The Springboks suffered record defeats to France (30-10), Scotland (21-6) and England (53-3) in consecutive weeks.

Coach Rudolf Straeuli praised his players for "standing up to the onslaught" at Twickenham after lock Jannes Labuschagne was sent off in the 22nd minute.

The result was branded "the worst day in the history of South Africa rugby union" and officials are now planning a crisis meeting to investigate why their side returned without a win.

"South African rugby has fallen behind to the point where it is not in a better state than it was a year ago," said Rob Van der Valk, South African Rugby Players Association executive.

"South African rugby has fallen so far behind the rest of the world that the 'Boks are not an intimidating factor anymore.

"The team is playing off-the-cuff rugby with no plan against some of the best-organised opponents in the world," he told the Cape Argus newspaper.

Van der Valk said Straeuli should be asked to explain why players like AJ Venter and Victor Matfield were not offered contracts before the tour, but were now being cited as players who held the key to a successful World Cup campaign.

"It wasn't good enough that players like Bob Skinstad and John Smit found themselves out of contract," he said.

"Then after losing to Scotland for the first time in 33 years, we're suddenly going to turn it all around and win the World Cup in a year's time."