Monthly Archives: October 2010
So the EP Kings won the Super 15, no wait, they won the Currie Cup, no wait…wait…they won the Vodacom Cup…darn it, wrong again, what the hell did they win again? Oh yes, promotion to the Premier Division… damn, another mistake from my side… fact is they haven’t won didly squat.
Continue reading
There have been many finals over the years but this one has the potential to be one of the most important ones as it could potentially direct coaching strategies for next year’s S15 as well as for the world cup.
Last year saw us at the top of the world; winning the tri-nations comprehensively. Continue reading
The bruising battle of the backrows will have a profound impact on Saturday’s Currie Cup final between the Sharks and Western Province at Kings Park.
Continue reading
André Watson, South Africa’s refereeing boss, has sent a letter to referees on the difficult matter of yellow cards which can have such an big effect on a match and its outcome. The communication to his match officials is below.
This week we will have some great Rugby action on Supersport One. The action starts on Friday morning 08:15, when Canterbury plays Wellington in the first ITM Cup semi final.
Western Province (WP) –as the oldest and biggest province in the early years- dominated the CC competition in the founding years.
The Currie Cup made its appearance in 1891 after it was awarded to Griqualand-West (GLW) by W.E Maclagan the captain of a British team touring South Africa for best performance by a South African team against them. Continue reading
Okay, now we’re finally ready to go. After a week of doing pretty much nothing and, for some, having to trek all the way to Johannesburg for an ill-timed Springbok training camp, preparations can start in earnest for the Sharks and Western Province for this weekend’s Absa Currie Cup final in Durban.
THE Wallabies’ running might be back to its best before this week’s All Blacks Test, but skipper Rocky Elsom says spring tour success will hinge on the set-piece.
Popping a sleeping tablet was not the only reason Graham Henry grabbed some decent shut-eye during the 9144km flight between Auckland and Hong Kong yesterday.
Craven – always “Doc” – and the Union were both born in 1910 and the centenaries of these two South African institutions have passed almost without comment.
This will be Natal or the Sharks 13th Currie Cup final since 1889. To be more accurate, since 1890, when the Natal Rugby Union was founded.
They have a 41.67% success rate having won 5 of 12 finals.
Natal made their first Currie Cup final appearance in the 1956 season playing against Northern Transvaal and went down by just a single point. Northern Transvaal winning the match nine points to eight. Continue reading
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers couldn’t put it more plainly. Despite all the talk of resting players and the World Cup next year, the only focus on the upcoming Grand Slam tour next month is winning.
Leopards (23) 37 / SWD (5) 22 (Final Score)
The Platinum Leopards hosted the SWD Eagles at 16:00 SA Time. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 on DSTV in SA.
The Platinum Leopards won the match by 37 / 22, scoring their 4 tries in the process for a bonus point win, whilst SWD Eagles earn a lone bonus point for 4 tries in the match.
Victor Matfield has been named as captain of the Springbok end-of-year tour on the first day of a preliminary training squad get together.
The SARU judicial hearing of the Vodacom Blue Bulls flanker Derick Kuün after he was cited for foul play during an Absa Currie Cup Premier Division game against The Sharks in Durban on Saturday, found the player not guilty.
Pumas (12) 36 / EP Kings (20) 36 (Final score)
The Pumas hosted the EP Kings in Witbank at 19:10 SA Time in a Currie Cup Premier Division PROMOTION / RELEGATION match. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 on DSTV in SA.
In a game full of running and with the might of the Pumas forwards pitted against the running backline of the EP Kings, the result was a surprising draw, 36 / 36, with the Pumas scoring 6 tries to the 4 from the EP Kings.
Former Springbok lock Ernst Dinkelmann, best known for being part of the 1951-52 Springbok tour of Britain, died of a stroke in the Nelspruit Medi-Clinic early on Friday.
Friday 22 October: Barloworld Toyota Pumas v EP Kings, Puma Stadium – Witbank (SS1 – k/o 19h00)
Saturday 23 October 2010: Platinum Leopards v SWD Eagles, Profert Olën Park, Potchefstroom (SS1 – k/o 16h00)
14 July 1976 – Boland Invitation XV 6 / All Blacks 42
Wellington. Wet, drizzling with the field somewhat sandy but firm underfoot. Crowd 16 000. Continue reading
Some tough decisions await Springbok coach Peter de Villiers and his management team when they assemble with their wider training group in Johannesburg on Friday.
Continue reading
Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has a midfield headache to address following the decision by Meyer Bosman to further his career at the Sharks.
Continue reading
Much has been said about Peter de Villiers’ insistence on picking players that apparently need a rest, experts on the human condition, ex-rugby players, and everyone has had a go at old SNORRE, and generally the consensus is that this has been somewhat of a bad idea. Well, let’s have the Saint play a bit of Devil’s Advocate…
Peter de Villiers has no option, Peter Grant is a must for the Grand Slam Tour. Continue reading
The Eastern Province Kings’ bid at becoming a force in South African rugby has been boosted by the acquisition of more Shimlas.
Continue reading
Billy Bush whingeing yet again about unfair treatment by the boks
In an article by Michael Brown regarding Maori being unfairly treated by not being allowed to tour to South Africa he has the following on Billy Bush. Continue reading
A recent article by Dan Retief on Frik du Preez and what the game of rugby means, or meant to some folks, have prompted me to ask if rugby as a professional sport, has crossed the line. Continue reading
Why can we rather not use the game to unite? Continue reading
Former Bulls and Pumas utility back Casper Steyn is fighting for his life after a car accident on Monday night.
WPRFU held its annual awards evening last night at the Kelvin Grove Club. The event, held in conjunction with Die Burger, recognizes clubs in the Western Cape and professional players who have performed well in 2010. Continue reading
New Lions hooker Bandise Maku is looking forward to being a part of what the Johannesburg-based outfit is building but knows ‘nothing is guaranteed’, insisting he is ready to work for his spot and prove himself. Continue reading
The Welsh Rugby Union have announced that Head Coach Warren Gatland has re-signed with the Union and will stay on until the end of the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
The British and Irish Lions have confirmed that former Scotland full-back and SRU past president Andy Irvine will mange the 2013 Lions tour to Australia and that the tour will kick off in Hong Kong against the Barbarians.
Blue Bulls flank Derick Kuün has been cited for striking Sharks hooker Bismarck du Plessis during Saturday’s Currie Cup semifinal clash in Durban.
It may be the ignorance of youth, but given the sideshows with certain players in the last 18 months it is refreshing to see a brilliant young talent taking everything in his stride. Continue reading
Having a look at the training squad that was selected for a 2 day training camp, and including the injured players who may be part of the RWC, it stands to reason that out of this lot the RWC squad will be selected. I am going to give my opinion regarding these players as to whether I see them as potential candidates and what the springbok’s chances are to retain the trophy. Continue reading