South Africa coach Peter de Villiers looks set to quit his job following the Springboks’ Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat by Australia.
De Villiers gave the strongest possible indication that his four-year reign is at an end after South Africa relinquished the world title they won in Paris four years ago.
The Springboks’ 2007 World Cup-winning captain John Smit, meanwhile, has bowed out of the Test arena as he prepares to join Aviva Premiership champions Saracens, with his fellow cap centurion – lock Victor Matfield – also heading into international retirement.
Australia’s 11-9 victory, secured by a late James O’Connor penalty, gave the Wallabies a third victory over South Africa this year after beating them twice on route to landing the Tri-Nations crown.
Asked if the the loss would mark the end of his career, De Villiers said: “I think so.
“It was a brilliant journey, something that none of you guys can take away from me. There is a time to come and a time to go, so I think the journey for me is over.
Smit paid tribute to De Villiers, adding: “As much as the pain flows through the heart right now, the other thing that was said in the changing room by many a guy was that we have had a great four years together and that has been pioneered by Peter.
“He’s not the usual mould of coach that any of us have been used to, but he is one that we have thoroughly enjoyed over the four years.
“He has made us enjoy every moment. He has been a great man.”
Wallabies captain James Horwill scored the only try of a full-blooded, but often dour, contest, with O’Connor booting two penalties and Morne Steyn slotting two penalties and dropping a goal for South Africa.
But the Springboks were left to rue several missed opportunities, while they never got to grips with New Zealand referee Bryce Lawrence’s interpretation at the breakdown, where Wallabies openside flanker David Pocock dominated.
Assessing his seven years as Springboks captain, Smit said: “It is a sad occasion.
“You never prepare for how it ends because you want it to be a fairytale, you want it to be a final, but it hasn’t worked out that way.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Unfortunately, the only criteria for this Dream XV are that you had to have passed away. During my research, I thought of potential players…
Rassie Erasmus will coach champions South Africa to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with former Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery added to the technical team…
What goes up must come down, right? As the kicking game in rugby has continued to progress and progress over the last few years,…
South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been admitted to hospital after a freak accident left him with chemical burns. Erasmus, who has…
Rugby has had some ridiculous kickers. The ability and skill with the boot can turn the course of a play, a scoreline, or a…
Thieves have touched the William Webb Ellis trophy during a break-in at South African Rugby Union's HQ but thankfully decided against swiping the World…
