Rugby World Cup

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Jacques Burger

Jacques Burger

Namibia captain Jacques Burger has been ruled out of his country’s final Pool C game against Argentina on Sunday, thereby ending an illustrious international career.

Burger suffered a confirmed concussion, 9 minutes into the match against Georgia on Wednesday evening at Sandy Park in Exeter and will not be able to play against the Argentinian Pumas in Leicester.

Burger’s test career for Namibia spanned over 9 years and 36 caps, which included 3 Rugby World Cup appearances in 2007, 2011 and 2015. Last night he equalled Hugo Horn’s 11 Rugby World Cup appearances for his country.

Before the team’s departure for Leicester on Thursday morning, Burger reflected on his career.

“It was a huge disappointment that I could not complete last night’s match and an even bigger disappointment that I will not be able to play on Saturday. I am very proud of my team and it is not the way that you would want to end an international career. But that’s the game of rugby for you.”

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ScotlandHead Coach Vern Cotter today named the Scotland team to face Samoa in this Saturday’s decisive Rugby World Cup Pool B match at St James’ Park, Newcastle (kick-off 15:30 SA Time, 14:30 UK Time, 13:30 GMT).

A win would guarantee the Scots a place in the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup for the 7th time since the competition’s inauguration in 1987.

Standing in their way are the formidable Pacific Islanders who, despite being out of contention for the last 8, will look to end their campaign on a positive note.

Scotland Head Coach Vern Cotter, said: “Every Test match is a ‘must-win’ when you represent your country.

“We’ve put in a huge amount of work to get us to this point, and our performances and commitment have put us in a position to qualify for the last eight. We’ll need to be up to the challenge, enjoy the opportunity, and maintain the awareness needed to play to our strengths and impose our game.”

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South AfricaUSASpringboks (14) 64 / 0 (0) USA Eagles (Final Score)

The South African Springboks and United States Eagles did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at

Olympic Park, London, England at 17:45 SA Time (16:45 BST, 15:45 GMT, 11:45 US EDT).

This was the live match discussion Article.

The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.

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Ma'a Nonu

Ma’a Nonu

Veteran midfielder Ma’a Nonu will play his 100th Test match for the New Zealand All Blacks, when they face Tonga in a Rugby World Cup Pool C match on Friday.

Nonu, who made his All Blacks Test debut in 2003, has had 83 Test starts in his stellar career, scored 29 tries and is the most capped All Blacks inside centre.

He will become the All Blacks 6th Test centurion on Friday and will line up alongside 3 of those centurions – hooker Keven Mealamu, prop Tony Woodcock and flyhalf Dan Carter.

“On behalf of the All Blacks, we would like to congratulate Ma’a on this special milestone,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

“He has been an incredibly valued member of our group for a very long time.

“He has been fully committed to enhancing the All Blacks jersey and the values that go with it.

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Nili Latu

Nili Latu

Tonga’s big-hitting captain, Nili Latu, is excited about facing up to his 1st and last All Blacks haka.

Having been controversially dropped from Tonga’s squad on the eve of the tournament 4 years ago, Latu was absent from the side beaten 10 / 41 by the hosts in the opening match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland.

The only 3 previous meetings between the countries were before his time in the international arena – a 7 / 91 loss at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the infamous 0 / 102 defeat at North Harbour in 2000, and a 45 / 9 win for the men in black at Bristol at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

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Alesana Tuilagi

Alesana Tuilagi

Samoa wing Alesana Tuilagi has been suspended for 5 weeks for striking a player with his knee in their game against Japan.

It means he will not be available for Samoa’s final pool fixture against Scotland on Saturday and will not be available to turn out for his Newcastle Falcons club side before 10 November.

Tuilagi was cited for kneeing Harumichi Tatekawa in the 2nd minute of the match, won last weekend by Japan by 26 / 5.

He denied foul play. But after reviewing all camera angles the citing was upheld by judicial officer Antony Davies.

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Israel Folau in the air, against England

Israel Folau in the air, against England

Australian Wallabies star Israel Folau is battling to be fit for their final Pool A clash – the table-topping decider with Wales.

Assistant coach Stephen Larkham delivered the bad news to the media.

Folau, lynchpin of the Wallabies formidable backline, did not train on Monday, but got a run out on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old is still feeling the effects of the knock to the ankle that forced him to quit the action in the devastating 33 / 13 defeat they inflicted on hosts England last Saturday.

