Emirates Lions wing Ruan Combrink has certainly raised some eyebrows during the 1st half of Super Rugby 2016.
The hard running winger is undoubtedly one of the form players in the African conferences, and it has to be asked in certain circles whether the new National coach has taken note of his strong performances.
Herewith a short biography of the player as issued by the Emirates Lions.
Jaguares (17) 22 / 25 (19) Sharks (Final Score)
Los Jaguares and the Cell C Sharks did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires at 22:40 SA Time (20:40 GMT, 17:40 ARG 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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Lions (19) 43 / 5 (0) Blues (Final Score)
The Emirates Lions and Blues did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg at 19:15 SA Time (17:15 GMT, Sunday 05:15 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Cheetahs (17) 34 / 20 (6) Kings (Final Score)
The Toyota Cheetahs and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Sunwolves (14) 17 / 17 (3) Stormers (Final Score)
The Sunwolves and DHL Stormers did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Singapore National Stadium, Singapore at 13:55 SA Time (11:55 GMT, 19:55 Singapore Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Waratahs (7) 31 / 8 (3) Bulls (Final Score)
The Waratahs and Vodacom Bulls did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Allianz Stadium, Sydney at 11:45 SA Time (15:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Hurricanes (12) 29 / 14 (6) Reds (Final Score)
The Hurricanes and Reds did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Westpac Stadium, Wellington at 09:35 SA Time (07:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time, 17:35 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Rebels (10) 22 / 30 (20) Brumbies (Final Score)
The Melbourne Rebels and Brumbies did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
AAMI Park, Melbourne at 11:45 SA Time (09:45 GMT, 19:45 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Highlanders (20) 34 / 26 (12) Crusaders (Final Score)
The Highlanders and Crusaders did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin at 09:35 SA Time (07:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ 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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Emirates Lions Head Coach, Johan Ackermann, has announced his team to play the Blues at Emirates Airline Park on Saturday.
The team sees 4 changes from the side that was heavily defeated by the Hurricanes, with Malcolm Marx and Julian Redelinghuys returning to form the 1st choice front row.
The Lions full media release reads:
Springbok Under 20 coach Dawie Theron on Tuesday named his 28-man squad that will do battle at World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Manchester, England, from 7 – 25 June.
Eastern Province centre Jeremy Ward will lead the team in the showpiece, while his provincial team-mate Junior Pokomela and 2015 SA Schools captain, Western Province lock Ernst van Rhyn, have been named as vice-captains.
The squad features 2 players who were members of the Junior Springbok squad that finished 3rd at the international showpiece in Italy last year, namely centre JT Jackson and scrumhalf Marco Jansen van Vuren.
9 Members of the SA Schools team that featured in the Under 18 International Series in South Africa last year have also been included. They are centre Stedman Gans, flyhalves Manie Libbok and Curwin Bosch, scrumhalf Embrose Papier, locks Ruben de Villiers and Van Rhyn, loose forwards Cobus Wiese and Zain Davids and prop Carlü Sadie.
England Under 20 Head Coach Martin Haag has named his 28-man squad for the World Rugby Under 20 Championship in Manchester (7 – 25 June).
The home side face Italy, Scotland and Australia in Pool B and several players with Premiership experience have been included: Theo Brophy-Clews, Will Evans, Harry Mallinder, Joe Marchant, Ollie Thorley and Johnny Williams.
Jack Walker will play in his 3rd World Rugby Under 20 Championship, while George Perkins and Josh Bainbridge both featured in Italy last year.
England have a strong record in the tournament having reached 6 finals in the last 8 years but this squad have a unique opportunity to play in front of their home supporters.
“This group will only play together for this tournament. It will be a proud moment when they pull on the white jersey and run out in front of family and friends in a home World Cup,” said Haag.
Head Coach Vern Cotter has named a 27-man Scotland squad for the national team’s 2-Test summer tour of Japan next month.
