But he always had faith in his players and knew how hard they worked.
The Springbok coach has come under fire ever since he was appointed to replace World Cup-winning coach Jake White late last year. He was called a puppet by ex-All Black Craig Dowd last week.
But basking in the glow of the first ever Springbok win at Carisbrook and the first win in New Zealand by the Springboks for 10 years, de Villiers said he always knew his players had the ability to lift their game.
Though the side was reduced to 14 men with seven minutes left after skipper Victor Matfield was sent off, de Villiers said he never lost faith in the players.
He rejected criticism of him and his team.
"I've got nothing to prove. I believe in myself, and my players, and believe in my game. Everybody's got an opinion and I respect these opinions but that does not mean we agree with these opinions," he said.
"If you can stand up as a group, people will change their own opinions."
He said discussions with the referee before the game were to ensure the game was a great contest.
He had praise for halfback Ricky Januarie, who had performed well when going backwards in the Wellington test the week before.
"But it is so much easier when you are going on the front foot."
Matfield said he felt bad when he was sent from the field, but he had faith in the side and stand-in captain Jean de Villiers.
Injured skipper John Smit had sent a message to the Springboks and it was read to the players just before they ran on to the field.
Smit had been in touch shortly after the win, and was a leader both on and off the field, Peter de Villiers said.
Matfield said his performance was a step up from last week, and he hoped to improve again next week, when the Springboks take on Australia in Perth.
