The Blue Bulls and Sharks comprise the bulk of the SA U20 training squad as Eric Sauls prepares for the 2009 Junior World Championship in Japan.
The Baby Boks will meet for a training camp in Pretoria from 18-25 January. The greater squad includes 12 Bulls players and 10 players from the Sharks. Sauls will be joined by Deon Davids (Boland) and Nico Serfontein (Bulls) on his coaching staff.
The tournament kicks off on 5 June and will be played across four Japanese cities in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka.
SA U20 training squad:
Blue Bulls: Gideon Helberg, Gerhard van den Heever, Yondela Stampu, Omphile Seabela, Francois Brummer, Tendayi Chikukwa, Wilhelmus Nel, Marnus Schoeman, Cornell Hess, Andries Ferreira, Mlungise Bali, Pieter Rossouw de Klerk
Boland: Sampie Mastriet
Free State: Josias Ebersohn, Lionel Cronje, Christoffel Phillip van der Walt, Trevor Nyankane
Golden Lions: Jakob Taute, Riaan Arends, Elton Jantjies, Rudy Paige, Jacobus Albertus Kriel, David Bulbring, Caylib Oosthuizen
Griffons: Eugene Cunha
Leopards: Andre Esterhuizen, Evan Richter
KwaZulu-Natal: Faizel de Bruin, Wynand Pienaar, Xolane Mnisi, Ross Cronje, Meyer Swanepoel, Lambert Groenwald, Kenechukwu Okafor, Julian Redelinghuys, Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick
Western Province: Nicolaas Hanekom, Johann Sadie, Johannes Engelbrecht, Yaasir Hartzenberg, Sidney Tobias, Ruan-Henry Smith
"i have highlighted the players that you should watch out for"
Sent in by JC[www.supersport.co.za]
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Sharks, Bulls dominate Baby Boks
The Blue Bulls and Sharks comprise the bulk of the SA U20 training squad as Eric Sauls prepares for the 2009 Junior World Championship in Japan.
The Baby Boks will meet for a training camp in Pretoria from 18-25 January. The greater squad includes 12 Bulls players and 10 players from the Sharks. Sauls will be joined by Deon Davids (Boland) and Nico Serfontein (Bulls) on his coaching staff.
The tournament kicks off on 5 June and will be played across four Japanese cities in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka.
SA U20 training squad:
Blue Bulls: Gideon Helberg, Gerhard van den Heever, Yondela Stampu, Omphile Seabela, Francois Brummer, Tendayi Chikukwa, Wilhelmus Nel, Marnus Schoeman, Cornell Hess, Andries Ferreira, Mlungise Bali, Pieter Rossouw de Klerk
Boland: Sampie Mastriet
Free State: Josias Ebersohn, Lionel Cronje, Christoffel Phillip van der Walt, Trevor Nyankane
Golden Lions: Jakob Taute, Riaan Arends, Elton Jantjies, Rudy Paige, Jacobus Albertus Kriel, David Bulbring, Caylib Oosthuizen
Griffons: Eugene Cunha
Leopards: Andre Esterhuizen, Evan Richter
KwaZulu-Natal: Faizel de Bruin, Wynand Pienaar, Xolane Mnisi, Ross Cronje, Meyer Swanepoel, Lambert Groenwald, Kenechukwu Okafor, Julian Redelinghuys, Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick
Western Province: Nicolaas Hanekom, Johann Sadie, Johannes Engelbrecht, Yaasir Hartzenberg, Sidney Tobias, Ruan-Henry Smith
Posted in News by JC[www.supersport.co.za]
The Baby Boks will meet for a training camp in Pretoria from 18-25 January. The greater squad includes 12 Bulls players and 10 players from the Sharks. Sauls will be joined by Deon Davids (Boland) and Nico Serfontein (Bulls) on his coaching staff.
The tournament kicks off on 5 June and will be played across four Japanese cities in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka.
SA U20 training squad:
Blue Bulls: Gideon Helberg, Gerhard van den Heever, Yondela Stampu, Omphile Seabela, Francois Brummer, Tendayi Chikukwa, Wilhelmus Nel, Marnus Schoeman, Cornell Hess, Andries Ferreira, Mlungise Bali, Pieter Rossouw de Klerk
Boland: Sampie Mastriet
Free State: Josias Ebersohn, Lionel Cronje, Christoffel Phillip van der Walt, Trevor Nyankane
Golden Lions: Jakob Taute, Riaan Arends, Elton Jantjies, Rudy Paige, Jacobus Albertus Kriel, David Bulbring, Caylib Oosthuizen
Griffons: Eugene Cunha
Leopards: Andre Esterhuizen, Evan Richter
KwaZulu-Natal: Faizel de Bruin, Wynand Pienaar, Xolane Mnisi, Ross Cronje, Meyer Swanepoel, Lambert Groenwald, Kenechukwu Okafor, Julian Redelinghuys, Kyle Cooper, Dale Chadwick
Western Province: Nicolaas Hanekom, Johann Sadie, Johannes Engelbrecht, Yaasir Hartzenberg, Sidney Tobias, Ruan-Henry Smith
Posted in News by JC[www.supersport.co.za]
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Reflections....
Has the year 2008 been a success in terms of South Africa rugby? As i type this article, already I’m being envisioned about the dark and bright clouds that have fallen on our rugby playing nation. Any mixed feelings with regards to the diagnosis and upshot of this much admirable game?
