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.”
Drewza
Guest
@ Blinky Bill Mate, there is so much fiddling with coach and team selection in this country you wouold be astounded! We have a fantastic domestic competition, the top teams of which in turn competes in the S15. Fundamentally, we have very wealthy, operationally efficient unions which churn out talent left, right and centre. Our National Union (SARU) make an absolute fortune from merchandise and television rights. This is where the problem starts. Rugby is South Africa's wealthiest, most competitive sport. It is also a sport that is etched in black peoples' minds as an apartheid symbol, although this is changing. Becuase of the lucrative nature of the sport, Government (which is blantantly corrupt to say the least) wants its hands "in the ruck" to play that "golden ball". They want to abolish the springbok logo, but can't because it's a registered trademark owned by a private company (SARU), hence why the Bok emblem was moved to the left hand side of the jersey. They are pushing hard for transformation in the game (which i agree with, but this takes time because black people don't play the game as much as white people do - thererfore talent is limited) and hence why a black coach was picked in 2007. A coach, bear in mind that didn't even have Currie Cup expereince! He was truly thrown into the deep end due to politics and has done surprisingly well considering, despite the senior players doing much of the coaching themselves I'm sure. So yes, that is a glimse into the political interference we have to deal with. If South Africa were a country like Australia where Government didn't get involved with the actual game and selection, I do believe we would be a dominant. But then again, despite all this, we are always competitive and never really ever drop below 3rd position.
Eric
Guest
I also have admiration for P DV. It wouldn't be easy leading those blokes around, and just because he lets slip a few quotable lines, in what is probably his third or fourth language doesn't make him a fool. I'll miss him. I have just spoken with a friend who spent an hour or more in Wellington airport watching many of the Bok players and supporters. He said the respect shown to PDV by all the Boks was absolutely paplable. He also said all the Bok supporters were very gracious, admitting they had their chances and couldn't crack Australia. Well done Saffers.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
First of all commiserations to Saffers team & fans. I thought you were the better team but, as a Wallaby fan, I'm naturally delighted that we came away with a win. How we won is beyond me. Speaking from complete ignorance of Rugby in South Africa, I'm absolutely astounded that South Africa - with it's amazing club competition, long history of the game, Currie Cup, etc - isn't totally dominant against lesser Rugby nations. Clearly something doesn't add up here. Is there something about selections, the coaches, politics? Anyone care to clarify or offer opinions?
TembaVJ
Guest
Mungehead the only place you could feel sorry for PDV is that he got the job in the first place... he was never the best choice and started behind trying to make up ground. PDV has won in NZ with almost the entire 07 Jake White team, intact for the first time since 07. Besides the obvious form choices, he has not uncovered any new talent. His persistence with AD Jacobs and Ricky January has cost many young new player invaluable experience. When he got the job he inherited a champion side, what has he left the next coach? PDV will be remembered for his big mouth, something that has made the Sprinboks a hated brand. In 2010 The Springboks boasted the worse defence record in the history of bok rugby and SARU had to back track on their political selection by bringing in Erasmus and his team to sort out the problems. SA rugby has spent 4 years going backwards under PDV rule. I feel sorry for the bloke as he never stood a chance. He has made big calls and never delivered on any of his promises, he said, judge me on the world cup... well there we have it. Its good riddance, this is international sports, no free rides and only the best will do. South Africa needs development, new direction a leader that takes charge and do the talking on the field... not lose and mouth of in the interviews. A coach that knows the game and knows how to extract talent, a man's man that earn the respect of the players not make them cringe. A man that the media listens to because of his knowlege and technical nous not the zoo that is PDV (which attracts media only for one reason) Feel sorry for him that he never had a chance, feel even more sorry that South African rugby had to endure this political backward interference for 4 years.
Mungehead
Guest
I said this in another thread but since there are 300+ posts there I'll repost it here because it seems more relevant. Words are slightly changed: The following article is worthwhile reading for a non-Australian perspective. I don’t think some Australian fans realise how fortunate they were in the Springboks/Wallabies game. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby-world-cup-2011/news/article.cfm?c_id=522&objectid=10757920 I feel sorry for PdV, it’s a poor way to go out. He is a madman, but he’s copped nothing but criticism and he’s due much more credit for his coaching than he’s ever been given. He did a phenomenal job... for a crazy person. Compare that to Deans who it seems can do no wrong.