‘No excuse’: Simon Parker fronts up after tense Springboks defeat

All Blacks loose-forward enforcer Simon Parker has reflected on the Springboks levelling Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series at DHL Stadium in Cape Town.

Rassie Erasmus’ side didn’t allow the All Blacks to find their way into the contest, stifling the visitors in Cape Town.

Leroy Carter and Will Jordan dotted down late to mount a comeback for the All Blacks, but it was too little, too late, as Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks held on.

The Chiefs No.6 was chosen over the likes of Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi, Ethan Blackadder, and Patrick Tuipulotu for a starting jumper in Cape Town, after featuring off the bench in the first Test match at Ellis Park.

Parker found himself on the bench last weekend after Anton Segner was ruled out of their 17-point triumph, allowing the 26-year-old to come off the bench.

Parker, who started his first Test match under Dave Rennie against the Springboks, was honest in his reflection on the contest.

“I think that’s just Test footy, isn’t it?

“So those one-percenters you don’t get right, they’re able to capitalise on and probably convert more into points than they did last week. They got off to a fast start,” Parker told former All Black Jeff Wilson on Sky Sport.

The fast start, which saw the home side open the scoring in the first two minutes, didn’t surprise Parker.

“Yeah, they always start well. I think, look, I thought we showed up well tonight. We matched them physically, but like I say, they were able to put us under pressure at the breakdown and convert that into points, and that was the difference in the end.”

“I think there’s no bigger motivator than losing. So the good thing is we got another weekend, another game to prepare for, and that’ll be where our focus goes.”

“But yeah, there’s no excuse for how we were tonight. They were just the better team on the day, and yeah, looking forward to next week already.

There were positives though, according to the Chiefs loose-forward, with the impact the All Blacks got from their bench unit.

“I think the ability of our bench to come on and make an impact. You know, any of those guys could be starting each week, but for them, it’s massive for us to make a difference and come on. Yeah, you saw that at the end there.”