SHE stood before us, a statuesque, 5ft 11 vision of Aryan loveliness.

Gwent Dragons full-back Percy Montgomery is set to make his long-awaited international comeback following a two-year absence after being named in South Africa’s starting line-up for Saturday’s second Test against Ireland at Newlands.

SOUTH AFRICAN rugby boss Brian van Rooyen yesterday announced the first national squad under coach Jake White, including six black players, to play Ireland and Wales in tests next month.

STORMERS coach Gert Smal and former Eastern Province coach Allister Coetzee have been named as assistants to new Springbok coach Jake White.

A PLANNED breakfast to show ‘reveal all’ footage of a controversial Springbok military-style boot camp ahead of last year’s World Cup has been shelved.

England boss Clive Woodward today played down forecasts that his world champions will meet France in a Grand Slam decider next month.

Jake White took over as Springbok coach yesterday with the task of restoring the fortunes of one of the great rugby nations.

Clive Woodward today dismissed a report linking him with the Springboks coaching job as having “absolutely no foundation."

Former Springbok captain Morne du Plessis has quit as South African Rugby board director.

Former Springbok coach Andre Markgraaff has withdrawn his name from the shortlist to coach South Africa after the death of his younger brother Pierre.

Former Springbok coach Nick Mallett was omitted from a four-man shortlist for the vacant South Africa job today.

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli and SA Rugby managing director Rian Oberholzer both stepped down from their respective positions today, according to reports in South Africa.

Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli will keep his job – at least until the board of SA Rugby convenes on December 4.

South Africa Rugby president Silas Nkanunu has ordered an urgent meeting of the board of directors at which Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli’s future will come under renewed scrutiny.

South African coach Rudolf Straeuli faces calls for him to be sacked this week along with several other administrators following the Springboks’ shoddy display at the World Cup.

A new race row threatens to overshadow the Springboks’ biggest game in four years after South African Rugby Union boss Mvuleli Ncula today voiced concerns that the side selected to take on the All Blacks is too white.

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli expressed every faith in inexperienced fly-half Derick Hougaard, who was today named in the Springboks’ side to play New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-finals.

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli believes he has a squad rich in youthful talent but has also backed the importance of his veterans going into Saturday’s quarter-final against New Zealand in Melbourne.

SOUTH Africa’s World Cup campaign suffered a major setback yesterday when flanker Joe van Niekerk was ruled out of the tournament.

South Africa’s World Cup campaign suffered a major setback today when flanker Joe van Niekerk was ruled out of the tournament.

Samoa’s World Cup adventure came to an abrupt end today as fly-half Derick Hougaard steered South Africa towards a potential quarter-final showdown with New Zealand.

South Africa and Samoa came face-to-face in a World Cup Pool C eliminator at the Suncorp Stadium today.

South Africa have axed their goalkicking fly-half Louis Koen for Saturday’s World Cup eliminator against Samoa at Suncorp Stadium.

SOUTH AFRICA, whose World Cup hopes seem doomed, look certain to turn to 20-year-old Derick Hougaard at flyhalf for their remaining group matches against Georgia and Samoa.

Springboks skipper Corne Krige tonight insisted that discipline is a priority for South Africa as they began preparations to face fierce World Cup rivals England.

South Africa 72 Uruguay 6

Diego Ormaechea has warned South Africa to expect an improved Uruguay when the countries meet in their Pool C encounter at Subiaco Oval later today.

Joost van der Westhuizen has warned South Africa to expect a “very physical game” when the Springboks launch their World Cup campaign against Uruguay tomorrow night.

ENGLAND skipper Martin Johnson has brushed off taunts from South African counterpart Corne Krige branding him one of the “dirtiest captains in world rugby”, saying his only focus was beating rivals on the pitch.

Springboks coach Rudolf Straeuli has played down fitness fears surrounding his World Cup captain Corne Krige.

The Springbok rugby team management are not considering calling for a replacement for injured hooker Dale Santon unless his groin problem worsens.

CORNE KRIGE claimed that England’s Martin Johnson is “one of the dirtiest captains in world rugby.”

Blue Bulls fullback Jaco van der Westhuyzen has been called into the Springbok squad following the serious injury suffered by centre Jean de Villiers.

SOUTH AFRICA have been psyching themselves up for their World Cup clash with England next month by slamming into tackle bags fitted with England jerseys.

England winger Dan Luger has warned his team-mates that South Africa will use their recent turmoil to good effect in the crucial Pool C World Cup showdown on October 18.

Overshadowed by the spectre of racism in recent weeks, the Springbok rugby side will be looking to lift their spirits when they get down to business in their first warm-up match for the World Cup against provincial side Free State in Bloemfontein.

THE South African Springboks may have handed the Wallabies a blueprint on how to defeat the All Blacks and retain rugby’s Bledisloe Cup next weekend, Australian coach Eddie Jones said yesterday.

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli has named his seventh new midfield combination in as many Tests as the Springboks enter their final Test match before the World Cup with anything but a settled side.

SOUTH AFRICA’S rugby reputation was tainted again yesterday after forward Bakkies Botha was banned for eight weeks and prop Robbie Kempson for four weeks in the aftermath of the spiteful Tri-Nations Test with Australia here.

South Africans Robbie Kempson and Bakkies Botha were both cited after yesterday’s Tri-Nations defeat as the Springboks were branded a “disgrace to international rugby”.

World Cup-winning scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen is the biggest of the six names axed from the South Africa side to face Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.