Viljoen: "We need to become a unit"
December 4, 2000

Springbok coach Harry Viljoen on Saturday described his side's 25-17 defeat at the hands of England as "damaging", while captain Andre Vos said it was a real setback for the team.

England, thanks to an inspirational forward pack and the brilliant tactical kicking of flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, recorded only their third back to back victory over the Springboks. They can now rightly lay claim to a superior ranking to the Springboks in the rugby pecking order after beating them 27-22 in Bloemfontein in June.

On Friday, Viljoen said a defeat wouldn't amount to a train smash. But, on Saturday night, he called it damaging.

"It is not ideal," he added. "It is, however, important that we realise where we are. There is a lot of work to be done.

"It's important that all of us know that South Africa isn't exactly on top of the world right now, but it works in cycles. We need to play more matches together and become more of a unit," the coach said after his first defeat in four Tests at the helm.

Vos said the result was a big setback for the team, but that the Springboks won't find it difficult to stay focused for the last game of the tour - on Sunday in Cardiff against the Barbarians.

"It was a big setback, because we hoped to make it four wins in a row. You will, however, never find a South African side who goes onto the field and gives less than 100 percent.

"We enjoy wearing the green and gold jersey and on Sunday we'll give our best," the No 8 said.

Viljoen said the Springbok camp would not dispute referee David McHugh's decision not to allow them a try after a scintillating break by fullback Percy Montgomery (pictured), which could have changed the course of the match.

"I think between him and the touch judge they were convinced it wasn't a try. Although Percy is convinced he had touched down, I'm not even going to question that decision."

There were suggestions about citings from the English camp, but Viljoen said he was not aware of anything to that effect.

"I don't know who they're talking about, so I cannot answer that question," Viljoen said in response to a question.

"We all know it was a highly physical game and there were a few incidents, but I really don't know anything about citings."

Viljoen praised the England effort. "All credit must go to the England side. They are a good side. They've been together for a while now and one could see it today. They kept their composure well and are one of the best organised sides in the world today."

He expressed his disappointment with his side's performance, but said a refereeing decision here and there could have changed the course of the game.

"We're disappointed, we're far from where we can be, but I don't want to make excuses. The guys played well, but we don't like losing. Maybe with a decision here and there that went our way it could have gone any way."

Viljoen and Vos reckoned one of the biggest factors in their downfall was the superior tactical kicking of the home side. And the coach said the South Africans had to change their game plan to suit the local conditions.

"Tactical kicking plays a bigger role in the northern hemisphere game than in the southern hemisphere. Our tactical kicking was one of our major shortcomings today," lamented Viljoen.

Vos agreed with his coach. "They kicked intelligently and turned us around. They put us under a lot of pressure with their kicking, which pinned us down in our own half, and that was a big factor today."

The Boks will stay in London on Thursday before relocating to Cardiff for Sunday's match. Gaffie du Toit and lock Hottie Louw will remain with the Bok Test squad, while the rest of touring party departs for South Africa on Sunday.

Springbok squad for Barbarians match:

Forwards: Rob Kempson, Ollie le Roux, Willie Meyer, John Smit, Charl Marais, Albert van den Berg, Hottie Louw, Mark Andrews, Corné Krige, AJ Venter, Warren Brosnihan, André Venter, André Vos.

Backs: Joost van der Westhuizen, Dan van Zyl, Braam van Straaten, Japie Mulder, Robbie Fleck, Grant Esterhuizen, Stefan Terblanche, Chester Williams, Breyton Paulse, Percy Montgomery, Gaffie du Toit.

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