Sport

We try’d: The Boks gave their all says Jacques Nienaber

Dudley Carstens|Published

BIG STRETCH: Springbok captain Siya Kolisi

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber says you can’t fault his team’s effort in their 38-21 win over Argentina at Kings Park on Saturday.

Chasing a bonus point and a winning margin of 39 points to win the Rugby Championship, South Africa fell short in both departments, scoring five tries to Argentina’s three and ending with a win margin of 17 points.

While looking like they were on course to score three or more tries than their opponents for the bonus point and also getting the required winning margin with a lead of 17-0, alles changed for the Boks when Argentina scored on the stroke of half time.

GUTTED: Boss Jacques Nienaber

And after failing to surpass the All Blacks in top spot, Nienaber says: “We had a plan to go full on to win the Rugby Championship.

“We were on task up to minute 35 and then they got a penalty and the score before half time changed the dynamics.

“I think we can’t fault the effort from the players. “We all sat down and bought into giving it as good a shot as we could – unfortunately we came up short, but you must never take a win in the Bok jersey for granted and we won’t. It’s special.”

Looking back at the Rugby Championship, Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says: “We had some great, great moments in the Rugby Championship, and we also had some weak moments. We were looking for consistency.

“We know we can win against anyone in the world on our day, but [Saturday] was a big step forward because it was a third win in a row and we want to take that momentum with us into the end-of-year tour.”

The Boks now take a break and will return to action against Ireland in their end-of-year-tour in November.

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