Rugby Update: Springboks’ coach, Peter De Villiers satisfied with team’s performance on British Isles tour
Springboks have reached back to their country after a five weeks long tour of British Isles. Springboks played 4 test matches against Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland and 1 un-official match against Barbarians during the tour.
They won their matches against Ireland, Wales and England but lost against the Scotland and Barbarians.
Springboks’ coach, Peter de Villiers, talked to the media before the departure and said, although, Springboks lost 2 matches out of 5 but he is still satisfied with the team’s performance.
He said, their many players were not part of the team due to injuries and with new and un-experienced players, they still showed confidence against England, Wales and Ireland. The team showed that they are capable to play at the international level and can
give a tough time to opponents. He can proudly say that he can take many positives from the tour, especially the performance of young blood, youngster will be the triumph card for Springboks in the upcoming world cup, he added.
"We have been able to blood some new players in Test match rugby as well as give some young players exposure to the Springbok environment that'll stand our rugby in good stead in 2011 and beyond."
He further talked about scrums and said, team’s scrum quality was really improved on the tour and looked better with every match passed and players were also able to play in the way they wanted to play.
He also talked about, Springboks defeat against Scotland and said that the weather was very cold on that day and most of Springboks players had no experience of playing under such weather condition and it was the biggest reason behind their below the mark
performance. That was the most disappointing time during the tour, as that defeat ruined their dreams to win the Grand Slam tour of British Isles after 50 years but it made us to think about practicing under such conditions and he will definitely talk to union
about this matter in a few days.
While talking about defeat against Barbarians, he said, Springboks made 12 changes for that match and gave a chance to many new players, which disturbed the team combination and team lost the match. Moreover, Barbarians had many players, who had experience
of more than 100 test matches that helped them in the game, and they won.
De Villiers said you should not forget that this Barbarians side was full of many stars from New Zealand and Australia. There is no disgrace in losing to a team like that.
Furthermore, he said, he is very confident for the next year’s world cup, as Springboks found many new talented players on the tour and there is still some time left for the world cup. If injured players recovered on time, then Boks can make a very good
combination with new and old player, which can win the world cup for Boks once again.
Juan Smith, who captained Springboks in their last match against Barbarians in the absence of Victor Matfiled also spoke to the media and said, although the team lost their match but team’s performance has really improved and South African people should
not be worried with that defeat, as that was an inexperienced team.
No doubt, South Africa lost against Scotland and Barbarians on the British Isles tour but their three victories against England, Ireland and Wales with youngsters showed that future of South African rugby is very good and they are a strong contender for
the next year’s world cup.
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