BRISBANE – South Africa captain Siya Kolisi cut a dejected figure talking in the wake of his side’s 23-18 Rugby Championship defeat at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.
As is becoming the norm, the Springboks conceded an early try before working their way into the half-time lead.
The South Africans failed to repeat their 2018 act as they were blanked by a spirited Australian side, themselves desperate for a win, in the second half in what proved to a be a bitterly disappointing performance.
“It was very tough but we made it tougher on ourselves,” said Kolisi. “Again we failed to take our opportunities. Australia did play well today but we really didn’t take our chances.
“At this level, you have to take the opportunities when you get them and we didn’t do that.”
The Wallabies needed just two penalties from the boot of Matt Toomua to gain the ascendency as the Springboks failed to move into second gear as the clock wound down.
A late dash for the line by replacement flank Francois Louw was not ruled upon with the TMO spotting an earlier knock-on as their slim hopes of a first win on the road disappeared with each unforced error followed.
“We were stuck in our half for most of the second half. Australia did really well to put pressure on us and we have to go back and rewatch this game and find out what went wrong.
“It’s really disappointing to lose a game like that.”
Kolisi’s side travel to Wellington for their clash against the undefeated All Blacks, who have one hand on the Rugby Championship trophy after seeing off Argentina 46-24 earlier on Saturday in Nelson.
“We will recover tomorrow, do our technical work and come back on Monday ready to go again,” said Kolisi knowing that his side faces their biggest test in just a week's time