James O’Connor: ‘I’m not going to lie, we got a bit lucky when the Springboks fumbled it’
Wallabies playmaker James O'Connor and an inset of Springboks centre Andre Esterhuizen.
Veteran Wallabies playmaker James O’Connor is wary of the threat that a fired-up Springboks outfit will pose in Cape Town.
The Springboks fell to a 38-22 defeat after charging into an emphatic 22-0 lead in the opening quarter of the match. Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Harry Wilson (2), Dylan Pietsch and Joseph Suaalii all crossed the whitewash for Australia, with O’Connor adding four conversions in what was a historic result for the Wallabies, beating South Africa at Ellis Park for the first time in the professional era.
The match also saw the playmaker feature in the Wallabies gold for the first time in three years, with the 35-year-old producing a fantastic performance, playing the entire 80 minutes.
While the squad is riding high after defeating the Springboks, O’Connor is expecting a mighty battle in Cape Town in round two of the Rugby Championship, with South Africa out to bounce back from the disappointing defeat.
Springboks will be coming hard at Wallabies
Rassie Erasmus’ men were turned over several times in the Wallabies’ 22, with Wright’s try also coming off the back of a Springboks’ error when Jesse Kriel broke through Australia’s defence.
O’Connor knows that the Boks spoiled so many points-scoring opportunities and will be eager to be more ruthless this Saturday.
“It’s awesome to feel like we can create, and we have players in the squad that can get the job done, but at the end of the day, the Springboks left some points out there, and they are going to be coming hard next week,” he said.
“Cape Town is going to be a big Test for us, how well we double down, because it’s going to be a battle that’s for sure.”
On the victory over the Springboks, the playmaker said that the speed of Super Rugby this season prepared the Wallabies well for the clash at Ellis Park.
Australia were expected to wilt in the latter stages of the match, with altitude playing a major factor, but ultimately it was the hosts who tired as the game progressed.
“I knew that if we played an expansive style and we kept the ball in play, I felt like the speed of Super Rugby this year was something that I’ve never felt before, even in Test footie, so I felt that the boys would be prepped and be able to play that right to the end of the 80,” he explained.
“I’m not going to lie, we got a bit lucky when they made breaks and fumbled it, and then we had some individual brilliance from some of our players. In terms of the fitness element, there weren’t many hurrahs; the guys were gasping for breath, and I got a little bit of a chest cough with the altitude finally getting me. I haven’t played 80 minutes in a while either, so that’s probably a part of it too.”
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Where the Ellis Park result ranks
After the win over the Springboks, the 35-year-old said the result was one of the best of his international career.
Asked on Sunday whether he still felt that way, O’Connor added: “It’s so hard to put, I feel like I’ve had three or four different lifetimes in rugby, so from each generation I have a favourite game, but that one in particular was special because even I doubted myself.
“I came into camp and thought, ‘Wow, have I bitten off more than I can chew?’ The boys were training at an intensity and speed that I’m not up to yet. I’ve slowly gone about my work and built. I spent the entire season coming off the bench; that was my role: finishing off games.
“When Joe (Schmidt) gave me the nod, I was bloody excited. I’m always up for it and always want it, but at the same time, there is a little voice at the back of my mind that says, ‘Hmm, you reckon you can take the Springboks on?’
“This one was so special for me because building into that game in the first 15 minutes, I didn’t do it perfectly at all, but I’m a competitor, and if I see a picture, I’m going to take it on.
“I feel proud, humble and grateful because eventually we all synced up and got on the same page, and things just started working… To win at Ellis Park isn’t really a fairytale, but for me, it’s incredible. I’m a very grateful man right now, but at the same time, I know what’s coming next week.”
READ MORE: James O’Connor reflects on historic victory over Springboks as ‘belief’ is building
