It seems that controversial loose forward Luke Watson have had lucrative offers from abroad, should he wish to continue his rugby career outside South Africa.

“Watson, who has been at the centre of a media storm this past week after claiming he wanted to vomit on his Springbok jersey, is under investigation by the South African Rugby Union for an alleged breach of the Players’ Code of Conduct.

At the weekend rugby365.com reported on Watson’s inflammatory speech made as a keynote speaker at a the Ubumbo Rugby Festival at the University of Cape Town Rugby Football Club on Friday, October 3.

Apart from his bizarre attack on his Springbok teammates, Watson claimed he felt so nauseated by wearing the Springbok jersey that he wanted to vomit on it.

Another claim he made was that “the problem with SA rugby is that it is controlled by Dutchmen”, whilst Watson also suggested that SA rugby is “rotten to the core”.

In an interview with the Breakfast team of the Bloemfontein-based radio station, OFM, Watson’s agent Jason Smith confirmed that “we have had some interest from overseas clubs” for Watson for the last 12 months.

“If Luke decides that he wants to play in Europe, these opportunities will definitely be available,” Smith told the radio station.

Watson’s father, Cheeky Watson, confirmed “there is already a big offer on the table.”

But Watson Snr said: “Luke is born in South Africa. Why must he pack his bags? And I believe deep in my heart that the overwhelming majority of the Afrikaans speaking people don’t see any colour.” “

The Springbok management has confirmed that Vodacom Chedetahs hooker Adriaan Strauss will replace the suspended Birmarck du Plessis in the Springbok squad. The 23-year old Strauss received his call-up to national duty after a Sanzar judicial hearing suspended Du Plessis for three weeks following an incident during the Vodacom Tri-Nations match on Saturday in Dunedin between the Springboks and the All Blacks. He arrives early Tuesday morning in Perth.

Springbok management also announced they would not be appealing against the three-week suspension.

Du Plessis was found guilty of breaching Law 10.4(k) by making contact with the eye area of New Zealand flanker Adam Thompson in Saturday’s historic clash at Carisbrook.

Strauss is the second hooker to join the Springbok camp in as many weeks after Vodacom Western Province hooker Schalk Brits flew in to Wellington following the withdrawal through injury of Bok captain John Smit, who subsequently underwent a groin operation late last week.

Source: sarugby.com

Former French international, Marc Lievremont, has been named as the new head coach of the French national team. Lievremont, who played the last of his 25 tests in the 1999 RWC final against Australia, takes over from Bernard Laporte. Lievremont coached French side US Dax back into the top 14 competition of the FFR. He will be assisted by Emile Ntamack and Didier Retiere.

New Zealand dominated the IRB world rankings by being at the top for 40 weeks. This is the longest stint any team has been at the top of the official IRB rankings. The new IRB rankings were released on Monday, and the All Black reign has come to an end, for now. The RWC champions, South Africa, has moved into the top spot on the list.

IRB Rankings:

1. South Africa 90.89

2. New Zealand 89.63

3. Argentina 87.56

4. England 86.61

5. Australia 84.21

6. France 80.43

7. Ireland 78.66

8. Scotland 76.83

9. Fiji 75.82

10. Wales 74.08

SARB would like to congratulate the Bokke on this great feat.

South Africa added several major awards to their world cup celebrations at the weekend, with star winger Bryan Habana named as the International Rugby Board (IRB) Player of the Year at the closing awards ceremony on Sunday.

He is the second South African, after team mate Schalk Burger in 2004, to pick up the prestigious award.

South Africa were named IRB Team of the Year and Jake White won the IRB Coach of the Year award, to add to the IRB Rugby World Cup crown they claimed at Stade de France against England last on Saturday, 20 October.

Habana was picked ahead of four other nominees – Argentina centre Felipe Contepomi, New Zealand flanker and 2006 IRB Player of the Year Richie McCaw, French centre Yannick Jauzion and Argentina flyhalf Juan Hernández.

Full list of IRB Awards winners:
* IRB Player of the Year – Bryan Habana, South Africa
* IRB Team of the Year – South Africa
* IRB Coach of the Year – Jake White, South Africa
* IRB Under 19 Player of the Year – Robert Fruean, New Zealand
* IRB Sevens Team of the Year – New Zealand
* IRB Sevens Player of the Year – Afeleki Pelenise, New Zealand
* IRB Women’s Personality of the Year – Sarah Corrigan
* IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service – Dick Byres
* Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service – Jose Maria Epalza
* IRB Development Award – Jacob Thompson
* Spirit of Ruby Award – Nicolas Pueta
* IRPA Try of the Year – Takudzwa Ngwenya, USA
* IRPA Special Merit Award – Fabien Pelous, France
* IRB Hall of Fame inductees – Pierre de Coubertin, Wilson Whineary, Danie Craven, Gareth Edwards, John Eales

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