Springboks captain John Smit has spoken of his anger and disappointment at the manner in which his tour of NZ ended in controversial injury, suggesting world rugby wouldn't tolerate similar treatment to All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

Smit heads back to South Africa on Wednesday with a groin injury from last weekend's Tri-nations opener against the All Blacks when he was dumped to the ground in a tackle by New Zealand lock Brad Thorn.

Thorn has been banned from the rematch with the Springboks in Dunedin this weekend after being found guilty of "unsportsmanlike conduct". Smit will also miss that match and next week's clash with the Wallabies in Perth as he rehabilitates his injury

There was bitterness about him when he opened up to the South African media before his departure from the New Zealand capital.

The war of words that has raged since last Saturday night shows no signs of easing.

"Just imagine Bakkies Botha doing something similar to Richie McCaw. World rugby would have come to a standstill," Smit was reported as saying on the website of SuperSport, South African rugby's broadcasting partner.

"Yes, I'm angry. I'm really not happy about having to sit in South Africa and watch the Springboks beat the All Blacks in Dunedin."

The aftermath of the first test has seen both camps fire a few bullets. All Blacks coach Graham Henry questioned some of the Springboks' off the ball tactics where it seemed Dan Carter came in for a bit of special treatment.

The Boks have hit back with allegations of illegal scrum tactics from the All Blacks while they have also questioned the length of Thorn's ban.

Smit continued that when he told SuperSport: "One almost gets the idea that anyone who is not from New Zealand does not have the same rights as someone who plays for the All Blacks.

"I was suspended for six weeks after a test match in France for running into someone with my elbow held in front of me. It was not nearly as nasty as what happened to me last Saturday.

"A few seasons ago, (All Black coach) Graham Henry asked everyone not to tackle Richie McCaw. Now Richie is injured and Henry is asking everyone not to tackle Dan Carter.

"If everyone can only realise no one is above the rugby laws, we can all move forward."

Smit, in the middle of the Boks' front row, said that in his capacity as captain he had repeatedly complained to Australian referee Stuart Dickinson about the All Blacks' scrumming before he was forced off just before halftime with his groin injury..

"I think he (Dickinson) got tired of me saying it all the time and he eventually decided to award a penalty to us."

Smit's dream of being the first Springboks captain in 10 years to win in New Zealand has been shattered. He missed out in the 8-19 loss in Wellington and he won't be in Dunedin.

"It's been a great ambition of mine to beat the All Blacks in New Zealand. Now I have to wait another year. And with two test matches in New Zealand, this was an ideal opportunity (to beat the All Blacks).

"We came here to win both matches; not only to win a test in New Zealand. So far we have failed, but there is another opportunity."

But that opportunity will now be played out against a backdrop of ill-feeling at Carisbrook.

The World Cup winners are clearly under enormous pressure as they try to snatch a rare away win in New Zealand. They appear to be trying to transfer some of that pressure on to the All Blacks.

If the first test appeared brutal, who knows what might happen in Dunedin as the intensity rises off the field ahead of kickoff.