Leinster manager Ken Ging thought it was a wind up when he received a phone call earlier this year from a person claiming to be Jannie de Beer. Until he realised that it was actually de Beer himself.

The Springbok out-half maintained that he would like to play his rugby in Ireland - his club of last year London Scottish had folded - and especially with Leinster. Unfortunately for the future Springbok World Cup hero, Leinster had already agreed terms with New Zealander Simon Culhane.

Then fate played its hand and Culhane never arrived to join up with his Leinster team-mates because of a knee injury. By the time de Beer was contacted again he had already made alternative arrangements. Amazing to think that the South African gave up the opportunity to play in a howling gale and driving wind in the Sportsground on Saturday to play in a World Cup semi-final after a five star performance against England.