After waiting for 608 days to see the Springboks run onto the field of play the waiting was over this evening as the Springboks met Georgia in the first of two tests at Loftus Versveld this evening.
After suffering from a lack of discipline the Springboks ran out as 40-9 winners.
Jacques Nienaber said that the Springboks discipline was poor in the first half.
Eben Etsebeth went off with a suspected rib injury.
Areas of concern for Nienaber included discipline but Nienaber is happy that the team has now got a marker to work from.
Rassie Erasmus was prominent in his ‘new position’ as a waterboy on the field which was quite a talking point during the game…
Siya Kolisi says that there was no ‘holding back’ on systems and tactics during the game. Kolisi was happy with the set pieces and dominance.
Nienaber is happy with the starting point but reckons that the Springboks will have to improve on all aspects of the game.
Nienaber says that his debut as coach was “Absolutely Fabulous”.
Aphelele Fassi scored the first try on his debut and said; “I saw the gap in front of me and just went for the try. It was Mzwandile Stick that gave me the confidence to go for it.”
Franco Mostert praised the Georgians on their game for the first 20 minutes saying that their defence was solid.
Fassi said that he was extremely proud to be representing South Africa and the support from his alma mater was gratifying.
Run of Play
3 Minutes: Georgia Penalty by Tedo Abzhandadze – a scrum penalty to Georgia after Trevor Nyakane lost his feet at the set-piece. 0-3
5 Minutes: SA Try by Aphelele Fassi. 3-5
14 Minutes: The Springboks lose the ball on attack again, and Georgia win the penalty for offsides.
19 Minutes: Kolisi penalised for lying over the ball and Abzhandadze makes no mistake! Georgia into the lead! 5-6
23 Minutes: Penalty to Georgia as the Springboks infringe at the lineout. Discipline just letting the hosts down here.
24 Minutes: Very kickable penalty to Georgia again with PSDT offsides.
25 Minutes: The penalty from Tedo Abzhandadze is good. 5-9
32 Minutes: Penalty to the Springboks about 25m out and to the left. Pollard sets up the lineout and turns down the points!
34 Minutes: Pollard try denied. The Boks have the penalty advantage, though, so they go again.
35 Minutes: Penalty to the Springboks and a yellow card for Georgia’s No. 7 Beka Saghinadze who is sent off to the bin. Springboks set up a lineout once more.
35 Minutes: Try as Mbonambi goes over from the maul. 10-9.
36 Minutes: Pollard’s conversion is good. 12-9
37 Minutes: Cobus Reinach scores. The kick ahead bounced and fell favourably for the Springbok srumhalf, who gathered and made no mistake. Pollard makes no mistake with the conversion from straight in front. 19-9
40 Minutes: At Half Time South Africa lead Georgia 19-9
Far from clinical from the Springboks, but they did have the all-important lead thanks to 2 tries after that Georgia yellow card.
42 Minutes: Georgia win the penalty deep in their own half and can clear their lines. Springbok discipline continues to be poor.
45 Minutes: Marvin Orie comes on for Etzebeth
50 Minutes: Penalty to Sprinboks who chose to to scrum from 5m out with Kitshoff, Malherbe and Marx poised after the Sprinboks have subbed out their entire front row.
53 Minutes: Eventually the scrum gets going and the Springboks obliterate Georgia to be awarded another penalty. Springboks aiming fone more to get the Yellow Card for Georgia.
54 Minutes: Springboks score from a dominant scrum as No 8 Kwagga Smith picked up from the base and went over easily. The conversion from Pollard was good. 26-9
55 Minutes: Herschel Jantjies and Damian Willemse come off the bench.
57 Minutes: Springboks penalty inside Georgia’s half now and set up a lineout. Willemse is on No 12, for Steyn.
59 Minutes: Springboks Score after a chip through from Pollard, gathered by Willemse gathers and Herschel Jantjies snipes over from the base of the ruck. Pollard’s conversion is good. 33-9
60 Minutes: Jasper Wiese makes his Test debut.
66 Minutes: Springbok penalty on half way and Jantjies sets up a lineout 5m out.
68 Minutes: Try from Malcolm Marx off of a rolling maul and Jantjies converts. 40-9
After a few missed opportunities the Springboks hit full time with a win after 20 months of no play…
Scorers
Springboks 40 (19): Try – Aphelele Fassi, Bongi Mbonambi, Cobus Reinach, Kwagga Smith, Herschel Jantjies, Malcolm Marx. Conversion – Pollard [4], Jantjies.
Georgia 9 (9): Penalties – Tedo Abzhandadze (3)
Teams
South Africa: Willie le Roux, Rosko Specman, Jesse Kriel, Frans Steyn, Aphelele Fassi, Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Kwagga Smith, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Trevor Nyakane, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Marvin Orie, Jasper Wiese, Herschel Jantjies, Elton Jantjies, Damian Willemse.
Georgia: Davit Niniashvili, Akaki Tabutsadze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Merab Sharikadze (captain), Demur Tapladze, Tedo Abzhandadze, Vasil Lobzhaidze, Tornike Jalagonia, Beka Saginadze, Giorgi Tsutskiridze, Konstantine Mikautadze, Gigauri Davit, Giorgi Melikidze, Jaba Bregvadze, Guram Gogichashvili.
Replacements: Giorgi Chkoidze, Nikoloz Khatiashvili, Luka Japaridze, Nodar Cheishvili, Giorgi Javakhia, Gela Aprasidze, Giorgi Babunashvili, Ilia Spanderashvili.
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
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