Ngcobo admits Blitzboks performances not good enough after LA showing

The Blitzboks finished in a disappointing 11th place at the HSBC SVNS Los Angeles, after beating Canada 28-15 on Sunday.

The Los Angeles performance marked their worst of the 2024 season so far, and followed on another underwhelming showing last weekend in Vancouver, where the Blitzboks also failed to qualify for the Cup quarter-finals and finished ninth.

"It is really frustrating that we can put some excellent performances together, beating anyone, and then lose the next couple of matches – we certainly are a better team than these results reflect," Ngcobo said on Sunday.

"Two things are standing out for me at this stage, the lack of discipline around the tackle area and the basics not being done well when we need to finish off our opportunities."

Ngcobo added that a lack of depth in the squad also impacts their performances: "Having a squad with good depth results in internal competition and guys really fighting hard to get and stay in the team. Our management will have to sit down and see how we can rectify that aspect of our set-up."

According to the Blitzbok coach, the inconsistency in performance was the most frustrating part of the North American leg of the tour.

"We played so well in one half and then fall away in the other," said Ngcobo.

"That was really frustrating as we gave teams breathing space when we were in control. We are not doing our badge or the country proud at the moment, that is a sad reality."

Next up in this year's tour is Hong Kong (5-7 April) and Singapore (3-5 May), with the Blitzboks in seventh place on the log. Ngcobo will be hoping to fine tune his side with a month to go before they return to action.

READ: Blitzboks end 11th in LA HSBC SVNS campaign after beating Canada