International news is flowing like a river in flood today, seems I have been updating all day, today… but we like it that way, don’t we!

Reviews of the Fourie du Preez try, clearly shows that Jaque Fourie was ahead of Fourie du Preez when he kicked, did not retreat and the subsequent try, however well-worked, should not have been awarded. Another blemish on refereeing in 2013!

Looking ahead at this weekend’s clash against Scotland, it appears at this stage if Bakkies Botha might get a starting berth at lock and it looks likely that Patrick Lambie will get the nod at flyhalf.

Meanwhile Morné Steyn is responding well to treatment for his back spasm injury and it looks likely that he’ll also be ready for Sunday’s match.

Was NO try!

Sport24 reports that Rugby referees and TMOs have come in for a LOT of flack in recent times – and rightly so – and, if one removes one’s Green and Gold blinkers, true to form they boobed once again this past weekend.

The Springboks ran out 24-15 winners against Wales at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday – thanks in no small part to Irish referee Alain Rolland.

In the 64th minute, with the Boks holding a narrow 17-15 lead, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez kicks ahead with team-mate Jaque Fourie a good couple of metres ahead of him (as seen below). Fourie has an ‘influence on play’ as he chases and gathers the kick before offloading to Du Preez who runs in unopposed to score.

Rolland fails to consults his assistant referee nor the TMO, France’s Eric Gauzins, and awards the try.

In recent times, no doubt decreed by the IRB, rugby supporters have grown accustomed to referees double-checking literally every try scored for possible forward pass, offsides or foul play infringements.

Not on Saturday however!

Rolland, who by general consensus had a poor Test in charge and won’t be missed when he hangs up his whistle at the end of the season, ought to have consulted the TMO on the clear offsides, and awarded a penalty to Wales – which would’ve been within kicking range, and, if successful, would’ve given them the lead.

Although not as obvious, South Africa’s Jaco Peyper was also at fault for a similar incident in the France v New Zealand Test in Paris when he awarded a try to wing Charles Piutau – who was also ahead of the kicker.

Bakkies Botha:

Sport24 also suggests that Bakkies Botha is likely to make his return to the Springbok team for their clash against Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday.

Botha, 34, was recalled to the Bok squad for their end-of-year tour but was not included in the 23-man line-up for last week’s Test against Wales in Cardiff as he only joined them last Tuesday evening.

Bok coach Heyneke Meyer said that he is likely to call on Botha this weekend.

“There is a good chance that Bakkies will start. We want to see what he can do for us. He’s been very influential since he arrived. You could see how guys like Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit look up to him,” said Meyer.

Botha, who currently plays for French club Toulon, last played for the Boks at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand two years ago.

Meyer also said he would take a few selection risks for the Scotland Test. With the game being played on Sunday – and the following weekend’s one against France on a Saturday – it gives the team relatively short time to recuperate for what will be a tough last outing at the Stade de France.

“We’ll have to think long and hard about the team. The priority is obviously to win and secondly there’s also the issue of having only five days before the Test against France.

“We’ll have to take calculated risks. Not only to make sure that the players are 100% for the game against Scotland, but also for the game against France.

“The plan will be worked out in detail. But the team must be strong enough to beat Scotland.”

Morné Steyn:

According to rugby365, the Springboks are confident that flyhalf Morne Steyn will be fit and available for the clash with Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday.

The Bok pivot left the field at the Millenium Stadium after less than 20 minutes in the victory over Wales on Saturday due to a back spasm, with Pat Lambie shifting to flyhalf in his absence.

Springbok team Doctor Craig Roberts explained that having picked up the injury concern in the warm-up they decided to take him off after it started affecting his performance on the field.

“The biggest concern from the weekend was Morne Steyn who picked up a back spasm in the warm-up. We were monitoring him right through the game and early in the first half he was struggling with his kicking and he was struggling to run because of the spasm in his back so we made the decision to pull him off then because functionally he wasn’t able to do what he wanted to do on the field,” he said.

However, Roberts is confident that Steyn will recover in time to be available for selection this weekend, especially as the Boks have an extra day to prepare.

“Clinically it looks like a facet-joint irritation, which usually takes two to three days to settle. It’s already looking much better today and our physiotherapists will work hard to sort him out.

“Luckily we’ve got a long week to get him ready and we’re hoping to have him available for selection this weekend. Based on how he’s responded so far, it’s looking good.

“He has responded quite well at the moment and we are just going to take it day by day. We have the luxury of a long week this week so we are hoping he will be ready for the weekend,” he added.