Springbok manager Arthob Petersen has refuted comments attributed to the South African Rugby Football Union’s (Sarfu) Piet Heymans during a radio interview in which Heymans is reported to have said that the Springbok players have no confidence in Sarfu president Brian van Rooyen.
Petersen — speaking at the after-match South Africa versus South Africa Central media conference at Absa Park in Kimberley on Wednesday — made it clear that the Bok players and team management unequivocally distance themselves from such comments and reaffirm their support for the South African rugby chairperson and the leadership of the country’s rugby.
”The Springboks will continue to play for South Africa with dignity and pride. We cannot and will not tolerate the sowing of seeds of discord and disunity in South African rugby,” Petersen said.
South African coach Jake White expressed his general satisfaction with the Boks’ overall performance against SA Central.
”We were disappointing in the first half but things starting working for us in the second half. Even with our four yellow cards we managed to score 60 points, which is an achievement.
”We have a side to play against Ireland. We are of course concerned about Ashwin Willemse’s knee-ligament injury. If he is ruled out, Jacque Fourie could well be recalled to the squad. Jacque or someone like that.”
”It was a showdown type match,” commented Springbok captain John Smit. ”There was niggle in the game and a measure of ill-discipline. Matches of this sort are never simply friendlies.
”As for the penalty count, we’re not happy about this. We won’t win matches like this. We’ll certainly be looking at ourselves on the match video.” — Sapa
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