Emerging Springbok coach Dick Muir and captain Dewald Potgieter both said their 13-all draw with the British and Irish Lions at a wet and windy Newlands on Tuesday felt like a 'victory'.

The Emerging Boks secured the win when replacement flyhalf Willem de Waal slotted a touchline conversion after the full-time hooter - following a sublime injury-time try by Sevens star Danwel Demas.

The Emerging Boks erupted into wild celebrations, as the Lions trundled off heads bowed at the end of the game.

"It felt like a win in the end," Muir said of a match he described as "a game of two halves".

"They obviously controlled things before the break, but in the second half we had the ascendancy in the end," Muir said, adding that the most pleasing aspect was the "pride an character" the players showed after going behind 0-10 early in the first half.

Muir said the other important aspect, from a South African perspective, was that they did not allow the Lions to gain any "momentum" ahead of the second Test in Pretoria on Saturday.

"They [the Lions] finished first Test with a bit of momentum [coming back from 7-26 to lose 21-26 with two late tries," Muir said, adding: "We turned it around and stemmed that momentum. That was the our aim, to stop them."

Muir said that in the process several players in the Emerging Boks side had put up their hands for Springbok selection through their polished displays in trying wintry conditions, although he stopped short of naming those who stood out through their performances.

"Our job was to disrupt the Lions this week going into the Test on Saturday, and I think the boys did a great job there," the Bok assistant coach said.

"It was incredible that this team could put up a performance like this because they came together in such a short space of time.

"The Emerging Boks showed guts and determination and that's what will be required if they are chosen to wear the green and gold."

Muir said his players got a bit "too excited" and their over-enthusiasm cost them.

"In the first half we probably tried to play too much rugby, but in the second half we got it right in those conditions and then we manage to get back strongly in the game."

Potgieter said the conditions were very trying, but he felt that having prepared in similar conditions over the weekend benefited his side.

"I don't think people will ever understand what we [the Emerging Springboks] achieved out there," said Potgieter.

"We had about four training sessions and the draw was the best thing that could happen to this very special bunch of players.

"Conditions were very tough out there but at least we knew about it and it was part of our preparation.

"Hats off to the guys who made the technical decisions on the field and towards the end guys like Earl Rose and Willem de Waal made sure we stayed in the right parts of the field."

The Emerging Boks captain said De Waal, in slotting the conversion from the touchline in such trying conditions, showed what a "class act" he is.

365

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