Photo - Kevin Quigley

The dust had barely settled on the Springboks qualifying for the quarter-finals at the Rugby World Cup, by trashing the USA 64-0 in London and the British press started digging.

The English tabloid alleged that Springbok tighthead prop, Frans Malherbe was involved in a biting incident during the Pool B match.

The Daily Mail alleged that the Stormers front-rower bit the Eagles lock, Matt Trouville on the shoulder at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The strong allegation could have seen a heavy ban imposed on Malherbe, however the Bok strong man will not be cited.

A photo appears to show the prop tucking into Trouville, but the American second-rower said he bears no knowledge of the incident due the shoulder pads he was wearing.

World Rugby issued a statement regarding the incident in which they said that Independent Citing Commissioner Peter Larter was satisfied that no alleged biting incident occurred during the Pool B match at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park last night.

Springbok team manager, Ian Schwartz says the allegations are disruptive and upset the team.

The manager added that Malherbe was shocked when he was informed of the allegations.

Meanwhile, Bryan Habana he humbled by being compared to All Blacks great, Jono Lomu.

The Springbok speedster scored a hat-trick of tries last night to equal the big mans’ record of 15 Rugby World Cup trues.

The fact the speedster actually crossed the line four times and came agonisingly close to claiming the record on his own, however a fumble denied Habana.

Habana says there is no way he can be compared to the All Blacks great.

The player added that he has been privileged to do what he loves, in the jersey he loves, for the country he loves.

The Springboks will face the winners between Wales and Australia on 19 October at Twickenham in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, in Exeter it was an historic night for Georgia, who almost certainly secured their qualification for Rugby World Cup 2019 by doing enough to finish third in Pool C with a hard fought 17-16 win over Namibia.

Georgian coach Milton Haig said they were hoping to match history at the tournament.

The All Blacks tackle Tonga tomorrow evening in Newcastle and win for the All Blacks will see Tonga qualify for the Japan 2019.

And that’s it for now…tune into OFM every week morning at 8:30am and afternoon 5:30pm for an in-depth look in to the World Cup.

Morgan Piek / OFM News