While he is still in the game to play the Welsh, little hope is given to wing Rob Horne, who left the England match in the 10th minute because of a shoulder injury.

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Sam Burgess

Sam Burgess

Beleaguered England coach Stuart Lancaster dropped controversial rugby league convert Sam Burgess amid mass changes for the side’s last Rugby World Cup pool game against Uruguay.

Burgess, who was Lancaster’s most argued over squad selection when he got the nod ahead of the more battle-hardened Luther Burrell, does not even make the replacements bench in the dead-rubber game.

4 Players – Henry Slade, Jack Nowell, Danny Care and Alex Goode – will make their 1st Rugby World Cup starts in Saturday’s game in Manchester.

Chris Robshaw remains captain despite calls for him to be dropped after the calamitous defeat to Australia last Saturday.

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FijiUruguayFiji (26) 47 / 15 (10) Uruguay (Final Score)

Fiji and Uruguay did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at

Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, England at 21:00 SA Time (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT, 16:00 Uruguay Time, Wednesday 07:00 Fiji Time).

This was the live match discussion Article.

The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.

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CanadaRomaniaCanada (8) 15 / 17 (0) Romania (Final Score)

Canada and Romania did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at

Leicester City Stadium, Leicester, England at 17:45 SA Time (16:45 BST, 15:45 GMT, 11:45 Canadian Eastern Time).

This was the live match discussion Article.

The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.

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England Rugby Upside Down

World Rugby is investigating reports that England’s coaching staff made an illegal approach to match officials at halftime in their loss to Australia.

According to media reports 2 England coaches made the approach as the 2 teams left the field at Twickenham on Saturday, with England trailing 3 / 17. Head coach Stuart Lancaster was not among them however.

“World Rugby is investigating an alleged breach by the England coaching team of the match-day communications protocol between match officials and team members or union officials,” said a World Rugby statement.

“The protocol prohibits certain conduct on match days including coaches approaching match officials during a match or at halftime during a match,” the statement added.

Media reports have suggested that there is CCTV footage from the tunnel where the alleged incident took place.

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Japanese supporters at Rugby World Cup 2015

Japanese supporters at Rugby World Cup 2015

Japan’s dismantling of Samoa at the Rugby World Cup on Saturday was watched by a record national television audience of 25 million people in Japan, World Rugby said on Monday.

A 2nd victory for the Brave Blossoms, who lit up the tournament with a stunning upset over South Africa on the opening weekend, kept Eddie Jones’ side in contention to reach the quarterfinals for the 1st time.

They sit 3rd in Pool B and will need to beat the United States in their final match in Gloucester on Sunday and hope other results go their way.

Rugby fever has gripped Japan, who will host the 2019 tournament, and the 26 / 5 victory over Samoa in Milton Keynes underlined their emergence as a force in the game.

Saturday’s broadcast figure eclipsed the previous record of 20.7 million held by France, when national broadcaster TF1 televised the 1st semifinal of the 2007 Rugby World Cup between France and England in Paris.

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Schalk Burger

Schalk Burger

Schalk Burger is set to equal former captain John Smit’s South African record of 17 Rugby World Cup appearances, after retaining his starting place for the Pool B match against the United States on Wednesday.

Burger will start on the blindside flank in a forward pack containing just 1 change from the pack which beat Scotland on the weekend, with Frans Malherbe replacing Jannie du Plessis at tighthead prop for his 1st Test start of 2015.

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer made just 1 other change in his starting 15, with Lwazi Mvovo picked on the left wing for the injured JP Pietersen, with Bryan Habana switching over to the right wing.

(see full squad announcement article, placed earlier today)

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Waisake Naholo

Waisake Naholo

New Zealand All Blacks wing Waisake Naholo, on the comeback trail from a broken leg, is again under an injury cloud and in doubt for their final Pool C match against Tonga on Friday.

The try-scoring specialist is in need of game time after being sidelined for 3 months and the All Blacks will wait until the last minute before naming their team on Wednesday to decide if he will be fit enough to play.

Naholo missed the All Blacks 1st 2 games as he completed his recovery from a leg fracture.

He then exploded onto the Rugby World Cup stage with a sensational try, with his 1st touch of the ball in the 3rd game against Georgia which the All Blacks won 43 / 10 to confirm their quarterfinal berth.

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Martin Castrogiovanni

Martin Castrogiovanni

Italy prop Martin Castrogiovanni has had to drop out of his last Rugby World Cup after doctors discovered a tumor in his back, the Italian team manager revealed on Monday.

