Adnaan Mohamed

Auckland - Springbok coach, Peter de Villiers, believes what happened in last year’s Tri-Nations will have no bearing on what happens in this year’s competition.

South Africa beat New Zealand thrice in last year’s Tri-Nations and will be hoping to make it four in a row when they take on the arch enemy at Eden Park on Saturday.

“If you live in the past, you don’t have any hope,” said De Villiers.

The Bok coach was asked by the New Zealand media why he has been so quiet since his arrival in New Zealand. 

Before his departure from South Africa, De Villiers said the All Black coach, Graham Henry, had a big mouth just like him for implying that the Springboks play less rugby than the other Tri-Nations combatants.

De Villiers explained himself by saying:  “New Zealand have a great coach in Graham Henry. I said he has a big mouth because he is a bit like me. And what I meant by that is that people respect him all around the world for his honesty. He is a student of the game. He knows the game and his players respect him a lot.

”For us to come to New Zealand is always a challenge because it is a bit like home. The people are passionate about the game and they are so friendly We’ve got a job to do for our country and we would love to be successful.”

When it was suggested that De Villiers took great delight in winding up his opponents, the Bok coach  said:  “Ninety-five percent  of all people are conventional people. They go with the crowd. They do what others do and can’t be their own person.

“I’ve got a job to do. I think I am a strong individual, a strong character. I don’t care what people think about me - and I love myself a lot.

“It’s about me and my team and my country. If I’m respected in my team I don’t care what other people think.”