Quick Hits: Schoeman takes confidence from SA tour

• 3 Oct 2022
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Get the Quick Hits from Pierre Schoeman as he spoke with media following the club's two week tour to South Africa which saw Edinburgh take on Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers.

On the loss to DHL Stormers

“We had a good shift first half, kept them on the back foot, but we should have got a few more points out of that.

“They are a dangerous side but we were totally in control there and if we had been 10 or 14 points up at half-time then I think it would have been enough.

“Fair play to the Stormers, they have a lot of confidence and are a good team. They are very dangerous in attack, always switched on, so credit to the Stormers but there is some good stuff wen can take into the Lions game next week.

On returning to South Africa

“Scotland is home now, but it was good to be back. It is always a challenge against my fellow South Africans, they are a tough bunch but it is nice as a pack from Scotland and Edinburgh, to stand for our country and our city and compete against some of the world’s best players and teams.

“So, I am so proud to represent Edinburgh, especially against the Bulls last week and the Stormers this week.”

On returning to home to face Emirates Lions

“What is clear from that game is that they fought right to the end – kept their foot on the pedal right up to the last minute – so we know it is going to be a battle on Friday night back at DAM Health Stadium.”

On dominating at scrum time against the Stormers

“I know Rassie was at the game so they would have wanted to prove a point as well, and they have got Brock Harris on the bench as well, but credit to WP Nel, Stuart McInally and all our back-five, they were incredible.

“I spoke to their guys after the game and they said they felt they were under pressure, so credit to our team, and that’s something we’ve got to build on.

“We would have loved a few more penalties during the game but we’ll work on that as we prepare for the Lions

“There are two sides battling and if one side goes down while the other stays up, it is maybe nothing to do with the surface but how you handle the surface.

“It is their home stadium, and they know the pitch much better than us.”

On his assessment of the two-week tour

“We should have put more points on the board with a better conversion rate, but I think we take massive confidence out of these two games as well.

“Last week, the Bulls match was a real big positive and we picked up some points on the road, then this week we were not far off having a good lead at the end of the first half, which would have given us the mentality of ‘let’s get another try or two’.

“So, we are leaving South Africa with a lot of confidence. We’re not satisfied. But our set-piece was really good and maybe room for improvement with our speed to set in attack against the Lions next week.”

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