De Villiers draws positives from plane scare

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers is hoping last night's plane scare will draw his side closer together.

The Springboks found themselves back in Johannesburg last night when they should have been in Australia as the plane in which they were travelling had to turn back because of engine trouble.

The Qantas flight was two hours into the journey when an engine overheated and failed, meaning the plane had to return to OR Tambo International Airport.

Qantas and the Springboks management worked hastily to rearrange their plans, with a special flight scheduled to leave Johannesburg tonight at 11.15pm local time.

De Villiers told www.sarugby.net: "Qantas have been very good. They kept us informed throughout the night and their general manager came through to the team meeting to explain the situation and answer any questions from the players.

"Things like this draw people closer together and hopefully that'll be the effect on this team. But right now it's all systems go and we're looking forward to getting to Australia and preparing for a Test match."

With the team now scheduled to arrive in Sydney a full 31 hours later than intended, De Villiers was left to hope the impact on his side would be minimal.

"There has obviously been some disruption but we are on top of it and have made the necessary adjustments to our planning," he said.

"We had timed our departure with a view to managing the effects of jet lag and have had to re-examine those plans. We've looked at the programme and it has had an effect, but we will manage it.

"Obviously there were a few stressful moments but we have given the players a free day to relax before we get back together this evening."

De Villiers is taking a severely weakened squad for the away leg of their Tri Nations campaign in which the Springboks face Australia and New Zealand on July 23 and July 30.