South Africa’s injury prone captain Jean de Villiers went to hospital amid fears he has broken his jaw for the second time in months during their crucial 46-6 victory over Samoa on Saturday.
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With bosses likely to come down hard on the pitch invader, it seems likely his World Cup career – both as a player and a fan – could well be over.
South Africa will be a “wounded beast” once they face Samoa on Saturday, hoping to cement their authority in Pool B of the quadrennial tournament.
“It’s been a tough week”, Meyer said.
“I don’t want to take anything away from the players”.
Jones’ wish for a “bashfest” might be granted as Samoa coach Stephen Betham also believes Saturday’s match may need an 18 certificate for sensitive viewers. It’s also great to look yourself in the mirror and see how tough you are. “We know they are really angry because of that (Japan) game”.
“We have to keep our feet on the ground, there have been a few injuries with some guys going for x-rays. It’s not good enough to have one performance like that”.
Young fly-half Handre Pollard converted four first-half penalties before Schalk Burger, Schalk Brits and Bryan Habana went over to confirm a bonus-point win.
But Meyer insisted it was his side’s defence that had caught the eye, containing a rugged Samoa team to just two Mike Stanley penalties.
“We are a nation that needs help, that needs forgiveness, and the Springboks bring people together”. We were maybe lucky at times.
Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts said the fracture was on the opposite side of De Villiers’ jaw to the first injury sustained against Argentina in Durban in August.
Flanker Willem Alberts was the only player not considered, because of a calf injury picked up the day before the Japan game in Brighton.
“We are certainly feeling the pressure”. They’re a very good team.
“Rugby is a game but in South Africa it has become so much more than just a game and we carry that responsibility with us every single time we enter the field”.
For Samoa, it is now them who are searching for the answers after being steam-rolled. “Jean is one of them”, Meyer said.
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“We’re still in exactly the same position as we were last week, so it’s another big week for us”, said Matfield. “We went through nearly everything that needed to be done”. Our pool is still wide open.
