Yearly Archives: 2011
South Africa on Monday played down injury concerns in the camp, despite confirmation that veteran lock Bakkies Botha is not responding to treatment for his Achilles problem.
A stack of injuries in the opening weekend’s action at the World Cup has underlined how important squad strength will be in deciding which teams will go deep into the marathon, six-week tournament.
Injured All Black Kieran Read has declared that he will be fit to start the Rugby World Cup and play against Canada in New Zealand’s final Pool game. Continue reading
Springbok vice-captain Victor Matfield and centre Jean de Villiers have been ruled out of South Africa’s match against Fiji due to injury.
Pool A will have matches on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. On Wednesday 14 September Tonga will play Canada in Whangarei, on Friday New Zealand will play against Japan in Hamilton and the last pool a match will be in Napier when France play Canada.
The Wallabies have suffered their first real Rugby World Cup blow as winger Digby Ioane has fractured his right thumb and will have an operation.
England lock Courtney Lawes has become the first player at the 2011 Rugby World Cup to be cited after allegedly kneed Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma in the head. Continue reading
The top three teams on the Currie Cup Premier Division log have opened a gap on the chasing pack with five rounds left before the playoffs next month.
South Africa
The adrenaline seemed to be still pumping for South Africa coach Peter de Villiers the day after his team’s 17-16 victory over Wales in their opening Rugby World Cup 2011 Pool D match at Wellington Regional Stadium.
De Villiers was at his animated, playful best at the team press conference in their Wellington hotel on Monday, cracking jokes and expounding on team tactics and rugby trends.
South Africa’s three greatest exponents of line out play and masters of the tight phases are now injured.
The Scottish and Georgian teams have been announced for their clash on Wednesday.
Springboks (10) 17 / Wales (6) 16 (Final Score)
The Springboks and Wales did battle in Wellington at 10:30 SA Time (20:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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The Springboks squeeked a win by one solitary point.
Not a good performance by the Springboks, with replacement players like Bismarck du Plessis, Willem Alberts and Francois Hougaard made a real difference!
Ireland (10) 22 / USA (0) 10 (Final Score)
Ireland and the USA did battle at New Plymouth at 08:00 SA Time (18:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Ireland win and had a massive advantage in the set pieces, but the USA defence was resolute and only allowed in three Irish tries.
Wallabies (6) 32 / Italy (6) 6 (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies did battle with the Italian Azurri in Albany at 05:30 SA Time (15:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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The Wallabies suddenly sprinted into life in the second half with a blitz of 4 tries, to put it well beyond the gutsy Italians.
South Africa’s campaign to be the first nation to successfully defend the Rugby World Cup kicks off at Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday when their hardened veterans take on a youthful Welsh side.
Of the 25 matches between the two sides since 1906, Wales have managed one win and one draw, both at home. They have lost their past 12 encounters in an 11-year losing streak.
Cheetahs (12) 22 / Blue Bulls (9) 22 (Final Score)
The Toyota Free State Cheetahs hosted the Vodacom Blue Bulls at Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein at 17:05 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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A kiss-your-sister result, but better than a loss either way, I suppose.
Sharks (14) 33 / Pumas (17) 20 (Final Score)
The Sharks hosted the Ford Pumas at Kings Park, Durban at 15:00 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Once again the Sharks made hard work of it to beat the Pumas and only took the lead late in the game, but still managed to bag all 5 available Log Points in the process.
I wrote a piece after the 2010 match and started by stating that between the referee, Habana and the box kicks we nearly lost the match. I also said that the score line was flattering to the Welsh. After watching the game again I’ll stick with those sentiments. Not that Wales were bad, they actually played some good footy in that match but the South African players made it easy for them. The Springboks lacked concentration and were without a doubt tired after a long S14 a tough tri-nations and an extremely physical encounter the previous weekend in wet in cold conditions against Ireland.
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England (3) 13 / Argentina (6) 9 (Final Score)
England did battle with Argentina in Dunedin at 10:30 SA Time (20:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Argentina made England sweat and work very hard for their win.
The worst aspect of this match was poor goal kicking by both sides.
France 47 / Japan 21 (Final Score)
France and Japan did battle in Auckland at 08:00 SA Time (18:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Job done for France but not until after Japan gave them a good run for their money and a massive scare in the second half.
Fiji (32) 49 / Namibia (15) 25 (Final Score)
Fiji and Namibia did battle at Rotorua at 05:30 SA Time (15:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Highlight of this match must be the 4 tries by Fijian winger Vereniki Goneva. Fiji was far more accurate in finishing their moves and kicks. It was a entertaining game with some sublime handling from Fiji.
Scotland (18) 34 / Romania (11) 24 (Final Score)
Scotland and Romania did battle in Invercargill on 10 September 2011 at 03:00 SA Time (13:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Romania gave Scotland a massive scare, with the scores in favour of Romania by 3 points, with 6 minutes to go. Scotland suddenly woke up and scored 2 quick tries via Simon Danielli.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry gave his team a bare pass mark after they battled their way to beating Tonga 41-10 in the Rugby World Cup opener.
The Crusaders will play Super 15 rugby matches next season in their hometown of Christchurch but not at their regular home ground.
Lions (20) 41 / Griquas (6) 25 (Final Score)
The MTN Lions hosted GWK Griquas at Coca-Cola Park, Joannesburg at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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A Game of two contrasting halves!
The MTN Lions absolutely dominated the first half yet the determined Griquas were determined not to give up and dominated the second half.
The Lions bag a full 5 Log Points and the Griquas get nothing.
The Springboks have named the most experienced team in South African history for the opening match of the 2011 Rugby World Cup against Wales in Wellington on Sunday.
All Blacks (29) 41 / Tonga (3) 10 (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks hosted Tonga in the opener of Rugby World Cup 2011 at Eden Park, Auckland at 10:30 SA Time (20:30 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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The game can be summed up as Moments of brilliance by the All Blacks in the 1st half and dogged forwards attack by Tonga in the 2nd half.
It is mission accomplished for the New Zealand All Blacks, 5 Log Points in the bag.
At first glance this pool looks to be cut and dried, but when one looks deeper into each squad and the potential clashes, it soon becomes apparent that this group has the potential to throw up some HUGE upsets.
The Vodacom Blue Bulls coach, Pine Pienaar, made two positional changes to his starting back-line as he looks to revive the side’s Currie Cup campaign.
Allister Coetzee, head coach of DHL WP, today named his team to take on the Leopards at DHL Newlands on Saturday 10 September at 16h00.
Rugby World Cup finally kicks off on 9 September 2011, but we also must not forget about the Currie Cup, now in it’s mid stages.
Here’s the lineup of Rugby on TV in SA for Friday 9 September 2011.
The Blue Bulls travel to Bloemfontein where they have to tough task of trying to get their Currie Cup campaign back on track against the resurgent Free State Cheetahs.
The Blue Bulls linger in sixth position on the Currie Cup Premier Division log and will have to get back on the winning track if they are not going to miss out on the play-offs for the first time in 10 years. Continue reading
Bakkies Botha
Reports are surfacing across the internet that Springbok lock Bakkies Botha’s Achilles tendon injury is worse than expected and may be ruled out of Rugby World Cup.
Herewith the teams to play in Pool B’s opening round.
Three of the five teams in this pool are good enough to make it through to the quarter finals. England should make it leaving Scotland and Argentina to fight for the second place in this group.