What's going on in Bakkies' head?

As if the ignominy of a 20-point defeat was not enough, the Springboks look set to be without their serial miscreant lock Bakkies Botha for the remainder of their Tri-Nations tour

Botha yesterday added to his list of dubious distinctions by headbutting All Blacks scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan on the back of the head, while he was lying under him on the ground, early in the match.

Botha was perhaps seeking retribution for being obstructed seconds before but amazingly his indiscretion went unnoticed by the match officials.

Given his previous thuggery, Botha could have the whole library thrown at him when he appears before a judicial commission today.

Ironically, had the referee or his assistants seen yesterday's incident, Botha would have been sanctioned on the spot and could have perhaps escaped further punishment.

Bok coach Peter de Villiers has resigned himself to Botha being in hot water, again.

"I think he will be cited," said De Villiers, recognising the inevitability of a judicial hearing. "He will be called to appear. Let's wait for that."

Captain John Smit said: "I don't approve of anything that happens outside the law but I didn't see the incident.

"I think only Bakkies can explain his actions. It is really only Bakkies who can explain what goes on inside there (presumably his head)," said Smit.

Should Botha be ruled out, his place is likely to go to Danie Rossouw, although Andries Bekker provides the selectors with a credible option.

Replacing Botha may be the least of the Springboks' concerns.

They have to come to terms with a defeat that has put into sharp focus areas of their game they believed were well oiled.

Smit and then De Villiers consoled themselves in the fact that "it can't get worse".

"There is no panic at this moment. There is nothing we can't fix. We played too much rugby in our own half," said De Villiers.

Smit's appraisal was more sobering. "There was nothing going on from our side. We didn't give them much of a contest. The lights were out.

"Our minds just weren't in the right place today. That is an area we'll have to work on this week. Many things we did were out of character. Normally, the physicality and the accuracy at the set piece goes without saying.

"They wanted it more. They were more urgent and they deserved what they got," Smit lamented.

The captain also accepted his share of blame for the lineout ball that went astray.

"I have been poor this week (at practice) and missed more than usual. Victor (Matfield) must be disappointed," said Smit.

By contrast All Blacks coach Graham Henry could not be more overwhelmed by his forwards' effort.

"I was very impressed with the set pieces. I thought we were superb. Our lineout was excellent and we were able to put a lot of pressure there. The scrum was sound and the defence was superb."

Captain Richie McCaw said his team drew inspiration from last year's defeats. "It was frustrating last year. We didn't get going. When we lost in Hamilton we had to wait a year to have another go," said McCaw.

As well as his team played, Henry encouraged All Black feet to remain on terra firma. "We know next week is going to be a huge Test match. We don't want to get ahead of ourselves."