Super Rugby wins boost Boks

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers thinks the Stormers' come-from-behind win against the Blues last week is a turning point for South African World Cup hopes.

That result and the earlier win by the Cheetahs over the Crusaders were key matches for the South Africans and the fact the Stormers came from behind to win on the same field on which the World Cup final will be played was a boost.

"For a South African team to come from being down and to win it is food for thought for the Kiwis and I hope we can build on that," de Villiers told SAPA.

He said he was pleased with the way South Africa's sides were playing in the Super Rugby competition but frustrated that he hadn't had time to prepare his Springbok side.

"We haven't had a chance to prepare [for the World Cup] yet. The guys are giving me grey hair."

De Villiers said the injuries to players like flanker Heinrich Brussow, halfback Fourie du Preez and prop Jannie du Plessis were not helping his hair colouration.

"They are doing everything they can to get me to die before the World Cup," he joked.

"But ... we have the time and a good medical team and they are professional players and know how to handle themselves," he said.

De Villiers added that the World Cup was not his immediate concern as it had been decided at a meeting a week ago to concentrate on the Tri Nations.

The injury list was not too much of a concern because the enforced rest would ensure players were fresh by the time of the World Cup.

However, he added that any further injuries from now on would be a concern because there might not be the time to get players ready.