Boks get England World Cup flop bonus - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Headlines

Boks get England World Cup flop bonus

South Africa's head coach Heyneke Meyer (L) congratulates South Africa's centre and captain Jean de Villiers (C) and South Africa's lock Victor Matfield following the team's Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Samoa at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England, on September 26, 2015. PHOTO/AFP

South Africa’s head coach Heyneke Meyer (L) congratulates South Africa’s centre and captain Jean de Villiers (C) and South Africa’s lock Victor Matfield following the team’s Pool B match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between South Africa and Samoa at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England, on September 26, 2015. PHOTO/AFP

BAGSHOT, October 14- South Africa have picked up a bonus from England’s World Cup failure — their upmarket Pennyhill Park training base to use ahead of this weekend’s quarter-finals.

Situated in leafy grounds in Bagshot, south-west of London, Pennyhill has been England’s training base for about 15 years.

It is a private hotel which accepts guests, but England’s Rugby Football Union have ploughed a reported £3 million ($4.5 million) into Pennyhill, including installing a state of the art Desso ‘hybrid’ pitch and the latest gym equipment.

But with England becoming the first host nation to fail to go beyond the group phase, following defeats by Wales and Australia, Pennyhill has become a tournament, rather than Red Rose, facility for the remainder of the World Cup.

This week South Africa are the team on site ahead of their quarter-final against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday. Seasoned Springbok great Schalk Burger was taken aback.

“It’s incredible. This media centre is pretty much bigger than my local club back home. It’s unbelievable,” Burger told reporters on Tuesday in a cavernous tent located in a corner of the Pennyhill car park.

“Apparently the guys who do the weights say it’s an unbelievable experience,” added the veteran back-bow forward.

Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira confirmed. “I’ve done weights in there. It’s state of the art, the best rugby facility I’ve trained in.”

Burger added: “It’s obviously a pity it’s not being used by England but that is life so we are happy to take this facility and use the best possible.” added the 32-year-old.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“All the waiters and the hotel staff seem to be South African. I have met about four and I think the English staff have gone on leave!,” he joked.

Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2024 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved