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

PHOTOS of Springbok players huddled naked up to their waists in a lake rocked South African rugby yesterday, piling pressure on coach Rudolph Straeuli to quit after his team’s World Cup exit.

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.

It was not a shock result. In truth it was never really close to being one. But South Africa will stagger out of Aussie Stadium on Friday blushing with embarrassment after a performance so woeful it almost defied belief.

South Africa turned up to Aussie Stadium for their ritual slaughter of Georgia with the main focus of attention on the performance of fly-half Derick Hougaard.

South Africa hope to continue their transformation into the great entertainers against Georgia at Aussie Stadium tomorrow.

South African hooker John Smit will become the 51st player to captain the Springboks on Friday insisting his much-changed team will not have any trouble clicking into gear against Georgia.

SPRINGBOKS coach Rudi Straeuli is privately fuming after Lawrence Dallaglio escaped punishment for punching Thinus Delport during Saturday’s World Cup showdown in Perth.

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.

AT last, the phoney war is over. To date, the World Cup has provided a series of mismatches, lacking in serious competition.

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.

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.

SPRINGBOKS captain Corne Krige admits he called England skipper Martin Johnson a dirty player — but denies this was designed to stir up trouble ahead of the two nations’ pool C clash.

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.

Rudolf Straueli’s Springboks have been accused of damaging their World Cup prospects by adopting an overly physical approach to their final warm-up match.

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.

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.

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.

Former Springbok captain Bob Skinstad will finally make a return to competitive rugby when he turns out for the University of Cape Town’s club side this weekend.

South Africa's U21 fly-half Derick Hougaard is still in the picture to make the World Cup squad, Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli insists.

South Africa captain Corne Krige wants his team to go on hurting over their crushing defeat to the All Blacks last weekend.

Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli has made two changes to his starting XV for Saturday’s second Test against Scotland in Johannesburg.

Scotland will look to their forwards to lead the charge against South Africa this weekend.

SCOTLAND coach Ian McGeechan has made five changes to the side for tomorrow’s Test match against South Africa in Durban.

South Africa coach Rudolf Straeuli has named four uncapped players in a new-look starting XV for the first Test against Scotland in Durban on Saturday.

COACH Rudi Straeuli continues to ring the changes sweeping through South Africa’s rugby team by making four more for Saturday’s clash with England as his side bid to avoid the indignity of returning home without a victory from their European tour.

Corne Krige has been confirmed as the Springbok captain for the end of season internationals against France, Scotland and England.

Coach Rudi Straeuli has stayed loyal to the South Africa side that started in the narrow 30-23 loss to New Zealand last Saturday for the visit of Australia this Saturday.

South African rugby union coach Rudolf Straeuli blamed Australian referee Stuart Dickinson for the 41-20 loss to New Zealand in the Tri-Nations.

SOUTH AFRICA are showing a new self-belief as they prepare to face New Zealand in their first Tri-Nations clash of the series in Wellington tomorrow.

TOM TIERNEY was unveiled yesterday by the Leicester Tigers as part of a £1m transfer coup aimed at strengthening their position at the pinnacle of European rugby.