Hanyani Shimange calls out an agenda to weaken the Springbok game, while Schalk Burger claims Lood de Jager’s high hit on Leroy Carter last week was just a penalty.
The former Boks were speaking on the Boks Unpacked X The Verdict podcast, picking up on Rassie Erasmus’ post-match dismissal of All Blacks accusations that his pack walks around at scrum time, and the card that reduced South Africa to 14 men during last Saturday’s 33-26 win at Cape Town Stadium.
“We generally go straight through the middle,” ex-hooker Shimange said. “It’s never been a Springbok strategy. I just think what they’re trying to do is depower the scrum.
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“There’s always been an issue to depower the South African maul, and it’s just one of those things … trying to get inside the ref[‘s head].
“I think we’ve had the most dominant scrum probably for the last, what, eight years since the World Cup, since 2019. You’re telling me we’ve been walking around?
“We’ve had Beast [Mtawarira], we’ve had Ox Nché … there’s no way we’re walking around. That’s just, for me [not true].”
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Legendary loose forward Burger turned to De Jager’s dismissal for his head clash with All Blacks winger Carter.
“There’s definitely mitigating circumstances,” Burger said. “Leroy Carter moves, he’s reasonably low, but then it’s a head on head; his shoulder hits him on the chest. The margins are so fine.
“Then you go back to Ardie’s [hit on Jasper Wiese two weeks ago]. That’s probably the one that sticks out in your mind foremost; he hits him on the shoulder, then there is a bit of head contact with his shoulder, not a head on head.
“Guys, my view is it’s a penalty. Penalty only. It’s always been my outlook on it. I’m old school … I’d be happy if this just stays penalties.
“That yellow card put us under pressure, but yeah, obviously for Lood, he’s had a couple now, but he’s unlucky. I don’t think it’s a technique thing; that was just unfortunate.”
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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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Hanyani Shimange calls out an agenda to weaken the Springbok game, while Schalk Burger claims Lood de Jager’s high hit on Leroy Carter last week was just a penalty.
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