Barely a year after South Africa won the IRB world cup tournament in France, there has been an out of the blue hullabaloo state of the affairs in our rugby fratenity, both on and off the field. I’m sure the first thought that comes into your mind is non other that the 'so called' controversy surrounding the Puke (sorry i meant to write Luke) Watson saga. 'So called' because in my own opinion, Fluke (damn this keyboard...) Watson has just been a victim of the not so called middling media. I'm of the belief that leaders are not made, but BORN. And such is the headship that Luke Watson exuberates on and off the field. I for one feel that he was caught out of context and the 'rugby superiority’ decided to divert the focus to dim-witted issues instead of concentrating on burning issues surround SA rugby currently, TRANSFORMATION...CHANGE. Yes....like OBAMA would like IT done...CHANGE. To cut a long story short, after a brief chat with Luke with regards to the saga, he summed it all up by saying, "I don’t regret saying what i said at the UBUMBO function at UCT, at least now people know the concealed secrets within the Bok set and white mentality with regards to Rugby".
Moving on to another contentious matter. Our very own coach, Snor was allegedly CITED and implicated in a sexual delinquency. I shall not comment on this allegation seeing I don’t have any inside information with regards tot his subject. However, if I had to be asked to share my judgment on this, I’d quickly jump into DiV’s defense and say, “Those are the perks of being a bok coach”. When asked for comment, DiV quickly jumped to his defense, “I did not have any sexual relations with that woman”. After all, he’s human.
Moving onto the next saga….I need to take a breather on this one. The springbok emblem. Should it go, or should it not? I was initially one of those against the banishing of the emblem, but having read the reactions from the media and some arrogant supremacists. I have since realized that there’s more to SA rugby than just the badge. Then comes the Loftus saga. A black woman who was manhandled by racist white bok fans because, “how can a black woman support the boks”……Honestly, what rubbish is this. F%$^& the EMBLEM. Let it go.
Now on on-field issues, I think the overall Bok performance of 2008 was satisfactory. Big up to DiV for silencing his critics at the EOYT. Viva positive Jealous Viva!!!
Barely a year after South Africa won the IRB world cup tournament in France, there has been an out of the blue hullabaloo state of the affairs in our rugby fratenity, both on and off the field. I’m sure the first thought that comes into your mind is non other that the 'so called' controversy surrounding the Puke (sorry i meant to write Luke) Watson saga. 'So called' because in my own opinion, Fluke (damn this keyboard...) Watson has just been a victim of the not so called middling media. I'm of the belief that leaders are not made, but BORN. And such is the headship that Luke Watson exuberates on and off the field. I for one feel that he was caught out of context and the 'rugby superiority’ decided to divert the focus to dim-witted issues instead of concentrating on burning issues surround SA rugby currently, TRANSFORMATION...CHANGE. Yes....like OBAMA would like IT done...CHANGE. To cut a long story short, after a brief chat with Luke with regards to the saga, he summed it all up by saying, "I don’t regret saying what i said at the UBUMBO function at UCT, at least now people know the concealed secrets within the Bok set and white mentality with regards to Rugby".
Moving on to another contentious matter. Our very own coach, Snor was allegedly CITED and implicated in a sexual delinquency. I shall not comment on this allegation seeing I don’t have any inside information with regards tot his subject. However, if I had to be asked to share my judgment on this, I’d quickly jump into DiV’s defense and say, “Those are the perks of being a bok coach”. When asked for comment, DiV quickly jumped to his defense, “I did not have any sexual relations with that woman”. After all, he’s human.
Moving onto the next saga….I need to take a breather on this one. The springbok emblem. Should it go, or should it not? I was initially one of those against the banishing of the emblem, but having read the reactions from the media and some arrogant supremacists. I have since realized that there’s more to SA rugby than just the badge. Then comes the Loftus saga. A black woman who was manhandled by racist white bok fans because, “how can a black woman support the boks”……Honestly, what rubbish is this. F%$^& the EMBLEM. Let it go.
Now on on-field issues, I think the overall Bok performance of 2008 was satisfactory. Big up to DiV for silencing his critics at the EOYT. Viva positive Jealous Viva!!!
Friday, November 7, 2008
So near, yet so fat......
Tribute to out fallen heroes! Heroes??? A hero - a man distinguished by exceptional courage and nobility and strength. For instance, "RAF pilots were the heroes of the Battle of Britain".With this definition in mind, i'm forced to change my sentiments and statements to try and highlight some of the most distinguished and seasoned South AFrican Rugby legends who have failed to lure the eyes of the Bok selectors. Looking at their performances and characters in the past season, one is forced to think that they have been unlucky not to have donned the Bok jersey. One thing for sure is that they MAY not don the springbok jersey at all, throughout all their rugby playing careers.
It is every schoolboy's dream to wear the GREEN and GOLD at some point in time. This jersey has inspired many youngster to abandon their studies, leave their families and girlfriends, in search of the gateway to the BOK jersey. As a soccer mad growing youngster, my sudden profound interest and twist to rugby transpired in 1995, during the RWC in South Africa. Suddenly I HAD A DREAM. My dream to become a great rugby player , having been inspired by guys like Pienaar, Chester and the great Os to thrive and strive to wear that green and gold. But so many obstacles and challenges in life have intefaced and thus resulted in my dreams not living to reality. But at least i have not regrets in following and being acquainted to the SPORT that i love so much.
Needless to say, there have many deserving and much more talented guys that have unfortunate to wear the bok jersey. Guys that have perenially graced the rugby scene in the country and abroad, by they are still being overlooked by the selectors. The following names come into mind: Cobus 'baywatch' Grobler, Keegan Daniels, Jaque Botes, John Mametsa, Ryno Gerber, Ross Skeate,Rito Hlungwani, Braddley Barrit, Tiger Mangweni, Jaco Engels, the list is endless. These guys should forget about playing for the boks. Its late for them. They are now too old (their avg age is 24). Considering that nowadayds in rugby, if you dont make it as a 20 year old, then you better start looking for overseas contracts.
