South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli insisted his team would emerge a better side following their 53-3 thrashing by England here at Twickenham on Saturday.
South Africa’s biggest margin of defeat in their history surpassed the 28-0 reverse they suffered against New Zealand at Dundedin in 1999.
It also handed them their third straight defeat on their European travels after 30-10 and 21-6 defeats against France and Scotland respectively earlier this month.
Another reverse was always likely, particularly so after lock Jannes Labuschagne was sent off by experienced New Zealand referee Paddy O’Brien in the 23rd minute for a late shoulder charge on England stand-off Jonny Wilkinson.
”I’m not angry, I’m not frustrated,” former Springbok back-row Straeuli, whose team’s tactics in the intense clash angered England counterpart Clive Woodward, said.
”There was too much going on that wasn’t acceptable,” Woodward said.
But an annoyed Straeuli responded. ”We are a physical side and so are they. Two of our players came off concussed (scrum-half Bolla Conradie and stand-off Andre Pretorious).
”Do you think we give ourselves concussion?,” Straeuli added.
However, Straeuli readily praised England’s performance and said the way they had responded to a thrashing by Australia on the ‘tour to hell’ in 1998 was an example for South African rugby to copy.
”England are a well-oiled machine and they are a very good side. But I think if you look at what happened to them in 1998 when they went down 76-0 in Australia, they came back.
”It’s the same with these boys. We came as boys and they are going back as men. It’s a young team and I think they have learned a lot out of this game.” His words were echoed by captain Corne Krige. He was adamant it would be a different story come October’s
World Cup when the teams are due to meet again, in Perth.
”I told them (the South African players) it’s not a great feeling and that England have been there.
”But they stayed with the same coach, the same players and today they were on the winning side,” Krige explained.
”I said to our guys I was proud of the heart they showed out there. It’s not easy to play 65 minutes of Test rugby with 14 men,” the flanker added.
”I’ve just said to them remember this moment, remember how bad it feels, because a year from now we are going to be standing in Perth and we’re not going to be the ones in this position.
”I’m not that convinced they (England) can play much better but we can improve by at least 60%,” Krige insisted.
Meanwhile Straeuli, yet to steer South Africa to an away victory, said: ”It’s no wins on the road and I’m looking forward to the New Year.
”With all the negatives, you’ve seen some positive play by South Africa this year,” added the 39-year-old who took over from Harry Viljoen in March.
”We will go back and re-think but we have identified some new talent and are going into a new phase of rugby.
”Some of our older players are not there anymore, the Mark Andrewses and those players.
”But life goes on,” said Straeuli who came on as a replacement for Andrews during the Springboks 1995 World Cup final win over New Zealand in Johannesburg.
”We’ve got young players and we will see if 2003 is too soon for us or too far for certain other older players.” – Sapa-AFP