After Ireland recorded their first win against the Springboks on South African soil, both teams' head coaches and captains addressed the media. South African debutant Faf de Klerk and try-scorer Lwazi Mvovo also added in their two cents. Here's what they had to say on the historic result; CJ Stander's controversial red card; French referee Mathieu Reynal, and more:
After Ireland recorded their first win against the Springboks on South African soil, both teams' head coaches and captains addressed the media. South African debutant Faf de Klerk and try-scorer Lwazi Mvovo also added in their two cents. Here's what they had to say on the historic result; CJ Stander's controversial red card; French referee Mathieu Reynal, and more:
Springbok Coach Allister Coetzee on the Boks' performance; the red card; and Patrick Lambie's injury:
"We have disappointed ourselves. I also have to give credit to the Irish, I think with fourteen men, they were outstanding. No excuses. We were poor."
"We were a bit naÏve tactically. [We planned] to kick the ball behind into space, but we only did it after the second opportunity – that's where Patrick Lambie was tackled, obviously – and then we didn't do it again."
"Patrick Lambie is out [with concussion]. We're looking at a compulsory two weeks out… X-rays have been done on his neck. There is nothing wrong with the neck. He could be available in the third test."
"It's clear that when you make contact to the head, it's dangerous. We've seen Argentinian players got two red cards for similar offences."
Ireland Coach Joe Schmidt on the win and the red card:
"It's difficult to put into words. I thought it was an incredible collective effort, really… For the players, I think they can be incredibly proud of the effort they put in."
"I thought the red card was very, very harsh to be honest. CJ's got both arms extended. Once you're in the air, you can't change your trajectory… I sincerely hope Pat's ok. I know CJ and Pat are friends. I know CJ was as upset that [Lambie] was hurt as he was that he had to leave the field."
Springbok Captain Adriaan Strauss on the loss:
"Everyone fought hard, but I think we could have been better at decision-making on the field – like Coach said, kicking in behind them at the right times; the ball-carrying opportunities, when we did get over the advantage line and did start to play, we lost the ball in contact… The penalties [conceded hurt the Boks] as well."
Ireland Captain Rory Best on making history:
"It's not easy to come here and win. There's a reason that no Irish team's ever done it. To do it with 14 men for just short of 60 minutes took a lot of character.
"I think you can tell a lot about the individuals at your disposal by what they do when they're faced with adversity. There was no real panic. We knew it was going to be incredibly tough, but what a way to make history – by having to do something special."
Debutant Faf de Klerk on starting off with a loss and referee Reynal:
"Everybody's disappointed in our performance, but there are positives. We're a new side and we really want to build on this. We can only go forward from this loss. Very excited for next week, but there's a lot of hard work to do this week."
"[Referees are] a bit different in Super Rugby. I think there's a bit more opportunity at ruck-time. [Tonight], they definitely made the ball slow and it was a bit different, but you have to adapt. Now I know and I can learn from it.
Try-scorer Lwazi Mvovo on his special moment and the result:
"[Scoring a try] was very nice – especially playing at home for the Springboks, it was very special… It was actually a team try."
"There's no excuses [for the loss]. We'll go back on Monday and we'll fix it"