Then comes a bunch of the famous, "one cap wonder".These guys have played less than 4 tests for the BOKS and it doesnt look like they are gonna make it in FUTURE AT ALL: Waylon Murray, Morne Steyn, Hilton Lobberts, Meyer Bosmann, Heinkie Van de Merwe, Adriaan Strauss, Wynard Ollivier and so forth. I see no more caps coming out of this bunch.
Also another tag of "former Springboks' seems to be falling on the following players: Chavanga, Muller, Castens, Pedre Wannenberg,Bolla Conradie, Derrick Houggard (only at 25), Wickus Wan Heerden, Albert Van der Berg , the list is also endless. Hardy okes, you better join the BOK CROCKS team.
WARNING!!!!!The following youngsters should watch out otherwise they will end up just attaining the "Currie Cup legend" tag, famously personalised by guys like Anton Leonard and AJ Venter. These are Deon Stagmmann,Stephan Dippenaar, Marius Delport, RORY KOCKOTT, STEVEN SYKES, ALISTAIR HARGREAVES,JEAN DEYSEL, PATRIC CILLIERS and NIKOLAI BLIGNAUT.In my opinion, none of these guys are ever gonna make the springboks again, unless something terrible happens to the incumbent crop.
The moral of the story is, some get the opprtunity, and some dont. And for those that do get one, they beeter make sure that take it with BOTH hands, otherwise its the end of it. We have too many talented players in South African rugby, but we can only have 22 man squad at every test game. As they say, a fringe player from any of the 5 unions in South Africa would start in any team abroad.
It is every schoolboy's dream to wear the GREEN and GOLD at some point in time. This jersey has inspired many youngster to abandon their studies, leave their families and girlfriends, in search of the gateway to the BOK jersey. As a soccer mad growing youngster, my sudden profound interest and twist to rugby transpired in 1995, during the RWC in South Africa. Suddenly I HAD A DREAM. My dream to become a great rugby player , having been inspired by guys like Pienaar, Chester and the great Os to thrive and strive to wear that green and gold. But so many obstacles and challenges in life have intefaced and thus resulted in my dreams not living to reality. But at least i have not regrets in following and being acquainted to the SPORT that i love so much.
Needless to say, there have many deserving and much more talented guys that have unfortunate to wear the bok jersey. Guys that have perenially graced the rugby scene in the country and abroad, by they are still being overlooked by the selectors. The following names come into mind: Cobus 'baywatch' Grobler, Keegan Daniels, Jaque Botes, John Mametsa, Ryno Gerber, Ross Skeate,Rito Hlungwani, Braddley Barrit, Tiger Mangweni, Jaco Engels, the list is endless. These guys should forget about playing for the boks. Its late for them. They are now too old (their avg age is 24). Considering that nowadayds in rugby, if you dont make it as a 20 year old, then you better start looking for overseas contracts.
Then comes a bunch of the famous, "one cap wonder".These guys have played less than 4 tests for the BOKS and it doesnt look like they are gonna make it in FUTURE AT ALL: Waylon Murray, Morne Steyn, Hilton Lobberts, Meyer Bosmann, Heinkie Van de Merwe, Adriaan Strauss, Wynard Ollivier and so forth. I see no more caps coming out of this bunch.
Also another tag of "former Springboks' seems to be falling on the following players: Chavanga, Muller, Castens, Pedre Wannenberg,Bolla Conradie, Derrick Houggard (only at 25), Wickus Wan Heerden, Albert Van der Berg , the list is also endless. Hardy okes, you better join the BOK CROCKS team.
WARNING!!!!!The following youngsters should watch out otherwise they will end up just attaining the "Currie Cup legend" tag, famously personalised by guys like Anton Leonard and AJ Venter. These are Deon Stagmmann,Stephan Dippenaar, Marius Delport, RORY KOCKOTT, STEVEN SYKES, ALISTAIR HARGREAVES,JEAN DEYSEL, PATRIC CILLIERS and NIKOLAI BLIGNAUT.In my opinion, none of these guys are ever gonna make the springboks again, unless something terrible happens to the incumbent crop.
The moral of the story is, some get the opprtunity, and some dont. And for those that do get one, they beeter make sure that take it with BOTH hands, otherwise its the end of it. We have too many talented players in South African rugby, but we can only have 22 man squad at every test game. As they say, a fringe player from any of the 5 unions in South Africa would start in any team abroad.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Looks like it could be the end of the unlucky Luke....
This man is the MAN of the Moment. It seems the media cannot sell any better stories other than the Puke and the Fluke Saga. This man has made non-rugby followers to start talking rugby, and caught the attention throughout all walks of life, from politicians to ordinary lay-men on the streets. He deserves a recongition for his contribution to SA rugby (having more people interested in the sport).
With his immediate withdrawal from the Bok end of year tour, questions are still being asked to know if this could be the end of not only his short TEST carrier, but also the end of RUGBY for him.
Back at WP, Rassie has long been a fan of Duanne Vermeulen and he has put down a R1 million on his tag. This is one of the no8s that have had a fine season, unlucky to have missed the EOYT. More so, there's also the OBSESSION about the much-loved and highly-rated WP prodigy, NIC Koster, who recently has been included in Jake White's Babarians squad to play Australia. With this in mind, considering that Watson had a fairly quiet season, coupled with the media controversy clouding him, one may be at will to assume that the chances of Luke donning the no8 jersey alongside the "Dutchmen" Schalla in the Stormers loose-trio are very SLIM.
However, this could be a premature judgement though since Luke is a very important figure in the Stormers' set up and still has a lot to offer. So will Rassie, "the Dutchmen" fall victim to media and political debate and decide to limit Luke's role in the Stormer's set up? Will Schalla "the Dutchmen" want to protect Luke from being rackec when he's at the bottom of the ruck? Only time will tell.
