I would take my team to war - Heyneke

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Sunday, October 18 2015 by SNTV

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) Heyneke Meyer, South Africa head coach:

"I would like to kiss Fourie (du Preez, South Africa captain), especially after that try. I've always said coaching is overrated. You have to be able to pick guys of character and I've always said character, the players know this, it's like charcoal, whenever you put pressure on you get diamonds. Knockout rugby is not about who plays the best rugby, it's just about character. Right at the end, to score that try showed some pace, my captain. They say he doesn't have any more pace, especially the players. But I thought it was awesome, especially at half time as well you know. We kept composure. Fourie was brilliant, and like I said, scored at the end. I must give all those players respect. I thought a guy like Schalk (Burger) came back from a very, very serious injury. People said it's old players. He came through and Duane (Vermeulen) and all the old players. But I also want to take my hat off to the youngsters. Lood (de Jager) was brilliant. He got injured quite early on and play through with Eben (Etzebeth) and those three young centres. Wales were unbelievable in midfield, running heart of Jamie Roberts, to keep them out defensively was awesome. But you have to back the right guys and I'm so proud of them and I will go to war with them."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Fourie du Preez, South Africa captain:

"During the game it felt a lot similar to the 2011 game against them and also the 2011 quarter-final which we lost by one penalty. There was a stage where I felt it was really tough to break their line.Their rush defence put us under pressure. But around about 60 minutes I could see a few of their guys were lying down, they were slowing the game down and I just told the guys look, 'they're probably off their feet at the moment. We've got a lot of gas left, so just keep on pushing and then we'll pull you through.' Luckily we did."

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