Deon Fourie takes parting shot at Joe Marler after controversial incident
Stormers and South Africa flanker Deon Fourie has spoken out on an incident between him and Harlequins prop Joe Marler that has spread this week online.
A video was shared by former Springboks assistant coach Swys de Bruin, who believed he saw an episode where Marler grabbed the private parts of the South African during the Heineken Champions Cup round of 16 clash at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday- something the Englishman he has done before. This in turn looked as though it was a cause of a stand-off between the pair.
However, Fourie took to social media today to clear the air, saying their scuffle was due to something Marler had said to him and that “nothing else happened.” But the two-cap Springbok did not pass on the opportunity to take one parting shot at Marler, adding “except 32-28,” at the end of the Tweet in reference to the result of the contest.
He wrote: “Just to set the facts straight between me and @JoeMarler. The scuffle between us was about something else he did while I was sitting on the ground and waiting for the medical staff to clean the blood from my face. Nothing else happend. Except 32-28😉”
Just to set the facts straight between me and @JoeMarler . The scuffle between us was about something else he did while I was sitting on the ground and waiting for the medical staff to clean the blood from my face. Nothing else happend. Except 32-28😉 @RugbyPass @SARugbymag
— Deon Fourie (@Deonf) April 6, 2023
Despite a late fightback from Quins, the United Rugby Championship winners progressed to the quarter-finals, where they will now face 2020 European champions Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday.
The team have been beset by logistical issues in the build up to the match this week though. Originally scheduled to depart on Monday, the team remained in Cape Town until Tuesday morning. Eventually, the team had to divide into three groups to reach Exeter and arrived on Wednesday, with their journey also including a three-hour bus ride from London.
The Sharks have also faced similar problems travelling from Durban to Toulouse to take on the five time champions.
