"I would have looked upon it as an opportunity missed."

- Keith Wood's honest appraisal of Ireland's defeat by South Africa at Lansdowne Road yesterday.

"I have learnt a lot today."

- Springbok coach Harry Viljoen on 80 minutes plus at Lansdowne Road yesterday.

"The Northern Hemisphere is catching up and it is now time for us to do some homework."

- Viljoen's thoughts on a weekend in which France beat New Zealand and England defeated Australia.

"The fact that we lost to Australia and New Zealand before was down to the fact we played like idiots."

- French coach Bernard Laporte gives due credit to southern hemisphere opponents.