Erasmus: “They really know how to stop you when you’re in their 22”

The Boks conceded five tries to one in a match that was tightly contested after the first half, when South Africa led 13-12. The Springboks spent large parts of the game in New Zealand’s 22 but failed to convert their chances.

Speaking to the media after the match, Erasmus said the Boks controlled possession up until the 50th minute, while admitting that the team’s failure to convert opportunities cost them.

"Yes, it is disappointing, and I think that is the tool New Zealand is great at. They really know how to stop you when they are inside their 22 in different ways. Whether it's stripping the ball, contesting for the ball on the ground, or harassing the nine within the laws," Erasmus said.

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"I am not saying they are doing it outside the law, and we couldn't handle that, so yes , I don't want to be misquoted, but I thought up until the 50th minute, we were really dominating territory; we felt we were really in the game. But a class team like New Zealand, if you don't convert, they give you a proper hiding."

The mentor added that his side contributed to the defeat through the number of errors committed.

Erasmus seemed confident that the Springboks will turn the series around, saying that the team has previously been in “catastrophic situations” before, going on to list the British & Irish Lions in 2021 and losing the opening pool game against New Zealand at the 2019 World Cup, which they went on to win. He conceded, however, that the way out is to win three matches in a row.

"We've been in many catastrophic situations in our lives. We lost the first test against the British & Irish Lions; everyone said that was catastrophic. We lost the first pool game against New Zealand in the World Cup, and everyone said that was catastrophic."

"So we've been in a lot of catastrophic situations in our lives. Obviously, to win the series, we will have to win three games on the trot. So, without a doubt, it puts them in a very good position. And now we have to go to Cape Town and try to win there; then it's all level. So I wouldn't say catastrophic because there is a way out, and that's by winning three matches on the trot."

The Springboks had to see out the final ten minutes of the game with just 13 men after Marco van Staden and Cobus Reinach received yellow cards. Erasmus admitted that it was a tough attempt to fight back two players short.