South Africa’s secret weapon in tonight’s rugby showdown… glamorous physio accused of ‘dark arts’ on the pitch

• Physiotherapist Rene Naylor has played a key role in the champions’ success 
• Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results

As England readies itself for its crunch Rugby World Cup semi-final against the Springboks in Paris tonight, the team will need to keep an eye on the manoeuvres of South Africa’s secret weapon.

Physiotherapist Rene Naylor has played a key role in the reigning champions’ success – including their notorious use of the ‘dark arts’.

The sports masseuse is never far from the action, frequently caught on camera bellowing at her team while clutching water bottles and a first aid kit.

But while she may appear to be the Springboks’ biggest cheerleader, Ms Naylor has this week been accused of passing messages on from the coaching team in violation of the rules.

Wales manager Warren Gatland warned England coach Steve Borthwick he must challenge South Africa’s tactics and singled out the physio for extra scrutiny. When he oversaw the British and Irish Lions in 2021, she was seen ‘screaming and yelling’ instructions at her players while stood metres away on their try line.

Physiotherapist Rene Naylor has played a key role in the reigning champions’ success – including their notorious use of the ‘dark arts’

The sports masseuse is never far from the action, frequently caught on camera bellowing at her team while clutching water bottles and a first aid kit

Gatland said medics shouldn’t ‘be standing behind play or encroaching on to the field of play with the sole reason of passing on messages from the coaching team’. Ms Naylor, who has been with the Springboks for 15 years, also courted controversy in 2021 for running on to the pitch during play when they took on England at Twickenham.

Footage showed her sprinting on, pumping her fists in the air as South Africa drove towards England’s line – but again the referees took no action against her.

‘If I was Steve this week, I would be asking how that is going to be properly managed,’ Gatland said.

The Springboks are notorious for winning by any means, with their director of rugby Rassie Erasmus previously coming on the pitch as a water boy. He has also been caught using coloured lights to communicate with his team from the stands in France at this year’s tournament.

Tendai Mtawarira of South Africa stretches with the help of physio Rene Naylor

Ms Naylor was in full force when her side crushed English hopes to win the 2019 tournament and the men in white will be hoping to keep her quiet in tonight’s re-run of that devastating final.

A Springboks spokesman said: ‘The laws of rugby do not forbid any of a team’s four technical personnel from communicating with players during play.’

They added that if one were to ‘enter the field of play when not permitted, the match referee has the authority to expel them’.

England fans had hoped that the Princess of Wales – who had begun to earn a reputation as a lucky charm for the team – would be watching in person tonight.

However, sources have confirmed that she is on holiday with William and their children. The family will, nevertheless, most likely be glued to their screens watching the match.

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