The Springboks are hurting after a disappointing loss against the All Blacks and Lukhanyo Am is eager to make amends on the Rugby Championship tour to Australia and Argentina.
South Africa convincingly beat New Zealand in the opening Test of the competition, but failed to register back-to-back wins as the Kiwis punished the world champions 35-23 at Ellis Park on Saturday.
The Boks next face Australia at Adelaide Oval on Saturday, 27 August, and again the following week in New South Wales on 3 September, before travelling to Argentina where they will meet the Pumas at Estadio Jose Amalfitani in Buenos Aires on 17 September.
Am, who scored the first of the Boks’ two tries on Saturday, told reporters post-match: “We’ll go back to the drawing board and have a look at the opportunities we missed and the things we feel we need to improve on.
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“We are gutted. We wanted the win, but unfortunately the result didn’t go our way.
“We had a few opportunities, and we didn’t capitalise on them, and there were crucial moments in the game that didn’t go our way such as a penalty being reversed and being caught off-guard on defence.”
He added: “So, we will review our last two games and take stock of what we need to do going forward in the competition.
“Australia are a quality side and they have experience, so it is going to be another exciting opportunity for our team. We haven’t beaten the Wallabies in Australia since 2013 if I’m not mistaken, so we’ll sit down as a team and see where we can improve.”
The Boks took another early injury blow at right wing with Jesse Kriel substituted in the first half that saw Am shift outside as part of a major backline reshuffle.
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“With the 6-2 split we have in the team, as a player, you slot in where the team needs you at the time. I’m a centre or a utility back and I’ll slot in wherever needed,” Am said.
“As a team, we’ve managed to get continuity and the majority of the team has been together since 2018 and even prior to that. We’re starting to get the rewards from the style of play and combinations we have.”
Tighthead prop Frans Malherbe, who earned his 50th Test cap in the Joburg clash, added: “It has been a very special journey and to be part of this team is amazing. Obviously, however, it is disappointing that we couldn’t get the result.”
“I think one of the contributing factors is that we didn’t get the dominance we wanted in the first half.”
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