Former All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Donald had to choke on his words after the Springboks’ Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry 3-1 series win.
Donald was convinced that the men in black would win the first three Tests after Dave Rennie’s charges went unbeaten in the Nations Championship.
The 2011 World Cup winner did not even give South Africa a chance on home soil, before Saturday’s finale at the M&T Bank Stadium.
“We might give the Boks the American one; just we might be sick of winning by then,” he said on Sky Sport’s The Breakdown in July.
So, what say you now, Beaver?
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“Let’s cut ourselves some slack. We were actually accurate. We said they’d win Baltimore,” he joked with co-host Kirsti Stanway on The Aftermatch with Kirst & Beav podcast.
“We didn’t say we were going to give them Cape Town and Joburg as well, but so be it. The Springboks were too good at the weekend.”
The world champions scored six tries in a 43-28 win, and Donald was gobsmacked by their performance.
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“They weren’t just setting to kick straight away. They were trying to bring some width,” he said. “For those of us who watch a lot of Springbok rugby, this is what we can’t get our heads around, because they’ve got the backs and the skill level to do it.
“I thought there’s a chance here we could get on top of them but in the end, it was too clinical.
“Their basics again were outstanding. Once they get into the 22, it’s like they just get a little bit of a shot of adrenaline or something and they just go mad in that 22. The speed with which they get around the corner and carry and clean rucks.”
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Donald also praised Kurt-Lee Arendse, who scooped up a loose ball before carving apart the All Blacks defence en route to the tryline.
“If Cheslin Kolbe wasn’t around, all the attention would be there. In some strange way, all the game usually goes to Cheslin Kolbe’s side, and it’s just every now and again when he’s not there, you get to appreciate just how special Arendse is.
“Yes, defensively and under high balls it’s going to balance itself out but as far as ball in hand, what a menace.”
Photo: Michael Franken/Michael Franken Photography
The post Clinical Boks make Beaver eat humble pie appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Former All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Donald had to choke on his words after the Springboks’ Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry 3-1 series win.
The post Clinical Boks make Beaver eat humble pie appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
