Defiant Springboks focus on revenge at Sydney and the World Cup

Beleaguered South African coach Jake White last night defiantly insisted his team can win the World Cup.

White felt that their spirited performance at Wellington had answered the critics after the humiliation against Australia in Brisbane.

And in a jibe at Graham Henry's All Blacks, he added: "There is no guarantee because you have been dominant for 18 months before the World Cup you are going to win it.

"I intend to focus on nothing else now except making sure this team can develop to win the World Cup. I love my job, I love coaching South Africa. And I'm determined to get it right."

White excused his side's gross technical indiscipline, especially at the breakdown, which cost them Saturday night's test. So many penalties offered Daniel Carter the chances to win the game, and he took them with aplomb.

But White attributed it to over-exuberance, saying: "We were up against it and that is why we went over the top in certain things. But there was always going to be an element of frustration. Considering the drubbing we had the week before, when New Zealand got out to 25-7 most sides would have laid down and died. We didn't and that was heartening for me.

"Defensively, we were much better and certain players put their hands up to be counted. They showed me that I could take them to a World Cup.

"You learn about players in those circumstances and I felt we learned plenty from this match. But one lesson was, you cannot give New Zealand loose ball to run back at you. They hurt us twice like that."

White admitted all the criticism of the previous week had wounded him. "It hurt, it hurt a very great deal.

"It has been an unbelievable week. But I also found out who my friends were. I had messages from all kinds of people, encouraging us to keep going. That meant a lot.

"I know we will turn the corner. We will get our injured players back and they will make a big difference. Then we'll add on the players who have stood up in difficult circumstances like this and emerged. And in some ways I can see our players have become closer under all this pressure and criticism. It is bringing us together."

White made little attempt to hide his respect for New Zealand's rugby structure and the passion for the game in this country.

"Theirs is not just a great rugby team but a great rugby nation. There is a world of difference between the two.

"When I saw the experience and quality of NZ rugby people waiting to go into their dressing room after the match, people like Sir Brian Lochore, Jock Hobbs and John Graham, I was filled with admiration.

"There is enough history and knowledge of the game there in those guys alone, never mind the actual All Blacks coaching trio.

"But I want to say how much I and my players appreciate the support we have had from our rugby president and also chairman of selectors. They have been into the dressing room, talked to the players and understand what we are trying to do."

The performances of players like Solly Tyibilika and Butch James, both brought into the side after the Brisbane debacle, pleased their coach. "Solly did well, he never looked out of place. And Butch brought attitude, which was important."

It may be that the Springboks won't make any changes for their final away Tri-Nations test, against Australia in Sydney on Saturday week.

"There won't be any problem getting up for that one after what they did to us in Brisbane," he warned.

His statement typified the defiance that seemed to epitomise the Springboks as they prepared to leave for Sydney this morning.