Tightheads & Loose Balls

● Tightheads can’t be sure what left Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick more bemused this week. It was either something he saw while posing for a picture with a “fan” at an airport while en route to London, or his discovery later on Twitter that the said fan thought he was Siya Kolisi.

● England coach Eddie Jones must have initially despaired at his decision to hold a training camp in Portugal in the build-up to the team’s November Tests. The camp was held there ostensibly for the fine weather Portugal has to offer at this time of year compared to the gloom they would have experienced in England. It, however, rained the first few days of the camp, which would have left Jones with that characteristic arching eyebrow.

Later lock Courtney Lawes aggravated a back injury and was sent home for proper assessment. Turns out the bed he slept in in Portugal was too small, which contributed to the aching back.

● Cheetahs CE Harold Verster apparently got himself into hot water with overzealous gatekeepers at SA Rugby. He apparently spoke out of turn when he divulged details of the format of next year’s Currie Cup. “They are upset with me. I can’t say anything," said Verster.

● There can be little doubt that the Springboks have returned from the wilderness this year. Just judging from World Rugby’s nominees for awards it is clear the Boks are back with a bang. Malcolm Marx and Faf de Klerk are in contention for the player of the year award, and Aphiwe Dyantyi is in the running for the award of breakthrough player.