Siya Kolisi said the Springboks ticked most boxes in their season-opening 80-31 demolition of the Barbarians at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, though the captain lamented moments when his side strayed from their tactical blueprint.
The world champions ran in 12 tries in an entertaining display, but Kolisi pointed to passages where the invitational team gained a foothold, particularly in the opening half. "A lot of the things we wanted to do we did, but when things did not go well and when we didn't follow the plan we also got some lessons from that," Kolisi said after the match. "We saw that when we don't follow the plan, these are the things that happen."
The 35-year-old highlighted missed first-time tackles and allowing offloads as key issues that allowed the Barbarians to establish momentum. "The way we started, our kicking game and winning the scraps, I think we did that well," he said. "Then we started not making first-time tackles and letting them get their offloads away, which really got them in the game. They got the upper hand a bit in the first half."
Scott Robertson, the former All Blacks coach now leading the Barbarians, offered praise for South Africa's resources following the defeat. The double-header in Gqeberha, which also featured South Africa A's 40-0 victory over Zimbabwe, showcased the depth available to the back-to-back world champions. "I think tonight's game just shows how much depth they've got, and that was really impressive," Robertson said.
Argentina legend Felipe Contepomi, assisting Robertson with the invitational side, noted the Springboks' attacking evolution. "It's a team that you need to be brave and have a go at them if you want to be on the right side of the result at the end of the game," Contepomi said. "They are definitely evolving, and it's dangerous."