Internationals
Wallabies (18) 40 / 44 (17) England (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies and England did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, at 12:05 SA Time (10:05 GMT, 20:05 AEST, 11:05 UK 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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All Blacks (18) 46 / 6 (6) Wales (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks and Wales did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, at 09:35 SA Time (07:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time, 08:35 UK 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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Danny Cipriani in action for England against the Crusaders
England rugby star Danny Cipriani has been found guilty of drinking and driving after his Mercedes crashed into a minicab following a night out.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard the Wasps fly-half was so drunk his eyes were “glazed” after the smash on Imperial Road, Fulham on 1 June 2015.
The 28-year-old was found to be nearly twice the drink-drive limit.
He was ordered to pay a total of £7,620 in fines and costs and banned from driving for 18 months.
Cipriani had admitted drinking two espresso martinis and a glass of champagne less than an hour before he was arrested, but claimed he was “shocked” when he was told he was over the limit.
Huw Jones
Head Coach Vern Cotter has made six personnel changes to the Scotland team to face Japan in this Saturday’s second summer Test match at the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo (25 June, kick-off 11.20am BST, 7.20pm JST) – live on BBC.
The alterations are split evenly between the backs and forwards, with a positional switch made in each division to accommodate the new faces.
Scrum-half Henry Pyrgos, wing Sean Maitland and centre Peter Horne all come off the bench to start the match, with Pyrgos taking on the captaincy and kicking duties from Greig Laidlaw.
Maitland is promoted in place of Damien Hoyland, with Sean Lamont coming into the squad among the substitutes, while Horne comes into midfield in place of the injured Duncan Taylor (hamstring), prompting a move to outside-centre for Matt Scott to accommodate the Warriors playmaker.
In the pack, Rory Sutherland remains in possession of the loosehead berth he inherited in the third minute of last weekend’s Test win over Japan, when Alasdair Dickinson limped off with a hamstring injury, earning his first start for the national team.
On the other side of the front-row, Moray Low swaps places with try-scorer Willem Nel to start his first Test since the 2014 summer tour win over Canada in Toronto, while Josh Strauss comes in to the back-row for John Hardie, with John Barclay moving to openside to make room for Strauss on the blindside.
Other notable inclusions see prop Gordon Reid (who arrived in Tokyo on Monday) take up a spot among the replacements, with uncapped centre Huw Jones set for an international debut if called upon from the bench.
Scottish Rugby have released a sneak preview of the new Scotland home and away kit which will be available from the 8th of July. The clip features a few players including former Loeriesfontein strong man WP Nel. The burly tight-head prop, who scored a try early in the second half against Japan last weekend, can be seen grinning about midway through the clip below.
England U20 (31) 39 / 17 (3) Junior Springboks U20 (Final Score)
England Under 20 and South Africa’s Junior Springboks Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 (semifinals) at Manchester, at 20:45 SA Time (18:45 GMT, 19:45 UK 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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Ireland U20 (21) 37 / 7 (7) Argentina U20 (Final Score)
Ireland Under 20 and Argentina Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 (semifinals) at Manchester, at 18:30 SA Time (16:30 GMT, 17:30 UK 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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New Zealand U20 (35) 71 / 12 (5) Wales U20 (Final Score)
New Zealand Under 20 and Wales Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 (5yh Place Play-off) at Manchester, at 16:15 SA Time (14:15 GMT, 15:15 UK 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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Pumas (17) 30 / 19 (10) France (Final Score)
The Argentinian Los Pumas and France did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
Estadio Monumental José Fierro, Tucumán, at 23:10 SA Time (21:10 GMT, 18:10 ARG Time, 23:10 French Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Springboks (3) 32 / 26 (19) Ireland (Final Score)
The South African Springboks and Ireland did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg, at 17:00 SA Time (15:00 GMT, 16:00 UK 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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Wallabies (7) 7 / 23 (10) England (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies and England did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
AAMI Park, Melbourne, at 12:05 SA Time (10:05 GMT, 20:05 AEST, 11:05 UK 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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All Blacks (10) 36 / 22 (10) Wales (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks and Wales did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
Westpac Stadium, Wellington, at 09:35 SA Time (07:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time, 08:35 UK 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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Edinburgh Rugby wing Damien Hoyland is set for his first Scotland, having been named in Vern Cotter’s side to play Japan today at the Toyota City Stadium. (18 June, kick-off 11:20 BST, 12:20 SA Time, 10:20 GMT).The former Boroughmuir flyer – who helped Scotland 7s lift the Cup at Twickenham last month and has scored 8 tries in an impressive season for Edinburgh – joins Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour in the back 3.
