Wallabies star Matt Giteau has heaped more pressure on Springboks coach Peter de Villiers, ridiculing de Villiers’ excuse that his players were tiring after the Super 14 season by announcing the Australians are as fresh as ever.
De Villiers put part of the reason for South Africa’s 27-15 home loss to Australia on Saturday down to weariness after playing so much rugby.
“Some of the players were feeling flat due to the amount of rugby they have played,” de Villiers said.
“There’s a few guys who played each and every minute of the Super 14, and most of the Test matches, too. You can see they are a bit flat, and the decision-making is just not there.”
But despite Australian players having also participated in the Super 14 and subsequent Test matches, Giteau said the entire squad was feeling fresh.
“You can’t speak for the opposition, but where we’re at, we’re all feeling fresh,” Giteau told Fairfax.
“It is a tough and intense competition. But I think we’ve got the balance right, and the guys do feel fresh. They are looking forward to training, and looking forward to games. I haven’t experienced that flatness.”
Giteau says Australia’s depth was a key to the Wallabies’ fitness, with the likes of Timana Tahu, Ryan Cross and Dean Mumm all taking advantage of tiring Springboks legs late in the Durban match.
“One of our biggest strengths is the impact our bench has been giving to the team,” Giteau said.
“We’ve got a squad of 30. The whole squad trains and everyone gets an opportunity to train in their position. And everyone gets equal time in their positions.
“I think that certainly has a positive effect when the interchange players come on. They feel comfortable in their roles. They just go out and want to play good football, and that’s what they’ve been doing.
“Previously in a lot of teams, you’d probably focus on the starting XV, making sure they get enough time in their positions. But now everyone is getting that equal time and equal opportunity, and that is certainly paying dividends for us.”
South Africa host Australia again this Saturday.
