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Former Springbok coach Heyneke meyer He says South Africa’s loss to Japan at the 2015 Rugby World Cup will haunt him forever.
Japan, ranked 13th at the time and coach of Eddie Jones, caused one of the biggest upsets in rugby union history when they stunned the Boks 34-32 in Brighton.
The Boks bounced back and still achieved third place in the tournament, but Meyer is still struggling to accept defeat from Japan.
“I will never be able to process the disappointment of that defeat”, Meyer wrote in his new book, 7: My Notes on Leadership and Life, which goes on sale this week.
“Just when I think I’ve recovered to some extent, someone will ask me if it still hurts.”
In the book, Meyer reveals that the team was not fit enough before the World Cup.
“My biggest mistake coaching the Springboks was not asking for more time to prepare the team for the World Cup.” he wrote.
“When they beat us, hard work beat talent because talent didn’t work hard enough,” Meyer said. “For that, I take full responsibility.
“As coach of the Springboks, I had to push for more time to prepare the team for the World Cup, but I didn’t fight hard enough.”
Meyer added that he had never felt more lonely when he returned to his hotel room.
“When I finally went to my hotel room and closed the heavy hotel door behind me, I experienced the most intense feeling of loneliness I have ever felt.
“What I saw in the mirror was a man who hates the world and can only count on himself.”
– Compiled by Sport24 staff