Elsewhere, Harlequins-bound Ruaridh Jackson starts at flyhalf for the first time since a replacement appearance against Canada in 2014 while Jonny Gray forms a starting lock-pairing partnership with brother Richie for a 15th time. Scotland Head Coach Vern Cotter, said: “The players have adapted well to the conditions and the jet lag since arriving in Japan on Sunday, and have prepared well in a testing environment, in the humidity, rain and heat. We picked a strong squad to travel to Japan, 23 of whom will get the chance to run out this Saturday in a Test match against a Japanese team on a revenge mission, following our win in the Rugby World Cup”.
South Africa A (12) 26 / 29 (8) England Saxons (Final Score)
South Africa A and England Saxons did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
Outeniqua Stadium, George, at 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT, 18:10 UK 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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Junior Springboks (18) 40 / 31 (24) France U20 (Final Score)
South Africa’s Junior Springbok Under 20 and France Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Salford, at 20:45 SA Time (18:45 GMT, 19:45 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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England U20 (6) 17 / 13 (13) Australia U20 (Final Score)
England Under 20 and Australia Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Manchester, at 20:45 SA Time (18:45 GMT, 19:45 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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Ireland U20 (20) 35 / 7 (7) Georgia U20 (Final Score)
Ireland Under 20 and Georgia Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Manchester, at 18:30 SA Time (16:30 GMT, 17:30 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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New Zealand U20 (10) 18 / 17 (14) Wales U20 (Final Score)
France Under 20 and Japan Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Salford, at 18:30 SA Time (16:30 GMT, 17:30 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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Scotland U20 (5) 27 / 19 (7) Italy U20 (Final Score)
Scotland Under 20 and Italy Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Manchester, at 16:30 SA Time (14:30 GMT, 15:30 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Argentina U20 (15) 39 / 20 (13) Japan U20 (Final Score)
Argentina Under 20 and Japan Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Salford, at 16:30 SA Time (14:30 GMT, 15:30 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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Pumas (17) 30 / 24 (16) Italy (Final Score)
The Argentinian Los Pumas and Italian Azzurri did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
Brigadier López Stadium, Santa Fe, at 20:45 SA Time (18:45 GMT, 15:45 ARG Time, 20:45 Italian 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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Junior Springboks (6) 13 / 19 (13) Argentina U20 (Final Score)
South Africa’s Junior Springbok Under 20 and Argentina Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Salford, at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT, 18:00 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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England U20 (13) 44 / 0 (0) Scotland U20 (Final Score)
England Under 20 and Scotland Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Manchester, at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT, 18:00 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was not broadcast LIVE on TV in SA.
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Wales U20 (7) 10 / 9 (6) Georgia U20 (Final Score)
Wales Under 20 and Georgia Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Manchester, at 16:45 SA Time (14:45 GMT, 15:45 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was not broadcast LIVE on TV in SA.
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France U20 (17) 46 / 14 (7) Japan U20 (Final Score)
France Under 20 and Japan Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Salford, at 16:45 SA Time (14:45 GMT, 15:45 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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Australia U20 (7) 38 / 10 (10) Italy U20 (Final Score)
Australia Under 20 and Italy Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Manchester, at 14:30 SA Time (12:30 GMT, 13:30 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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New Zealand U20 (14) 24 / 33 (20) Ireland U20 (Final Score)
New Zealand Under 20 and Ireland Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Salford, at 14:30 SA Time (12:30 GMT, 13:30 UK Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was not broadcast LIVE on TV in SA.
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Springboks (13) 20 / 26 (13) Ireland (Final Score)
The South African Springboks and Ireland did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
DHL Newlands, Cape Town, at 17:00 SA Time (15:00 GMT, 16:00 UK 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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Wallabies (13) 28 / 39 (19) England (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies and England did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, at 12:05 SA Time (10:05 GMT, 20:05 AEST, 11:05 UK 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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All Blacks (15) 39 / 21 (18) Wales (Final Score)
New Zealand All Blacks and Wales did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
Eden Park, Auckland, at 09:35 SA Time (07:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time, 08:35 UK 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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South Africa A (3) 24 / 32 (22) England Saxons (Final Score)
South Africa A and England Saxons did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, at 19:10 SA Time (17:10 GMT, 18:10 UK 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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Hi,
We have 2 NEW SuperBru Pools for all to join!
