South Africa Rugby
De Villiers: I never resigned
ESPNscrum Staff
October 10, 2011
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers cuts a dejected figure, Australia v South Africa, Rugby World Cup quarter-final, Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand, October 9, 2011
Peter de Villiers cuts a dejected figure as he leaves the pitch following South Africa's defeat to Australia © Getty Images
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Peter de Villiers insists that he has not resigned as coach of South Africa.

De Villiers appeared to signal the end of his stint in charge of the Springboks following South Africa's defeat to Australia in the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup on Sunday. However, in a press conference in Johannesburg on Monday following the squad's return from New Zealand, De Villiers retracted his apparent resignation.

"No, I never resigned, I was just saying it was the end of the road. It's logical, I have a four-year contract and I've known all along that this day would come. I will live and die by that contract, which ends in December and then I won't have a job," De Villiers told a news conference.

"After the match I didn't feel in control. People want security and I was the only coach at the tournament who didn't know his future. But the writing is on the wall, I will read it and move on."

De Villiers was asked shortly after the match whether his career was over. "I think so," he said. "It was a brilliant journey ... There's a time to come and a time to go. So I think the journey for me is over."

Former Springboks and current Brumbies coach Jake White, who led South Africa to their triumph in the 2007 World Cup, has already indicated that he is interested succeeding De Villiers and returning as coach of the national team.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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