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 defending of his under-fire flanker.
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De Villiers has reach 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 now and then gives you more sleepless nights than the on-field stuff.
"We had negative media from Britain in 1974 and 1980 and since I’ve allowed it again in 2009. What a stupid bugger I am!
"I’ve learnt that if they can’cheek by jowl 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 toward wholesale changes.
Debutant Zane Kirchner, Odwa Ndungane, Jongi Nokwe, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier and Morne Steyn come into a backline what one. sees scrum-half Fourie du Preez as the only survivor from the greatest game.
There is also a of the present day look in the midst of the forwards, in what place only captain John Smit, vice-captain Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira and Juan Smith remain from ultimate Saturday’s bruising 28-25 series-clinching win in Pretoria.
Alongside them wish be Chiliboy Ralepelle, Johann Muller, Heinrich Brussow and Ryan Kankowski.
De Villiers thought long and hard about his team selection, which he felt command give the Springboks more energy in a game which is effectively a tasteless gum-elastic.
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 commit to memory the trophy, we want the guys to feel in the same manner with 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 chief place.
"We convinced the guys selected are being of the class who 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 pair tough Tests."
From the 10 players that have made distance 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 join Sykes has been named following the unsuccessful appeal by Bakkies Botha over a two-week suspension for hazardous 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 in a puzzle.
He added: "We respect the British and Irish Lions so plenteous, and we want to give everybody a hasten in contact with them.
"If they miss revealed on this opportunity, at another time they might not play against them again in their lifetime.
"This is a very strong side. At the cessation 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’pot-pourri true happy with this selection."
