Hooker Dewi Lake says “bring it on”, with Wales champing at the bit for another crack at the Springboks in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Wales suffered a heartbreaking 32-29 defeat by the world champions in Pretoria this past Saturday, despite having led 18-3 at half time in the first of three Tests in SA.
The Boks trailed from the third to 74th minutes before a penalty try, awarded for collapsing a driving maul, gave the hosts a 29-24 advantage.
Wales, with only 13 men on the field due to yellow cards, levelled through a Lake try before Damian Willemse snatched victory in the 83rd minute.
The Boks and Wales will meet at Free State Stadium on Saturday in the second match of the series.
ALSO: Biggar: Wales won’t lie down for Boks
“It was a tough game. To be 18-3 up, it is disappointing to let the game go away from us,” Lake said. “They are world champions for a reason, they were always going to come back at us and stay in the fight.
“We were doubted in the week by a lot of people and written off early. For us, it was about putting pride back in the jersey. We are massively disappointed because we play this game to get the results against teams like this.
“When you are playing against the best in the world you can’t give away 15 penalties and four yellow cards because you are not going to beat them. We have shown we are here to play, put up a fight and win games. Bring on the next two weeks.”
He added: “The suggestion through the week was we had no chance at all and we could see a repeat of the 96-13 and we have proved that one already.
“So, all that matters to us is the belief we have within our squad. If people want to back us along the way they are welcome to. We will have the bit between our teeth for the next two Tests and we are backing ourselves to do it.”
