Referees
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Cheetahs coach Naka Drotské has a midfield headache to address following the decision by Meyer Bosman to further his career at the Sharks.
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The Eastern Province Kings’ bid at becoming a force in South African rugby has been boosted by the acquisition of more Shimlas.
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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
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
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
I wrote about the importance of the breakdowns before and this weekend it was dominance at the breakdowns yet again that determined the outcome of at least one of the semifinals if not both. Continue reading
What is new or updated on Rugby-Talk.
The hand-off is not something that you really see in South African rugby. At least to the extent that you see it here in New Zealand. No Springbok rugby player –as an example of an exponent of the hand-off- spring to mind when you think of the hand-off. Continue reading
Here’s a look at the Rugby on TV in Sa this weekend.
South African rugby supporters can help decide whether Gurthrö Steenkamp, Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Schalk Burger or Francois Hougaard will win the coveted SARU Player of the Year award, which will be announced at a glittering banquet at Vodaworld, Midrand on Monday 1 November 2010.
The Blue Bulls have given their departing hooker – Springbok Bandise Maku – the blessing to leave for the Lions at the end of the season.
Ex-Transvaal Fullback Liaan Kirkham sadly passed away after being involved in a motor accident on Saturday 10 October.
Outspoken All Black centre Ma’a Nonu has let rip again, this time without the controversial F-word.
However, the veteran midfielder did not hold back when he criticised the Wellington Lions coaching staff for their inconsistent selection policy.
I’ve just watched the semi finals of the common wealth seven’s tournament played between New Zealand/England and Australia/South Africa respectively.
NZ won relatively easily against the Poms and South Africa lost 17-7 against the Aussies. While watching these matches I penned down 7 observations. Continue reading
Cape Town – Vodacom Western Province hooker Deon Fourie was on Monday found not guilty of foul play at a SARU judicial hearing held in Cape Town. Continue reading
Rugby-Talk can confirm that Ryan Kankowski will continue his career at the Durban franchise as he has signed a new 3 year deal.
10 July 1976 – SA Invitation XV 24 / All Blacks 31
Newlands, Cape Town. Weather, fine, dry, cool in the shade. Crowd 35 000.
The referee: Steve Strydom (Orange Free State).
The SA invitation XV side was assembled or finalized just two days before the match and was a blend of formidable players eight of which would later become Springboks. Continue reading
The VRYSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT hammered the Leopards 78-7 to ensure 3rd spot on the Currie Cup Log. Continue reading
The recent acquisition of just about half of the Golden Lions Rugby Union’s commercial arm is a move long overdue. Continue reading
We can look forward to the following rugby on TV in SA this weekend:
Jurie Roux the new CEO of SARU, has been emailing a survey to subscribers of Bok supporters. Let us see if he can sweep clean as a new broom.
Following a closed competitive bidding process, Lions Rugby has announced the signing of an agreement with two of Africa’s leading entrepreneurs, paving the way for their investment in Lions Rugby and heralding an investment step change and a whole new era of opportunity for the Lions and for rugby in South Africa.
The Melbourne Rebels announced their principle Title Sponsor and will be known as the RaboDirect Rebels. Sounds like a sickness or an affliction in my opinion, one might suspect they are rabid and bonkers…. well actually, the last part we know for certain!
Who would be South Africa’s best loose trio of all time? The loose trio is probably one of the most important combinations in union rugby. The loose trio consist of three players with overlapping but also very distinctly different tasks. Each player has a very clear and specific task traditionally. The allotted tasks might have changed slightly in the modern game and/or the aligned task might also differ from one country to the next but in essence the loose trio’s effectiveness in doing these jobs as well as their ability to hunt as a pack determines to a large extent to outcome of the match. The loose trio are also the players in the team with the fewest set responsibilities (most freedom to go where they want) and therefore the position where the player should have all round attributes such as speed, strength, fitness, handling skills and good tackling and rucking technique. Continue reading
The South African Rugby Union announced on Friday the outcome of deliberations regarding the placement of logos and emblems on the playing jersey of South African teams at IRB World Cup events.
Several months of discussions took place with the relevant regulatory authorities before the Executive Council ruled on the management of the placing of the Springbok logo on team jerseys.
The South African Rugby Union confirmed its full support for the current Springbok coaching team on Friday and said planning was underway for the end-of-year tour.
Head coach Peter de Villiers and assistant coaches Dick Muir and Gary Gold met SARU president, Mr Oregan Hoskins, in Durban on Thursday evening.
Since re admission South Africa has been rather successful on the sporting arena. Particularly in Golf, Rugby and Cricket. We are a nation who loves to compete, and we hate losing. In fact it is fair to say that we are very often poor losers, case in point this year’s Tri Nations. PDV blames it on conspiracy theories, some of us blame it on the coach and the world plus a few objective Springbok supporters blame it on the ultimate outdated game plan. Continue reading
The heads of four members of the Springbok management team may roll on Friday. Continue reading
We are kiling ourselves. There are far too many EGO’s in South African Rugby!
They say if you want loyalty, go and buy a dog. It certainly seems to be the case in South African rugby.