New Springbok fly-half Johan Goosen is refusing to get carried away despite impressing, when he made his debut as a replacement, against Australia in Perth on Saturday.
The 20-year-old made a few line breaks and brought more urgency to South Africa's attacking play during an exciting cameo in the last 10 minutes of the Test but remained humble after the match.
"I can't take any credit," he told Supersport
"It is a team sport. I just did what was expected of me. It would have been a lot nicer if we could have won. We are very, very disappointed to come away with a loss but it was very exciting for me to get my first cap.
"Now that it is over I can concentrate on going forward.
"You can't really do too much in 10 minutes. I just tried to do my best but I could have perhaps done a bit better in one or two instances. It was my first game but that is not an excuse."
Goosen said he still couldn't believe that he has made his Test debut.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet," revealed the Cheetahs pivot.
"I was a bit nervous but it is an honour and privilege it is just a shame we couldn't pull off a victory.
"The week went pretty slowly. I had to learn all the calls and moves and I was pretty nervous but it was a great week and we prepared well and it was really enjoyable."
Meanwhile, fellow debutant loose forward Duane Vermeulen said there was little that he could remember about the Test.
"It was a bit of blur," he said after the match.
The only thing I could remember is a turnover. You had to hang onto that ball for about 10 seconds before the ref gave a penalty.
"It is a little bit different than playing Super Rugby.
"They are more pedantic on the breakdown there but today it felt a bit like a free-for-all.
"There were a few things that I wasn't used to. It is just about getting the communication up a bit but it felt great to be with the guys with them chatting to me and explaining to me where to go and what to do.
"It is the Springbok system and not your provincial set-up. It is a whole different ball game but I am feeling a bit more confident after this game.
"I had a few handling problems. The ball was a bit slippery and there is always something to work on but I am feeling positive that I came through the game okay."
Despite having very little game-time before Saturday's clash the Stormers number eight disagreed with suggestions that he was not match-fit.
"I think your match-sharpness during a game is in you," explained Vermeulen.
"When you are playing you know where you are supposed to be and what to do.
"The only thing is, if you haven't had much game time, it makes it harder to do things faster.
"I think I did okay in the first half. I was a bit erratic but I think I did better in the second half when I had settled a bit."
Comments
cuw3100 says...
Both Goosen and Lambie made an instant impact at 70 minutes and combined well. the issue was the other guys on the park were "gone" by that time and its difficult to play XV man rugby with 2 or 3 (which can be done in 7s rugby).
One interesting thing was when the ref talked to both captains and said 'there are too many silly penalties and the next one goes"; hmmm next it was Sharpe who cut a rolling maul down LOL :)
Posted 05:44 11th September 2012
rugbyphile says...
The person they need to get off the field is Jean de Villiers--he is 6 years past his best and clearly no sort of leader at all---. J de Jongh should be there, Goosen should start Lambie should be there and Morne Steyn is not needed as Frans Steyn could kick anything he can and more. As for Meyer--he really has the boks up and firing ---for the first 25 minutes, after which they lose interest.
Posted 04:39 11th September 2012
melkdave says...
Have to say Goosen ,Lambie and Louw ,have nothing to feel sorry for imo.Given just 10 mins or so to alter a game ,was just plain crazy from the SA management.If they wanted those players to make a differance they needed 20-30 mins at least ,even though SA looked a lot better when they came on
Posted 19:52 10th September 2012