'Rollercoaster ride'

praises players after

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Posted: Saturday October 30, 1999 04:49 PM

Nick Mallett could do nothing but sit and watch as South Africa lost its semifinal to Australia in extra time. Nick Wilson/Allsport

TWICKENHAM, England (AP) -- South Africa coach Nick Mallett said Saturday's dramatic 27-21 World Cup semifinal defeat against Australia felt like "a rollercoaster ride."

"The game was won and lost on tiny things," Mallett said. "I think both teams were very similar with good very good defense ... but well done to Australia for beating us."

Australia ended South Africa's undefeated record in World Cups and booked first spot in next Saturday's decider in Cardiff.

Mallett said his players were "very disappointed" but deserved credit for their part in a match of high drama.

"The team didn't let themselves down and did their absolute best and have nothing to be ashamed about," he said, praising Australia for forcing errors on the Springboks which led to them conceding 10 penalties.

When Jannie de Beer kicked a last-gasp penalty to equalize at 18-18 and send the match into extra time, Mallett said he felt it was going to be South Africa's day.

"We got back in it and I thought it might be our turn in the last 20 minutes [of extra time]. But it wasn't to be and that's just the way it goes."

De Beer, whose five drop goals eliminated England and set a world record, again had five drop attempts but only got one on target.

But Mallett refused to blame his flyhalf.

"I thought he handled the game very well," said Mallett. "Anyone who can slot a last minute penalty over like he did can handle pressure. He had a couple of chances early on and could have scored.

"If it goes over the guy's a hero and if it doesn't they say they were lost opportunities."

De Beer was philosophical about the defeat.

"Maybe we were overeager on the day and we gave away too many penalties as a result," said de Beer. "But we've just got to accept it and maybe it just wasn't meant to be."

Australia's flyhalf Stephen Larkham kicked his first drop goal in test rugby to clinch the victory and Mallett said that at the time he didn't think the Wallaby flyhalf was aiming for the posts.

"I wasn't sure whether he had kicked the ball downfield or whether it was a drop but he struck it really well and he got the vital three points to break the deadlock and that was important," Mallett said.

South Africa now faces a third place playoff Thursday against the loser of Sunday's second semifinal between New Zealand and France.

Mallett said that his players will want to win that game to go home on a positive note and ensure automatic qualification for the 2003 World Cup in Australia by placing third here.

"It would be nice to come back with something," he said.

Skipper Joost van der Westhuizen said the Springboks must get over the disappointment of losing their title but took heart from what had been "an excellent game of rugby."

"We have to pick our heads up," he said. "We are always humble in victory and so we must be humble in defeat too."

 

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