South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has played down any worries about his side despite their disappointing European Tour.

The reigning World champions beat the British and Irish Lions earlier this year before storming to the Tri-Nations title.

But they lost to France and two English club teams before rounding the tour off with a disappointing 15-10 defeat to Six Nations champions Ireland at Croke Park.

A win over minnows Italy hardly papered over the cracks, but De Villiers said: “We always knew it would be a tough tour to finish our year with.

“Our two wingers for instance have played 500 minutes more rugby this year than they should have.

“However, at the end of the day we have no excuses.”

Ahead of the tour, critics were worried about the prospect of burn-out for Springbok skipper John Smit and his experienced lieutenants, Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.

As expected, De Villiers tried to blood several fringe players throughout the tour.

But the midweek side disappointed in defeats to Leicester and Saracens. And De Villiers admitted the tour had given him some food for thought.

He said: “The younger guys have to step up to the plate and quite clearly some did and some didn’t. I guess I could have rested players for the tour but it was vital to not only bring the first team to Europe and also younger players. If I had just brought a second-string team then the results would have been far worse.”

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