De Villiers blasts back at critics
Coach Peter de Villiers has scoffed at suggestions that he might be a weakness in South Africa’s armoury.
The world champion Springboks go into next Saturday’s third Test against the British and Irish Lions with an unassailable 2-0 lead following victories in Durban and Pretoria.
And despite de Villiers claiming 11 wins during his 15 Tests in charge, the jury remains out over the impact he has made.
Speculation pervades the South African media that the Springboks are effectively run by players such as their World Cup-winning skipper John Smit and second-row giant Victor Matfield.
But de Villiers said: “If I am the weakest link, then we are bloody strong!
“I didn’t know about the perception, and I do not even have time to think about it. I know myself that I am a God-given talent.
“I am the best ever that I can be, so whatever you think about me doesn’t bother me. I know what I am, and I don’t give a damn.”
De Villiers has called Sharks lock Johann Muller into his squad after Andries Bekker – the obvious replacement for a suspended Bakkies Botha – suffered a torn knee cartilage.
Centre Jean de Villiers and scrum-half Fourie du Preez have both been cleared for selection following minor shoulder problems, though, while back-row forward Danie Rossouw continues to be monitored after he took a knock to his head in Pretoria three days ago.
The Springboks’ third Test line-up is due to be named later today, altough management were still debating last night whether or not to appeal the suspensions of Botha and flanker Schalk Burger.
Botha landed a two-week ban for a dangerous charge on Lions prop Adam Jones, while Burger received eight weeks after being cited and found guilty of “making contact with the face in the eye area” of wing Luke Fitzgerald.
Burger escaped with just a yellow card during the 28-25 second Test success at Loftus Versfeld, but match commissioner Steve Hinds decided to cite him.
“If you know Schalk’s nature and character – if you know the man as I know him - he would never do this,” insisted Springboks boss de Villiers.
“He is more physical than any other rugby player in the world.
“To go to those kind of measures, he would never ever do it. And I don’t think he did it.
“I have watched the television footage and I am still convinced there is no way he went there on purpose. He never meant to go to anybody’s eye.
“Eye-gouging is something that we as a team, and especially me, will never condone. Along with biting, head-butting and spear-tackling – all those things that don’t belong in the game.
“We would never ever encourage anybody to be part of anything negative or bringing the game into disrepute.
“We want to promote the game among our youth. We want this game to be the biggest nation-building tool there ever can be.
“By encouraging stuff like that then we are fighting a lost cause. I would never ever encourage it.”
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