Nienaber apologises for water-boy incident

Springbok boss Jacques Nienaber has taken responsibility for directing the team’s water-boy to query a decision of the touch judge. 

The water-boy was seen walking down the touchline talking to the official during the game and was eventually warned by referee Matthew Carley. 

“If I see you chasing our touch judge up the line again, you’ll be off,” Carley said. 

Nienaber has since apologised for the incident. 

“We thought it was a 50:22. We got it wrong at the top. The ruck was inside New Zealand’s half and it was two passes back and then we kicked the 50:22. It’s a new concept for us. It’s not something that we have played and it’s a rule that changed. We played the British & Irish Lions, the last game was the seventh of August and the next game was Argentina and this law was part of it. 

“I’ll put my hand on up and say we got it wrong and we asked him to challenge. We were so sure but then we looked back at the video and saw that we got it completely wrong. 

“Like I say, my fault. I thought it was a 50:22. Where we kicked the ball was our half and it went out in their 22, but we passed it back [into our half]. 

“I think Australia and New Zealand have had two competitions under that law, so they’re a little bit more familiar with it. Not that it’s any excuse. We just wanted him to notify [the AR]. We apologise, we just got it wrong.

 “We saw it live and then re-winded and then… sorry. We stuffed it up.”

The Boks defeated the All Blacks in a superb Test which be remembered for a long time.