Kolbe hopes for more 'ball in hand' time

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Cheslin Kolbe admitted some harsh words were spoken at half-time in the Springbok dressing room at the weekend, to avoid a devastating defeat to Wales.

Trailing 3-18 at the break at Loftus Versfeld at the weekend, South Africa appeared en route to their first-ever defeat to Wales on South African soil.

However, the Springboks delivered a determined second-half performance - scoring four tries, including a penalty try, to take a 29-24 lead late in the second half.

Wales levelled it up at 29-all in the dying minutes.

However, utility back Damian Willemse stepped up to seal the victory with a penalty after the siren had sounded.

Mbongeni Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx and Cheslin Kolbe crossed the tryline in the second-half comeback.

Speaking to reporters, Kolbe admitted the Boks' first-half performance was not up to standard.

The wing also revealed that the backline really struggled against a determined Welsh team.

"As a wing, it will always be nice to get some ball in hand," said Kolbe, who played in his 19th Test and scored his 10th try for the Boks.

"However, we knew what it was going to take to win.

"Wales play a similar game plan to ours and, in the end, it was about who wanted it most.

"We did not have a good start, but we stuck to the plan and managed to execute it in the end.

"It was a team effort and hopefully, there will be some opportunities for the wings.

"However, as long as we can have a positive impact on the game - whether chase or attack - it is great."

Kolbe said the half-time chat proved to be the difference.

“There were a few harsh words from the coaches at half-time, but we are grown men and we want to make each other proud," Kolbe said.

“In the last few minutes, we kept the ball, played in their half and lifted the intensity.

"We maintained the pressure and tried to show more pride.”

When asked about Willemse's performance, Kolbe spoke highly of the 24-year-old utility back.

“He has been an incredible player since he left school and he has done well when thrown in the deep end since he played Under-18 level.

“It was great to see how he managed. I think he has a lot more to offer the Boks still and I’m sure he will keep improving.”