De Villiers inexperience is starting to tell as Boks lose momentum

"De Villiers was a political appointment - the administration acknowledged as much about a man with no senior coaching CV.

"If South African rugby had foresight and real desperation, it would realise the game is up, the joke is over, and give de Villiers the boot, and quick," he concluded.

SHOOT: It remains to be seen whether SARFU really cares about the Springboks, or whether it's still first and foremost a political tool for settling old scores.

clipped from www.sport24.co.za Rattue also believes South Africa's Rugby World Cup prospects will be best served by a Tri-Nations disaster that allows them the perfect excuse to axe the Lippy Looney, coach Peter de Villiers. "Age may be starting to catch up with a couple of Springboks, notably their legendary leader John Smit. The problem is, Smit - by quiet account - actually runs the Springbok team along with veteran lineout ace Victor Matfield with input from the assistant coaches. "Smit hasn't been as prominent around the field as we've come to expect, and the Springboks have an outstanding alternative in the injured Bismarck du Plessis along with Gary Botha. "Peter de Villiers has been a train-driver coach, able to sit back and push a few buttons as his juggernaut powers along. "With rule changes and advancing years catching up with the Boks, he now has serious coaching and selecting to do. He isn't up to it and was completely outplayed by a resurgent, grinning Graham Henry.