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Leicester stun Springboks 22-17

Reuters - November 7, 2009, 11:59 am

LONDON, Nov. 6 (Reuters) - Premiership champions Leicester pulled off a stunning upset on Friday when they beat a South Africa XV 22-17 on a memorable night at Welford Road.

The world champions, who arrived in Europe on the back of a series win over the British and Irish Lions and as Tri-Nations holders, were without many of their established players but still fielded a strong side.

Leicester too were below-strength with a dozen players on England duty or injured and trailed 8-0 early on after a Jongi Nokwe try.

However, a superb counter-attacking try by Argentina wing Lucas Amorosino and 17 points from the boot of 20-year-old scrumhalf Ben Youngs had Leicester fans in rugby heaven and, despite two penalties by Ruan Pienaar, England's must successful club held on for one of their most famous victories.

South Africa's first team faces France on Nov. 13 before going on to play Italy and Ireland.

(Reporting by Mitch Phillips, editing by Pritha Sarkar; To comment on this story: sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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wilz 09:53am Sunday 08th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
good job....not so@#$%y aymore....GO THE ALL BLAKS!!!!!!!
Luka 04:58am Sunday 08th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
Yeah, what else can you expect when you have an idiot for a coach who have to bend down to the affirmative action policies of the racist and corrupt ANC government, but wait all these policies are not applicable to the all black soccer team of SA…….???
philipd29 09:11pm Saturday 07th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
regardless if they had a full strength team or not it is still a good win for Leicester not everyday you see a world champion team get beating by a local team
Kerry 07:29pm Saturday 07th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
Right on ,Les
Nana 07:19pm Saturday 07th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
Well done Leicester :-)
LES 11:21am Saturday 07th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
The old excuse about below strength teams is a crock; you get picked to wear the national jersey then you are at that time the best. End of story and tut tut for the De Villiers labelled 'greatest rugby team ever'. Yeah right.
raybozzz 10:47am Saturday 07th November 2009 EST Report Abuse
Interesting how you can be below strength yet still field a strong side?? This was a very weak Boks' side deservedly beaten by a not so quite as weak Leicester Tigers side.