De Villiers: Boks showed heart

De Villiers: worried by slow start

They knew that they messed up in the first half, but they also believed they could still do it and you saw the turnaround after that. That (guts) is what the team is made up of. I think now we can build on this game, use it as a foundation, working towards the World Cup.

Peter de Villiers
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Peter de Villiers was a relieved man after South Africa overcame a horror start to end a four-game losing streak with victory over Australia in Pretoria.

The world champions eventually ran out 44-31 winners but not before they were given a mighty scare from the visitors.

They fell 14-0 behind inside five minutes after converted tries by Will Genia and James O'Connor, before mounting a recovery that helped them to a first win of the competition.

"I was worried when we gave them those tries, especially in the state we were in, the confidence being low," the Springbok coach said.

"So to give them a start like that it took really a lot of heart and character to come back and win a game a like this."

Matfield landmark

The game also marked the 100th cap for veteran lock and vice-captain Victor Matfield on his home ground Loftus Versfeld, and De Villiers continued: "I think the guys wanted to do it for themselves, do it for Victor and do it for their country.

"So that on its own was obviously enough motivation for them to go out there and play."

De Villers, whose side were edged out 29-22 at the death by New Zealand seven days ago, also praised his players' determination.

He added: "They felt bad at half-time, but they weren't down.

"They knew that they messed up in the first half, but they also believed they could still do it and you saw the turnaround after that.

"That (guts) is what the team is made up of. I think now we can build on this game, use it as a foundation, working towards the World Cup."

Opposite number Robbie Deans was satisfied with the way his side played in their bid for a first ever win in Pretoria.

He said: "It was obviously a game we could have won, even though we haven't won here previously.

"So the opportunity was certainly there."

Injuries

However, he felt they were undone in certain areas and also lamented the loss of key players Nathan Sharpe and Scott Higginbotham through injury.

He added: "We went missing when it really mattered, particularly set pieces.

Obviously losing Sharpie didn't help and Higginbotham in the warm-up didn't help either.

"But that just seems to be the way things are running for us to that end at the moment.

"There was a lot that was constructive and good for us, so we'll be hoping for better next week."

The two sides meet again in Bloemfontein on September 4.