Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber never resorted to playing the "R" (referee) card in explaining away the national side's 28-26 loss to the Wallabies on Sunday.
Though there were definite questions about the quality of the officiating, the bottom line is that the Australians didn't so much win the match as have it handed to them by the Boks.
Nienaber was gracious in saying the Wallabies deserved to win … because they did.
But Springbok indiscipline saw their opponents being given 23 points in goaled kicks. That made the difference and the overtime penalty of Quade Cooper just put the bow on the show for the Wallabies.
However, if (and this is a big if) the Boks learn from their mistakes and tighten up on discipline, then the next game could be a wholly different affair.
Even losing as they did, the Springboks were ahead in the try count, three to one, and the South African power mauling – which has scared many an opponent in the past – was still alive and well.
Kicking by Handre Pollard was also not up to scratch … but that can be rectified.
All in all, Sunday's loss makes the next encounter all the more appetising ... because a Bok bounce back is beautiful to behold.
