Nienaber stated he was involved in regards to the timing of allegations of drug use and alleged constructive exams.
FILE: South Africa’s head coach Jacques Nienaber attends a press convention after the Rugby Championship match towards Australia at Cbus Super Stadium in Gold Coast on 12 September 2021. Picture: Patrick HAMILTON/AFP
JOHANNESBURG – Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber stated his staff had come via a Rugby Championship “semifinal” towards Argentina regardless of “disturbing” media allegations relating to his gamers.
Speaking in a web based media convention after South Africa’s 36-20 win towards Argentina in Buenos Aires on Saturday, Nienaber stated the distraction of coping with a possible newspaper controversy had come simply 5 hours earlier than the kick-off.
A final-minute bonus-point attempt enabled South Africa to attract stage with New Zealand on 14 factors on the prime of the championship desk with one spherical remaining.
The Springboks play a return match towards Argentina in Durban on Saturday and can know precisely what they should do after the All Blacks host Australia in Auckland earlier within the day.
SA Rugby issued a press release three hours earlier than the Buenos Aires recreation saying it was conscious that “unsubstantiated allegations of failed tests for recreational drugs by Springbok players are circulating among members of the media”.
One South African web site claimed that SA Rugby had threatened authorized motion towards the weekly Rapport newspaper, which it stated was planning an “explosive” story.
The newspaper didn’t publish such an article on Sunday.
What SA Rugby stated was doubtlessly “distracting and destabilising” to the Springboks got here every week after Rapport broke a narrative about an alleged affair between Springbok fly-half Elton Jantjies and the staff dietician, each of whom had been despatched house from Argentina within the wake of the allegations.
Nienaber stated he was involved in regards to the timing of allegations of drug use and alleged constructive exams.
“From my side it was quite disturbing, especially the timing of it – five hours before a Test match which amounts to a semi-final,” he stated.
‘LITERALLY STUNNED’
“I’m literally stunned that allegations like that can be made about this team. I do believe the timing was strategically planned.”
Springboks captain and unfastened ahead Siya Kolisi admitted it had been a difficult week for the squad after the Jantjies controversy.
“It’s been a tough week,” he stated. “We players obviously read a bit what everyone writes and it’s hard. Some players can take it, others find it harder.”
Kolisi stated the message to the staff had been “just to stick together and tell ourselves that our supporters really just want to see results, what we do on the field.
“We need to win this title, it doesn’t matter what’s happening round us.”
Nienaber said all international players faced tough drug-testing programmes and could not risk taking illegal substances.
“We’re examined often,” he said. “Sometimes it is even thrice every week in South Africa. There hasn’t been one constructive check since we have been collectively this complete 12 months.”
With first-choice fly-half Handre Pollard injured and Jantjies no longer part of the squad, there was concern for the Springboks about an injury to Damian Willemse, who wore the number 10 jersey on Saturday.
“We will assess the accidents within the subsequent two days after which make choices on whether or not we’ve got to usher in gamers subsequent week,” said Nienaber.
“We solely arrive in South Africa within the early hours of Monday morning, so it is going to be a brief week for us however each groups can be in the identical scenario, so we can be on a stage taking part in discipline.”