As a big fan of Luke (both as a player and as a person), i think Luke should focus on his Rugby with the Stormers and forget about all this controversy....lets leave all the talking to the field, and lets see who will have the last laugh!
With his immediate withdrawal from the Bok end of year tour, questions are still being asked to know if this could be the end of not only his short TEST carrier, but also the end of RUGBY for him.
Back at WP, Rassie has long been a fan of Duanne Vermeulen and he has put down a R1 million on his tag. This is one of the no8s that have had a fine season, unlucky to have missed the EOYT. More so, there's also the OBSESSION about the much-loved and highly-rated WP prodigy, NIC Koster, who recently has been included in Jake White's Babarians squad to play Australia. With this in mind, considering that Watson had a fairly quiet season, coupled with the media controversy clouding him, one may be at will to assume that the chances of Luke donning the no8 jersey alongside the "Dutchmen" Schalla in the Stormers loose-trio are very SLIM.
However, this could be a premature judgement though since Luke is a very important figure in the Stormers' set up and still has a lot to offer. So will Rassie, "the Dutchmen" fall victim to media and political debate and decide to limit Luke's role in the Stormer's set up? Will Schalla "the Dutchmen" want to protect Luke from being rackec when he's at the bottom of the ruck? Only time will tell.
As a big fan of Luke (both as a player and as a person), i think Luke should focus on his Rugby with the Stormers and forget about all this controversy....lets leave all the talking to the field, and lets see who will have the last laugh!
The People have spoken.....
According to a poll that was held on this Rugga-bloggaz' forum, the following results shows us the final results of the nomination.
SA Rugby Player of the Year : Jean De Villiers
S14 Player of the Year : Ryan Kankowski
Currie Cup Player of the Year : Jean Deysel
Vodacom Cup Player of the Year: Ashely Johnson (F no8...now Griffons no8)
Most Promising Player: Burton Francis
Most Improved Springbok Player: BEast Mutawarira
SA U20 Player of the Year : Robert Ebersohn
Try of the Year : Ricky's (vs All blacks in Dunedin)
The Moemish of the Season : Zane Kirshner's Spear tackles
SA Referee of the Year : Jonathan Kaplan
Best TV Rugby Analyst : Bob Skinstad
Thank you to all the guys that took part...............Happy EOYT
SA Rugby Player of the Year : Jean De Villiers
S14 Player of the Year : Ryan Kankowski
Currie Cup Player of the Year : Jean Deysel
Vodacom Cup Player of the Year: Ashely Johnson (F no8...now Griffons no8)
Most Promising Player: Burton Francis
Most Improved Springbok Player: BEast Mutawarira
SA U20 Player of the Year : Robert Ebersohn
Try of the Year : Ricky's (vs All blacks in Dunedin)
The Moemish of the Season : Zane Kirshner's Spear tackles
SA Referee of the Year : Jonathan Kaplan
Best TV Rugby Analyst : Bob Skinstad
Thank you to all the guys that took part...............Happy EOYT
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Who is your SA Rugby Player of the Year?
Choose umayi-khethela!
Now that the CC season is almost over (with the final on the 11th of October), it is time that we give honours to the guys that excelled in rugby throughout the whole year. I have a couple of categories that i would like you guys to nominate and therefore please feel free to be biased. You are only allowed to nominate two players per category.
SA Rugby Player of the Year :
S14 Player of the Year :
Currie Cup Player of the Year :
Vodacom Cup Player of the Year:
Most Improved Springbok Player:
SA U21 Player of the Year :
SA U19 Player of the Year :
Try of the Year :
The Moemish of the Season :
SA Referee of the Year :
Best TV Rugby Analyst :
Please provide your nominations ASAP so that we can vote and post the final result on the blog. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Now that the CC season is almost over (with the final on the 11th of October), it is time that we give honours to the guys that excelled in rugby throughout the whole year. I have a couple of categories that i would like you guys to nominate and therefore please feel free to be biased. You are only allowed to nominate two players per category.
SA Rugby Player of the Year :
S14 Player of the Year :
Currie Cup Player of the Year :
Vodacom Cup Player of the Year:
Most Improved Springbok Player:
SA U21 Player of the Year :
SA U19 Player of the Year :
Try of the Year :
The Moemish of the Season :
SA Referee of the Year :
Best TV Rugby Analyst :
Please provide your nominations ASAP so that we can vote and post the final result on the blog. Your contribution is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
There’s a good in every bad
Peter De Villiers only managed to win two games out of a possible six during this year’s Tri-nations. A bad feat considering that we are the current World Champions. His starting record does not look very alluring especially if you consider that his predecessor has an incredible record start when he took over the Springboks in 2004.
However, there are some positives that have come out during his mixed tenure as Bok coach. First of all he has been able to foresee talent that was overlooked by other previous coaches and he has also unearthed some incredible ammunition. The first name that quickly erupts from my lips is the BEAST. This young man has been the greatest revelation for the Boks in the just ended international season. Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira has had an implausible 2008 season. He has grown immensely in just over a year to become one of the greatest loose-head props in world rugby, having effortlessly out-scrummed some of the biggest tighties in world rugby circles (Sommerville and Mat Dunning). Mobility and loose play has always been his strength, but he was often criticised for his scrimmaging last year. He has worked on his conditioning and scrum techniques under the guidance of John Plumtree at the Sharks and this year he came back with a BANG. Big up to the BEAST and he surely looks set to fill up Os’s BIG boots.
Another eye-opener comes in the wake of Adi Jacobs, a player that has been overlooked for the past 6 years ever since his Bok debut in 2002. He has managed to silence his critics (including myself) about his worthiness for the Bok no13 jersey. With his diminutive size (as compared to Steyn), I openly doubted his defensive abilities in the 12/13 channel but have since been proved wrong. This guy is a marvel to watch on attack and has broken lots of opposition defensive channels many a times. His try scoring rate is probably the highest at the moment for the springboks. Hats off to DiV for having faith in the player that he had once coached at junior level.
