It was what one could call a winter of discontent for the Springboks as they lost their fifth Tri-Nations match from six in Bloemfontein on Saturday and set a new Tri-Nations record by conceding the most tries in the 15 years of the competition. The 41-39 loss meant the Springboks ended bottom of the log.

It was not a happy season off the field either and, again, national coach Peter de Villiers’ thoughtless utterances provided some fun but were also responsible for much acrimony – so much so that the patience of his Saru bosses is wearing thin.

The overseas leg of the Tri-Nations where all three matches were lost -two against the All Blacks and one against the Wallabies– will be remembered for De Villiers’s tirade against the referees.

On Saturday the match officials were again blamed by De Villiers for the defeat as the Wallabies came back from 31-39 behind to score ten points in the last ten minutes. This was despite being a man short after the yellow-carding of Saia Fainga’a.

De Villiers said the fact that the ball did not travel the required five metres at a lineout was the clincher. And, quite correctly, De Villiers pointed out that instead of getting the advantage, the Wallabies were allowed to continue playing.

There are, however, other factors which should rather be looked at as the reason for the defeat. And top of the list must be the defence which leaked five tries and allowed the Wallabies a bonus point in the 29th minute.

Surprisingly, De Villiers does not feel the need for a defence coach despite the 22 tries conceded in six matches. The previous highest was 21 tries conceded in 2008 by the Wallabies.

In an about-turn, De Villiers on Saturday said he believed the necessary structures were in place to take the Springboks to a successful World Cup campaign in a year’s time.

The Boks don’t need a defence coach, De Villiers intimated after the Bloemfontein loss.

Ignoring the reasons for the loss, he highlighted the positives in the Boks’ display.

“I think we showed character to come back. Our structures are in place and they can take us to World Cup if executed properly.

“If we execute our plans perfectly, it will be very difficult to score against us. We needed to show more character on defence, like we did in Soweto and last week at Loftus,” said De Villiers.

The reference to last weekend’s game is, however, not quite correct and the Wallabies then ran in three tries in the first 14 minutes. Again De Villiers contradicted a previous statement and the view expressed on Saturday is in stark contrast to his statement two weeks ago.

Then, before the Test against the All Blacks at the FNB Stadium, De Villiers criticised Western Province coach Jacques Nienaber for not accepting the position as the Boks’ defence coach. “I might be forced to look outside South Africa,” De Villiers said then.

Nothing has changed since. In fact, in the three home Tests since, the Springboks have conceded 12 tries and the total in six matches compares poorly with that of the All Blacks who have conceded only seven in five matches.

Springbok captain John Smit conceded the Boks were simply not good enough in Saturday’s Test or throughout the season.

“Our defence was not good, especially early in the game, and they cut us too easily,” said Smit.

“Usually our defensive system works well, but it did not work tonight. We only have ourselves to blame.

“I don’t feel good about our season. We’ve been disappointing in the Tri-Nations when one looks at the players and experience we have. We’re below par and far off the pace. It will be no use giving a bunch of excuses -we’re off our best and have work to do.” – Sapa