De Villiers reveals comment regret

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has been having sleepless nights as the events that followed the series-clinching second Test win over the British and Irish Lions take their toll.

All the headlines since the 28-25 victory in Pretoria have been dominated by Schalk Burger's eye-gouging and the subsequent comments by the Springbok boss in defence of his under-fire flanker.

De Villiers has come in for plenty of criticism for his remarks, but speaking after announcing his team for the third Test on Saturday, he said he felt "stupid" for being sucked in by the British media.

"A lot was said this week, I think too much," he said. "The off-the-field stuff sometimes gives you more sleepless nights than the on-field stuff.

"We had negative media from Britain in 1974 and 1980 and now I've allowed it again in 2009. What a stupid bugger I am!

"I've learnt that if they can't win on the field then they will try to win anywhere else they can."

Burger, who received an eight-week ban for his actions, was one of 10 names excluded from the starting line-up for the final match in Johannesburg as De Villiers opted for wholesale changes.

Debutant Zane Kirchner, Odwa Ndungane, Jongi Nokwe, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier and Morne Steyn come into a backline which sees scrum-half Fourie du Preez as the only survivor from the last game.

There is also a new look among the forwards, where only captain John Smit, vice-captain Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira and Juan Smith remain from last Saturday's bruising 28-25 series-clinching win in Pretoria.

Alongside them will be Chiliboy Ralepelle, Johann Muller, Heinrich Brussow and Ryan Kankowski.

De Villiers thought long and hard about his team selection, which he felt will give the Springboks more energy in a game which is effectively a dead rubber.

He continued: "I've changed my mind on tough selection calls four or five times this week, but I've stopped changing my mind now.

"It's such a huge occasion for the 28 that, come Saturday, when we get the trophy, we want the guys to feel as one on the pitch.

"The hard yards have been done already by then so I feel it's appropriate to give the guys the same opportunity to show why they are in the squad in the first place.

"We believe the guys selected are as good as the others and that they can go out and do an outstanding job for the Springboks. They will also bring fresh energy to the team after two tough Tests."

From the 10 players that have made way in the starting XV, four - Frans Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Bismarck du Plessis and Pierre Spies - have been handed a place on the bench, alongside Gurthro Steenkamp, Deon Carstens and the uncapped Steven Sykes.

Sharks lock Sykes has been named following the unsuccessful appeal by Bakkies Botha over a two-week suspension for dangerous charging.

And looking ahead to the final match of a gruelling series, De Villiers said he was pleased with the way the past three weeks had panned out.

He added: "We respect the British and Irish Lions so much, and we want to give everybody a run against them.

"If they miss out on this opportunity, then they might not play against them again in their lifetime.

"This is a very strong side. At the end of the Super 14 I wanted to have 28 players who could play for the Springboks at any time and I think we've achieved that goal. I'm very happy with this selection."