The Springbok team have re-adjusted their travel arrangements for the away leg of the Tri-Nations and will now leave late on Saturday evening on a specially arranged Qantas flight to Sydney.

The team's departure was delayed when their flight on Friday was forced to return to Johannesburg after suffering an engine failure and their new flight will leave at 23.15 on Saturday and land at 19h05 (local time) on Sunday – 31 hours later than originally scheduled.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers commented: "There has obviously been some disruption but we are on top of it and have made the necessary adjustments to our planning.

"We had timed our departure with a view to managing the effects of jet lag and have had to re-examine those plans. We've looked at the programme and it has had an effect, but we will manage it," he said.

De Villiers admitted that the experience had shaken the team up but he added that he did not think it would impact on their performance in Australasia.

He said: "Obviously there were a few stressful moments but we have given the players a free day to relax before we get back together this evening.

"Things like this draw people closer together and hopefully that'll be the effect on this team. But right now it's all systems go and we're looking forward to getting to Australia and preparing for a Test match," added the Bok coach.

The team spent Friday night at the Intercontinental Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport and were informed of the new arrangements at a team meeting at 09h00 on Saturday.

"Qantas have been very good," said De Villiers. "They kept us informed throughout the night and their general manager came through to the team meeting to explain the situation and answer any questions from the players."

In a statement Qantas said a new aircraft had been despatched to Johannesburg on Saturday to accommodate passengers that were scheduled for Sydney.  All passengers were to receive their original seat numbers and the flight will carry the same flight number, QF64.