The 33-year-old Argentina-born star – fondly known as ‘Castro’ – will see a specialist about whether he requires surgery.

“Martin has pain on a sciatic nerve and after a check doctors found a tumor pressing on his 5th vertebra that is causing inflammation and pain,” team manager Luigi Troiani said.

“We are sure it is benign and tomorrow he will fly to Milan to see a specialist. The likelihood is he will require surgery.”

Castrogiovanni has been 1 of the leading props in the world over the past decade, playing for Toulon in France and Leicester in England.

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Alesana Tuilagi

Alesana Tuilagi

Faifili Levave

Faifili Levave

Samoa’s hopes of rescuing something from a wretched Rugby World Cup campaign suffered a new blow after Faifili Levave and Alesana Tuilagi were cited over incidents during Saturday’s defeat by Japan.

Levave was sin-binned for the offence he has been cited for by independent Citing Commissioner Yves Thieffine, which is for “playing the opponent without the ball”.

Tuilagi, who enjoyed a successful spell with Leicester Tigers finishing leading try scorer in 2012, has been cited for an offence which was not seen at the time by South African referee Craig Joubert.

Tuilagi was accused of an alleged foul “striking with the knee” in the 2nd minute of the Pool B match in Milton Keynes, said a World Rugby statement. Japan won the game 26 / 5.

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Frans Malherbe

Frans Malherbe

Lwazi Mvovo

Lwazi Mvovo

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer decided to keep continuity for South Africa’s final Rugby World Cup Pool B match.

The Springboks face the United States at London’s Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.

The starting line-up shows only 2 changes from the team that recorded a 34 / 16 victory over Scotland in Newcastle last Saturday.

As a result Frans Malherbe will start his 1st match of the season for South Africa, while Rudy Paige could make his Test debut off the bench against the United States.

Malherbe comes in at tighthead prop for Jannie du Plessis, in the only change to the pack.

The backline shows only 1 personnel change as well – at wing, where Lwazi Mvovo takes over from JP Pietersen, with Bryan Habana moving over to the right wing.

Pietersen was not considered this week due to injury, while a decision was taken to give Du Plessis and Victor Matfield time to get over some niggles due to the short turn-around after the Scotland match.

Joining Paige on the bench is Morné Steyn, who both could get their 1st taste of Rugby World Cup action this year.

Schalk Brits and Coenie Oosthuizen are also back amongst the replacements this week.

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World RugbyEngland have dropped 2 places to 8th in the World Rugby rankings after their World Cup defeat to Australia at Twickenham.

Only once before, in 2009, have England been as low as 8 on the list. There were times in 2003 and 2004 when they were the No 1 team in the world.

If Scotland were to register 2 more victories at the Rugby World Cup, they could move up and push England even lower. Never, since the rankings began in 2003, have England been outside the top 8. Only 4 other teams – New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and France – have maintained a top-8 place since the rankings began.

8 Teams have moved up 1 place in the rankings, which are based on results and the level of opposition.

Under the points exchange system used to calculate rankings, sides take points off each other based on the match result – whatever 1 side gains, the other loses. Such points exchanges are doubled during Rugby World Cup to recognise the unique importance of this event.

4 Nations have dropped down: Wales by 1 place from 2 to 3, Ireland by 1 from 4 to 5, England by 2 from 6 to 8, and Samoa by 4 from 11 to 15.

The 8 risers, all by 1 place, are Australia to 2nd, South Africa to 4th, France to 6th, Argentina to 7th, Japan to 11th, Tonga to 12th, Italy to 13th and Georgia to 14th.

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Niku Kruger

Niku Kruger

USA Eagles coach Mike Tolkin has made 12 changes to the starting line-up that lost to Scotland, for their clash against South Africa on Wednesday.

Only twice have the Eagles made more changes between Rugby World Cup matches, having made 14 changes between their 2nd and 3rd, and between their 3rd and 4th, matches in 2011 in New Zealand.

Only Phil Thiel, Samu Manoa and Blaine Scully have retained their place in the starting line-up from the Scotland match.

The matchday 23 includes 7 players who have not played in the Rugby World Cup 2015 so far. 5 Of them – Louis Stanfill, Matthew Trouville, Niku Kruger, Zach Test and Andrew Suniula – will start and 2 others – Joe Taufetee and Mate Moeakiola – are on the bench.

The match will be a big occasion for Kruger who was born in South Africa.

