Kolisi says pressure of 'final' will spur on Boks

CAPE TOWN : South Africa captain Siya Kolisi believes his side rise to the occasion when put under pressure and that will help them in Saturday’s ‘final’ against Wales as they seek to clinch the three-match series 2-1 in Cape Town.

The Springboks scraped a 32-29 victory in the first test in Pretoria but their much-changed side was beaten 13-12 in Bloemfontein last weekend, a first ever home defeat to Wales.

It leaves the series on the line, but having lost their opening game of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the first match against the British & Irish Lions last year, they are well practised at having to eke out wins with their backs to the wall.

"It builds character and that’s what the coaches have been trying to do," Kolisi told reporters on Friday. "It’s nothing new for us. It’s a big game, it’s a ‘final’. Both teams have experienced players, it’s an important game and a great way for us to start the season."

Wales play a similar territorial kicking game as the Boks, so rather than a clash of styles, Kolisi believes it all comes down to who executes best on the day.

"We said in the first week (of the tour) that they are similar to us and play the same way," he said. "We have seen that in the last two games. We’ve looked at the last game and seen where they were strong.

"They have not really changed their team. Set piece is always important and the last two games we did not get it right. What Wales have done well is take their opportunities. We have to make sure if we get chances, we take them too.

"We have always found a way to make sure we get scrum dominance, but we need to be better. We know what we can do and what we have done in the past. We have practised hard at the breakdown to stop the slowing down of our ball."