- The World Rugby Under 20 Championship (Junior World Cup) 2016 starts on 7 June 2016 (today), so hurry up and do not delay to register for it!
- The June Internationals 2016 starts on 11 June 2016, register for it too, whilst the iron is hot!
This year we are doing it a bit differently and opened our Pools up to all readers of Rugby-Talk.com, but we encourage you to register as a subsciber on Rugby-Talk.com anyway, as our banter and commenting about our Pools will mostly take place here on the website and not on the SuperBru banter boards! It is so easy to register and such fun to discuss rugby here.
Junior Springboks (14) 59 / 19 (19) Japan U20 (Final Score)
South Africa’s Junior Springbok Under 20 and Japan Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Manchester, at 16:15 SA Time (14:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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France U20 (8) 15 / 24 (6) Argentina U20 (Final Score)
France Under 20 and Argentina Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Salford, at 16:15 SA Time (14:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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Wales U20 (17) 25 / 26 (15) Ireland U20 (Final Score)
Wales Under 20 and Ireland Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Manchester, at 18:30 SA Time (16:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Australia U20 (7) 10 / 15 (3) Scotland U20 (Final Score)
Australia Under 20 and Scotland Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Salford, at 18:30 SA Time (16:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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England U20 (17) 48 / 10 (3) Italy U20 (Final Score)
England Under 20 and Italy Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Manchester, at 20:45 SA Time (18:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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New Zealand U20 (31) 55 / 0 (0) Georgia U20 (Final Score)
New Zealand Under 20 and Georgia Under 20 did battle in the World Rugby Under
20 Championship 2016 at Salford, at 20:45 SA Time (14:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 on TV in SA.
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Pieter-Steph du Toit
Springbok assistant coach Johann van Graan says Pieter-Steph du Toit’s injury is a big setback for the team ahead of their three-Test series against Ireland.
Du Toit, who has been plagued with injuries since making his international debut in 2013, suffered a grade two hamstring tear in the Stormers 31-24 win over the Cheetahs last weekend and has been ruled out of action for between two and six weeks.
Van Graan on Tuesday said that although the lock’s injury is “not a long-term one”, Du Toit was still a big part of the team’s plans heading into the first Test against Ireland.
“I believe Pieter-Steph [du Toit] will develop into one of the best locks in the world,” said Van Graan.
“He was pretty unlucky to get injured in 2013 and then again in early in 2015. I think he showed at the World Cup that he will develop into one of the best and in Super Rugby he has been fantastic.
“He is a big loss for the Springboks – he was part of our plans and he is still part of our plans. Luckily it’s not a long term injury.”
Du Toit’s injury opened the door for Lions lock Franco Mostert, who joined the Springboks in Stellenbosch from the SA ‘A’ squad on Tuesday.
England (10) 27 / 13 (13) Wales (Final Score)
England and Wales did battle in the 2016 June Internationals at
Twickenham Stadium, London, at 16:00 SA Time (15:00 UK Time, 14:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 8 on TV in SA.
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Allister Coetzee has named a new-look Springbok squad, including 9 uncapped players, for the Castle Lager Incoming Series against Ireland, featuring 3 Tests in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.
The uncapped players who have forced their way into the Springbok squad are Garth April (Cell C Sharks – flyhalf), Ruan Combrinck (Emirates Lions – wing), Faf de Klerk (Emirates Lions – scrumhalf), Nic Groom (DHL Stormers – scrumhalf), Steven Kitshoff (Overseas-based – prop), Jaco Kriel (Emirates Lions – flank), Bongi Mbonambi (DHL Stormers – hooker), Sikhumbuzo Notshe (DHL Stormers – flank) and Scarra Ntubeni (DHL Stormers – hooker).
Coetzee picked 17 forwards and 14 backs to report for duty on Sunday afternoon for the start of a 2-week long preparation camp in Stellenbosch and Cape Town. The squad will gather in Stellenbosch for the 1st week, before they break for 2 days and then reassemble on Sunday 5 June in Cape Town.
