We're getting closer, says White

Jake White

The result was depressingly familiar but the Springboks found ample positives after their loss to the All Blacks.

The South Africans flew out yesterday heartbroken at a seventh defeat in seven visits to Carisbrook.

They have won just once in 13 tests in New Zealand since emerging from international isolation in 1992. But they believe they are another step closer to conquering an All Blacks side that had accrued seven straight wins before Jake White took over as coach last year.

Under White, it is two victories each, with home ground advantage proving decisive.

He said yesterday: "I went walking through the city [before the test] and somebody said to me, 'It's like the old days'.

"I think that's a compliment to where this team is. In the last couple of years we wouldn't have been given that much respect."

White said now was a chance to reflect on a set of international results most Springboks supporters would have taken if offered after the Super 12.

They had beaten France in a home series, downed the Wallabies three times, recorded their first win on Australian soil in seven years and are still a chance of defending their Tri Nations crown.

"To go from six in the world rankings to two in the world in the matter of 18 months is something they can be proud of," White said. "But the nature of this team is that they're disappointed.

"The expectation's much greater than before and it's something we can build on for the World Cup in 2007."

Boks captain John Smit said his team-mates found positives in the gloom of the dressing room.

"We can take heart from the fact that we're getting closer and closer," Smit said.

"The boys came here with a lot of belief and we will even more so in the future. It's good for us as a young side to know that we're getting better and better."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said the Springboks would clearly provide his team with imposing challenges over coming years.

"It was a huge test match and they should feel very satisfied with what they tried to do.

"They'll be disappointed that they lost the game but we feel we were the better side, we constructed the tries to win the football game."