“Niku will be thrilled to be in his 1st World Cup match and playing versus South Africa,” Tolkin said. “He is a young man with a lot of potential and it is great that our young talent is getting an opportunity to play and gain valuable experience.”

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Heyneke Meyer

Heyneke Meyer

South Africa’s Springboks have restored a semblance of order and normality again, after the shock loss in Round 1 against Japan, which was followed up by good wins over Samoa and Scotland on the weekend.

The Springboks now top their Rugby World Cup Pool (Pool B), leading Scotland by 1 Log Point (11 points to 10), after the same amount of games and with only 1 Round of Pool stage games left.

Japan is not out of the running in the Pool yet, a further 2 points adrift, but with their only remaining game the one against the USA Eagles and one they could well win as well.

The focus for the Springboks now shift to the game against the USA Eagles on Wednesday evening.

While there has been praise and some redemption for the Springboks and Heyneke Meyer, the job is not yet done.

The only injury concern is that of JP Pietersen, who suffered a knee injury on the weekend against Scotland.

There has been a lot of praise heaped on Handré Pollard for his performance against Scotland, playing next to the captain and general of the day, Fourie du Preez.

Lood de Jager, who was named Man Of The Match against Scotland deserves all the plaudits he is currently getting but he remains focussed and humble in the process, declaring that he’ll defend his country with everything he’s got.

In the meantime, speculation has been rife and a lot of opinion has been bandied about regarding the team selection for the game against USA on Wednesday and one of the 1st questions asked is if Rudy Paige will be drafted into the match-day 23 for the USA clash. Only 2 players have not had any game time yet, Paige and Morné Steyn.

 

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Rob Horne

Rob Horne

Australian wing Rob Horne remains a doubt to play against Wales but his tournament is not over yet, Wallabies defence coach Nathan Grey said Monday.

The 26-year-old had to go off in the 10th minute of Australia’s crushing 33 / 13 win over England on Saturday which consigned their opponents to becoming the 1st World Cup hosts to fail to get out of the pool stage.

“Rob Horne’s scans and tests came back a bit better than expected,” said Grey at the Australian’s morning press conference.

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Michael Hooper

Michael Hooper

Australian Wallabies flank Michael Hooper could miss the Pool A decider with Wales after being cited over an incident during their crushing 33 / 13 defeat of England.

The incident concerning the 23-year-old – who along with fellow back row forward David Pocock were outstanding against England – took place in the 39th minute when he flung himself into a ruck leading with his shoulder which resulted in just a ticking off by French referee Romain Poite and a penalty being awarded to England when it was deep inside their own 22.

However, the independent citing commissioner Steve Hinds decided further action should be taken.

“Michael Hooper has been cited for an alleged act of foul play contrary to Law 10.4(h) – Charging into a ruck or maul without use of the arms or grasping the player – during the 39th minute of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Pool A match between England and Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, 3 October,” read the statement form the organisers.

Hooper’s hearing will take place on Tuesday morning in London and be heard by independent Judicial Officer Alan Hudson.

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Stuart Lancaster in absolute abject dismay after the loss by England to Australia

Stuart Lancaster in absolute abject dismay after the loss by England to Australia

With the weekend loss by England against the Australian Wallabies by 13 / 33 and effectively putting them well beyond reaching the Quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup, there has been a lot of discussion and fallout regarding their coaching structures, squad selections, game approach and a lot of scribes and supporters baying for their blood.

England will now be the first Host Nation not to advance past the Pool stages in a Rugby World Cup.

We will summarise a look at how it hits England in the pocket, what their immediate reactions are, who leads the taunts against them, their public apology to their nation, the scars left by the defeat and early exit and whether their coach Stuart Lancaster will survive as England coach, to fight another day.

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ScotlandThe Scotland squad issued the following medical bulletin on Sunday after Saturday’s (3 October) 34 / 16 loss to South Africa in the Rugby World Cup at St James’ Park.

Hooker Ross Ford failed an in-game HIA (head injury assessment) meaning he will now follow the graduated return-to-play protocol, as will centre Matt Scott, who reported delayed onset concussion symptoms post match.

Fullback Stuart Hogg left the field of play in the 63rd minute of the Test match having suffered cramp to his legs and lower back, however he is not considered an immediate concern.

Further knocks include a dead leg for lock Jonny Gray and a mild knee strain for centre Richie Vernon. Both players will continue to be monitored and rehabilitated by the Scotland medical team.

