The World Cup champions Italy joined humiliated France yesterday when they were dumped out of the World Cup by Slovakia.

It marked the first time the winner and runner-up from the previous World Cup had both failed to reach the second round and stunned four times winners Italy who looked shameful and shell-shocked after their miserable tournament.

Both European giants finished bottom in their groups.

Slovakia, appearing for the first time as an independent nation, stunned the ageing Azzurri 3-2 to reach the second round together with Paraguay in Group F.

Japan scored a convincing 3-1 win against Denmark in the highest-scoring day of the World Cup so far, with the net bulging 12 times.

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Springbok vice-captain Schalk Burger will miss the Test against the Italy this weekend due to an ankle injure.

Burger, who was the main feature at the Thursday media conference earlier on, underwent a fitness test on Thursday afternoon on the ankle, which he rolled against the French last weekend in Cape Town, and was not deemed fit to play in the game.

“The Springbok medical team advised that Burger be withdrawn as there remained a risk of further injury,” a team media statement said.

Burger’s place will be taken by impressive Stormers flanker Francois Louw, who excelled against France and Wales for the Springboks this season.

But while Burger’s loss is offset by Louw’s exhuberance, it has also robbed coach Peter de Villiers of the chance of seeing Dewald Potgieter slot into the loose trio with Pierre Spies and Burger, something De Villiers gave as a main reason for selecting the loose trio.

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Paraguay almost had a shock victory last night over Italy in their 2010 FIFA World Cup encounter as they leaded 1 – 0 at halftime. The Azzurri scrambled a second half goal to draw level.

Antolin Alcaraz thumped in a header after 39 minutes as the world champions more than lived up to their reputation as slow starters, delivering a damp squib of a display perfectly suited to cold and miserable Cape Town weather.

The Italians were slightly better in the second half, levelling after another goalkeeping blunder in the 63rd minute, but did precious little to change the pessimistic view of their fans and media who sent them to South Africa amid widespread predictions of an early return.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who had said on Sunday that a draw would not be a disaster, told reporters: “I’m very satisfied with our performance, I’m very satisfied with the approach to the World Cup.

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Bandise Maku is a Springbok again after he replaced John Smit in the Sprinbok squad ahead of the first Test against Italy on Saturday.

This follows after Bok captain John Smit was ruled out of the game with a grade one hamstring strain.

Maku, who played in two of the midweek matches on South Africa’s year-end tour last season, joins the squad to cover for Smit.

There will be some questions as to why the two players behind World Cup winner Gary Botha in the Bulls pecking order – Maku and Chiliboy Ralepelle – got the call at hooker.

Van der Linde, however, returns to the squad after taking part in the one-off Test against Wales in Cardiff 10 days ago.

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Springbok coach Peter de Villiers will make quite a few changes to his Springbok team for the Tests against Italy in Witbank and East London the following two weeks despite having faired well against France at Newlands.

De Villiers made it clear that he wants to cast the net as wide as possible to increase his options for the World Cup in New Zealand next year – and the last two Tests against Wales, which they won 34-31 in Cardiff the previous week, and France have been part of the process.

He also emphasised that the teams should not be seen as weakened B sides.

“I select every side with the hope that the new combinations will work and that the players will show that they are up to Test standard,” he said. “If we lose, we lose as a (fully fledged) Springbok side.”

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World Champions were beaten 2 – 1 last night by South Africa’s World Cup opening opponents Mexico.

Goals from Carlos Vela and second-half substitute Alberto Medina helped Mexico to consign world champions Italy to a 2-1 friendly defeat in Brussels.

Vela opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Medina added a second six minutes from time before Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci grabbed a consolation a minute from the end.

Just as England had been outplayed by the Mexicans for long periods at Wembley last week, Italy were given the runaround by Javier Aguirre’s team at the King Baudouin Stadium. Whereas the English managed to scratch out a 3-1 win however, the Italians were stifled by an improved Mexican backline.

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Juan Smith renewed his contract with the Free State Rugby Union, citing pride and business interests as his reasons.

The 28-year-old Smith owns a butchery in Bloemfontein and also farms with cattle between Bloemfontein and Kimberley.

Smith’s agent, Stephan Weyers, confirmed on Thursday that the Lions and Sharks were interested in signing him.

A number of offers from overseas were also on the table, but the Cheetahs captain did not want to risk jeopardising his Springbok career by accepting one of those prior to the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.

“He signed a contract for a further two years with the Cheetahs. Juan also has a Springbok contract that runs until the end of next year. One can only admire his loyalty,” said Weyers.

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