SUN CITY, South Africa - Under-pressure Springboks rugby coach Jake White has all but waved the white flag, saying their loss to the All Blacks was down to fatigue and most of his players are "running on empty".
In a candid admission ahead of Sunday's (NZ time) Tri-Nations test in
Rustenberg, White told the Pretoria News his players didn't lack commitment but were just exhausted from rugby overload.
"Is that commitment or is that because we are just tired," White said of their 26-45 defeat at Pretoria.
"If we're tired then it goes hand in hand on the conditioning comments I've made in the past. Some of these guys are simply running on empty."
White, who has stuck with the core of his top lineup throughout their season, admitted the tiredness scenario had snuck up on him.
"I've spoken to several people on this. I cannot believe that a team that has been so successful can go downhill so fast.
"We've been consistent in selection and they understand the game plan. How can we go from a place where they could do it to the place where they can't do it anymore?
"Is it the training they are doing or what is it? It is something we need to discuss."
The lack of energy was best summed up by Springboks' chasing game in Pretoria as the All Blacks counter-attacked at will in the second half.
When Luke McAlister scored under the posts there was only halfback Fourie de Preez in cover and four other All Blacks queuing up for the final pass.
It means potential changes this weekend, with White potentially signalling one when he said Ruan Pienaar, who made an impact when he came on for Percy Montgomery at fullback, had a future in the No 15 jersey rather than halfback.
If there isn't significant improvement, White's job will come under severe scrutiny, with his team having lost five tests in a row.
With the All Blacks and Wallabies looming in consecutive weeks, the Springboks are staring down the barrel of their worst losing streak of seven from the mid-1960s.
- NZPA
