{"id":271271,"date":"2025-07-18T05:51:08","date_gmt":"2025-07-18T05:51:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/271271\/"},"modified":"2025-07-18T05:51:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-18T05:51:08","slug":"world-rugby-set-to-take-action-against-cheating-springboks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/271271\/","title":{"rendered":"World Rugby set to take action against ‘cheating Springboks’"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Africa have been accused of showing a lack of respect by Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada following their emphatic 45-0 win over the Azzurri.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Springboks sparked controversy from the opening whistle by deliberately conceding a scrum. Fly-half Manie Libbok kicked the ball just a few metres forward from the kick-off, with centre Andr\u00e9 Esterhuizen blatantly offside, prompting referee Andrew Brace to halt play and award Italy a scrum on halfway.<\/p>\n

TV cameras then cut to Springbok director of rugby Rassie Erasmus, who appeared to smirk at the move\u2014strongly suggesting it had been rehearsed in advance to flex South Africa\u2019s forward dominance early on.<\/p>\n

Join the\u00a0RUCK\u2019s WhatsApp community here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.<\/p>\n

Quesada, however, didn\u2019t see the funny side.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cConcerning the first action, I prefer not to do any comments. Because I was really surprised, I didn\u2019t take it well. They can beat us without needing to do these kind of tactics,\u201d
\u201cI think we were, these last couple of weeks, extremely respectful, with a lot of humility coming to the ground, the land of the world champions.
I don\u2019t know if it was something we did or said that created that first move but I will only say that I was really surprised.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Nigel Owens: \u2018It looked deliberate\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Former top referee Nigel Owens has weighed in on the incident, criticising the decision and urging World Rugby to clarify the law.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe key word is \u2018deliberate\u2019, because normally in this kind of situation, if a player is in front of the kick-off, it\u2019s deemed to be offside and a scrum back,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

\u201cThe reason that is a scrum is because the kick tends to go at least 10 metres, so actually the effect of the players who may be slightly in front chasing that ball can be very, very minimal, if any effect at all.
But then again, they are in front and for that reason it\u2019s deemed to be an accidental offence and a scrum back.
What we saw in this instance is it looks deliberate. It\u2019s a ploy, it\u2019s an action to get a scrum so in this instance, if I was refereeing this game, to me that would be a pretty straightforward, clear penalty because it\u2019s not a normal action.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Expect World Rugby to weigh in.<\/p>\n

EDITORS PICKS:<\/p>\n

Three Bold Changes That Would Instantly Improve the Lions Starting Line-up<\/strong><\/p>\n

The British & Irish Lions have made history with an all-Scottish 10-12-13 axis for the first time ever when they take on Australia in Brisbane this Saturday.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones will pull the strings in midfield, with head coach Andy Farrell opting for a bold playmaking spine. The rest of the starting XV is made up entirely of Irish and English players, as\u00a0no Welshmen have made the matchday 23<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the\u00a0first time since 1896<\/strong>\u00a0the Lions have named a squad to face\u00a0Australia, New Zealand or South Africa<\/strong>\u00a0without a single player from Wales.<\/p>\n

There were\u00a0three selections that fans seemingly didn\u2019t agree with<\/strong>\u2014and social media has been ablaze ever since the squad was announced.<\/p>\n

Fan fury: Jac Morgan axed<\/p>\n

The biggest talking point? The omission of\u00a0Jac Morgan<\/strong>, who many tipped as a nailed-on starter after a standout tour.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a selection bombshell that\u2019s ended\u00a0over a century<\/strong>\u00a0of Welsh involvement in Lions Test matches\u2014stretching all the way back to\u00a01899<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

One of the most consistent performers in Welsh rugby,\u00a0Jac Morgan<\/strong>\u00a0has captained his country and stood out as a breakdown beast. His work rate, defensive engine, and ability to carry hard in traffic have made him a fan favourite. Many felt his form on tour warranted a starting Lions spot\u2014or at the very least, a place on the bench.<\/p>\n

\n

One fan wrote:\u00a0\u201cNo Morgan?! What more could he have done?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Another said:\u00a0\u201cNot even on the bench\u2014this is a joke!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Another added:\u00a0\u201cWhere\u2019s Morgan, Pollock, Chessum? The selection reeks of bias.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Another said:\u00a0\u201cMorgan\u2019s in the form of his life and Farrell literally said \u2018he can play wherever he wants\u2019\u2026 then doesn\u2019t pick him!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\n

Another slammed it as:\u00a0\u201cNo Jac Morgan is laughable, been the best 7 on tour by a country mile.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

CONTINUES ON PAGE TWO<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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