The Test matches will be played on consecutive Saturdays at J1 League football stadia; the 1st at the Toyota Stadium in Toyota City (18 June), the 2nd at the Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo (25 June), homes of Nagoya Grampus and FC Tokyo respectively.
Cotter also confirmed that Glasgow centre Mark Bennett has not been named to allow him to be considered for extended GB 7s selection ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Kings (10) 18 / 34 (19) Blues (Final Score)
The Southern Kings and Blues did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT, Sunday 03:05 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Sharks (8) 32 / 15 (8) Hurricanes (Final Score)
The Cell C Sharks and Hurricanes did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban at 15:00 SA Time (13:00 GMT, Sunday 01:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Waratahs (18) 21 / 6 (6) Cheetahs (Final Score)
The Waratahs and Toyota Cheetahs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Allianz Stadium, Sydney at 11:45 SA Time (09:45 GMT, 19:45 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Chiefs (3) 13 / 26 (13) Highlanders (Final Score)
The Chiefs and Highlanders did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton at 09:35 SA Time (07:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ 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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Sunwolves (5) 22 / 40 (26) Force (Final Score)
The Sunwolves and Western Force did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, Tokyo at 07:15 SA Time (05:15 GMT, 14:15 Japan Time, 13:15 AWST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Brumbies (9) 23 / 6 (3) Bulls (Final Score)
The Brumbies and Vodacom Bulls did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
GIO Stadium, Canberra at 11:45 SA Time (09:45 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Crusaders (21) 38 / 5 (0) Reds (Final Score)
The Crusaders and Reds did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
AMI Stadium, Christchurch at 09:35 SA Time (07:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time, 17:35 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Rory Lamont: On-field treatment following Fibula fracture against France in 2012
The relationship between Rory Lamont and rugby has always been uneasy. When it was good, it was really good: 29 Scotland caps, two World Cups, and stints in Europe’s top leagues with Toulon, Sale and Glasgow.
When it was bad, it was really bad: whispering campaigns about his attitude, 16 operations, “double figure” concussions. By the time the game ran out of uses for him, the feeling was entirely mutual.
Three years ago this week, Lamont announced his retirement. The last of his many injuries, a lower leg fracture from the previous year, hadn’t properly healed and the end came as a relief.
“I was thinking, ‘finally it’s over’. I felt like an animal being put out of its misery. I’d had a miserable year, people questioning my integrity, and I couldn’t wait to crack on with my life and all the amazing things I was going to do.”
Never did he picture becoming a recluse, battling severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Nowhere in the retirement brochure did it say he’d lose 25kg in four months and be unable to stomach solids for a further five. The bit about being so low he hoped he’d be run over by a bus? Not what he’d signed up for either.
Jaguares (40) 73 / 27 (15) Kings (Final Score)
The Jaguares and Southern Kings did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Vélez Sarsfield, Buenos Aires at 23:40 SA Time (21:40 GMT, 18:40 ARG 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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Stormers (14) 30 / 32 (12) Waratahs (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers and Waratahs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
DHL Newlands, Cape Town at 19:15 SA Time (17:15 GMT, Sunday 03:15 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Lions (5) 17 / 50 (36) Hurricanes (Final Score)
The Emirates Lions and Hurricanes did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg at 17:05 SA Time (15:05 GMT, Sunday 03:05 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Reds (10) 30 / 17 (10) Cheetahs (Final Score)
The Reds and Toyota Cheetahs did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane at 11:45 SA Time (09:45 GMT, 19:45 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Highlanders (7) 23 / 10 (3) Brumbies (Final Score)
The Highlanders and Brumbies did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Rugby Park Stadium, Invercargill at 09:35 SA Time (07:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time, 17:35 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Blues (24) 36 / 30 (18) Rebels (Final Score)
The Blues and Melbourne Rebels did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Eden Park, Auckland at 07:15 SA Time (05:15 GMT, 17:15 NZ Time, 15:15 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Force (13) 20 / 42 (18) Bulls (Final Score)
The Western Force and Vodacom Bulls did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
nib Stadium, Perth at 13:05 SA Time (11:05 GMT, 19:05 AWST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Chiefs (15) 24 / 22 (15) Sharks (Final Score)
The Chiefs and Cell C Sharks did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth at 09:35 SA Time (07:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ 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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Tyrone Holmes in action for Glasgow Warriors
Glasgow Warriors have announced a group of players who will leave the club in the summer.
