Considering the result of the 1st Test and considering where SA stands in preparation for the Tri-Nations (and next year’s World Cup), what would constitute a “CLEVER” or “ASTUTE” Run-on Springbok Team for the 2nd Azuri Test.
To make this decision, one needs to look at a few things, namely:
Springboks (22) 29 / Azuri (3) 13 (Final Score)
The Springboks hosted the Italian Azuri team at Witbank, Mpumalanga, South Africa at 15:00 SA Time. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The game was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 on DSTV in SA.
The Springboks won convincingly but rhytm lacked in the 2nd half, specially when too many subs came on.
The most pleasing part of the game was that the Springboks dominated the scrums where Gurthro Steenkamp clearly mastered Martin Castrogiovanni and his replaceent after he went off injured.
Players who enhanced their Springbok futures were Gurthro Steenkamp, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Francois Louw, Dewald Potgieter, Morné Steyn and Zane Kirchner.
Players who did not enhance their Springbok futures were Butch James (who was also awarded a yellow card), Ricky Januarie & Alistair Hargreaves.
The Springboks ran in 4 tries to 1 and the final score was Springboks 29 / 13.
Wallabies (13) 20 / England (15) 21 (Final Score)
Australian Wallabies hosted England at 12:00 SA Time. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 on DSTV in SA.
England won by 21 / 20 as Matt Giteau costs Australia the game with no less than 4 misses in going for posts, the last of which was a sitter right in front of the posts.
The 2 Test Series between the Wallabies and England end in a 1-all draw.
All Blacks (15) 42 / Wales (9) 9 (Final Score)
The All Blacks hosted Wales in Hamilton at 09:35 SA Time. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The game was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 on DSTV in SA.
The All Blacks were slow out of the blocks in the 1st half and only led by 15 / 9 at halftime, but they turned on the pressure and the scores in the 2nd half to win comfortably in the last game at The House of Pain, before it is demolished to make place for a new stadium with a roof over it.
The All Blacks won by 42 / 9.
Hardly a media conference goes by that there isn’t some reference to next year’s World Cup in New Zealand by Springbok coach Peter de Villiers or even the players who are interviewed separately afterwards
Wellington – The Nude Blacks are to meet the Welsh Leeks in a nude rugby international match organised by Otago University students to be held in the New Zealand city of Dunedin on Saturday.
GBS if they dont behave, delete this. Hahahaha. Can not believe it is a curtain raiser before the All Black Test.
Rugby World Cup matches will be broadcast on US network television for the first time after the International Rugby Board announced that NBC Sports and Universal Sports have been awarded the exclusive rights to the 2011 tournament in New Zealand and the 2015 tournament in England.
On Saturday we see the 1st of 2 Tests this year by the Springboks against the Azuri from Italy.
Due to Soccer World Cup repercussions the 1st Test is hosted at Witbank and the 2nd Test in East London.
It will be a Springbok mix-and match side against the hard-scrumming Azuri but who offers very little in the backline.
I suppose it had to happen. It was just a matter of time. Unfortunately for South Africa – and Bafana Bafana – it took only two games of their participation in soccer’s world showpiece to show what the “beautiful” game is all about. Continue reading
Veteran flank Schalk Burger has been withdrawn from the Springbok team to face Italy at the Puma Stadium in Witbank on Saturday.
Nick Mallett has named his Italy Team to face the Springboks in Witbank in the 1st of 2 Tests between the Azuri and the Springboks and has his inspirational captain, Sergio Parisse back in the team.
The Azzurri take on the Springboks for only the ninth time in their history, having never beaten the Springboks.
SA Under-20 coach Eric Sauls on Wednesday made two changes to his starting lineup that suffered a 35-42 defeat against Australia to the team that will play New Zealand in the second semi-final of the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship in Rosario on Thursday.
The changes are both made in the backline where Springbok Sevens back Branco du Preez replace the injured Francois Venter at centre. Venter sustained an ankle injury during Sunday’s Pool C clash in Sante Fe. In the other change, Vodacom Free State utility back Nico Scheepers comes into the side in place of Sampie Mastriet.
England have named their team to face Australia in the second test with two changes from the team that lost last weekend in Perth.
Leicester Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs and Northampton Saints lock Courtney Lawes will make their first starts for England in the match in Sydney.
