/ 23 November 2004

Preparations for Bok tour were ‘not thorough’

South Africa rugby team manager Arthob Petersen has said Springbok administrators will have to accept their share of responsibility for the Tri-Nations champions’ back-to-back defeats on their European tour.

The tourists arrived in Britain with high hopes of completing a grand slam but, after a narrow 38-36 win in Wales, saw their dream die with a 17-12 defeat in Ireland before they were beaten 32-16 by world champions England at Twickenham last weekend.

Now in Edinburgh, ahead of Saturday’s encounter with Scotland, Petersen said: ”The players are very disappointed — but not despairing.

”We have made some proposals to the authorities back home to change the way we work and we are hopeful that it won’t be long until they are approved, possibly even while we are on this trip.”

Petersen insisted that the position of coach Jake White, who replaced the disgraced Rudolf Straeuli after last year’s World Cup and guided the Springboks to the 2004 Tri-Nations, was not in doubt.

”We remain confident that with Jake White as coach and with the support of his players, it is within our reach to be successful.”

Petersen also told reporters here on Monday that preparations for the tour were not as thorough as they might have been.

He said: ”We believe it was an oversight on our part not to do a recce tour of the UK to see the conditions. We have a very hectic schedule, we are travelling long distances and long hours.

”That could have been prevented. That congested schedule has contributed to our players having a lethargic appearance.

”Ireland and England have withdrawn their players from local competitions to prepare. Back home ours have been involved in local competitions since the Tri-Nations. If we want to remain competitive, we will have to look at our programme.”

Petersen stressed: ”We are not whingeing or trying to detract from the excellent performances by our opponents, who were better sides.” – Sapa-AFP