Former Springbok stalwart Steven Kitshoff has cast his mind back to what he describes as the 'Dublin disaster' of 2017, a match that significantly altered the trajectory of South African rugby. In a candid chat, Kitshoff shared how the bruising encounter against Ireland became the unlikely springboard that propelled the Springboks to later glory.
Back on a chilly November day at the Aviva Stadium, the Boks, led by Eben Etzebeth, found themselves utterly outclassed in front of a roaring crowd of 51,000 fans. This wasn't just a defeat; it was a 38-3 thumping that left scars. "It wasn’t great," Kitshoff admitted. "At that stage in 2017, we were really struggling – it was a tough day all around." The Springboks entered the game with a shaky confidence, haunted by recent heavy losses, despite a previous series win against the Irish in 2016.
"Within the first minute, Coenie Oosthuizen hurt his knee, and from there, we were just on the back foot for the entire 80 minutes. It wasn’t a fun game to play in. We didn’t look like we knew what we were doing,"
Kitshoff recalled.
The mauling at Dublin, along with a notorious 57-0 drubbing by the All Blacks earlier that year, marked one of the lowest ebbs for the team. However, Kitshoff believes these harsh lessons were instrumental in their resurgence under the guidance of Rassie Erasmus. "For us, it was one of our lowest moments as a Springbok team, and we learned a lot from it as a country. That experience shaped us going forward and set the tone for the incredible success that followed," he reflected.
The narrative of redemption that followed is well-documented, with the Springboks rising from those ashes to clinch a world champion status, proving that sometimes, a brutal setback can set the stage for a spectacular comeback. Kitshoff's reflections not only highlight the resilience of the team but also serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of rugby itself.
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Former Springbok stalwart Steven Kitshoff has cast his mind back to what he describes as the 'Dublin disaster' of 2017, a match that significantly altered the trajectory of South African rugby. In a candid chat, Kitshoff shared how the bruising encounter against Ireland became the unlikely springboard that propelled the Springboks to later glory.
Back on a chilly November day at the Aviva Stadium, the Boks, led by Eben Etzebeth, found themselves utterly outclassed in front of a roaring crowd of 51,000 fans. This wasn't just a defeat; it was a 38-3 thumping that left scars. "It wasn’t great," Kitshoff admitted. "At that stage in 2017, we were really struggling – it was a tough day all around." The Springboks entered the game with a shaky confidence, haunted by recent heavy losses, despite a previous series win against the Irish in 2016.
"Within the first minute, Coenie Oosthuizen hurt his knee, and from there, we were just on the back foot for the entire 80 minutes. It wasn’t a fun game to play in. We didn’t look like we knew what we were doing,"
Kitshoff recalled.The mauling at Dublin, along with a notorious 57-0 drubbing by the All Blacks earlier that year, marked one of the lowest ebbs for the team. However, Kitshoff believes these harsh lessons were instrumental in their resurgence under the guidance of Rassie Erasmus. "For us, it was one of our lowest moments as a Springbok team, and we learned a lot from it as a country. That experience shaped us going forward and set the tone for the incredible success that followed," he reflected.
The narrative of redemption that followed is well-documented, with the Springboks rising from those ashes to clinch a world champion status, proving that sometimes, a brutal setback can set the stage for a spectacular comeback. Kitshoff's reflections not only highlight the resilience of the team but also serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of rugby itself.