Wales have made three changes to the team which lost 34-31 to an under-strength South African side in Cardiff two weeks ago.
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has made two changes to the starting side that beat England in Perth last week, bringing back centre Matt Giteau and halfback Will Genia for Saturday’s second test in Sydney.
Giteau and Genia were both injured for the first test, won 27-17 by the Wallabies, although Genia sat on the bench as an unused reserve.
The Springbok medical team and its regional counterparts have met to plan the way ahead for the country’s leading rugby players in the lead up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
| Semi Finals | ||||
| Date | Team A | Score | Team B | Venue |
| 17 June 2010 | Australia | 28-16 | England | Estadio El Coloso del Parque, Rosario |
| 17 June 2010 | New Zealand | 36-7 | South Africa | Estadio El Coloso del Parque, Rosario |
Group A looks too close to call after two draws on the opening day, but hosts South Africa and Uruguay should have a clearer idea of their destinies at this World Cup after what promises to be a hotly contested encounter in the heartland of Pretoria. While it is far-fetched to suggest that their Loftus Versfeld Stadium encounter will be decisive, a victory for either side would go a long way to booking a place in the Round of 16.
Score – South Africa 0 – 3 Uruguay
SA coach Carlos Alberto Parreira has made one change to his starting line-up against Uruguay, with Tsepo Masilela replacing Lucas Thwala.
Teams
South Africa: 16-Itumeleng Khune; 2-Siboniso Gaxa, 3-Tsepo Masilela, 20-Bongani Khumalo, 4-Aaron Mokoena; 12-Reneilwe Letsholonyane, 13-Kagisho Dikgacoi, 10-Steven Pienaar, 11-Teko Modise, 8-Siphiwe Tshabalala; 9-Katlego Mphela.
Uruguay: 1-Fernando Muslera; 2-Diego Lugano, 3-Diego Godin, 4-Jorge Fucile, 16-Maximiliano Pereira, 15-Diego Perez, 17-Egidio Arevalo, 7-Edinson Cavani, 11-Alvaro Pereira, 9-Luis Suarez, 10-Diego Forlan.
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)
Ke nako. It’s time.
A article written by JJ Harmse, one i could just as well written. Yes the things said in this article was my view all along.
The Sharks have announced that coach John Plumtree has extended his contract for a further three years.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have named their team to play Wales in the second Test and Final ever Test at Carisbrook, Dunedin, on Saturday 19 June.
Times are changing in a once rugby-obsessed nation, writes Paul Rees.
The Sharks have signed veteran lock Ross Skeate from French club Toulon on a two-year contract.
Players from the Vodacom Super 14 finalist Bulls and Stormers have unsurprisingly monopolised the nominations in the race for the title of Vodacom Super 14 Player of the Year award, the South African Rugby Union announced on Tuesday.
Our own poll will be up on Sunday
Go ahead, nominate your players, closing date for nominations Saturday after the last Test of the day.
Victor Matfield will captain the Boks for the 11th time against Italy in Witbank on Saturday. Team announced
The last three tour games of the 1970 All Black tour were against North East Cape, Northern Transvaal and the Junior Springboks (Gazelle). The one against North East Cape had a cricket score but the other two were hard matches that the All Blacks almost lost. Continue reading
The most experienced lock pairing in the history of world rugby will be re-united against Italy on Saturday when Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha play together for a 60th time.
The 4 Teams to advance to the Semi-Finals of the IRB Junior World Championship is Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa, following the culmination of the third round of pool matches.
Rugby Players want a share of the huge rugby world cup profits that they will be making for the IRB by playing in the world cup next year.
New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association boss Rob Nichol says that he players were poised to ask the International Rugby Board (IRB) for a share in the tournament’s profits.
Chiliboy Ralepelle at hooker and Victor Matfield as captain?
That will probably be just two of the moves that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers will make for Saturday’s rugby test against Italy in Witbank.
De Villiers has retained the squad of 27 that did duty for South Africa last week.
The Bulls’ most experienced Super 14 player, Pedrie Wannenburg, will continue his rugby career with Ulster.
Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis saved a man’s life at Newlands on Saturday night shortly after helping his side to their biggest Test win yet over France on South African soil.
Continue reading
Score:- South Africa 35 – 42 Australia