Van Zyl heads Downunder

Fanatical South African rugby fan Pieter Van Zyl is planning to attend the World Cup, prompting a warning on crowd behaviour from the Australian Rugby Union.

Van Zyl, who crash-tackled Irish referee David McHugh during the Tri-Nations test between the All Blacks and Springboks in Durban last year, has secured tickets for South Africa's four pool matches.

The South African union banned Van Zyl for life after the incident which left McHugh with a dislocated shoulder, but ARU managing director John O'Neill said the organisation was powerless to stop him attending.

He stressed that pitch invaders would not be tolerated.

"The message is strong. Penalties will be very strong and security will be very high."