'Nothing is impossible' says Smit

White wants to keep squad together

The Springbok team of John Smit has the rugby world, or at least the Southern Hemisphere part of it, at their feet after their 23-19 Tri-Nations clinching win over the Wallabies in Durban on Saturday. But the Bok captain believes they can go on to much greater things.

Speaking to the media after his team's outstanding victory in at ABSA Stadium, Smit said that nothing is beyond his team now.

"If we keep sticking to our guns, I believe this team can take it to the next level and beyond," he said. "Nothing is impossible for this team.

"This is by no means where we want to stop. We will continue striving and we will not be satisfied until we are consistently beating top teams," the Bok captain added.

The plaudits were flowing thick and fast all round on Saturday evening, with many of those also going in the direction of the captain.

Bok coach Jake White was at pains to stress that this team, a very young unit by current international standards, should be kept together.

White, who has shown extreme consistency in selection this year, knows that this team will continue to grow in confidence and stature if they remain as a unit.

White has turned South African rugby around in a short space of time - from the laughing stock of the world after the Rugby World Cup in Australia last year, to a real world force now.

But the former Under-21 World Cup-winning coach preferred to praise his team, and their captain, instead of taking the credit.

"John is starting to show his worth as skipper and a lot of the credit should go to him," said White.

Lock Victor Matfield, who was named man-of-the-match for his outstanding effort, also came in for some praise.

There certainly was no sign of the reported 'trouble' between the coach and the lock, which saw him being sent back from Australasia.

In fact from the body language of the team and the remarks at the press conference it was clear that this is a very happy squad.

"Credit must go where it is due and Victor [Matfield] showed he is a valuable part of the team," White said.

"Naming him man-of-the-match was definitely the right choice - we choose our own and he is our choice too."

White then turned to Matfield and said: "You have made a lot of people proud today."

And the lock replied: "I've made myself proud."