Joe Schmidt predicts Springboks ‘backlash’ after Rassie Erasmus’ side gave ‘lucky’ Wallabies ‘belief’

Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt gave an incredibly honest assessment of his side’s momentous victory over the Springboks in the Rugby Championship.

Despite securing a remarkable 38-22 triumph at Ellis Park on Saturday – their first win in Johannesburg since 1963 – Schmidt rather played down their success.

Australia were 22-0 in arrears at one stage but produced an outstanding comeback to score 38 unanswered points and begin their Rugby Championship campaign in fine style.

However, the Wallabies boss felt that it could have been a different story had South Africa taken all their chances.

Wallabies ‘realistic’

“We probably got a little bit lucky,” he told reporters. “We’re realistic at how we had to hang in there but I’m really proud of the way we did hang in there.”

Springboks head honcho Rassie Erasmus was utterly scathing of his side’s performance and Schmidt was duly asked whether Australia expect a backlash next weekend, responding: “Yeah, absolutely.”

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The Wallabies pointed to Joseph Suaalii’s intercept try, which brought them back to within three points, and Tom Wright’s match-sealing effort as moments that could have easily gone the way of the hosts.

“That game was probably closer than the score dictates. We scored a couple of tries when they looked very dangerous and we got them on the break,” Schmidt said.

“Joseph Suaalii is a good example. They had numbers on the edge and he intercepted and got away. There was Andre [Esterhuizen] up the left-hand touchline and then Tom Wright grabs it and ends up running 70 metres.

“The reality for us is we know we were under pressure and we know that pressure is coming. I’ve coached against the Boks with a few other international teams and come out second, so I know whether they’re favourites or not, they’re a heck of a team.”

Rassie Erasmus: ‘I’m embarrassed, we were dogs–t’

South Africa played some outstanding rugby to go 22-0 ahead but Schmidt suggested that they may have lost their focus as a result of the dominant advantage, which allowed the Wallabies to gain a foothold in the match.

Springboks ‘lapse in effort and concentration’

“It’s funny, I’ve coached enough teams because I’m really old and I’ve had teams that get a, I wouldn’t say a soft start but a very, very rapid start,” he said.

“It can sometimes cause a bit of a lapse in effort and concentration. I think they just gave us a little bit of belief.

“I think we won the second quarter 5-0, so we had a little win there, and that gives a little bit of confidence.”

Schmidt also praised the replacements, who raised the intensity after the break and put the pressure on the Springboks.

“I thought our bench did really well. Young Zane Nonggorr, he’s just a kid, Angus Bell was very physical, Jeremy Williams did well again, and he’d done a super job coming on in the third Test against the British and Irish Lions,” the head coach added.

“Tate McDermott, he came on as a winger, he came off and went back on as a half-back and did a super job, and so did Andrew Kellaway. He’s got a really good rugby IQ as well.

“I thought that management and that effort combined to keep us [in the game]. We were not always on the front foot; the reality is the Boks still got us a few times.”

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