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Auckland - Springbok captain John Smit cited the yellow card of Bakkies Botha as being a turning point in their four-try loss to New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.
Video: Bakkies headbutts Cowan
Botha was sin-binned after 13 minutes by Irish referee Alan Lewis in the Tri-Nations opener that saw the hosts win 32-12.
South Africa were however on the back foot for large parts at Eden Park and Smit admitted it was no way to win a match away from home.
"They played a really quick game and you can't really tackle for a full game and expect to win it so we've got to up our tempo," he said, speaking to Sky Sports HD2.
"We didn't really give them much of a contest today but we'll be back."
Regarding the sin-binning of Botha, Smit did not hide his displeasure.
"(It was) very silly," he said, before explaining why he thought the Springboks lost in Auckland.
"I don't approve of any of my players playing outside the rules and it was an ill-disciplined, very poor first half which meant we had no momentum. Only Bakkies can explain what goes on in his head," Smit said.
"Discipline wins and loses you Tests. We've got lots to work on and we certainly didn't arrive today.
"In the past we've been able to put more pressure on them defensively and today we let them slip through. When you get that quick ball it's hard to stop."
Video: Bakkies headbutts Cowan
Botha was sin-binned after 13 minutes by Irish referee Alan Lewis in the Tri-Nations opener that saw the hosts win 32-12.
South Africa were however on the back foot for large parts at Eden Park and Smit admitted it was no way to win a match away from home.
"They played a really quick game and you can't really tackle for a full game and expect to win it so we've got to up our tempo," he said, speaking to Sky Sports HD2.
"We didn't really give them much of a contest today but we'll be back."
Regarding the sin-binning of Botha, Smit did not hide his displeasure.
"(It was) very silly," he said, before explaining why he thought the Springboks lost in Auckland.
"I don't approve of any of my players playing outside the rules and it was an ill-disciplined, very poor first half which meant we had no momentum. Only Bakkies can explain what goes on in his head," Smit said.
"Discipline wins and loses you Tests. We've got lots to work on and we certainly didn't arrive today.
"In the past we've been able to put more pressure on them defensively and today we let them slip through. When you get that quick ball it's hard to stop."
