Du Plessis tells it like it is

Springbok tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis didn't mince his words after South Africa's 29-15 defeat by Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin at the weekend, calling it a "shit feeling".

Ironically the Springboks' setpiece - particularly the scrum - dominated Ireland, but handling errors and inability to control the ball at the breakdown cost the team.

The Springboks moved on to London yesterday where they will face England at Twickenham this weekend.

"I don't know if we're angry or just bitter," Du Plessis said.

"It's a shit feeling and if you play in a Springbok jersey you don't want to have that feeling."

Even a dominant scrumming performance couldn't lift Du Plessis' spirits.

"I take no personal satisfaction out of the fact that the scrum was superior today, ironic as that may seem, because we lost," Du Plessis said. "It's like chess. You might have the most pieces on the board, your queen is creating havoc and you think you're in control, but if your king falls you lose the game."