South African flyhalf Ruan Pienaar admitted it was an honour to be part of his team’s 42-6 thrashing of England at Twickenham at the weekend, though felt a certain absentee may have made a ‘huge difference’.
AFP reports that the Springboks handed England their biggest defeat on home turf, thanks to tries from Pienaar, Danie Rossouw, Adi Jacobs, Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana.
Pienaar finished with 20 points as the world champions gave an impressive demonstration of their strength, but even he was stunned by the margin of victory.
“I don’t think anyone expected that scoreline,” Pienaar said. “The guys really played together in a team. Twickenham is a special place to play and to beat them by that margin is a huge honour for us.
“England are still a young team and will grow. Their backline is new to the Test match arena. England had their chances.
“But our guys really defended well. We managed to keep them out and it was a massive defensive effort out there.”
Pienaar believes England paid the price for Jonny Wilkinson’s latest injury woe.
Wilkinson started the Premiership season in top form and was favourite to reclaim the England No.10 jersey before suffering a dislocated knee.
Danny Cipriani has struggled to make the step up to international rugby and Pienaar profited on Saturday, scoring 20 points.
Pienaar expects big things from Cipriani in the future – but he thinks England manager Martin Johnson will be counting down the days before Wilkinson is available again.
“Jonny Wilkinson has been a top flyhalf since he was 18. He might make a huge difference to the England set-up and he brings a lot of confidence to the players around him,” Pienaar said.
“He has been unlucky with injuries. For sure, I’d like to see him back on the international stage and I think most of his teammates would like to see that.”
Pienaar scored the second of South Africa’s five tries after charging down Cipriani’s attempted clearance.
It was the third time in six Tests Cipriani has been punished for the same mistake and Johnson expects opposing teams are targeting it as a weakness.
There was a flicker of a smile but Pienaar revealed nothing, except his admiration for Cipriani.
“I just saw he lined up the kick and took a chance. Luckily it paid off,” Pienaar said.
“I think he is a great player and he will improve game by game. I have watched him in the Premiership and the European Cup. He is an awesome player and I have great respect for him.”
Tweet
Ruan , my hero. Thanks for taking on the Flyhalf job. You are great and with time will become one of the greatest flyhalves to play for the Boks
@Pokkel (Comment 1) : and the Sharks 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 2) : Of course 😳
Guys if anyone has a a recording of the game and is still looking for a moment of the match just watch Adis try(i think its Adis try but whatever) we get the try but there is still a tackler holding onto the saffa for a long time…..just watch what happens when the bokke get there to celebrate.
Its beeee yoouuuu tea full! 😈
@PJLD (Comment 4) : I will go look for it
@Pokkel (Comment 5) : Let me know if you enjoy it as much as I do
@PJLD (Comment 6) : tell me! 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 7) : Its cooler to watch.Its quick, blink and you will miss it but very enjoyable.
@PJLD (Comment 8) : grrrr. guess I need to go download it now 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 9) : thats a bit of an effort hey
@PJLD (Comment 10) : specially since it ain’t on kuduclub, for whatever reason
Ok ok, tackler holds on to the try scorer for a bit longer than he should have, Bokke arrive en masse to celebrate try with team mate.
They are coming at speed and they do not take kindly to english player hanging on to said teammate at this joyous occasion.
English player gets cleaned, good and proper.Good and proper.
@PJLD (Comment 12) : any particular Bok we should thank? 🙂
I think its Jean Bakkies and Schalk that get there.I speak under correction but i’d put money on it being them.
@PJLD (Comment 14) : Yea you right.
Hopefully the Sharks will pick Ruan at 10 next year for the duration of the Super 14….odds?
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 15) : quite high, I think… although might depend quite a lot on what ideas/preconceived notions the new backline coach (Chris Boyd) brings with him.
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 15) : I mnea, shit, they really have to play him there, don’t they.
Frans will probably be the starting 12.
@robdylan (Comment 17) : Indeed. Krockett, Pienaar and Steyn gives you a pretty solid axis to create havoc
@Worcestershire Sauce (Comment 18) : indeedement… with Jacobs, JPP, Odwa and Stef outside em, it’s a pretty darn good backline.
@robdylan (Comment 19) :
And Murray in that mix…