England and the South African Proteas did battle in the 1st Test of the Series in England at Kennington Oval, London, UK.
South Africa won by an innings and 12 runs.
We should all be familiar with that old saying ‘ crime doesn’t pay’. I have found an instance, with a rugby connection, in which it does. Thanks to the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities initiative, Scottish rugby clubs have already and will receive further much needed ‘donations’ courtesy of the criminals.
SANZAR have announced the referee appointments for the 2012 Super Rugby Semi-Finals with Craig Joubert and Steve Walsh taking charge of this weekend’s matches.
The New Zealand Conference winning Chiefs will host the Crusaders in Hamilton this Friday with Craig Joubert in the middle, while Steve Walsh will officiate the top-of-the-table Stormers and South African Conference champions versus the Sharks match the following evening in Cape Town.
The Crusaders will definitely be without their All Black No.8 Kieran read when they face the Chiefs on Friday.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee was reminded how important a physical back-row will be in Saturday’s Super Rugby semifinal, so he will be anxiously awaiting further assessments on the condition of Duane Vermeulen before finalising his team for the Newlands showdown with the Sharks.
Bulls wing Bjorn Basson has undergone surgery in New Zealand after he sustained a tear to his intestines during his side’s loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The appointment of Australians to high profile positions in rugby has continued with the announcement of Brett Gosper as the International Rugby Board’s new Chief Executive as well as Managing Director of the Rugby World Cup.
Reds (10) 17 / (20) 30 Sharks (Final Score)
The Reds hosted The Sharks in the Play-off’s of Super Rugby at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 11:40 SA Time (19:40 Brisbane 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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Crusaders (16) 28 / (3) 13 Bulls (Final Score)
The Crusaders hosted the Vodacom Bulls in the Play-off’s of Super Rugby at AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 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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Here are the Super Rugby Team Sheets for the Play-Off Weekend of Super Rugby 2012.
All 4 team sheets for the 2 Play-Off games this weekend are up.
Bulls midfielder Johann Sadie may be the first high-profile player to opt for a dual-contract, allowing him to play both Sevens and provincial rugby in the near future.
Springbok Eben Etzebeth was running at full tilt at the Stormers’ training session in Bellville on Thursday, and is fit to lock the side’s vulnerable scrum in their Super Rugby semi-final at Newlands next week.
In what is regarded as an significant coup for Cheetahs rugby, Volksblad reported this morning that it is confirmed that Johann Sadie, the promising WP star, who joined the Bulls earlier this, is heading to Bloemfontein to join the Cheetahs. It is believed that he will flourish in the Cheetahs playing pattern. Lack of game time, and a host of other players in the center position at the Bulls led to the players frustration.
Whilst the Cheetahs are not involved in further participation of the Super 15, some interesting players signings bode well for the Cheetahs 2013 season. Of course more players will sign, and some will leave, but it is interesting to note the movements.
The Sharks have made a statement about the fire at Mr Price Kings Park… here it is.
The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) have advised that they will not appeal the SANZAR judicial ruling to suspend Queensland Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper on a dangerous tackle charge to avoid further disruption to its team’s title defence which continues in two days time.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has appealed to television match officials to get “the big moments” right as the Super Rugby enters the sudden death rounds on Saturday.
History favours the Crusaders and Reds in their playoff clashes against the Bulls and Sharks, and Blackadder does not want the results decided by controversial rulings.
A few weeks ago I heard some of what the latest targets were that the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) had set itself but was unable to share this at the time on this website. At the time I did think hats off and good luck guys but also that they were really lofty ambitions. These targets for the next four years include winning a Six Nations Grand Slam and the next World Cup.
It’s the hunting season and the targets are the young bucks of South African rugby. It is an intense time for talent scouts and likely to grow more intense.
SANZAR have announced the dates and times for the Super Rugby Semi-Finals, to be played in the second week of the 2012 Super Rugby Finals Series.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee still hasn’t given up all hope of influential No 8 Duane Vermeulen being ready to play some part in the Super Rugby semifinal at Newlands against one of the Crusaders, Sharks or Bulls on 28 July.
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) have announced that the General Council meeting that will decide how and when the Southern Kings will join Super Rugby has been rescheduled to 16 August in Cape Town.
Former All Blacks great John Kirwan has been appointed as Blues coach in Auckland replacing Pat Lam for the next two Super Rugby seasons.
The disciplinary hearing of suspended Lions coach John Mitchell will start at the offices of the Golden Lions Rugby Union on Tuesday.
The Wallabies have named a twenty-seven strong training squad for the upcoming Four Nations Rugby Championship including previously injured Test wingers Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner.
In news just in the Reds flyhalf has been suspended after receiving a white and yellow card on Saturday.
Lyndon Bray, SANZAR Game Manager, said the appointments were made after a full season analysis of each official, which in turn saw referees rewarded with strong performances.
First Zeelim Nel tells us in the weekend Argus that the Kings have accepted a R40 mil bribe to stay out of the S15 till 2016, then the Kings come out on their twitter page and pooh pooh the idea. Who’s telling the truth, who’s lying, who’s leaking this rubbish, and when will SARU just tell us once and for all what is happening?
Springbok pair Patrick Lambie and Frans Steyn were the two notable absentees from the Sharks squad named on Sunday that will travel to Australia for next week’s Super Rugby qualifier against the Reds in Brisbane.
The cup is in our hands.
Bulls (20) 37 / (20) 20 Lions (Final Score)
The Vodacom Bulls and MTN Lions did battle in Super Rugby at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria at 19:10 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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Sharks (6) 34 / (15) 15 Cheetahs (Final Score)
The Sharks and Toyota Cheetahs did battle in Super Rugby at Mr Price Kings Park, Durban 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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Stormers (16) 26 / (0) 21 Rebels (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and Melbourne Rebels did battle in Super Rugby at Newlands, Cape Town 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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Reds (12) 32 / (11) 16 Waratahs (Final Score)
The Reds and Waratahs did battle in Super Rugby at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 11:40 SA Time (19:40 Brisbane 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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Crusaders (32) 38 / (3) 24 Force (Final Score)
The Crusaders and Western Force did battle in Super Rugby at AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 09:35 SA Time (19:35 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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Brumbies (13) 16 / (21) 30 Blues (Final Score)
The Brumbies and Blues did battle in Super Rugby at Canberra Stadium, Canberra at 07:30 SA Time (15:30 Canberra 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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