Damian Willemse has revealed that the Springboks were left frustrated by talk of them sending out a weakened team against Italy on Saturday.
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus decided to make mass changes to the side that defeated France 32-17 in Saint-Denis the previous weekend.
Erasmus was adamant that they were showing respect to the Azzurri by picking the 23 they did, with the Boks boss claiming that tiredness and fatigue was the reason for the alterations following their gruelling encounter against Les Bleus.
That didn’t stop people speculating about possible ulterior motives and whether they simply wanted to give their supposed fringe players a chance against what was considered weaker opposition.
Early red card
But Willemse suggested that it gave them extra motivation as they overcame another red card – this time to Franco Mostert – to defeat the Italians in Turin.
“In the week, as a team we came together. There was a lot said in the media that this is a B team and we felt that was a bit of disrespect towards a lot of the players in the team,” he told SuperSport.
“Some of the guys have won World Cups, are double World Cup winners like Handre Pollard. Ethan [Hooker] has shown tremendous form, as has Canan [Moodie], and it didn’t sit well with us.
“I think the boys showed that and I’m just really proud of each and everyone – the coaching staff, the physios, the whole staff.
“This is a performance which we will remember for a very long time.”