South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus refused to blame Manie Libbok for their surprise 29-28 Rugby Championship defeat by Argentina on Sept 21, after the fly-half failed to convert a penalty from virtually in front of the posts to win the game.
The missed kick from 35 metres in the last minute keeps the title race alive, though the Springboks will need just a point from their return meeting with Argentina at home in Mbombela on Sept 28, when the destination of the trophy will be decided.
"We made too many mistakes at crucial times and Argentina took their chances," said Erasmus. "If it wasn't for a missed kick, we would have had smiles sitting here now.
"But if we had done the things we should have in the game, it would not have come down to that one kick. We lost line-outs and made other errors. It was not a great display from us.
"I was so hoping he (Libbok) would kick that penalty over and he had been kicking so well all week. But it is the pressure.
"He will get a lot of flak for that, and will have to manage that."
This story is from the September 23, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the September 23, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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