Coetzee to reward Ellis Park stars?
The 32-26 win - after Souther Africa trailed by 16 points on two occasions, 3-19 at half-time and 10-26 going into the final quarter - has levelled the series and set it up for a decider in Port Elizabeth this coming Saturday.
New Bok coach Allister Coetzee, like and old pro, was guarded in most of his answers at the post-match grilling.
However, he dropped few subtle hints about the way forward, including that the stars of the Ellis Park victory might be rewarded for their contribution when the team for the Nelson Mandela Bay decider is named.
He admitted there are expectations about a more expansive game plan, there is the transformation issue and the need to win.
However, was adamant that he would select a team for all South Africans.
Reacting to the victory in the second Test at the weekend, Coetzee spoke of being 'satisfied' and 'pleased' with the comeback.
He felt the way they put things together in the second half is the plan going forward.
Tactically the Boks were better, looked after the ball and were more clinical.
"It [the final result] is testimony to a team that showed resilience and massive character," Coetzee said, adding that the first-half flop can be put down in part to "a lack of discipline".
He pointed to newcomers like scrumhalf Francois de Klerk, flyhalf Elton Jantjies and centre Lionel Mapoe as players guilty of "over-exuberance" at times.
"That over-eagerness will subside and the players will calm down," Coetzee said, adding that it was the numerous first-half penalties in both the first and second Tests that broke the team's rhythm.
"To come back against a quality Irish side, shows what we have here [in this Bok team]," the coach said.
"This is a group of special players, we just have to build on this."
He dismissed the booing of the team at half-time as the opinion of others and said that it will happen to any team.
"We have core values in this team that we believe in," Coetzee said, adding: "Resilience is one of our core values.
"The other aspect is the impact we had from the bench.
"Some guys might have an off-day, that is why we have 23 players - the other guys must step up and get it right for us.
"I always look at my team as 23 [players], not just 15. We see it as a group effort."
Coetzee stopped short of suggesting there will be changes to the squad for the decider in PE, saying he will stick to his guns.
"Yes, I will reward players who have performed well.
"I also have to make sure that the players who didn't play well understand that they are not out of the team - they will get a chance again."
He dismissed the notion that it was the influx of Lions players off the bench in the second half that saved the team from an embarrassing series loss.
"It is important to know that you have guys on the bench that could make an impact.
"I am pleased that Ruan Combrinck took his opportunities, as did players such as Julian [Redelinghuys] and Franco [Mostert].
"We are not looking at Lions players, they are Springboks.
"Maybe the people will look at that, but we are Springboks."
The coach admitted that the "work ethic" of some players in the first half was not up to standard.
"I told them in no uncertain terms at half-time that their work ethic was terrible. It was much better in the second half.
"We were open and frank with each other in the change room - I mentioned the players' names.
"It is how they responded to the messages, that is why I am happy with this group - they are 'coachable' players."
Coetzee said after the loss in the first Test in Cape Town and the poor first half in Johannesburg, his team was a dark hole at half-time.
"Not many teams can work themselves out of that hole, unless there is something special in the team.
"This team showed the whole of South Africa that they can, backs to the wall, fight and come out of it.
"I know the media will look at negative stuff, the booing and that - everyone is entitled to his opinion. So are we [entitled to our opinion].
"As long as we believe as a team that we are on the right track, that we are doing the right things. Our players are selfless in what they are doing.
"We will embark on this journey and become a good team - this is just a little building block.
"To all the people out there I say: Don't right us off yet.
"You can boo, we understand it. However, we are not sitting back and doing nothing. We will come out and put up performances like that.
"There is this expectancy about the game plan and the way we want to play, transformation is an issue and a challenge and I must win - it is the reality.
"This victory showed to me, yes, be bold and take it on. We can do it as South Africans together.
"That is what we will do, that is the best going forward as Springboks and we will accept that challenge.
"The next game will be the next building block and when we win the series we will look forward to the rugby championship."
By Jan de Koning, in Johannesburg
@King365ed
@rugby365com