'Disappointed' Nienaber 'literally stunned' by Springbok drug allegations, questions timing

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber expressed his bemusement and dismay at the "strategic timing" of allegations of recreational drug use and accompanying positive tests in the final hours of his charges' build-up to Saturday night's 36-20 win over Argentina in Buenos Aires.

SA Rugby were required to distribute a strongly-worded statement refuting the claims merely three hours before kick-off after specialist site Sarugbymag published that it had been told the local governing body was seeking legal recourse against a report that was going to be published by a Sunday paper detailing the alleged indiscretions.

In the aftermath of a gutsy victory, Nienaber calmly but firmly weighed in on the issue, reiterating a previous line that all the team could do was to focus on the things they could control. 

READ | SA Rugby denies allegations 'circulating in media' of Springboks' recreational drug use

"From my side it was quite disturbing, especially the timing of it - five hours before a Test match which amounts to a semi-final," he said.

"I'm literally stunned that allegations of that nature can be made about this team. I do believe the timing was strategically planned, whoever did so.

"It makes you wonder about [SA Rugby's Springbok payoff line] #strongertogether, but it is what it is. There was nothing we could do about it. It's a narrative that's not driven by us, all we can control is playing good rugby."

The Bok mentor also pointed out that testing regimes for all international teams are so tight that players simply can't take the chance of taking illegal substances.   

"We're tested, like any other team, regularly. Sometimes it's even three times a week in South Africa. There hasn't been one positive test since we've been together