Other revelations of the current international season include Conrad Janjies who gone to stake his claim on the no15 jersey (away from the legendary Percival). Great under the high ball and consistent attacking capabilities, Conrad has grown to be confident and composed at the back. Andries Bekker has also been one of the findings of the season. Superb on the line-outs (dah…..he’s 2.08m tall) and equipped with great hands and ball skills, this consistent grafter has given us a raison d'être to stop licking Matfield’s feet (he can very much contest the “Moemish of the season” award alone). Sorry Big Vic, you’re no more the National Treasure, gone are those days, you better go back to Saint-Denis and look for that “Mighty-King-Matfield-Status” tiara as well as that work-rate that you dropped after the world cup final against England.
Besides these revelations, other players have also been exposed (Frans, Butch, Percy, Matfield, Schalla, Juan just to mention a few)......Not for good reasons, but on the SHOCKING part. Nonetheless, I believe the POSITIVES out-weigh the negatives overall. So at least there’s some light at the end of the tunnel.
However, there are some positives that have come out during his mixed tenure as Bok coach. First of all he has been able to foresee talent that was overlooked by other previous coaches and he has also unearthed some incredible ammunition. The first name that quickly erupts from my lips is the BEAST. This young man has been the greatest revelation for the Boks in the just ended international season. Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira has had an implausible 2008 season. He has grown immensely in just over a year to become one of the greatest loose-head props in world rugby, having effortlessly out-scrummed some of the biggest tighties in world rugby circles (Sommerville and Mat Dunning). Mobility and loose play has always been his strength, but he was often criticised for his scrimmaging last year. He has worked on his conditioning and scrum techniques under the guidance of John Plumtree at the Sharks and this year he came back with a BANG. Big up to the BEAST and he surely looks set to fill up Os’s BIG boots.
Another eye-opener comes in the wake of Adi Jacobs, a player that has been overlooked for the past 6 years ever since his Bok debut in 2002. He has managed to silence his critics (including myself) about his worthiness for the Bok no13 jersey. With his diminutive size (as compared to Steyn), I openly doubted his defensive abilities in the 12/13 channel but have since been proved wrong. This guy is a marvel to watch on attack and has broken lots of opposition defensive channels many a times. His try scoring rate is probably the highest at the moment for the springboks. Hats off to DiV for having faith in the player that he had once coached at junior level.
Other revelations of the current international season include Conrad Janjies who gone to stake his claim on the no15 jersey (away from the legendary Percival). Great under the high ball and consistent attacking capabilities, Conrad has grown to be confident and composed at the back. Andries Bekker has also been one of the findings of the season. Superb on the line-outs (dah…..he’s 2.08m tall) and equipped with great hands and ball skills, this consistent grafter has given us a raison d'être to stop licking Matfield’s feet (he can very much contest the “Moemish of the season” award alone). Sorry Big Vic, you’re no more the National Treasure, gone are those days, you better go back to Saint-Denis and look for that “Mighty-King-Matfield-Status” tiara as well as that work-rate that you dropped after the world cup final against England.
Besides these revelations, other players have also been exposed (Frans, Butch, Percy, Matfield, Schalla, Juan just to mention a few)......Not for good reasons, but on the SHOCKING part. Nonetheless, I believe the POSITIVES out-weigh the negatives overall. So at least there’s some light at the end of the tunnel.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Breaking the Silence.......
A very good morning to you all ladies and gentleman. It's been quite sometime since the Coach posted an article on this much preferred blog and i must say the past few weeks have been rather abysmal to some extent, with all sorts of untimely events proceeding. Nonetheless, I would like to send a deferred "SHOUT OUT" to the Boks for plummeting the Wallabies pretentious ship at the Coca Cola stadium last weekend. I must say the 'Wobbles' were beginning to grow big-heads after overwhelming the Boks at the Shark tank in their previous fixture, only to be brought down to earth by the Nokwelishas stirred 'Bhoko-bhoko'.
Amazingly enough, the Bok mentor is still being taunted and ridiculled by the the so called 'ragga-bloggers' after that emphatic victory. I wont dwell much on this issue. If we truelly are proudly Bok followers, the least we can do is to congradulate DiV and his side for a job well done. Let the 'anti' and 'pro' DiV factions settle this on their own. The tri- nations is gone.
Nevertheless, one appealing MANIA that was brought t0 light by the recently ended tri-nations was the DOMINANCY and SUPREMACY of Cape rugby. The Bok team had on average at least 5 players on the run-on XV (Conrad, Jean, Ricky, Schalla, Luke, Mujati, ) on most times. To quote one of the WP's die-hard followers and 'rugby GURU's statement, " At least two sets of qualifiers for the Boks in the Currie Cup.....(Percy and Monty, Ricky and Bolla, Schalla and Luke) alongside other familiar bok faces in Andries, Mujati, Grant, Tondie and Brits......SIYASHISA Madala"
On paper, I believe we have the best BEST SIDE in the world... the only side or team that i see maybe trying give us a tussle or good run for our money is perhaps the JAMAICAN 4X100m relay team that broke the olympic world record (BOLT, ASAFA, Frater,Carter). Otherwise no other rugby side would look this good on paper. Well, all we need to do is to translate this on the field, like we did in the Super14, and we'll be completely untouchable.
We also are privileged to have the GOLDEN-BOY of South African Rugby in NIC KOSTER. For him to be in the match squad despite a number of Springboks coming down is surely an indication that the technical team has got MAMMOTH plans for him in next years Super 14. The Cheetahs must look forward to some serious battering this weekend.
Go WP..........jou lekker ding!!!!!!
