'Can't wait for another shot at NZ'

15 September 2014 - 02:00 By Liam del Carme in Wellington
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Aaron Smith of the All Blacks is tackled by Jannie du Plessis of the Springboks during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.
Aaron Smith of the All Blacks is tackled by Jannie du Plessis of the Springboks during The Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South Africa Springboks at Westpac Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Wellington, New Zealand.

"I would love to play them every week until we win," said an exasperated Jannie du Plessis after the Springboks slipped to their ninth defeat in 10 Tests against the All Blacks.

The All Blacks also stretched their record since readmission to 36 wins against the Boks in 51 Tests.

Du Plessis can't wait for a shot at retribution in the return fixture at Ellis Park early next month.

"We should use our opportunities better. Two years ago we kicked 30% of our goals and only lost by a few points.

"It is disappointing that we don't learn from our previous encounters. This was very similar.

"I don't know what to say. At the end of the day Tests are won in the mind. It is a psycho-logical thing.

"We can beat the All Blacks. We came here without doubts, but I don't know how they do it, but they managed to squeeze out a win," Du Plessis said.

The Springboks summoned courage and never allowed the All Blacks to boss them, despite playing second fiddle in territory and possession.

The All Blacks dominated and prevailed 14-10, but the Springboks could have snatched it at the end when they tried to deploy their driving maul from a lineout.

Du Plessis believes they could have gone for a different target man.

"The ball at the back was probably on but with three minutes to play you rather go for the banker ball," the prop said. "Looking back at it we should have thrown the ball to Duane [Vermeulen].

"Fact of the matter is we got the ball in the drive, we were on our way to the try line and they had to tackle our maul. We take confidence out of that."

Vermeulen was a little more diplomatic. "If Victor [Matfield] makes the call you must back it 100%. Otherwise your head won't be in the right place."

In the scrums the Springboks more than kept the Kiwis in check, but conceded penalties.

"It's frustrating when you get penalised going forward. Because the hit was taken away in the new rules the dominant scrum should get the benefit of the doubt," Du Plessis said.

They will have another shot at Ellis Park, but after another defeat the Boks must be wondering if they are living their own Groundhog Day.

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