Boks are number one
Sun, 26 Jul 2009 12:16

South Africa were full value for their 28-19 win over New Zealand in their Tri-Nations encounter in Bloemfontein on Saturday, a victory that saw them reclaim the No.1 ranking in the world from the All Blacks.
However, the Springboks paid a dear price for returning to the first place on the International Rugby Board's rankings - with first-choice flyhalf Ruan Pienaar and inside centre Jean de Villiers both injury concerns ahead of the next Test, also against the Kiwis in Durban next Saturday.
The Boks, who were second on the IRB rankings (on 89.45 points) behind the Kiwis (on 90.95 points), gained 0.85 rankings points and now lead New Zealand by 0.2 (90.30 to 90.10).
But the injuries to Pienaar and De Villiers will be of more concern to the Bok coach, Peter de Villiers.
Pienaar, who injured his ankle late in the first half, struggled with his goal-kicking and did not return after the break - after missing 11 points with the boot - with Morné Steyn taking over at flyhalf and kicking three penalties to help seal the victory.
However, the Bok coach, De Villiers, said Pienaar wasn't pulled off the field for tactical reasons, it was indeed down to injury.
"‘Ruan was injured five minutes before half-time and that's why we took him off at the break," De Villiers said in the media briefing.
The Bok coach was not prepared to give a medical update on any of his players until Monday, but Pienaar had ice packed on his ankle while watching from the sideline in the second half.
Midfielder, De Villiers, also hobbled off and was replaced by Wynand Olivier.
The extent of his injury will also be revealed on Monday.
365

http://sport.iafrica.com/news/1821100.htm

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