Monday Round-Up

Paige not a shock: South Africa boss Heyneke Meyer has admitted that he wanted to select scrum-half Rudy Paige sooner. The uncapped Bulls number nine was the surprise name in the Springboks’ squad for the Rugby World Cup. "When Rudy first came into the group, I told him that he had a chance to go to the World Cup," said Meyer.  "I wanted him to work on a few things, and it's been great to see how he has improved over the past year, both in his performances for the Bulls at Super Rugby level and in camp with the Boks. His service from the base is good, and he has an unbelievable kicking game in wet conditions, which we will need at the World Cup. I see him as a similar player to Fourie du Preez. It was a tough decision between Rudy and Cobus, but I believe it is the right one. I also believe it's a good balance if you consider the experience of Du Preez and Ruan Pienaar. It was always my plan to give Rudy game time in Buenos Aires, but then we let ourselves down against Argentina in Durban. I said to the players that the same group would have a chance to set things right the following week in Buenos Aires.”