Springbok captain John Smit said he was happy with Saturday's 43-17 victory over Six Nations champions Wales, adding that the Boks still had a lot of work to do ahead of the Tri-Nations.

Speaking after Saturday's clash in Bloemfontein, Smit said that the environment created by the new Bok coaching staff contributed to the Boks' 34-17 triumph over the Welsh.

"We were effective with the ball in hand. But, I also felt that the score did not do justice to the game".

Smit said the fact that the Boks had had minimal preperation time — after the Super 14 and with several players joining the squad from Europe — meant that the Boks still had a lot more work to do.

"We have got a lot of work to do. But I'm satisfied with the start — 43-17, you can't argue with that.

"It is always difficult to tell how good we were and how good they were at this time of year.

"This comes at the end of a long season [for Wales] and we are at the beginning of ours. We knew their rush defence was going to be difficult but we handled it well I think."

The Bok captain also said Wales' pre-match promise to front up physically was all the motivation his team needed.

"We heard about the physical onslaught that was going to be brought at us in the media and that was probably the biggest favour they could have done us," Smit said.

Smit, who played his 50th game as captain, said his side were starting something special under the guidance of new coach Peter de Villiers who took charge of the team for the first time since his appointment in January.

"The cap was special — I had butterflies before this game, but I've been lucky to be in the right place at the right time with a bunch of talented individuals," he said.

"To think we only had 10 days before this game, the personality and attitude of the coach helped the guys experience something new and it is the kind of influence that can create something special for our country."

Man of the Match Butch James said he was glad to be back in South Africa after his first season with Bath.

James put in a flawless kicking exhibition, afterwards saying: "thank you to my kicking coach Percy".

365

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