'Cramp-gate': Jacques Nienaber gives Irish media something to think about

SPOTLIGHT: The Irish media were keen on getting Jacques Nienaber’s view on the penalty shootout drama that occurred in Durban over the weekend.

The Sharks were accused of unsportsmanlike behaviour by some fans after scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse went down complaining of a cramp midway through the shootout against Munster, which the home side won 6-4 after the tie ended in a 24-all draw.

The Bok was treated by the Sharks’ medical staff in the middle of the pitch, near the spot when Munster playmaker Jack Crowly was going to take his second shot.

TV cameras also caught Hendrikse winking at an infuriated Crowley, who nailed his kick before yelling obscenities at a Sharks staff member – forcing a match official to step in and break up the spat.

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Rugby needs heroes and villains and people talking about it.. so I actually wish that moment was even more high profile.

Jaden Hendrikse played his part, love it or hate it pic.twitter.com/lss2MhVRbU

— Grant Constable (@GrantConstable) May 31, 2025

Former Bok coach Nienaber, who is helping Leinster prepare for their United Rugby Championship semifinal against Glasgow, was asked for his opinion on it.

“No [I don’t make much of it],” Nienaber told RTÉ Sport.

“If you listen to the referee’s mic in a game without the commentary, you can just listen to what happens on the field, I mean there’s a lot of that happening in the game.

“It’s probably because it’s silent and quiet and very individualised [during the shootout], it’s more static and it’s probably elevated.

“The banter, the craic, or whatever you want to call it, trying to get into opposition heads is something that happens throughout the game.

“You try to do it physically, you try to do it with your mouth, you try to do it at set-piece, a lot of things, rubbing guys’ hair, faces in the ground, it happens throughout the 80 minutes.”

When asked if the Irish were just as good when it comes to dishing it out, Nienaber recalled Ireland’s 23-12 win over New Zealand in Dunedin in 2022.

During that match, Peter O’Mahony called Sam Cane “a s*** Richie McCaw”.

“You are masters at it, the Irish, ‘craic’, isn’t that the word you use?” Nienaber added.

“The Irish have never fell on their mouths, ever.

“You ask if Irish players do it [as much]? Wasn’t there a thing about Pete [O’Mahony] and Sam Cane?

“So, there’s your answer.”