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Eddie Jones congratulates Japan after their win over Samoa

Eddie Jones congratulates Japan after their win over Samoa

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer said he would stay “humble” after the Springboks took control of their Rugby World Cup group now set for a thrilling finale with Scotland and Japan.

South Africa completed a clinical 34 / 16 win over Scotland on Saturday while Japan pulled off a new upset, 26 / 5 win over Samoa, to extend the race for quarter-final places from Pool B.

Only 3 points now separate the remaining contenders going into the the final games of the Rugby World Cup’s most surprising pool.

Still numbed by seeing his side beaten 34 / 32 by Japan in their match, Meyer watched a drastically different performance against Scotland.

Handré Pollard kicked 19 points with deadly accuracy and Schalk Burger, JP Pietersen and Bryan Habana scored tries to break the hearts of a Scottish dominated 50 000 crowd at Newcastle.

Scotland staged a heroic 2nd-half comeback after trailing 20 / 3 at the break and twice hauled themselves to within 7 points.

But each time Pollard denied them, landing a drop goal the 1st time and a 50m penalty the 2nd time.

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Manasa Saulo

Manasa Saulo

World Cup chiefs have banned Fiji prop Manasa Saulo for 10 weeks for stamping on the head of Wales’ player Luke Charteris.

The ban is the toughest handed out yet for an offence at the Rugby World Cup. Saulo jumped on Wales replacement Charteris during Fiji’s 23 / 13 defeat in Cardiff on Thursday.

Rugby World Cup said the offence was considered at the “top end” of the danger scale and that judicial officer Adam Casselden of Australia had considered a 4 month ban.

“However, taking into account mitigating factors including his early admission, disciplinary record, good character and remorse and the absence of any off-field aggravating factors, the player was suspended for a period of 10 weeks,” said a statement.

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Nelson Mandela & Francois Pienaarin 1995, winning the Rugby World Cup

Nelson Mandela & Francois Pienaarin 1995, winning the Rugby World Cup

The late former South African state President Nelson Mandela had been, posthumously, inducted into the World Rugby Hall of Fame.

The special ceremony took place at St James’ Park in Newcastle on Saturday, before the Springboks’ 34 / 16 victory over Scotland in a World Cup Pool B match.

World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset presented the coveted Hall of Fame cap to the Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation, Gert Oosthuizen and Francois Pienaar, captain of the South Africa team that won the Rugby World Cup of 1995 on home soil.

Lapasset said: “The World Rugby Hall of Fame recognises those who have made an indelible mark on our sport through feats on the field of play, displays of great character or through their tireless and inspirational work in driving forward our great game.

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ArgentinaTongaLos Pumas (20) 45 / 16 (13) Tonga (Final Score)

The Argentinian Los Pumas and Tonga did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at

Leicester City Stadium, Leicester, England at 15:30 SA Time (14:30 BST, 13:30 GMT, 10:30 ARG Time, Monday 02:30 Tonga Time).

This was the live match discussion Article.

The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.

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SamoaJapan-Rugby-LogoSamoa (0) 5 / 26 (20) Japan (Final Score)

Samoa and Japan did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at

Staium MK, Milton Keynes, England at 15:30 SA Time (14:30 BST, 13:30 GMT, Sunday 03:30 Samoa Time, Sunday 02:30 Japan Time).

This was the live match discussion Article.

The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.

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GeorgiaNew ZealandGeorgia (10) 10 / 43 (22) All Blacks (Final Score)

Georgia and the New Zealand All Blacks did battle in the 2015 Rugby World Cup at

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff at 21:00 SA Time (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT, 23:00 Gerorgia Time, Saturday 08:00 NZ Time).

This was the live match discussion Article.

The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.

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Jannie du Plessis

Jannie du Plessis

Jannie du Plessis is telling the story of the day the Springboks decided to change their entire lineout book in the build-up to Saturday’s World Cup match with Scotland.

The tighthead prop, with 66 caps packed into his near-33 years, bows his head and laughs.

“It was Monday. Black Monday,” he explains.

“Our forwards coach came in and said, ‘OK, on the weekend Scotland will have Josh Strauss and WP Nel in their team. We respect them as rugby players and we respect their ability to understand lineout calls in Afrikaans. So we’re changing our calls.’

“We said, ‘What? All of them?’ Our coach said, ‘Yes, every one. We start today.’ There was more than 1 sigh of frustration in that room, I can tell you. We were saying, ‘No! How am I going to learn all of this in a week!’ Maybe it’s a blessing. We made so many mistakes with the old ones. Maybe we needed to change anyway.”

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