Prop Jerry Yanuyanutawa, looseforward Tyrone Holmes and hooker Kevin Bryce are among the departures.
Fijian international Yanuyanutawa joined the club from London Irish in 2013 and has gone on to make 46 appearances for the Scotstoun-based side.
South Africa-born Holmes joined the Warriors in 2013 and has made 34 appearances for the club over the last 3 seasons and was capped by Scotland against South Africa in 2014.
27-year-old Bryce has made 12 appearances for the Warriors since joining the club in 2013 and has gone on to represent Scotland on 2 occasions.
Loose forwards Will Bordill and Jason Hill, hookers Shalva Mamukashvili and Fergus Scott, flyhalf Gregor Hunter and prop Javan Sebastian will also be leaving the club.
In the last few days the news has broken of the imminent departure of 2 big players from Glasgow Warriors. Glasgow Warriors centurion James Eddie has announced he has retired from rugby with immediate effect and Fijian lock Leone Nakarawa will be released from his Glasgow Warriors contract at the end of the season to move to a club in France.
SARU CEO, Jurie Roux
SA Rugby on Monday acknowledged the findings of the Eminent Persons’ Group report on Transformation for 2014 / 2015 and the sanction imposed by Fikile Mbalula, Minister for Sports and Recreation.
SA Rugby, as well as Cricket South Africa, Netball SA and Athletics South Africa, had revoked their privilege of “hosting and bidding for major and mega international tournaments in South Africa as a consequence of… not meeting their own set transformation targets”, said the minister. The decision would be reconsidered at the next reporting of the EPG, which is expected in November.
“We understand and support the Minister’s urgency in addressing the issue of transformation,” said Jurie Roux, CEO of SA Rugby.
Southern Kings head coach Deon Davids included the returning Edgar Marutlulle and Sti Sithole in his 25-man touring squad for their trip to Argentina this weekend to face the Jaguares.
The presence of the front row duo is a welcome boost to team after both missed out on the match against the Emirates Lions last week due to injury.
Stefan Willemse, who has played at both lock and flank, is also part of the touring squad, along with No 8 Aidon Davis.
Davids also announced that backline players Elgar Watts and Jaco van Tonder would be part of the touring squad.
“At fullback we have Jaco van Tonder, we know he can play at No 15 and hasn’t had a chance to start there yet this year, and Leighton Eksteen, who can come in as a backup,” said Davids.
“We felt that, at this point of time, we want to give Jaco a chance and see how he is doing.”
Brumbies (7) 14 / 40 (26) Crusaders (Final Score)
The Brumbies and Crusaders did battle in Super Rugby 2016 at
GIO Stadium, Canberra at 08:05 SA Time (06:05 GMT, 16:05 AEST, 18:05 NZ 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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Montpellier’s Jake White
Newport Gwent Dragons bowed out of the European Challenge Cup with semifinal defeat by a strong Montpellier side.
Montpellier’s dominance earned them a 22 / 0 lead, with Demetri Catrakilis scoring 5 penalties and Bismarck du Plessis crossing for a try.
Dragons rallied with tries from Hallam Amos and Carl Meyer but they suffered their 2nd successive semifinal loss in Europe.
Montpellier will face Harlequins in the final in Lyon on 13 May.
Dragons’ build up to the game had been overshadowed by the departure of director of rugby Lyn Jones, with namesake Kingsley Jones assuming control until the end of the season,
Wales No 8, Taulupe Faletau, was passed fit for the Dragons despite injuring his eye in the derby defeat at Cardiff Blues.
Montpellier, coached by 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White, boasted 8 South African players in their squad, including front row brothers Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis.