Head coach Pieter de Villiers was happy to see South Africa survive a late scare against the Lions in the first Test.
South Africa head coach happy to have hung on
Head coach Pieter de Villiers was happy to see South Africa survive a late scare against the British and Irish Lions in the first Test.
The Springboks were seemingly coasting to victory when they led 26-7 with just 12 minutes left to play in Durban.
But the Lions hit back with tries from flanker Tom Croft, his second of the game, and scrum-half Mike Phillips to set up a nervy finale.
The Boks coach, who used all seven of his substitutions in the game, admitted he was glad to get over the finishing line, which gives his side a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Control
"You take whatever you can get in this game. If you think you will go into any international game and pile on points and annihilate people you are missing the boat. We will take the win," he said.
"We scored points but we never looked as if we were in control of anything and we looked a bit flat.
"I thought we needed to inject some enthusiasm and speed into the game. It didn't happen that way. Maybe I made too much (substitutions) too soon."
Springboks captain John Smit believes it will be even tougher when hostilities resume again next week.
"The Lions won't lie down," he said.
"They will come back twice as strong after that. Both teams are fighting, one to finish and one to survive so the pressure will be twice as big next week."
