Kolisi backs Willemse to come good after frustrating Ireland Test: 'He will improve'

In Dublin

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi backed starlet Damian Willemse to bounce back and come good from his difficult game against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

Willemse's confidence was undermined when he fluffed a first-half penalty and he proceeded to have a frustrating game as the Boks lost 19-16 to Ireland.

Willemse's penalty miss meant the kicking duties were offloaded to fullback Cheslin Kolbe, but the real matter of a lack of a reliable goal-kicker meant kickable penalties had to be sent to touch for lineouts.

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There were also the seven points missed by Kolbe and Willemse that matter in the long run of the game, costing the Boks as they lost in Dublin for the third consecutive time.

Kolisi said they have full confidence in Willemse and he'll get more chances to play.

"Damian played well and he'll get more opportunities to play," Kolisi said.

"He will improve and our [responsibility] is to make sure that he improves in whatever way that he needs to.

"It's also very good that they're getting experience now in these big games so that when the World Cup comes around, such pressure situations aren't new to them."

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Kolisi also lauded Ireland for the homework they put in from a maul diffusion perspective, saying but also applauded their defence.

Ireland snared two key opportunities in the 10 minutes after half-time and made it count, while the Boks were again guilty of not using their opportunities effectively.

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"In general play and in collisions, they came in very