RUGBY WRAP

RUGBY WRAP
BOK WATCH
BREAKING NEWS

Bok and Blue Bulls No.8, Pierre Spies has been forced to withdraw from the WC squad due to clots on his lungs. This is a massive blow to the Boks as Spies was a shoe in for the starting berth at No.8 and has made a huge impact since an inauspicious start to his test career in the 49-0 drubbing by the Wallabies in 2006. Either Jacque Cronje or Pedrie Wannenburg are expected to be announced as Spies’s replacement whilst Bob Skinstad or Danie Russouw are likely to replace him in the starting 15.

In other news Springbok preparations carry on in earnest towards France 2007 with the training base moved to Durban this week from a wet and freezing Cape Town. In a shocking move that will leave the Wallabies and all of Australia fuming former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones is expected to be named as the new Bok Technical Adviser replacing Rassie Erasmus. Jones was involved in Bok practices last week in what he termed as an “exchange of ideas,” primarily focusing on attack, before his departure to English club Saracens.

LOCAL IS LEKKER
On the local front the Cheetahs’ continued their march to a home Currie Cup semi convincingly thumping Province 45-13 which leaves them undefeated after 5 games and Province floundering with 1 win from 5 games. The Sharks gained a semblance of revenge over the Bulls for the Super 14 defeat by beating them 29-10 at Absa Park while the Lions moved backed into semi final contention with an impressive 62-5 victory over the hapless Falcons. Griquas saw off the Cavaliers 43-32 and are handily placed for a semi spot?

WORLD CUP STAT OF THE WEEK:
RWC-Overall-player points

Gavin Hastings (SCO) 227
Michael Lynagh (AUS) 195
Jonny Wilkinson (ENG) 182
Grant Fox (NZL) 170

Andrew Mehrtens (NZL) 163

38 DAYS AND COUNTING BEFORE RWC 2007.

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