This article was inspired by the "rugby GURU", CoachTJ.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Haunted by jersey no10...
I am a bit concerned about a succession plan at the flyhalf position. To add more worry to that, it does not look as if PDV is really worried about that.
If i look at the three flyhalves that are playing in the Tri Nations, it really worries me to realise that we do not compete with the Oz or All Blacks. None of our flyhalves can match the brialliance of either Dan Carter or Giteau. Butch seems to have lost that touch and it will take a while to gain his confidence back. Actually there's no time to allow him to gain it. Meaning we need a solution immediately, coz i do not see Butch playing after the British Lions tour in 2009 (or maybe i'm pushing too further).I do not think Frans Steyn is the answer. He has been tried and tested many atimes and to me i dont see him as a flyhalf. Ruan Pienaar seems not to be KEEN to play there and he has insisted on rather being 4th on the Scrum-hlaf packing order. BEside, he hasnt excelled in that position.
Peter Grant could have been the obvious solution but then he's injured. More so he hasnt justified himself enough to claim that position. As much as he is an excellent footballer, to me he is suited to the midfield than at flyhalf.He doesnt have a kicking game and he battles on defense. Whoelse...lets see...maybe Morne Steyn....But we dont wanna watch boring Dutchmen rugby. He's a typical Houggard, and there's no flair at all. I think our only hope will have to lay on the hands of our youngsters, players like Burton Francis and Francois Brummer. These youngsters have been a marvel to watch at junior level and they have done well at Currie Cup level. We should start introducing slowly into the test arena.
This past weekend i watched Bishops play Rondebosch. There's this centre/flyhalf (Nico Loezedels) from Bishops who reminds me of Steve Larkham. He scored 4 brilliant individual tries and made assists in pther tries scored that morning in the 49-15 drubbing of Rondebsch. This is the third time i've watched he and he has been exceptional. These are players that we need to watch closely so that they are not lost to other nations (like Barrit).
DiV needs to start worrying about a succession plan at flyhalf becase it looks really bleak. Not that other positions are sorted already, but i think the flyhalf one is critical. DiV said he wants to make sure that there's at least 5 good players in every position but i dont think this is so at the PIVOT. Other positions look fine but............we are haunted by the GHOSTS at Flyhalf
1 Butch
2. dont know (maybe Frans)
3 dont know(Percy)
4 dont know (maybe Peter Grant)
5 dont know (maybe Ruan0
THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE and DiV must START acting now!!!!!!!!!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Newlands: Our house of hope
Disappointing perfomance no question. The problem is not only consistency but discipline. At the breakdown instead of being all over that ball we tackle and then bloody 'roll away' (much like an obliging wife)- rules yes! But did you see how aggressive the AB were when the ball was on the ground. We were too worried about Matt Goddard. FdP, instead of picking up the ball wanted to put on Matt's kit.
I do not like Francois Steyn-singizwile about how levels of maturity,hee hee dropkicks....kwasha kwa cima.He sucks - DECISION MAKING. The last try shouldn't have been. How do you throw in the ball like that when the men are already on site and if you are throwing it in as F.Steyn who do you expect is on the inside to kick it.
The AB didn't necessarily play a superb game of rugby but they crushed us. No two halves are ever the same. They came back in the second half and had more steam than we did. Tit for tat. We humiliated them at Dunedin and in turn we got immensely embarassed at Newlands. I am dusting myself and moving on. Mara bo Percy bona should call it a day. No magic for his 100th cap instead he was not going to be outshined by Dan Carter's misses. Pathetic!
Written by Lady Bladen
I do not like Francois Steyn-singizwile about how levels of maturity,hee hee dropkicks....kwasha kwa cima.He sucks - DECISION MAKING. The last try shouldn't have been. How do you throw in the ball like that when the men are already on site and if you are throwing it in as F.Steyn who do you expect is on the inside to kick it.
The AB didn't necessarily play a superb game of rugby but they crushed us. No two halves are ever the same. They came back in the second half and had more steam than we did. Tit for tat. We humiliated them at Dunedin and in turn we got immensely embarassed at Newlands. I am dusting myself and moving on. Mara bo Percy bona should call it a day. No magic for his 100th cap instead he was not going to be outshined by Dan Carter's misses. Pathetic!
Written by Lady Bladen
Moment of truth.......Reflections
Are we really the World Champions? Do we deserve to be the no1 team in the world, if a team like the All blacks can manage to humiliate us like that at the home of rugby. That was just disrespect to the William Webb Ellis trophy that is sitting at the exclusive cabinet next to the presidential suite at Newland stadium.
Consistency has always been our prime downfall and we have always struggled to put-down the foot and let the world know that we are the no1 team in the world. Roger Federer has been no1 tennis player in the world till this morning, and as much as he may have taken a huge slump, this man actualy showed what consistancy was about as he took the n01 spot for four and a half years, playing superb and dominating tennis.Micheal Phelps is clearly a world champion and he showed that steadiness as he swam through eight gold medals in Beijing. Consistency is the primary character that any sporting individual team should be able to demonstrate. Even the Auto& General Lions have been consistent in being the the whipping boys of Super 14 Rugby for the last couple of years.
