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Boks return from world tour

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The Springboks have returned home after another disappointing tour overseas. They won only two of the four matches played, recording victories against France and Italy. Pressure is mounting on coach Allister Coetzee with a lot of fans saying he should resign.

Back from their end-of-year tour, the Springboks will have to work a lot harder to please their die hard rugby fans. The wins against a mediocre France and Italy did not convince the South Africans that the Boks are moving in the right direction.

However, Coetzee, says the tour was satisfactory and their fight back against Wales was impressive. “It’s been a satisfactory tour for us in my opinion there is always a small margin between successful and not successful but this was satisfactory, i think the last game. Pity we didn’t win it really, great fightback and unfortunately results didn’t go our way but lots of positives. The fight back after wales got off to a great flyer, well executed kicks and they got that 14 point lead.”

Despite this tour not going the way he had expected, Coetzee says that without the overseas-based players, the youngsters that he selected have put up their hands for selection in future.

He also believes they are on the right track in terms of developing players for the national team.

“You must remember that this match was played outside the window ,obviously our overseas based players couldn’t be part of it but I’m so pleased about the youngsters that have come through. Dan du Preez started Warrick Gelant got off to his first start in the test, so those are absolutely positives in my book, 12 new caps for this season and it shows that there is growth in this side.  We looking at the depth and we are developing that depth in the side.”

Springboks captain, Eben Etzebeth, shares the same sentiments as his coach that despite a poor tour, there were positives they can take from it.  He says one of the positives from this year was seeing youngsters grabbing the opportunity given to them to represent the Boks.

“There’s always positives you can take out and obviously the french game was a massive positive and I mean during the year lots of youngsters coming through making big names for themselves so its gonna be awesome to see those guys next year and a few more years in the Boks jersey.”

SA Rugby is likely to rule on Coetzee’s future on Wednesday next week.

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