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The ‘match-fixing’ question put to Springboks boss Jacques Nienaber
By Liam Heagney
Springboks boss Jacques Nienaber was left bemused by a post-match question on Sunday night in Marseille about the potential for Ireland and Scotland to somehow come to an agreement and play out a result next Saturday in Paris that would see the two Celtic nations qualify for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals at the expense of the 2019 champions.
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South Africa currently top Pool B following their win over Tonga at Stade Velodrome. They have 15 points, with unbeaten Ireland in second on 14 points and Scotland in third on 10 points.
A bonus point win for the Scots next weekend that also sees the Irish collect a losing bonus point would see all three teams finish on 15 points, resulting in the pool standings being decided on points difference.
Currently, the Springboks are on +117, Ireland on +122 and Scotland +97 – and Springboks boss Nienaber was horrified by the idea that a result to eliminate South Africa purposely could be concocted.
If Scotland finish top on points difference with all teams on 15 points, second place would then be decided on the head-to-head Ireland versus South Africa pool result, a match that the Irish won and this would eliminate South Africa.
Finishing up his post-game media briefing after the Springboks’ 49-18 win over Tonga, Nienaber was asked by a French journalist about the mathematics surrounding next weekend’s pool finale at Stade de France.
“If I understand you correct, so you say they can maybe chat between each other and decide…” he said initially, confused after listening to a translation of the question. The query was put to him a second time and this was his response:
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“Could I believe in a scenario that they will decide, ‘Okay, we want to get this amount of points and then get South Africa out of the way?’
“That would probably be match-fixing I would say. I hope not. Rugby’s clean. We wear those T-shirts. Hopefully not because that would be extremely disappointing, don’t you think?”
"That would be extremely disappointing…"
– The extraordinary Pool B match-fixing suggestion put to Jacques Nienaber in the final question of his Sunday night post-match Springboks briefing. #Springboks #RSAvTGA #RWC2023 #IREvSCO pic.twitter.com/qrDjCcxEnU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 2, 2023
Jacques was most certainly not “horrified”, his answer was sarcastic (“I hope not” & “Wouldn’t you agree”), given the ridiculousness of the question.
I think it's disrespectful to Ireland and Scotland to suggest that they would effectively cheat to eliminate South Africa. They're almost certainly more worried about themselves at this stage than South Africa.
This was quite a ridiculous question to ask the coach. If two teams decide the outcome of a game before kickoff, then it is fixed, I can't see Ireland willingly give up their winning streak because they are on their way to set a new world record with their current winning streak.
Imagine having a job that only paid out when articles written needed a certain numbers of hits!!! Yes boys and girls, welcome to the world of online journalism, and these dickheads will write and conjure absolutely anything to make a buck and turn us all into frenzied pundits abusing each other’s intelligence. Fuck em.
Would absolutely love the situation where all the real rugger guys are sitting in a pub chatting rugby, and Nigel walks in and realizes that all the people he has trash talked about for the last few weeks are sitting there. Can just imagine his bravery then. 😂
Rugbys clean, hahahaha wow
It is not possible in any circumstance for SA not to go through. Do the maths whichever way you wish
If
This is the most ridiculous question ever asked, next the conspiracy theorists are gonna conclude Nic Berry should get this match to ensure payback for that awful video from Rassie, who’s the match official ? Oh wait it’s Nic Berry 😂😂 I can see the articles
After sweating blood to avoid France Ireland would throw that all away in a conspiracy involving all 66 Scots/Irish players and coaching staff......
What publication does this moron write for?