The Springboks played 'shite' against the AB on saturday. All the seniors played kak, Matfiled, Juan, Schalla, FdP, Percy, Habana and Butch all included. To me the only standout players in the Boks were BEAST and Andries. This is a game that the Boks should quickly forget about and it should bring DiV back to the drawing board. We have been patient with Butch and i think its high time we need to urgently find a new flyhalf. He has done nothing this season. Same thing with, Percy, thank you for being a loyal and brilliant player of the Boks, but i think his time is up. Jantjes - brilliant, if he doesn’t start on Saturday then I don’t know. But probably he’s going to have to play wing if Habs is injured. Where was our super lock, Matfield? Nowhere, did nothing, tried to play wing. He has failed to be John Smit's deputy. He cant bring the Boks together when the chips are down. I say he be dropped when Bakkies comes back. Jean for Captain
Consistency has always been our prime downfall and we have always struggled to put-down the foot and let the world know that we are the no1 team in the world. Roger Federer has been no1 tennis player in the world till this morning, and as much as he may have taken a huge slump, this man actualy showed what consistancy was about as he took the n01 spot for four and a half years, playing superb and dominating tennis.Micheal Phelps is clearly a world champion and he showed that steadiness as he swam through eight gold medals in Beijing. Consistency is the primary character that any sporting individual team should be able to demonstrate. Even the Auto& General Lions have been consistent in being the the whipping boys of Super 14 Rugby for the last couple of years.
The Springboks played 'shite' against the AB on saturday. All the seniors played kak, Matfiled, Juan, Schalla, FdP, Percy, Habana and Butch all included. To me the only standout players in the Boks were BEAST and Andries. This is a game that the Boks should quickly forget about and it should bring DiV back to the drawing board. We have been patient with Butch and i think its high time we need to urgently find a new flyhalf. He has done nothing this season. Same thing with, Percy, thank you for being a loyal and brilliant player of the Boks, but i think his time is up. Jantjes - brilliant, if he doesn’t start on Saturday then I don’t know. But probably he’s going to have to play wing if Habs is injured. Where was our super lock, Matfield? Nowhere, did nothing, tried to play wing. He has failed to be John Smit's deputy. He cant bring the Boks together when the chips are down. I say he be dropped when Bakkies comes back. Jean for Captain
But the biggest disappointment was our much vaunted back row, who, when it counted, were invisible. Schalk tackled like a demon, but we were pathetic at the breakdown. Schalla is not as effective at breakdown in these new ELVs (totally outshined by Mccaw). He's a got defender and tackler, but i think we need a specialist fetcher in the mould of Baywatch or Brussouw. Watch Ritchie McCaw play. He is a master-class in fetching. He doesnt contest unless he's sure that the ball is winnable. Otherwise he backs off and focuses on the next engagement or tackle. His bridging techniques is impeccable. Too may loosies attempt to win the ball and lose their footing but still continue to contest. McCaw is very smart in this area.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
All hail the persistant King Percival
When Percy Montgomery becomes the first Springbok to reach a century of caps when he runs out against the All Blacks at Newlands on Saturday it will be the culmination of a remarkable career of highs and lows.There was a time in his career that he was ridiculed; he had to leave for Newport in Wales to keep going a calling that seemed to have stalled but, at the behest of Jake White, he returned to set one record after another and become a key figure in South Africa’s victory in the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France and one of the greatest Boks of all time.
Here are some key points from the life and times of South African rugby’s first Springbok centurion.
• Montgomery made his debut, playing at outside centre, in the second test against the British & Irish Lions at King’s Park in Durban on June 28, 1997 and scored a try.
• He played his first six tests in the No13 Springbok jersey and holds the unique record of also being selected to start in the No15 and No10 jerseys and also wearing the No16, No19, No20, No21 & No22 jerseys when coming on as a substitute.
• Across the entire spectrum of career records (caps, points, season, individual nations etc) he holds more than a 100 Springbok marks.
• He is the only current Springbok who can boast two victories over the All Blacks in New Zealand -- having played in the 13-3 victory in Wellington in 1998 and in the 30-28 win in Dunedin in 2008.
• Montgomery's fantastic performances in the 2007 Rugby World Cup rocketed him up the world scorers’ list to give him a total of 887 points after 99 tests (from 25 tries, 150 conversions, 148 penalties and six dropped goals) - well beyond the 312 points Naas Botha scored in 28 tests between 1980 and 1992. Joel Stransky is third on the list with 240 points.
• The first points ever credited to what was to become one of the most accurate kicking boots in the game, his left, were the two he got for a conversion against England at Twickenham in November 1997; in his ninth international. Later in his career he also went through a spell of 11 successive tests with no points from the boot -- apart from a pair of drop-goals in the third place play-off against the All Blacks at the Millennium Stadium in 1999 -- as Jannie de Beer, Henry Honiball and Braam van Straaten took over the kicking duties.
• In his 99 tests he has a 66.67% win ratio. In the Jake White years, from June 2004 to October 2007, he scored 612 points in 43 tests (Average of 14.2 per game).
• During the 2007 Rugby World Cup he attempted 44 place-kicks and goaled 39 of them. At the Stade de France, in the the pool game against England, the semifinal against Argentina, and the Final against England he aimed 18 kicks at the posts and goaled them all.
• One of his greatest pieces of control was in the Final when he was sent slamming headlong into a television camera behind the Springbok deadline by a shove in the back but he did not react, coming straight back onto the field to catch a difficult up-and-under and signaling to his teammates to keep their focus. The player who committed the foul, Toby Flood, was not carded.
• After the Final it emerged that he had played out the match, including kicking a crucial penalty, with seriously damaged knee ligaments.
[Supersport]
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Transformation: The game of NUMBERS......
Eish, it seems it never rains, but pours for Little Napoleon, lil'DiV. I'm sure most of you have heard about how he's come under fire from the Government with regards to the Springbok composition.
To get to the bottom of the matter, DiV is being labelled a RACIST...........Reason being he dropped coloured (Ok.......maybe black) players (Ricky and Conrad) for the supreme white okes (Percy and FdP). The government, according to the furious statements by Cedrick Frolick, vice-chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee for sport is NOT impressed by DiV, the team selected to play the AB at Newlands does not show proper representation of the race groups in South Africa.
