Coach takes responsibility for Springbok woes

By Ken Borland

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Beleaguered South Africa coach Peter de Villiers said on Monday he would take responsibility for his team’s poor results in the Tri-nations competition.

The world champions have lost four of their five Tri-nations matches and were booed off the field in Durban after Saturday’s 27-15 defeat to Australia.

"If a company is doing badly, then you blame the managing director, so it is right and fair that the coach be held responsible. I know people are angry and rightfully so," De Villiers told a news conference.

"I am prepared to take all that responsibility for the good of the team. I still back the players. Do they suddenly become bad players or is there something else wrong?"

The coach, in his first season since succeeding Jake White, said the Springboks had played great rugby against Australia in Durban and should have won.

"We should have won, the opportunities were there but we just let them slip. I’m not going to panic because, having watched the video again, I saw how great we played. It’s just that final thing we are missing, either a pass not going to hand or someone having the wrong body position and losing the ball in contact or not working hard enough in support," De Villiers said.

De Villiers said he was trying to empower the players .....continued below

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SARFU SUPPORT

"Decision making in split seconds is new to the guys and it has been a bit worrying. The onus is now on the player, but they want to be in a confined group where they are comfortable. But I’m trying to say to them that even if they make a mistake, I still think they are the best in the country."

South Africa Rugby Football Union president Oregan Hoskins later sent a message of support to de Villiers, South Africa’s first black coach.

"I would like to make it clear that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, his management team and playing squad have my unequivocal backing and that of the South African Rugby Union president’s council and of the board of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd," Hoskins said in a media release.

De Villiers is waiting for the result of a disciplinary hearing for tighthead prop CJ van der Linde, who was charged with dangerous play after butting scrumhalf Sam Cordingley with his head in the match in Durban.

De Villiers said Natal Sharks prop Jannie du Plessis was on standby to replace Van der Linde in the squad. The outcome of the disciplinary hearing is expected on Monday afternoon.

Springbok conditioning coach Neels Liebel said wing JP Pietersen had a hamstring injury and was out of Saturday’s test against Australia in Johannesburg while hooker Bismarck du Plessis was doubtful after sustaining possible cartilage damage in his right knee.

Liebel said he was optimistic captain Victor Matfield (groin), prop Tendai Mtawarira (shoulder), flanker Juan Smith (shoulder) and flyhalf Butch James (knee) would all recover from minor strains and bruises.

He said utility forward Danie Rossouw was also available again while wing Bryan Habana was reacting well to treatment on his hamstring and could return to action.

(Additional reporting by Zelim Nel)

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