Meyer calls win over Wales his best yet

“This is my best ever win since I became the Springboks coach. I will take this win even if it is just with one point,” said head coach of the Springboks, Heyneke Meyer.

The Springboks trailed by 79 minutes in their second test against Wales, just to edge them with a penalty try and conversion to win 31-30 on Saturday June 21 at Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit.

“The team showed character to come from behind and score in the last minute of the test. I always knew this is going to be a tough one, but never knew that we are going to be behind with so many points. With just seven minutes left, I didn’t know how we going to score and win, but the team pulled it off and I am very proud of them.

“I have never seen the Springboks so tired and all the games they are playing must have taken its toll.”

Skipper Victor Matfield, who became the most capped (112) player ever in Springbok rugby said, “This is how World Cups are won. The team showed character and with so many leaders around me, it made my task easier. The team pulled off a wonderful win and I am proud to have been part of it. Our defence in last minutes to win the match was testimony of our will and mindset. We won this by coming back from behind. Last week we played well from the start, this time we had to come from behind. We were under massive pressure for most of the match, but came good when it counted.”

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer on Saturday commended the support of the 25 500 strong Mbombela Stadium crowd in helping his team beat Wales 31-30 in the second Test of the Castle Lager Incoming Series, stating this win to be the best since he started coaching the Springboks in 2012.

The Springboks were behind for 78 minutes of the match and only took the lead when Mornè Steyn converted a penalty try conceded by Wales that gave the Springboks the one point win.

“Wins like this stand out as this is where one’s coaching philosophy and team selection are put under massive pressure. We had to dig very deep against a very good team. It is always difficult playing a tough team in consecutive weeks and we needed some luck out there today. Credit to Wales, who played very well,” Meyer admitted.

The support from the crowd was massive, he said.

“No one left their seats, even when we were still ten points behind with six minutes to play and looked likely to lose. That support lifted the team in those last minutes of the match and I want to salute the crowd,” Meyer said.

According to the coach, the big difference between last weekend’s win in Durban and this one was the why they used their chances to score.

“In Durban we took every opportunity we had and scored. This weekend we did not and nearly paid the price. There is not much between the top sides in the world and I am very happy with the final result. It was an awesome test match,” he said.

“Last week we could get out of our own half and apply pressure to Wales in their half. This time around we did not manage to do that and it gave them a lot of space to run at us.”

The character of the team shone through at the end, he felt.

Junior Springbok captain Handré Pollard, who was named IRB Junior Player of the Year on Friday, and experienced Test hooker Adriaan Strauss will join the Springboks in Port Elizabeth to play against Skotland.

Seven players based in France and England have been released to their clubs and will not be considered for selection for next weekend’s final Test in the Castle Lager Incoming Series, against Scotland at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth.

They are Gurthrö Steenkamp (prop), Schalk Brits (hooker), Bakkies Botha (lock), Francois Louw (flank), Morné Steyn (flyhalf), Wynand Olivier (centre) and Bryan Habana (wing).