Heyneke Hails Jean
Jun 10,2012
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has lauded the impact captain Jean de Villiers had in steering the Boks to a win over England at Kings Park on Saturday.
De Villiers marked his debut as captain with a crucial second half try to help his team edge out England 22-17 in the first Test of their three-match series.
“I must say there were a few nerves in the beginning with a new captain and few new caps,” Meyer said after a winning start to his reign.
“But I’m very happy with the guys, we stuck to our guns and I thought Jean did brilliantly as captain.
“We did really well in the second half in what was an exceptionally tough Test match. I’m just happy that we saw it through.”
The Boks started out promisingly enough against an English team also with a new coach, as Stuart Lancaster was in charge for the first time after being appointed on a full-time basis.
It was the visitors who went in front via a sixth minute penalty from Owen Farrell after debutant lock Eben Etzebeth conceded a penalty at the ruck.
South Africa hit back when a Morné Steyn up-and-under was not cleanly gathered, allowing some pressure to form with England then caught off-side, and Bulls flyhalf was able to level the scores.
England took back the lead when Marcell Coetzee entered a ruck from the side and Steyn levelled after the tourists were again offside, bringing the scores to 6-6 before half time.
“The plan was always to open up the game in the second half,” Meyer explained. “Jean was brilliant (in the change room) at half time. I just said to the forwards it’s not good enough and they need to get more stuck in.
"I wanted them to up the tempo and they responded very well.”
After the restart Patrick Lambie was introduced to replace Zane Kirchner and South Africa eventually broke through in the 48th minute.
The try came after Brian Habana and De Villiers combined on the left, with Jannie du Plessis bursting through the middle, before the ball eventually made its way to Steyn on the right as he dived in.
On the hour, De Villiers took a pass from JP Pietersen on the right and powered over for his 20th international try.
England crossed the whitewash, just after the final hooter, when Ben Foden collected a low pass on the right to squeak into the corner.
“I think we played fairly well and there were lots of positives to take," said Lancaster.
"We need to work on that third quarter where the Springboks controlled the game, but I was delighted with the fight we showed and there's a lot for us to take to Johannesburg."
SAPA
Comments (11)
Jun 10, 2012 at 19:39:57
Can you believe that plonker of a coach from england said they were the better side and should have won the game?????? what planet does he live on. All the NH teams always claim they should have won their matches, but never ever do!!!!!
Jun 10, 2012 at 23:27:59
Must've missed that 2nd half clubbing his forwards got-we should/could have scored 5 tries-hopefully 2nd test we start more positively and shut the Poms up for good!
Jun 10, 2012 at 23:26:22
Jean showed great courage, but needs to tackle Tuilagi a lot lower if he doesn't want to end up looking like an ogre.I was surprised by the pace that he and Habana demonstrated compared to much younger team-mates and opponents. They both earned their spots-I still say a speedy De Jong would find holes that Fatboy Steyn can't. Steyn seems to think he is Sonny Bill, but he doesn't have the offload skills. Perhaps we need his brute force against heavier teams, but the English are minnows.
Jun 11, 2012 at 00:38:12
Lol are you serious? Fransie was cleaning up after Jean when Manu was trampling over him, doubt little De Jong would be able to take out Manu. Steyn is a hundred times better than De Jong...
Jun 11, 2012 at 12:06:34
I have to agree to disagree with you mate. Dejong is a machine. He tackles hard runs fast with Aplon in the back! Jdv raised his game but Dejong always put 110%. Two games to gobut i think if you wanna compete with NZ you gonna have to bring Aplon, Dejong, heinrick and burger in! Things are going toget messy and you dont want pretty boys getting run down!
Jun 11, 2012 at 09:21:10
buddy you must mum to move you out of the basement and into the main house where the dstv reception is better because you are seeing things mate that makes me more worried than anything else...franna plays a much better game than de jongh...de jongh is not a 12 but rather a 13 so maybe go to your teacher today and ask him how a backline functions correctly maybe then you can comment on certain things.
de jongh should take the 13 jumper but that will only happen when jdv is retired. i must say he had a very good game at 13 where i feel he should be employed in the future for his province and on international level. he does not have the game for 12.
franna steyn offers way more in 12 than any other player. he guys have been together for a week i mean really !!!! do you think all the passes ext will stick ????....give it time then you will see
Jun 11, 2012 at 07:48:06
You guys should seriously stop going on about de Jong!! I don't rate him at all!! Fran's and de villiers were awesome!
Jun 11, 2012 at 09:22:04
i must admit genia's try must have been the best no9 try in ages....some good rugga on the weekend
Jun 12, 2012 at 10:28:17
Jip. was pretty awesome! I am concerned about the Aussies though. The Boks looked dangerous in that second half and showed some agressive intent. We'll have to step up if we want to challenge the Boks!
Jun 10, 2012 at 16:15:36
Must admit, he came to the party in leading the boks to victory. i think we need his experience as a leader.