Steyn a bigger loss than Carter: de Villiers

The tournament-ending injury to Springbok centre Frans Steyn was a bigger loss to South Africa than New Zealand losing Daniel Carter, South Africa coach Peter de Villiers said on Monday.

"Yes, I think it's much bigger," de Villiers told a press conference at the team hotel.

Long-range goal-kicker Steyn hurt his shoulder in the pool match against Samoa and has been replaced by full back Zane Kirchner, while fly half Carter suffered a serious groin injury at training. Fly half Aaron Cruden replaces him in the squad.

The Springbok coach said Steyn's value lay in his versatility and how he helped to build team spirit.

"Coming to the World Cup he came as a full back. We were forced to use him at centre and then he showed us what his value is as a player and he's a team man there.

"Yes, we're going to miss him, definitely," said de Villiers.

Hardest hit

Springbok second row Victor Matfield said it seemed the SANZAR (South Africa-New Zealand-Australia Rugby) teams had been hardest hit by serious injury, with Australia also having to replace back row Wycliff Palu and wing Drew Mitchell and others also being sidelined.

"It probably helps a little bit with the northern hemisphere having quite a big off time before this World Cup," Matfield said.

"But that's part of the World Cup. You have to deal with it, you have to adapt and that's how you can be successful if you can adapt to whatever happens to you as a team."

Asked whether northern hemisphere teams were fresher and had a real advantage coming into the World Cup, Matfield said that was difficult to say.

"Maybe we've got more match time, maybe we're sharper, but on the other side you lose because you get injuries to guys that are a bit tired from the long Super Rugby season.

"But I think if you have a look out there, there's definitely more injuries in the southern hemisphere teams than in the northern hemisphere teams."