Smit: 'More to come from these Boks'
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:35
Springbok captain John Smit, who admitted that his team had been "emphatically beaten by the better team on the day in their 9-28 loss to the British and Irish Lions on Saturday, said that there is "more to come" from his outfit.
Speaking after his team's record-equalling 19-point defeat, the Bok captain said the Lions were simply "better" than his team and had produced "more intensity and rhythm" to record an emphatic victory.
"It was well deserved," Smit said of the Lions win, adding that it makes him appreciate the 2-1 series win more.
The Bok captain rated the series victory over the Lions - courtesy of their victories in Durban (26-21) and Pretoria (28-25) - as satisfying as winning the World Cup in France in 2007.
"This series victory ranks alongside our World Cup win," the Bok captain said, adding: "A Lions series is a rare occasion. I had two cracks at the World Cup, but this was my first and last against the Lions.
"This has been a great series, but there is so much more for this team to achieve. We have a big Tri-Nations coming up and this team is still young enough to go through to the next World Cup."
The Bok captain admitted that his team had been "poor" on the day and were outplayed by a Lions team committed to the cause.
"We've knows most of these players for years - playing for their respective countries," he said, admitting that the final Test was as physical as any of the previous on tour.
"Test rugby is not about kissing your opponent on the check, but now we can all have a few beers together," he said about the perceived animosity between the teams that he felt was "largely created by the media".
The Bok captain said they will no be looking forward to the Tri-Nations - which starts later this month.
"We now have ten days off and will then start looking ahead at the Tri-Nations. We will aim to win the [Tri-Nations] tournament, which will be colossal.
"This defeat will make sure we keep our feet on the ground and keep on working hard"
Bok coach Peter de Villiers, who said he was "grateful" for the series win, denied that the 10 changes he made before the game had disrupted the team or influenced the result.
"Winning the series was our [main] goal, but we lost today," he said, adding that is how international matches go.
"They [the Lions] were very good on the day and I've maintained this is a brilliant Lions team and they didn't let their supporters down today. We need to honour them for how they played on the day."
He defended his decision to change his entire team.
"How will you know what you have, if you do not take chances?" he said, adding: "We have a very important Tri-Nations ahead and I learnt a lot from my players today.
"We struggled to get on the front foot, but the guys out there today are still good players. I'm more clear in my head about certain players now," he added, declining to reveal which players he thought had been below par.
"To discuss players isn't what I do."
By Jan de Koning, in Johannesburg
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
