Referees
The chances of more positive tests for banned substances on the Springbok tour appear to be extremely slim.
Coach Peter de Villiers on Tuesday made four changes to the Springbok starting XV and one positional switch for Saturday’s Test against Scotland at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. Zane Kirchner, Francois Hougaard, Lwazi Mvovo and Ryan Kankowski were all promoted to the starting line up while Gio Aplon moves from fullback to wing from the team that defeated Wales 29-25 in Cardiff on Saturday.
South Africa, England and Argentina all rise one place in the latest IRB World Rankings after victories in their respective November internationals on Saturday, although it is Bulgaria who claim the honour as the biggest climbers of the week with an eight-place elevation to 82nd.
The Cheetahs welcome backline star Philip Burger back into their squad ahead of for the new season, after the exciting utility back spent the past two years in France.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers may well unleash some of the young stars in his touring party on Scotland in Saturday’s rugby test at Murrayfield.
So many wants South Africa to play their young players this Saturday. Everyone peppers the coach to play this and that player. What will Peter do on Saturday?Who do you think must get a chance? Last night on Kyknet Kobus Wiese and his panel phoned Peter and asked him a few questions.
The banned stimulant Springboks Bjorn Basson and Chilliboy Ralepelle were tested positive for after the team’s opening Test against Ireland possess a real threat to sports men and women across the world, South African Institute for Drug Free Sport chairperson Dr Shuaid Manjra said on Monday.
Two Springboks are returning home from South Africa’s tour of the United Kingdom and Ireland, having returned positive samples for a banned stimulant.
Bok hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle and wing Bjorn Basson returned positive samples following the Test against Ireland on November 6.
Between the referee, Habana and box kicks the Springboks nearly lost this Test. The score line is certainly flattering to the Welsh and we should be concerned by the fact that we made such hard work to put away a Welsh team that was fairly average on the day. Continue reading
Defence was the order of the day in the last five minutes at the Millenium Stadium as South Africa held on to beat Wales 29-25 on Saturday.
After winning a World Cup, the Tri-Nations, repeated Super 14 titles and a series against the British and Irish Lions, scoring a try on his national-record 103rd appearance for South Africa was just another day in the office for Victor Matfield.
Wales (17) 25 / Springboks (9) 29 (Final Score)
Wales host the Springboks from South Africa at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff at 16:30 SA Time. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match is broadcast live on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
Warren Gatland knows Wales must show “ruthlessness and concentration” for the full 80 minutes if they are to claim the rare scalp of South Africa at Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
Some of the Tests played tomorrow will be screened at the same time. For your info here is the games, time and channel where it will be screened.
The big man Os du Randt answers questions on how to combat the Welsh scrum; when and why to get which shoulder; why unity as well as technique is critical; and what he thinks of criticism of his own scrumming.
The Southern Kings will play friendly matches against all five of the Super Rugby teams in 2011 as well as top English club Saracens as the latest stage in a plan by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to prepare the team for Super Rugby entry in 2013.
Check out this video on sport24. Habana has become the target of opposing teams because he is constantly out of position (off his line) on defence.
Saturday’s test match will be the 25th between Wales and South Africa. The Springboks were unbeaten in 12 consecutive tests in this fixture between 1906 and 1998 with 11 wins and one draw (in 1970).
With all the fuss over Zane Kirchner’s selection out of position at outside centre for last week’s opening tour match against Ireland, another quite interesting selection wasn’t really properly questioned.
New Zealand’s five Super Rugby franchises were unveiled at the official naming of the 2011 Investec Super Rugby Squads – the Blues, Chiefs, Hurricanes, Crusaders and Highlanders – in Auckland today.
New Zealand Rugby Union General Manager of Professional Rugby Neil Sorensen welcomed the contracting of 160 players into expanded 32-man squads as promise of a sensational 2011 Investec Super Rugby season for New Zealand fans.
Eight new Chiefs were named today in the 2011 Chiefs Investec Super Rugby squad with 21 Chiefs from the 2010 squad returning for next year’s campaign.
The new Chiefs are tight forwards Daniel Perrin and Isaac Ross, lock/six Hayden Triggs, loose forwards Fritz Lee and Scott Waldrom, halfbacks Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Taniela Moa and second five-eighth Tana Umaga.
The IRB recommends an 8 week ban for head butting, Mealamu only received a 4 week ban. Continue reading
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is no stranger to controversy, but appears to be taking care not to venture into that territory.
Continue reading
Connacht (16)26 v Samoa (17)22 (Final Score)
Leicester (12)15 v Australia (13)26 (Final Score)
Would you like to ask Peter de Villiers or some of the Springbok players a tough question or two? Simply sign up for our weekly fan newsletter, BOKzine!
Read some of the questions made and answers given by Peter on the Official SA Rugby website.
The Springbok Team for the game against Wales has been announced.
Jean de Villiers continued to be nursed as the Springboks began the buildup to Saturday’s test against Wales in Cardiff on Monday, but the chances are good that the most experienced centre in the squad will take his place at the Millennium Stadium.
Relief was clearly etched into the face of Peter de Villiers on Saturday night after his team had hung on to beat Ireland 23-21.
“Pienaar gets my man of the match award. His kicking game was outstanding and he adapted well to the conditions,” analyst Skinstad told pay channel SuperSport after South Africa ended a run of losses in Dublin.
Another former Springbok, right wing Ashwin Willemse, backed Skinstad and added that the entire South Africa pack, led by stand-in skipper Victor Matfield, was a close second behind Pienaar. Continue reading
The Springboks won – just – with a convincing performance by the forwards pack but the dangers and limitations of our old school style was again ominous.
In fairness, the way the pack dominated we should have won this match by at least 17 points, but lack of structure when we play the ball wide /down the line culminated in a comedy of errors and some frustrating decisions by the referee which almost cost us the match.
Ireland (6) 21 / Springboks (13) 23 (Final Score)
Ireland hosted the Springboks at Aviva Stadium, Landsdowne Road, Dublin at 19:30 SA Time. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 and M-Net on TV in SA.
The Springboks forwards were monsterous and they dominated the first half and most of the set pieces.
The Irish came back strongly in the last 20 minutes and a comedy off errors by Sppringbok players nearly made the Irish comeback complete.
Well done to the Springboks though, a win I did not foresee!
3 / 0 for the Southern Hemisphere on the day.
Ireland hosts the Springboks at Aviva Stadium, Landsdowne Road, Dublin at 19:30 SA Time.
What is in stock for the embattled Springboks, from the lands up North?
South Africa received a boost on Friday ahead of their Grand Slam tour opener against Ireland when Jean de Villiers was passed fit to take his place in the world champions’ midfield.
Springbok captain Victor Matfield, speaking to reporters at Lansdowne Road on Friday, said the 63-time capped former Munster centre had “pulled through” following a groin problem and would start on Saturday. Kick-off is at 19:30 SA time.
Springbok centre Jean de Villiers has been cleared to win his 64th cap for South Africa on Saturday after passing a late fitness test in Dublin on Friday morning.
He takes his place in the centre alongside Zane Kirchner for the first test of the Springboks’ four-Test tour of Britain and Ireland and will go up against the formidable Gordon D’Arcy and Brian O’ Driscoll.
Saracens Boss Brendan Venter has been found guilty of misconduct and been slapped with with a fine for criticizing the body that runs the Heineken Cup, the tournament, the match officials and rugby.