New Springbok backline coach Tim Lane is used to success and it was no surprise when he made it clear he has no intentions of being part of a losing set-up.
The Australian this week had his first real opportunity to get to know the Boks after arriving here last week after coaching French club Montferrand.
As part of Rod Macqueen's backroom team Lane has tasted World Cup, Tri-Nations, Mandela Cup and Bledisloe Cup success and after Montferrand were piped in the French club final, he is hungry to get back on the right track.
"I arrived last Wednesday and really only watched two sessions. This week I had the opportunity to work with the players," Lane told journalists on Tuesday in Durban, where the Springboks are preparing for the second Test against France on Saturday.
"They are very disappointed, and each and every player has a point to prove on Saturday. I came here expecting to work with a successful team - that is why I accepted the position. I was not involved that much in last week's Test, but from now on I hope to be involved in a successful team. That is ever coach and player's aim."
After his ten-month stint, Lane has an intimate knowledge of French rugby and he so correctly predicted that the French would be polished in the set pieces.
"There is a big focus on the scrums and lineouts over there. I also expected flyhalf Gerald Mercillon to have a big impact. I coached him in France. He is a terrific player. A big difference between the teams is that France controlled the ball they had well.
"Their options were good. South Africa did not control the ball we had well enough, and that puts you in big trouble in a Test match."
Springbok coach Harry Viljoen was roundly criticized for bringing in the Australian coaches and people even feared that he wanted to copy the Australian way of playing the game. However, Lane doesn't agree and maintains that it is important that the Springboks pioneer their own unique playing style.
"I am not coming in here and saying we must play Australian rugby. We have to find the right style for the Boks. South Africa has had a few different styles over the years, but now we have to develop a new style. I am going to introduce new ideas and new things to the team, and the team has to comfortable with that. Hopefully we will be still be throwing in new things right up until the World Cup final in 2003!"