Kolisi: Patience was key to beating Japan

Flashbacks of Brighton in 2015 may have been stirring in the backs of many minds as the Springboks headed into the sheds with a slender 5-3 lead at halftime of their quarterfinal clash with Rugby World Cup hosts Japan.

The first 40 minutes were testing for South Africa as they looked to weather an expected, relentless attacking onslaught from Japan. 

The hosts, spurred on by scores of homes fans, took the fight to the Springboks and played their trademark expansive attacking rugby. 

Life was made more difficult for South Africa as loosehead prop Beast Mtawarira was given a yellow card for a dangerous tip tackle before the 15-minute mark. For the next ten minutes, 14 Springboks had to defend ferociously as the hosts looked to make the most of their numerical advantage. 

As a result, Japan enjoyed more than 70% of possession in the first 40 minutes resulting in a two-point margin at the half time break. 

With the game firmly in the balance, the Springboks could have easily panicked but captain Siya Kolisi said the team had a measured talk at the break. 

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"The message at halftime was to be patient and trust our plan. Our maul and our scrum were working. We didn’t take our opportunities in the first half, but we didn’t want to change anything, especially when we got turnover ball," Kolisi said in the post-match press conference. 

“And in the second half it worked. We got a mauling try and our scrum gave us penalties that gave us points. That was the main message – stick to the plan – and having positive chat throughout the game." 

Boks trust their defence system

Springbok director of rugby Rassie Erasmus believes their defensive system is functioning as it should considering the amount of pressure the team endured in the first 40 minutes. 

In total, the Springboks have only conceded three tries in the competition. It could be argued that they haven't faced world class teams other than the All Blacks so far, but Erasmus was rightfully complimentary of the Japanese challenge. 

“Two of those tries were against New Zealand in four minutes, so I think we’ve not had long spells where we were under pressure and we folded,” said Erasmus.

“There’s a lot of people that see a few holes in our defence. But we really trust our system. Defence is a pretty important thing if you want to try and win a World Cup. But we were certainly tested today.

“To concede only 10 points in two games against Japan who have got a really good track record in this World Cup, the previous World Cup and the Pacific Nations Cup is good. We’ve got good confidence in our defensive system."

Attack needs polish

There is no doubt that the Springbok management will be critical of some sub-par handling and execution on Sunday night. 

Experienced campaigners like Willie le Roux made a number of basic errors that could have proved the difference between winning and losing against more clinical opposition. 

That is one of the work ons identified by Erasmus that the Springboks will no doubt focus on this week. 

"When we get the opportunity, we must utilise them. And don’t give soft moments away. Then we have a chance. And be consistent, that’s the biggest work-on for us," Erasmus said. 

"We have the pack and backline players to go all the way, but in a game which is 80 minutes, and 40 minutes of ball-in-play, if you have four minutes where you drop your standards, you will get caught out.

"I guess we don’t need to improve in specific departments, but rather for 80 minutes of rugby if we want to win the World Cup."

The Springboks will face Wales in the second Rugby World Cup semifinal. Kickoff is at 11am South African time on Sunday, October 27.