SAClips

coach Peter de Villiers' state of mind is a vast contrast from his senior Springboks players as they prepare for their ... New coach Peter de Villiers' state of mind is a vast contrast from his senior Springboks players as they prepare for their first defining rugby test since winning the World Cup. De Villiers has been a jovial figure all week but professed to having butterflies ahead of the opening Tri-Nations test against the All Blacks in Wellington tomorrow. Since inheriting the role from Jake White, de Villiers has maintained a quirky nature in his press conferences and the smiling visage has remained through two wins over Wales and an equally comfortable defeat of Italy at home last month. That changed today as he contemplated an All Blacks side who have won five of their last six tests against the Springboks. "I'm very nervous for one reason only, it's New Zealand in New Zealand," de Villiers said. "I know they've tried to play a few mind games, telling us that we are the favourites. "The one fact is that we are the world champions, that is true. But I don't think any other team will ever enter the shores of New Zealand and be the favourites here." (more) (less)