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Hard luck: Centurion John Smit
Springbok captain John Smit was understandably heartbroken in the wake of Saturday's last-gasp loss to the All Blacks in Soweto.
In his 100th Test for South Africa, Smit slipped off a tackle on Ma'a Nonu, allowing the New Zealand centre to burst clear and set-up the winning try in the final minute.
"I thought we controlled the first half well and played accurately and on our terms. In the second half we conceded a few penalties and missed touch kicks, which cost us," said Smit immediately after the final whistle.
"At 22-all we wanted to get into a good field position so that Morné Steyn can have a go at a drop-goal, but we turned over possession, I missed a crucial tackle and it was game over.
"I can't think of anything worse than losing your 100th Test by missing a tackle at the death. I'll be disappointed for a very long time."
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers had plenty of praise for the new and returning faces to his much-changed team.
"The youngsters stepped up today and we can draw a lot of confidence from how they played," said De Villiers.
"If we dictate territory and possession, we can beat any team. We lost some structure in the second half and were playing less direct and more defensive.
"Those two kicks that went long were probably the turning points, as it brought us back into our half and we had to defend, where we could've been on the attack.
"It's very painful, but we can take some heart from how we performed today. You need luck too, and today it went their way, as it did in the rest of the Tri-Nations.
"Winning becomes a habit, but so can losing and we're aware of that."
De Villiers congratulated the All Blacks for winning the Tri-Nations.
"Well done to the All Blacks - we saw last year what a great thing it is to win the Tri-Nations," he said.
"They deserved it this year and played entertaining rugby. It's a huge disappointment for us - the dressing room felt like a funeral afterwards."
Comments
Clinton says...
You don't beat ANY of the Tri-nations teams with luck. You beat them because you were up to it on that day...and because you were able to play out of your socks! Congratulations to the All Blacks for sticking it out even when it looked like they were going to get pipped for the first time this season. To our boys, we appreciate all the guts and mettle you put into it. It wasn't enough on the day, but at least this was a much, much better performance from a team that can beat anyone on any given day. Bring on the Wallabies! BOKKE FOREVER!!
Posted 16:09 23rd August 2010
pjhanz says...
Great game and the AB's being really tested defensively by the Boks and coming out on top, the Boks were showing the AB's no mercy in the collision areas, as the AB's were driven back regularly during the game...defence wins tight games...it's not about attack
Posted 12:29 23rd August 2010
dylster says...
ben7...you were obviously watching a different game...the ABs came close to scoring quite a few times..more than the boks. not taking anything away from the boks tho, they played really well.
you dont beat the boks with luck. nonu's break was luck? and his pass to Dagg was just a fluke ay?
i think poor old smit has had his day..
Posted 10:39 23rd August 2010
Clayton26 says...
so PDV.... when did watching your team get hammered by the All Blacks and then watch them dismantle Australia, 3 weeks running become lucky???
Maybe You need to tell Habana to mark his man and not always try for the intercept. Then He may have actually been able to stop McCaws charge in its tracks...
Posted 04:26 23rd August 2010
KiwiLad says...
No doubt, a Springbok Legend! Sad way to bring up a 100 tests though.
Poor buggar
Posted 23:57 22nd August 2010
5Lock4ward says...
I think it's time for Bismark du Plessis to take his long overdue rightful spot as the Bok's starting hooker.
Posted 22:21 22nd August 2010
dclp says...
Completely agree, he gave it everything thing he had and unlike years ago, it just wasn't enough.
Posted 08:29 22nd August 2010
blackbeast says...
way to go old man, you can play our boys anytime hihihihihihihi
Posted 06:37 22nd August 2010
bloemboy says...
I think the brightest point in this result has been the manner in which the Bok management has handled it. They know that they probably deserved the win and that the Kiwis were very lucky to steal it. What heartens me is the fact that they can blame the ref this time, and arent doing so. I think it is because they know that they did the hard yards and they have it in them to beat the Blacks. Its not important at the moment to cry foul, but rather to continue to work the Kiwis out before they wize up and change their game plan like happens every 4 years when they spend 3 years reinventing rugby, and the 4th year watching someone unlock their gameplan.
That being said, Smit has been fantastic for many years and will continue to do so for one reason. There is no-one to take over the Captaincy from what I have seen. The only contenders would be Juan Smith or possibly even Fourie du Preez, though I think the latter has a full time job at 9 already and doesnt need the additional burden. I dont think Matfield will be around long enough, though Bekker is not sure of his place as yet.
Posted 06:25 22nd August 2010
nic22bro says...
Fair go, i'm a die hard AB supporter right through to the bone, but i really felt for John Smit. The guy is a great leader of men and a wonderful player with alot to offer S.A rugby. Sure he isn't in his prime anymore but he can hold his own still and i do not believe the wining and losing of that game came down to that tackle. The 2 kicks by Morne which went long were extremely crucial in the span of things. Hell i would've enjoyed seeing him celebrate the massive occasion with a win on his ton even if it meant my Great team losing (sorry fellow kiwi supporters, but i'm not a turncoat). To see the anguish and despair in his face after the game was gut wrenching even for this very proud staunch kiwi! I always look forward to Smits aftermatch comments cause he never offers excuses, he never bitches or moans, he is generally gracious in defeat and its a quality that i really admire in any captain. So hats off to you John Smit, big respect, your still a champion in this kiwi's house!!
Posted 04:51 22nd August 2010
ben7 says...
poor guy. i feel so sorry for him being his 100th game and all.
the boks should have definitely won this game, the all blacks were outplayed for 75 minutes.
john smit is still the man.
im an england fan but i still love seeing the boks play, they will be very good again once they get all their injured and banned players back eg. beast, du plessis, botha, brussouw, du preez, fourie, steyn
all blacks you got very, very lucky
Posted 03:37 22nd August 2010
pyes says...
Well done to Smit on his milestone but I think hes been lucky to get to this point - the injury to Duplesis has taken one of SA's most mobile and powerful ball carriers out of the game and he should easily displace Smit when he returns.
Posted 00:30 22nd August 2010
Bigspottedcat says...
We love you John.
Posted 23:51 21st August 2010
BoDiddly says...
Man up John, stop feeling sorry for yourself. You're not the first to be bumped off a Nonu tackle and you won't be the last.
Posted 22:45 21st August 2010
RobinWEM says...
did the coach mention anything why structure was lost in the 2nd half, did he say anything of taking Juan Smith off the field in the 60th
Posted 22:09 21st August 2010
tuco says...
100% confirmed... he has gone on too long. sadly it had to be proved the day he sang the national anthem with his child in his arms
Posted 21:14 21st August 2010