General manager Raphael Ibanez resigned from his position following France’s World Cup quarterfinal exit, as reported by the French publication Midi Olympique.
Throughout the last World Cup cycle, the former France captain served as team manager under head coach Fabrice Galthie, making Les Bleus one of the favorites to win the Webb Ellis Cup when they played in their home country. However, as a result of the heartbreaking defeat to eventual champions South Africa, Midi Olympique reports that he has resigned from his position but will continue to be active in the French Rugby Federation.
The 50-year-old did not sign a contract extension until 2028 until the beginning of this year; Galthie signed a contract extension until 2027.
After signing the new deal in January, the 98-cap hooker said to Europe 1 radio: “It’s time to tell you a secret. As
Since it’s going well and the trip is the most intense and wonderful thing we could ever live, I’ve signed on for June 2028.
“Playing rugby is the greatest adventure, provided you are committed, passionate, and have the necessary skills.”
A handful of players from France have already announced their retirements following the World Cup: Uini Atonio and Romain Taofifénua. Atonio, however, reportedly persuaded by Galthie to come out of retirement, according to sources. In addition, it is anticipated that captain Antoine Dupont would skip the Six Nations to try his hand at rugby sevens in the hopes of joining the French squad for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
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Sad news:Former Rugby World Cup winner dies in car accident
Hansen Strydom, a former Springboks rugby world cup winner, passed away in an automobile accident on Sunday, according to sources.
Strydom was 58.
On Monday morning, Strydom’s 1995 teammate Kobus Wiese verified the horrific event with News24.
“Yes, the death of Strydom is true… Although the details are still quite sketchy, I am aware that it occurred in Mpumalanga. He was in a car with someone else when it struck a cab. That’s what we now know, according to a News24 quote from Wiese.
The 1.99-meter-tall lock was instrumental in the Springboks’ 1995 home-field Rugby World Cup victory.
Fifth player from 1995 to pass on
Strydom is the fifth player from the 1995 team to have died, after Ruben Kruger, Joost van Der Westhuizen, James Small and Chester Williams all passed on.
The powerfully built Strydom played 21 times for the Springboks between 1993 and 1997, as he was a vital member in the engine room of the first successful Springbok team post Apartheid.
On July 3, 1993, at Ellis Park, Strydom made his debut for the Springboks at the age of 27 against France. Later that year, after he cemented his spot in the squad, he would play for the Springboks during their tours of Australia and Argentina. He played in the British Lions series before calling it quits on his Springbok career in 1997.
He was a member of the Transvaal/Golden Lions provincial team from 1993 to 2000, winning 115 caps during that productive time for the Johannesburg team.
Less than a month has passed since the Siya Kolisi-led Springboks successfully defended their Rugby World Cup title, increasing their record to four international championships, when word of Strydom’s passing broke.
