Pietersen lauds le Roux's vision

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Springbok winger JP Pietersen paid tribute to team-mate Willie le Roux's vision to send him over for a try on his fiftieth appearance.

Springbok winger JP Pietersen paid tribute to team-mate Willie le Roux's vision to send him over for a try on his fiftieth appearance.

Pietersen scored a superb long-range effort in his side's 28-0 win over Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday, stemming from a scything Le Roux break and a perfectly-weighted kick to the corner from the full-back.

“All credit to Willie for an unbelievable kick,” Pietersen told Planet Rugby.

“It was great vision, and I got a lucky bounce to finish it off.

“He's a talented man, he has the instinct to see the opportunities.”

Asked how he felt to be back in the Springbok jersey after an absence of around a year from last November to this, the winger said he was proud to represent his country once again.

“The Springbok jersey means a lot to any Springbok player; to play for your country, to represent your country,” acknowledged Pietersen.

“To play fifty caps is even more special.”

With the Boks traveling to Paris to take on France next week, Pietersen admitted the mercurial French team were something of an unknown quantity for a number of the squad.

“I've only ever played one Test against France,” revealed Pietersen.

“You never know what the French will bring to the game. We haven't played them a lot, but we've got guys who play in France.

“We've got a lot of experience in our team, and we have every chance.”

Currently playing his club rugby in Japan, Pietersen paid tribute to his side's defence in keeping Scotland pointless, but acknowledges the need for the Boks to raise their game.

“We worked hard on our defence and our discipline,” confirmed Pietersen.

“I think we can tick that box off. We have a good system and we stuck to it.

“But we all know we have to step our game up. Everyone has to play well for us to get a good result next week.”

By Jamie Lyall at Murrayfield
@JLyall93