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Kolisi thinks the Springboks have won back some muched needed respect
By Alex Fisher
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi is confident the Springboks are moving in the right direction under Rassie Erasmus after a strong end to 2018.
Since replacing Allister Coetzee in March, Erasmus has overseen seven wins in 14 matches, including a series win over England and a Test victory against New Zealand.
South Africa finished second in the Rugby Championship behind the All Blacks but were buoyed by the 36-34 triumph in Wellington on September 15.
They suffered a narrow defeat to England at the start of this month's European tour but bounced back with wins over France and Scotland.
A 20-11 loss to Wales last weekend ended their year on a negative note but Kolisi is convinced there are plenty of positives heading into a World Cup year in 2019.
"I think we're heading in the right direction," Kolisi told ESPN.
"There were some ups and there some downs and I think we obviously wanted to do so much better than we did, but we've learned and improved a lot.
"I think the respect we wanted to gain back and the respect we wanted to get back in the Springboks jersey, I think we got a bit of that."
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Latest Comments
Thought you’d left us Nick. Good to have you back writing for us. So hunter ikitau works? I reckon wright kellaway as two of the back 3. Tim Ryan and Toole looking good for strike winger but I still want the power of korobeiti and figure our forwards still need him to help them out. Million dollar question is who plays 10? I’m thinking Noah for his kicking and combo with wright. Reckon the pair adds up to an attack and kellaway will help. Can you comment on Zac Lucas in Japan? How is he going?
Go to commentsMack Hansen, Ethan Roots, Taine Plumbtree, Louis Lynagh, Emmanuel Meafou? Which country do you want to pick your Barbarians from?
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