Lock Salmaan Moerat expects another clinical display from the Springboks in Perth next week after a “special effort” against the Wallabies at Suncorp Stadium.
The Boks displayed the power, class and experience of back-to-back world champions to put Australia to the sword with a 33-7 victory in the Rugby Championship in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Wallabies fought gamely as they scrambled in reverse gear for 80 minutes but had no answer to the green tide that swept to five tries and held the home side scoreless until the 76th minute when the Boks were down to 13 men after two yellow cards.
Rassie Erasmus’ charges were scheduled to travel to Perth on Sunday before beginning their on-field preparations for this coming Saturday’s Test at Optus Stadium.
“It takes a special team effort to get a result like that, and each and every player came to the party,” Moerat was quoted post-match in Brisbane.
“Defensively we were really up there, and the scoreline showed that at the end of the day. It was a special evening for us and we’ll enjoy it, but there’s another big one for us again next week.
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“Australia is a well-coached side, and with coach Joe Schmidt, who’s brought a whole different dimension to the squad.
“It’s back to the drawing board on Monday to come up with new plans, and it should be another spectacle.”
Moerat featured off the bench at Suncorp Stadium as a late inclusion in the Bok matchday 23 following the withdrawal of RG Snyman that saw Pieter-Steph du Toit redeployed to the second row.
“It was an unfortunate injury to RG, and Ruan [Nortje] so I got the call at the last minute but really grateful for the opportunity,” the DHL Stormers skipper said.
“It’s always special to represent your country, no matter what.”
The Boks kicked off the 2024 Rugby Championship at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium, the first time the world champions played in Brisbane since 2021.
Several green and gold jerseys and South African flags were spotted in the crowd courtesy of a strong expat support base, and Moerat adds, “It’s been lovely, and feels a bit like home.
“There are quite a few South Africans in the city and it was nice to interact with them during the week.
“All in all, it has been a great experience in Australia, having all of them in the crowd, and I think we really made them proud.”
Photo: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images
The post ‘Back to the drawing board’ for Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
