'I don't have words' - bitterly disappointed Brown bemoans lack of accuracy in Blitzboks defeat

An underwhelming quarter-final performance from the Blitzboks saw them crash out of World Cup contention after a stunning display from Ireland who beat the hosts 24-14 on Saturday evening at the Cape Town Stadium.

A 22:33 kick-off capped a marathon day of rugby which began just after 08:00 and many spectators who would have been at the stadium throughout the day, waiting in anticipation for the hosts to play, were left disappointed when the final whistle went at the end of the last quarter-final of the day.

The Blitzboks never looked comfortable during the match and were on the backfoot as early as the third minute when Ireland scored first and, from there, they never recovered. 

A visibly dejected Ronald Brown tried his best to reflect on the match at full-time.

"I don't even have words... I'm disappointed. We had a plan going into it (the game).

"We took it (the game) to them, but we couldn't execute, and they (Ireland) kept the ball nicely," Brown said.

READ HERE | World Cup fairytale over as dismal Blitzboks crash out in coach Powell's swansong

At some stage of the game, Ireland were 19-7 up as they rushed the hosts at every turn.

"I feel as a team we had a few moments where we lacked accuracy in certain moments, but the effort was there from the boys but in the end they took control of the game and they didn't let us in," Brown reflected.

A stunned Cape Town Stadium sat in silence as the Blitzboks slipped and slid across the turf in a tournament that is serving as Neil Powell's last dance.

Disappointed home crowd

The question on everyone's mind was: did the occasion get to the team?

"Not really," Brown answered emphatically.

"I don't think any moment gets to the team... we fight until the end."

Brown's contribution on the day