Glasgow Warriors flyhalf Finn Russell picked up a nasty injury very early on in the Warrior”s match against Connacht in Galway in the PRO12 semifinal on Saturday. He was involved in one of those ‘freak’ events when he and team mate Zander Ferguson ran into each other.
Current Scotland U20 tighthead prop Fagerson had to leave the field but was able to walk off although he didn’t return for the rest of the game.
For Finn Russell however the collision was more costly, as the medics rushed onto the field to treat the two it became clear that Finn had suffered a nasty injury to his face. Early on during the on-field assessment they had him standing up but then lay him on the ground. After what seemed like quite a while he was stretchered off to a sporting applause from concerned fans at the ground and taken to hospital.
Glasgow Warriors put out a short message on Sunday night confirming that Finn was still in hospital undergoing observation. Today the club put out a longer statement with the news that although he remained in hospital he didn’t require surgery and that he may be released later this week.
Springbok Under 20 coach Dawie Theron on Tuesday named his 28-man squad that will do battle at World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Manchester, England, from 7 – 25 June.
Eastern Province centre Jeremy Ward will lead the team in the showpiece, while his provincial team-mate Junior Pokomela and 2015 SA Schools captain, Western Province lock Ernst van Rhyn, have been named as vice-captains.
The squad features 2 players who were members of the Junior Springbok squad that finished 3rd at the international showpiece in Italy last year, namely centre JT Jackson and scrumhalf Marco Jansen van Vuren.
9 Members of the SA Schools team that featured in the Under 18 International Series in South Africa last year have also been included. They are centre Stedman Gans, flyhalves Manie Libbok and Curwin Bosch, scrumhalf Embrose Papier, locks Ruben de Villiers and Van Rhyn, loose forwards Cobus Wiese and Zain Davids and prop Carlü Sadie.
England Under 20 Head Coach Martin Haag has named his 28-man squad for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Manchester (7 – 25 June).
The home side face Italy, Scotland and Australia in Pool B and several players with Premiership experience have been included: Theo Brophy-Clews, Will Evans, Harry Mallinder, Joe Marchant, Ollie Thorley and Johnny Williams.
Jack Walker will play in his 3rd World Rugby Under 20 Championship, while George Perkins and Josh Bainbridge both featured in Italy last year.
England have a strong record in the tournament having reached 6 finals in the last 8 years but this squad have a unique opportunity to play in front of their home supporters.
“This group will only play together for this tournament. It will be a proud moment when they pull on the white jersey and run out in front of family and friends in a home World Cup,” said Haag.
Head Coach Vern Cotter has named a 27-man Scotland squad for the national team’s 2-Test summer tour of Japan next month.
The Test matches will be played on consecutive Saturdays at J1 League football stadia; the 1st at the Toyota Stadium in Toyota City (18 June), the 2nd at the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo (25 June), homes of Nagoya Grampus and FC Tokyo respectively.
Cotter also confirmed that Glasgow centre Mark Bennett has not been named to allow him to be considered for extended GB 7s selection ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Rory Lamont: On-field treatment following Fibula fracture against France in 2012
The relationship between Rory Lamont and rugby has always been uneasy. When it was good, it was really good: 29 Scotland caps, two World Cups, and stints in Europe’s top leagues with Toulon, Sale and Glasgow.
When it was bad, it was really bad: whispering campaigns about his attitude, 16 operations, “double figure” concussions. By the time the game ran out of uses for him, the feeling was entirely mutual.
Three years ago this week, Lamont announced his retirement. The last of his many injuries, a lower leg fracture from the previous year, hadn’t properly healed and the end came as a relief.
“I was thinking, ‘finally it’s over’. I felt like an animal being put out of its misery. I’d had a miserable year, people questioning my integrity, and I couldn’t wait to crack on with my life and all the amazing things I was going to do.”
Never did he picture becoming a recluse, battling severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Nowhere in the retirement brochure did it say he’d lose 25kg in four months and be unable to stomach solids for a further five. The bit about being so low he hoped he’d be run over by a bus? Not what he’d signed up for either.
SARU CEO, Jurie Roux
SA Rugby on Monday acknowledged the findings of the Eminent Persons’ Group report on Transformation for 2014 / 2015 and the sanction imposed by Fikile Mbalula, Minister for Sports and Recreation.
