JJ Harmse

Bloemfontein – Springbok coach Peter de Villiers believes excellent patience on attack, good discipline and a real team effort were the aspects that made the 28-19 victory over the All Blacks possible on Saturday.

“There was no one seeking his own glory. The team played as a unit and it is a great moment for any coach when this happens. We were also patient and the discipline was very good,” said De Villiers.

He was also satisfied with the fight back of the South Africans in the second half. The All Blacks scored a try and two penalties early in the second half, shrinking the Boks’ lead to only four points.

“I never felt we were going to lose, although the All Blacks fought back well. We are a bit spoilt having just beaten the (British and Irish) Lions in a series and now the All Blacks too and still we’re not satisfied,” said De Villiers.

The Boks’ tactical game was excellent and according to De Villiers it is one aspect where they will again apply pressure on the New Zealanders in the Tri-Nations Test in Durban on Saturday.

De Villiers also admitted the Boks would have to make better use of their opportunities as 14 points were thrown away by poor kicking at posts.

“It would’ve made life easier for us if those kicks were successful and maybe we could’ve done better, but I’m not going to complain,” said the coach.

Captain John Smit agreed.

“It was a tough Test and really hard. I don’t think you can come out of a Test like that against the All Blacks without injuries. We were more accurate and we used possession better and that is why we won,” said Smit.

The fact that the victory saw the Boks move to No 1 on the International Rugby Board’s ranking is an added bonus, said Smit.

“I think it will be more difficult to stay there than it was to get there. The All Blacks on Saturday will be a different team. They will be better rested and better prepared.

Smit was full of praise for the performances of Heinrich Brüssow and Bakkies Botha.

“Bakkies was a giant and showed again how valuable he is to this team. Moreover, he scrummed behind me and things went well.”

“Heinrich is definitely the find of the season. Some guys are born to play prop, others like Heinrich, are born to steal the ball. His inclusion gives us an extra dimension.”