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Wellington – Springbok loose head prop Gurthrö Steenkamp says the Springboks are hurting after last week’s 32-12 Tri-Nations defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park and they will fight back at the Westpac stadium on Saturday.
VIDEO: Bakkies headbutts Jimmy Cowan
“To lose a Test in a Springbok jersey especially against the All Blacks is not a nice feeling,” said Steenkamp.
“That feeling will stay in our memories and will definitely serve as motivation for us to do better next week. We will definitely fight back.”
Steenkamp says Saturday’s Tri-Nations opening Test in Auckland was difficult because they did not see much of the ball and had to defend for long periods in the game.
“We did not always get enough quality possession and also turned over possession too often,” said Steenkamp.
The Bulls prop says the Bok scrum was under pressure when lock Bakkies Botha was yellow carded, but they managed to weather the storm.
“We were vulnerable when Bakkies left the field, but we sorted things out quickly. We will now just have to build on it,” he added.
Springbok fullback, Zane Kirchner, believes the Boks were simply not good enough on the day.
“The All Blacks killed us with their quick possession. We simply did not pitch up,” the Bulls fullback said afterward.
“They got possession in better field positions. We also got possession, but it was not in the right areas. I also don’t believe that we were mentally and physically up to it.
Kirchner says the Boks will have to look at perhaps tweaking their tactics and being more accurate in the execution of their game plan.
“We will have to lift our game considerably. We did not defend well and missed too many tackles. It was important for us to kick off the first game on a winning note. The opportunities were there, but we did not convert it into points. We are on the back foot, but we will get another opportunity to set the record straight on Saturday,” he added.
Wellington – Springbok loose head prop Gurthrö Steenkamp says the Springboks are hurting after last week’s 32-12 Tri-Nations defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park and they will fight back at the Westpac stadium on Saturday.
VIDEO: Bakkies headbutts Jimmy Cowan
“To lose a Test in a Springbok jersey especially against the All Blacks is not a nice feeling,” said Steenkamp.
“That feeling will stay in our memories and will definitely serve as motivation for us to do better next week. We will definitely fight back.”
Steenkamp says Saturday’s Tri-Nations opening Test in Auckland was difficult because they did not see much of the ball and had to defend for long periods in the game.
“We did not always get enough quality possession and also turned over possession too often,” said Steenkamp.
The Bulls prop says the Bok scrum was under pressure when lock Bakkies Botha was yellow carded, but they managed to weather the storm.
“We were vulnerable when Bakkies left the field, but we sorted things out quickly. We will now just have to build on it,” he added.
Springbok fullback, Zane Kirchner, believes the Boks were simply not good enough on the day.
“The All Blacks killed us with their quick possession. We simply did not pitch up,” the Bulls fullback said afterward.
“They got possession in better field positions. We also got possession, but it was not in the right areas. I also don’t believe that we were mentally and physically up to it.
Kirchner says the Boks will have to look at perhaps tweaking their tactics and being more accurate in the execution of their game plan.
“We will have to lift our game considerably. We did not defend well and missed too many tackles. It was important for us to kick off the first game on a winning note. The opportunities were there, but we did not convert it into points. We are on the back foot, but we will get another opportunity to set the record straight on Saturday,” he added.