SA Rugby, as well as Cricket South Africa, Netball SA and Athletics South Africa, had revoked their privilege of “hosting and bidding for major and mega international tournaments in South Africa as a consequence of… not meeting their own set transformation targets”, said the minister. The decision would be reconsidered at the next reporting of the EPG, which is expected in November.
“We understand and support the Minister’s urgency in addressing the issue of transformation,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.
Eddie Jones
Eddie Jones has a well-deserved reputation for psychological warfare but, 10 months before the next Calcutta Cup, the voluble England coach has started early even by his standards. In an interview with a mass-circulation Japanese paper, Jones talked about his very 1st Six Nations game against Scotland at Murrayfield and was dismissive of the hosts.
“It was a game I always thought we’d win,” the Australian told the paper’s London corespondent. “I don’t see Scotland being a strong team. You look at Scotland at the World Cup, who did they beat? They were lucky to beat Samoa, they beat USA, they beat us (Japan), and we had 4 days’ preparation, and they were beaten by Australia and South Africa.
“So, they didn’t have a great World Cup, but everyone was talking as though they were a fantastic team. England didn’t have a good World Cup but we’re a stronger team than they are.”
Quinn Roux
Connacht’s South African lock Quinn Roux and trio of other South African players have been included in an Ireland squad which will meet for a training camp on Sunday.
The uncapped Roux is joined by loose forward CJ Stander, and hookers Richardt Strauss and Rob Herring who have all played for Ireland before. The quartet will be hoping to make it into Ireland’s final squad for their tour of South Africa in June.
However, Ireland flanker Chris Henry’s hopes of being selected for the summer tour of South Africa appear to have suffered a blow after he was left out of the squad for Sunday’s training camp.
Henry, who did not play in the Six Nations, is not among the 44 players who will meet up in county Meath.
Allister Coetzee – New Springbok Head Coach
Former DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province coach Allister Coetzee has been named as head coach of the Springboks for the next 4 years, ushering in an exciting new era for rugby in South Africa.
The 52-year-old former Springbok assistant coach succeeds Heyneke Meyer at a time when a number of veterans of the 2007 Rugby World Cup triumph have gone into retirement, including 3 of last year’s 4 captains.
“Allister’s appointment marks the changing of the guard at the top of Springbok rugby and is an exciting new departure for SA Rugby,” said Mr Oregan Hoskins, president of SA Rugby.
“It is a watershed moment for our game with new players developing alongside a spine of experience and it was the right time to have a new man guiding the Springboks for the foreseeable future.
“Allister was the outstanding candidate in terms of his rugby credentials, his understanding of our unique South African transformation imperatives and also in the image he will present as Springbok coach. I am delighted to welcome him back into the Springbok fold.
“The Springbok coaching job is an enormous challenge but Allister has the full support of us at SA Rugby and we will be united in our efforts to continue to make Springbok rugby strong. I want to wish him well in his new job, I also want to pay tribute to Heyneke and his management team for their dedication and service to Springbok rugby the past 4 years.”
Joe Marler
England prop Joe Marler has been banned for 2 matches and fined £ 20 000.00 by World Rugby for calling Wales forward Samson Lee “Gypsy boy”.
Marler, 25, had avoided punishment by The RBS 6 Nations organisers, but World Rugby conducted its own investigation.
He made the comment in England’s RBS 6 Nations win over Wales in March and had an apology accepted by prop Samson.
The Rugby Football Union said Marler would not appeal against the decision and considered the matter closed.
World Rugby, the sport’s global governing body, said it had “Exercised its right to take appropriate action before an independent judicial committee in the absence of such a process by Six Nations Rugby in accordance with the regulations”.
Fourie du Preez
Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez called time on his illustrious rugby career today (Thursday).
The 34-year-old Du Preez represented South Africa in 76 Tests between 2004 and 2015, captaining the Springboks in 4 Tests at the World Cup in England last year. He also won 164 caps for the Bulls and Blue Bulls from 2001 to 2011, and played 55 times for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan.
Du Preez played his last match in the green and gold in last year’s World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, where he picked up an injury which ruled him out of the 3rd-place play-off. He has subsequently finished his career with Suntory.
“Fourie du Preez will go down in the annals of South African rugby as one of the most decorated players ever,” said SA Rugby President Oregan Hoskins.