Saturday 12 November 2016 21:01, UK
South Africa coach Allister Coetzee says the Springboks are still one of the teams to beat despite another loss.
Coetzee is hoping that his side can bounce back against Italy next week after their 37-21 loss to England.
South Africa had not lost to England in 10 years but gave that record up with barely a whimper as England highlighted their lack of structure in defence and attack.
The Springboks were always going to play with passion and aggression but that does not win Test matches and the fact that they are talking about a morale-boosting win against Italy shows how far they have fallen.
Apart from their first loss to England since 2006, South Africa have also had historic defeats to Ireland and Argentina, as well as a record loss to New Zealand at home, however Coetzee insists that South Africa still are one of the top teams in the world.
"I always look at when a team gives up, then I'd say the Springboks have lost their aura. But there's no lack of effort in the team," said Coetzee.
"It's hurting, it is tough times, but this team doesn't give up and I draw comfort from the way they kept fighting out there today."
Coetzee highlighted individual mistakes that cost the Boks dearly after a knock-on from JP Pietersen saw Courtney Lawes score his first England try, while Pieter-Steph du Toit fell for two Ben Youngs dummies around the ruck that resulted in more tries for the hosts.
"In the crucial moments of the game we made mistakes and it was taken away from us," said Coetzee.
"We had them under pressure but we couldn't handle their contestable kicks. Those individual mistakes cost us.
"At times we were a bit passive in defence - we need a bit more speed off the line. We shouldn't really concede a try like we did from the set-piece."
Springboks skipper Adriaan Strauss agreed that the Boks could not handle the pressure
"There was no specific moment but Test rugby is about pressure and we couldn't handle it," he said.
"They got out of their territory well and they tested our defence from the rucks and we weren't up to it. We knew what was coming but they executed very well. England are very effective in what they do, good rucks, good kicking, but we could have defended better."
