much without getting my hands on the ball," Van Wyk told the
Beeld newspaper.
"They (South Africa) just had too much pace for us and that sunk us. They got quick ball - especially from second and third phase - and that was too much for us. We couldn't adapt our defensive lines in time."
This led to ample tackles being missed by the southwest-Africans, a statistic their captain Jacques Burger, acknowledged cost them dearly.
"We simply missed too many tackles," said Burger.
The Namibians missed 28 out of 105 tackles, while the South Africans missed 14 out of 68.
Namibia also conceded 15 penalties.
Their coach, Johan Diergaardt, said it was clear who was the amateur team on the park. "We are simply not playing enough Tests at a high level and it showed. The guys work hard and give it their all, but we're not good enough to topple a team like the Springboks."
Namibia's next and final World Cup fixture is against Wales at Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth on Monday, while the Boks tackle Samoa on September 30, again at the North Harbour Stadium.