Boks understand being booed
2008-08-23 22:22
Durban - World champions
South Africa were booed off the field on Saturday after losing
27-15 to Australia in their Tri-Nations Test.
The loss was the world champions' fourth in five Tri-nations
matches and ensured they are out of contention for the title
with two rounds remaining.
Springbok captain Victor Matfield told a news conference the
crowd reaction was understandable after his side made too many
mistakes.
"The booing was perfectly understandable because we are the
world champions and we cannot afford to lose two in a row. It's
unacceptable to play like that," Matfield said.
"It was all about execution because the chances were there
but we cannot make mistakes like we did today, it's unacceptable
for any international player. It was not good enough and
unfortunately those mistakes killed us," Matfield said.
Coach Peter de Villiers asked the South Africa fans to be
patient.
'Every right to be unhappy'
"It's not nice being booed, but the crowd is unhappy,
rightfully so, they have every right to be unhappy," he said.
"They want to back a winning side, but we never go out there
to lose on purpose and it's a new playing style I'm trying to
get out there. Rome wasn't built in a day and I ask the people
to be patient, to give us more time," De Villiers said.
Australian coach Robbie Deans praised his players for
putting to an end an eight-year losing streak in South Africa.
"You've got to be happy with that. The performance was by no
means error-free, but it was never going to be with South Africa
such a desperate team. But the intensity was there, the boys got
up and did what had to be done, the hard way. They gutsed it
out, it was not straightforward, and I'm very happy with the
composure," Deans said.
Deans said the amount of time the Wallabies invested in
physical preparation for the match had paid off.
"The boys got up and met the physicality of the Springboks,
they did huge work and it was a good effort," he said.
Deans said centre Berrick Barnes and lock Dan Vickerman were
unlikely to play in the return fixture in Johannesburg next week
due to shoulder injuries.
"We've done a couple of shoulders, Berrick Barnes and Dan
Vickerman, and that's likely to impact on next week. They're
unlikely to be available and we'll definitely contemplate
bringing someone over," Deans said.