De Villiers defends travel plans

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers says the decision to base his players on Australia’s Gold Coast prior to their crucial Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand in Hamilton is because “there is nothing in Hamilton” and he wants to keep his players fresh ahead of such an important match.

The Springboks will not arrive in the city until late on Thursday for Saturday’s showdown at Waikato Stadium after opting to stay at Surfer’s Paradise in Queensland following their defeat to Australia in Brisbane last weekend.