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PDV will extend his hand to Geech

July 02 2009

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said he would walk into the Lions changing room and congratulate rival Ian McGeechan if South Africa lost the final Test.

With the World Champions holding an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, Saturday's encounter at Coca-Cola Park (better known as Ellis Park) appears to be anti-climactic.

Recent controversies and alleged unsportsmanlike conduct has infused bad blood between the Springboks and the Lions heading into the third and final Test in Johannesburg.

Schalk Burger was banned for eight weeks for an eye-gouge in the second Test while Bakkies Botha copped a two-week suspension for illegally clearing Adam Jones from a ruck.

Both the Lions and South Africa have complained about off-the-ball scuffles, and although the series is already decided, a lot of people are expecting a royal rumble this weekend.

"There was a lot said. I think it was too much," said De Villiers.

"I think we must move on to the next Test."

There has also been a dispute, however, over whether McGeechan congratulated De Villiers after Saturday's game at Loftus Versfeld.

According to the Lions, their head coach offered his congratulations afterwards, but the South African media reported De Villiers as saying it didn't happen.

"It's our word against theirs," said De Villiers.

"The South African media have already made me out to be a liar.

"Let's see who wins the third Test and, if they do, I'll go in to their changing room and give Ian McGeechan my congratulations."

De Villiers was a controversial choice to succeed World Cup-winning coach Jake White in January 2008 and has made headlines throughout his career with some of his outspoken comments.

"I won't change my style," he said.

"If I change my style I change Peter de Villiers and I go back to God and say 'you made a bad job'".

De Villiers said that he had reacted poorly to some of the "negative" media from the foreign press.

Those who have heard him speak often may have understood what he was trying to say, but sadly there were occasions when the Bok coach just seemed a bit out of his depth.

At times, what he said came across as a bit of a rant and he's struggled to cope with the aggressive line of questioning. Sometimes it's looked like he was on the verge of completely losing his cool.

"What I learned is that, if they can't beat you they try and assert their superiority in other ways," he said in reference to the British and Irish media.

"I won't change myself.

"What I will do is keep my feet on the ground, be humble and be a good servant of this game."

By Dave Morris in Johannesburg