Monthly Archives: February 2013
Italy coach Jacques Brunel made only one change from the side that started in the 23-18 triumph over France last week for the Azzurri’s second Six Nations challenge against Scotland on Saturday.
Gonzalo Canale, who plays club rugby for La Rochelle in France, replaces Alberto Sgarbi at inside centre after the latter picked up an injury knock.
Let’s laugh a bit, it’s good for the soul.
The Kings revealed that they will wear an all black strip when playing at home in this year’s Super Rugby competition.
MTN Lions head coach Johan Ackermann has announced the following team to take on the Southern Kings this Saturday at Ellis Park.
The match kicks off at 14:15 but gates open at 10:30 for the Oostelikes versus Alberton curtain raiser.
France on Thursday announced two changes as they prepare to take on Grand Slam champions Wales in Saturday’s Six Nations showdown in Paris.
Scans of Johan Goosen’s troublesome left heel have shown that there is no damage other than bruising.
The teams for Saturday 9 February’s warm up match between the Vodacom Bulls and the Toyota Cheetahs in Polokwane, have been announced. Springboks will captain both sides, with Pierre Spies making a return for the Bulls, and Adriaan Strauss leading the Cheetahs charge.
Springbok captain Jean de Villiers will lead the DHL Stormers into battle in their second pre-season friendly of 2013, when the men from the Cape take on neighbours, the Regent Boland Cavaliers, at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday (14:45).
The 1974 Tour of the Lions to South Africa was undoubtedly the most unsettling tour ever for Springbok rugby. Touring unbeaten through South Africa superior in every aspect in virtually every single match including the test matches it was a massive wake-up call for South African rugby.
I was 12 years old when this tour eventuated. In my mind at that time the Springboks had an aura of invincibility. I was too young to know about the 1956 and 1965 tours as the patriotic Afrikaans media did not write much about it. The country was still in euphoria after the 1970 victory over Lochore’s All Blacks and the unbeaten 1971 tour to Australia. It was never said in so many words but generally the 1972 loss against England was seen as just a hiccup; a fleeting glitch due to team selections and underestimation of the opposition.
Robert Harley, the 22-year-old Glasgow Warriors forward, will make his first start at Murrayfield and in the RBS 6 Nations Championship, in the Scotland team to play Italy on Saturday.
The Sharks have announced their 24 man team for their pre-season match at the Woodburn stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night.
The first weekend of Six Nations 2013 has come and gone with two of the results as expected by many as Ireland and England claimed victories over Wales and Scotland respectively. The final match of the weekend saw Italy score what was seen as a surprise victory over France in Rome.
The intensity of the games took their toll though with various injuries incurred by the teams. We bring some of the news from the various squads regarding the injuries and player availability.
Despite a wet conditions, courtesy of a late downpour, the Shimla’s still put Varsity Cup newcomers Wits to the sword. Wits the 2012 Varsity Shield winners were hammered 61 – 8, and by eight tries to one.
Toyota Cheetahs flyhalf sensation Johan Goosen is still under wraps! According to Hawies Fourie, the knee that was operated on last year is fine, but that Goosen is still experiencing discomfort with his left heel when kicking at goal. He will undergo a scan to determine if a hairline fracture of the heel may be the cause. If that is the case, he may only be out for an extra week.
Alister Coetzee has confirmed that Schalk Burger and Juan De Jongh have been sidelined with injury and will miss the opening match against the Bulls.
Pukke (24) 26 / 23 (0) Tuks (Final Score)
North West University – Pukke and University Of Pretoria – Tuks did battle in the Varsity Cup at Fanie du Toit Sportsground, Potchefstroom 19:00 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Maties (8) 29 / 8 (0) UJ (Final Score)
FNB Maties and FNB UJ did battle in the Varsity Cup at the Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch at 16:45 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & SHD4 on TV in SA.
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South Africa and Pakistan did battle in the 1st 5-Day Test at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg which started at 10:30 SA Time on Friday 1 February and which was supposed to run till Tuesday 5 February 2013.
This was the Live Game Article for the Match.
South Africa won the toss and batted first on a difficult wicket, getting 253 in the First Innings, then dismissing Pakistan for a poultry 49 runs. South Africa had the choice to ask Pakistan to follow-on but chose to bat again, amassing 275 / 3 before declaring in their Second Innings, a lead of 479.
Pakistan put up a brave performance in their Second Innings, only losing 4 wickets on Day 3, but with South Africa taking the New Ball early on Day 4, they bundled Pakistan out for 268.
South Africa win comfortably with a Day and a Half spare, before Lunch on Day 4 and win by 211 runs.
His brief was just to complete his 30 minutes of rugby and walk off the field uninjured. However his time on the field showed why his return has been so keenly anticipated, not only by the Cheetahs fans but by most rugby lovers. He hardly looked as if he had been away from the game for two years.
Today sees the start of the Varsity Cup Competition, with exciting rugby awaiting us from all the Premier Universities and Tertiary Institutions.
This year Wits replace TUT, TUT having been relegated to the Varsity Shield Competition.
Four matches are played late afternoon and this evening, 1 at 17:00 and 3 at 19:00, of course, only 2 matches are televised live, here are the details:
- Maties v UJ – 17:00, Danie Craven Stadium, Stellenbosch (LIVE ON TV)
- Pukke v Tuks – 19:00, Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds, Potchefstroom (LIVE ON TV)
- UCT v NMMU – 19:00, Groote Schuur Rugby Field, Cape Town
- Wits v Shimlas – 19:00, Wits Rugby Stadium, Johannesburg
Ireland held off a stirring second-half Wales comeback to launch their Six Nations campaign with a thrilling win and condemn the champions to an eighth successive Test defeat.
Italy (13) 23 / 18 (15) France (Final Score)
Italy and France did battle in the Six Nations tournament at Stadio Olimpico, Rome at 17:00 SA Time (15:00 GMT, 16:00 Rome Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & SHD4 on TV in SA.
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Let’s start with the good news.
Scotland, a disorganised and calamity-prone shambles against Tonga in November, rejoined the international community with a display that was impressive in parts, effective in critical areas and well organised throughout.
And the bad news? They were up against England. New England. England on fire.
England (19) 38 / 18 (11) Scotland (Final Score)
England and Scotland did battle in the Six Nations tournament at Twickenham, London at 18:00 SA Time (16:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 & SHD4 on TV in SA.
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Cheetahs (0) 27 / 26 (11) Stormers (Final Score)
The Toyota Cheetahs and DHL Stormers did battle in the Free State Reconciliation Challenge at X 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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Wales (3) 22 / 30 (23) Ireland (Final Score)
Wales and Ireland did battle in the Six Nations tournament at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff at 15:30 SA Time (13:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 6 & SHD4 on TV in SA.
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Bulls (22) 38 / 32 (17) Lions (Final Score)
The Vodacom Bulls and MTN Lions did battle in the Gauteng Rugby Cup at Orlando Stadium, Soweto at 15:00 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
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Francesco Minto will make his RBS 6 Nations debut for Italy after being named in head coach Jacques Brunel’s starting XV for their opening clash with France at the Stadio Olimpico.
Thierry Dusautoir will make his long-awaited return to France’s starting line-up after being named in the side to face Italy on Sunday.
Doctor Louis Luyt, a big man and bigger figure in Rugby Circles in South African Rugby, passed away ealier today, 1 February 2013.