FOUR MORE YEARS?: Peter de Villiers wants another crack at the Springboks head coaching role.

Peter de Villiers has fallen on his sword.

South Africa's controversial coach's reign came to an end on the same night as the test career of inspirational skipper John Smit.

And so they sat side by side after the Springboks 11-9 World Cup quarterfinal loss to the Wallabies and went out in the same manner they had conducted their respective tenures.

For de Villiers, 59, it was with humour and passion; for Smit it was with class and selflessness.

"Three notches below a funeral," de Villiers began when asked to describe the Springbok dressing shed before taking a more serious tone.

"It was a brilliant journey, something that none of you guys can take away from me. To work with people like this [Smit], people who are passionate about their country, people who put their body on the line and try to bring hope for the poor people back at home.

"We don't have the privilege that most of you guys have. It was incredible for me to work with them, but there is a time to come and a time to go and the journey I think for me is also over."

It ends a tenure that began in 2008 when he replaced World Cup winning coach Jake White and it has been riddled with comment and controversy ever since.

Asked how he would like to be remembered as a coach, de Villiers said: "I wanted to be the best me I could be. The way I am is the way I want to be remembered."

Smit was typically humble as his 111 test, eleven year vigil ended, "devastated", but hopeful that he had left a good impression on his peers.

"It's not important how I want to be remembered. It's just important hopefully for the influence I've had on the guys I've played with. I've been influenced by them.

"People talk about a legacy, for me it's been a privilege to play with the guys who have made my career what it is, or what it was I suppose.

"Hopefully guys will look back in coming years and whether it's on or off the field ask what would Smity have done?"

Smit, 33, made his debut way back in 2000 and lead the Springboks to the World Cup in 2007, overseeing the side for most of the last four years, but fading on the field.

Many felt Bismarck du Plessis should have displaced him in the front row, but there is no question about Smit's leadership and influence on South African rugby to the end.

He made it clear he had enjoyed his time under a coach who had often baffled pundits with his whacky comments and divided his countrymen with his selections.

"We've had a good four years together and that's been pioneered by Peter. It's not the usual mould of coach many of us have been used to but one we've enjoyed.

"His saying from the day he started, and when he wakes up tomorrow, was 'even the bad days are good' and that's something he's made us [realise]. Enjoy every moment, enjoy each other. He's given us leeway and space and tightened up when we've taken advantage... it's disappointing to end it like this."

Smit made special mention of long time teammate Victor Matfield, the man who took the on-field reigns when his captain was regularly subbed early in test matches.

Smit said his lock's leadership was "sublime", and praised his composure and class before paying him perhaps the ultimate compliment.

"The most valuable thing about Victor is how he makes the players in the side feel around him when he's there. There is a calmness and a composure about him he possesses... a huge player, in my opinion the greatest Springbok that has ever been."