Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll was bitterly disappointed following his side's 31-17 defeat against South Africa in Bloemfontein. Ireland looked to have employed the wrong tactics and ran out of steam in the thin air of the high veldt as they were turned over by four tries to one.
"A lot of work lies ahead before the second Test next weekend," said a frustrated O'Driscoll.
"We had to live off scraps and just never got beyond second gear."
O'Driscoll, who turned in a typically brilliant performance and set up a try for Shane Horgan, was disappointed at aspects of Ireland's play.
''Our discipline let us down and we conceded some bad turnovers," he said.
''We just did not perform to the standard we have recently set ourselves.
"Our support lines were nowhere near good enough and we really made it hard for ourselves.
"If we are to win these sort of Tests we definitely need to improve 200-300 per cent."
Naturally, his South African counterpart Jon Smit was in ebullient mood.
 |  The altitude told in the second half and we made some crucial tackles behind the Irish gain line. |
"We were good in the line-outs and first phase and the half-time talk centred on retaining possession,'' said Smit
''Our defence was excellent in the second half in cutting down thje space Ireland had to work in.''
Jake White could not have had a better coaching debut for the Springboks and he praised his team.
"I'm proud of what we achieved today,'' said White.
''I thought we should have been ahead by half-time, but nerves let us down.
''The altitude told in the second half and we made some crucial tackles behind the Irish gain line.
"I was, however, in no doubt that we would have won because we prepared properly.
''We were here for three weeks, and it just shows that despite the injuries we have had, there are a lot of talented players in this country.''
Ireland now have to regroup for the second Test at sea-level in Cape Town.
MMIX
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