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Cape Town - Former assistant coach Brendan Venter says the Springboks’ win over the All Blacks in Wellington will give them belief they can beat them in future.
Before last weekend’s Test, Venter said a Springbok victory was not out the reckoning and he identified three areas the Boks needed to control in order to stand a chance.
Venter was South Africa's assistant coach last year then they narrowly lost 25-24 to New Zealand at Newlands.
The former Bok centre wrote via a column on the Stuff.co.nz website that the narrow defeat had given the Boks hope.
“After talking to the boys in the dressing room after the Cape Town Test, there was a distinct feeling that we were better than the All Blacks on the day,” Venter wrote.
“Although the result didn't swing in our favour, the performance gave the players the belief that they could beat the All Blacks in the near future. I saw something in the players' eyes at Newlands, which told me that the possibility of defeating the All Blacks in Wellington wasn't a thumb suck.”
The result in Wellington will do wonders for the Springboks’ confidence, Venter added:
“As Handre Pollard said post-match, relief has now turned into belief. There is genuine belief and a sense of confidence among the Springbok players that they can defeat the All Blacks, who aren't invincible.”
Venter said the All Blacks remain a better side than the Springboks because they boast more experience but added: “One thing you can now never take away from the Boks is the belief that every time they take to the field against the All Blacks, they can come out on the right side of the scoreboard.”
