Jasper Wiese says while the Springboks’ 42-38 loss to the Wallabies in Perth hurts, they learned valuable lessons from it.
A much-changed Bok team fought back from 42-17 down with 10 minutes remaining to get within four points of seventh-ranked Australia, who received four yellow cards, but ultimately left themselves with too much to do.
Wiese entered the fray in the 47th minute along with the other seven Bok substitutes to earn his 50th Test cap.
The 30-year-old No 8 believes the experience Down Under will benefit the Boks ahead of next year’s World Cup in Australia.
“We got to know the environment that we’re going to be in when we’re here,” Wiese said. “And obviously, the travel arrangements and stuff when we’re playing a few games here, that’s valuable lessons that we can definitely take into next year.
“We learned some good lessons today. You always want to win while learning, but unfortunately, sometimes I think it’s not a good thing, but maybe necessary.”
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The Boks looked well beaten in the second half, before three late tries gave the Wallabies a nervous finish.
“Being 25 points down and losing the game by four points in a matter of 10 minutes, I think it shows what this group is about,” Wiese said.
“Obviously, we were chasing the game a bit at the end there, but I think one or two more minutes … ‘if’ is always a dangerous thing …
“But ja, just proud of the boys, proud of the fight they showed and just such a special group. I think the last 15 minutes showed it.”
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While Wiese had hoped to celebrate his 50th Test with a victory, the milestone remained special.
“If you represent your country once, it’s a massive privilege, but to be able to do it 50 times … this is an unbelievable group and just the privilege to have done it with them.”
The Boks will next turn their attention to the northern-hemisphere leg of the Nations Championship, which includes Tests against Italy, France and Ireland in November.
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Wiese expects the Perth setback to provide added motivation.
“This will be sore – well, it’s definitely sore for me to lose here. But I just think the fight’s going to be bigger.
“Everybody in this room just wants to give their best to South Africa and for this jersey, so I’m convinced that we’ll come back stronger.”
Photo: James Worsfold/Getty Images
The post Jasper: Bok defeat maybe necessary appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Jasper Wiese says while the Springboks’ 42-38 loss to the Wallabies in Perth hurts, they learned valuable lessons from it.
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