All Blacks vs Springboks: Teams, kick-off time, live stream and preview

Former SA head coach Allister Coetzee attends a news conference after the Rugby World Cup 2019 pool draw at Kyoto State Guest House in Kyoto, Japan May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Issei Kato

Reaction: Coetzee praises his team for showing character against France

Coetzee is a happy man… for now.

All Blacks vs Springboks: Teams, kick-off time, live stream and preview

Former SA head coach Allister Coetzee attends a news conference after the Rugby World Cup 2019 pool draw at Kyoto State Guest House in Kyoto, Japan May 10, 2017. REUTERS/Issei Kato

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has praised his team for showing character in slugging it out for a 18-17  win against France in Paris on Saturday.

Tries from Dyllin Leyds and Jesse Kriel helped Coetzee’s men bounce back from a five-game winless streak which included two draws against Australia and record defeats to New Zealand and Ireland.

 “It’s unbelievable and it’s a sign that there’s something special in this team,” said Coetzee.

“We had five wins on the trot then we drew to Australia and then had a big setback against New Zealand with the fifty-zero. But then we bounced back again against Australia with a draw after a big defeat and that shows character. And after that we went to Newlands and lost by one point.

“Then we went to Ireland and we got it wrong completely, 38-3, and then again under huge pressure on tour we bounced back with a win.That says a lot about the character of the team, it says a lot about the team environment and the accountability the players are prepared to take on.”

On three occasions in the Rugby Championship the Boks failed to see off close encounters, as they suffered a one-point defeat to the All Blacks in Newlands to add to the two draws against the Wallabies. Coetzee was pleased his side managed to close this one out.

“We drew two against Australia this year and lost by one point to New Zealand and those close games we couldn’t really finish them off.

“And in France, under huge pressure, we could finish and close this one out and win it.”

Flyhalf Handre Pollard started for the first time in two years as he came in for Elton Jantjies and put on a sub-par kicking performance. Coetzee was however impressed with his general play, despite poor goal kicking.

 “Handre Pollard obviously has been training with us for a very long time and he hasn’t had a lot of game time,” he said.

“Despite the poor goal-kicking, the sub-standard goal-kicking — not his best at all — he slotted a kick at the right time and we see how his confidence came back from that.

“His general play normally is good, I’ve got no problem (with that). He’s a big physical 10, he can take the ball to the line and what is pleasing is to see that his goal-kicking didn’t affect his play.”

The Springboks’ next assignment is against Italy in Padua on Saturday, 25 November.

Also read: Springboks to open 2019 Rugby World Cup against the All Blacks