Boks captain determined to secure Tri-Nations title
Last updated: 7th September 2009
South Africa captain John Smit has warned New Zealand that his side are determined to bounce back from their Tri-Nations slip-up.
The Springboks needed just a point from their clash with Australia in Brisbane to clinch the title - however they came unstuck 21-6 against a fired up Wallabies line-up.
The defeat was the first for the Boks in this season's competition - and Smit insists there will not be another when they face the All Blacks in Hamilton.
A point against New Zealand would be enough to secure the world champions their first Tri-Nations title in five years, and Smit said: "We knew they [Australia] were going to be firing.
"No one loses four on the trot and just rocks up. They were always going to be far more formidable this weekend, and we still have our own fate in our hands.
"Rest assured, the guys will be fired up for the final game in Hamilton."
Smit knows, though, that his side will need to be more consistent over 80 minutes if they are to beat the All Blacks.
"It's hard to pinpoint why, but it was a game where we had moments of brilliance but we just couldn't put it together enough to create that pressure," he said.
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