Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer accepted that they were beaten by a better team on Saturday, falling to a rampant All Black side in Soweto’s Soccer City Sports Complex.
The inaugural Castle Rugby Championship winners won 32-16 after not conceding any points in the second half, something Meyer attributed to inexperience in his backline.
“At 16-12 we were in the game. They were forced to play from deep and we managed to put them under huge pressure. Just after half-time they scored from a turn-over, then Carter took over,” Meyer lamented.
“They were superb to close out the game and we need to learn from that. They used their opportunities, we did not.”
Meyer admitted that the try conceded from the kick-off in the second-half cost them dearly.
“We knew we needed to keep them out in the first ten, but we made mistakes and they got back in. We also missed some kicks and then it was catch-up rugby.”
He looked back at the tournament disappointed about results, but very excited about the progress of younger players in particular.
“We need to get this team to play together as much as possible. Our young players will be a year wiser, older and better in a year’s time when we play the All Blacks again. I am looked forward to that challenge.”
“For now though, even if we have moved up from number four in the world to number two, we cannot really challenge the All Blacks if we don’t use our chances. It is something we need to improve on. Soft moments are costing us,” Meyer said.