To a certain extent, i agree with cedRICK froLICK. Having gone back to my drawing board to find out the accuracy of the statement, i came up with some interesting STATS to formulate COACH'S THEOREM. According to statistics the population of South Africa consists of 76.6% Africans, 9.1% Whites, 8.9% Coloureds and 2.5% Indians. So with a starting line-up that is representative of the country’s population the team should more or less consist of 11.49 Africans, 1.36 Whites, 1.33 Coloureds and 0.37 Indians. Presently there's 1 African (Beast - i wonder if he is black enough), 3 Coloureds (Habana, JP and Adi), 11 Whites (All Afrikaaners i think except for Butch) and no Indians........Sorry i forgot to include the Chinese in my stats,...my bad.
The imbalance seems to be existing according to Coach's THEOREM, there are more white and coloureds than the balance ratios, and extremely few African players, zero Indians. So YES, DiV is very RACIST. As much as he has dropped Ricky and Conrad, there's still too many coloureds playing than the ratios should show (1.33). So at least one more coloured player needs to be dropped. As for the white players, 10 pf them need to be dropped....there is no transformation in this SpringBok team and he needs to be fired. And yes,Mr Frolick please select this team. You know exactly what you are talking about.
On a more serious note, i feel that sometimes people like FroLICK are just there to spoil South African sport. And we wonder why players like Kevin Pietersen, Clyde Rathbone and Bradley Barrit decided to leave SA. Okes like this make the decision to leave somewhat easier. Cedrik FroLICK VICE chairperson, is entitled to his opinions but quite franKLY they SUCK. He should just stick with politics. We are playing winning rugby with winning players - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Let the public decide. This is a great team that PdV has picked for the and I wish him all the best over the next four years. Monty should be praised for everything he has achieved - he did it the hard way and deserves everyone’s respect, like him or not. Boks forever!!!
Transformation should not ONLY be a numbers gane, but making sure we build the proper structures at the bottom to make sure everyone gets that opportunity to compete. It’s just like in the US where the minority population (people of colour) has a majority of the playing population in the NBA, we don’t hear them bleating about not enough players of non colour being played…. NOOOOO they are happy that their teams are winning with the best players being picked regardless of their colour.
Finally, lets not get carried away but my sentiments i've shared. Dont get me wrong, I SUPPORT TRANSFORMATION and it would be good to see 15 EXCELLENT players of colour WINNING us MATCHES. And as much as we want balance, to some of us the PRIORITY is to WIN FIRST. I have always been a Ricky fan and i love his style of play more that FdP, ever since. But then again with the kicking game plan set to be deployed by DiV at Newland which suits FdP better, we should send "HORSES FOR COURSES". I see nothing wrong with the FEROCIOUS Ricky coming off the bench to terrorise and finish off the game for US. Go Ricky, you Beauty! Dont let these statements affect you. The same goes for Conrad.
Go Bokke!!!!!!
To get to the bottom of the matter, DiV is being labelled a RACIST...........Reason being he dropped coloured (Ok.......maybe black) players (Ricky and Conrad) for the supreme white okes (Percy and FdP). The government, according to the furious statements by Cedrick Frolick, vice-chairperson of the parliamentary portfolio committee for sport is NOT impressed by DiV, the team selected to play the AB at Newlands does not show proper representation of the race groups in South Africa.
To a certain extent, i agree with cedRICK froLICK. Having gone back to my drawing board to find out the accuracy of the statement, i came up with some interesting STATS to formulate COACH'S THEOREM. According to statistics the population of South Africa consists of 76.6% Africans, 9.1% Whites, 8.9% Coloureds and 2.5% Indians. So with a starting line-up that is representative of the country’s population the team should more or less consist of 11.49 Africans, 1.36 Whites, 1.33 Coloureds and 0.37 Indians. Presently there's 1 African (Beast - i wonder if he is black enough), 3 Coloureds (Habana, JP and Adi), 11 Whites (All Afrikaaners i think except for Butch) and no Indians........Sorry i forgot to include the Chinese in my stats,...my bad.
The imbalance seems to be existing according to Coach's THEOREM, there are more white and coloureds than the balance ratios, and extremely few African players, zero Indians. So YES, DiV is very RACIST. As much as he has dropped Ricky and Conrad, there's still too many coloureds playing than the ratios should show (1.33). So at least one more coloured player needs to be dropped. As for the white players, 10 pf them need to be dropped....there is no transformation in this SpringBok team and he needs to be fired. And yes,Mr Frolick please select this team. You know exactly what you are talking about.
On a more serious note, i feel that sometimes people like FroLICK are just there to spoil South African sport. And we wonder why players like Kevin Pietersen, Clyde Rathbone and Bradley Barrit decided to leave SA. Okes like this make the decision to leave somewhat easier. Cedrik FroLICK VICE chairperson, is entitled to his opinions but quite franKLY they SUCK. He should just stick with politics. We are playing winning rugby with winning players - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Let the public decide. This is a great team that PdV has picked for the and I wish him all the best over the next four years. Monty should be praised for everything he has achieved - he did it the hard way and deserves everyone’s respect, like him or not. Boks forever!!!
Transformation should not ONLY be a numbers gane, but making sure we build the proper structures at the bottom to make sure everyone gets that opportunity to compete. It’s just like in the US where the minority population (people of colour) has a majority of the playing population in the NBA, we don’t hear them bleating about not enough players of non colour being played…. NOOOOO they are happy that their teams are winning with the best players being picked regardless of their colour.
Finally, lets not get carried away but my sentiments i've shared. Dont get me wrong, I SUPPORT TRANSFORMATION and it would be good to see 15 EXCELLENT players of colour WINNING us MATCHES. And as much as we want balance, to some of us the PRIORITY is to WIN FIRST. I have always been a Ricky fan and i love his style of play more that FdP, ever since. But then again with the kicking game plan set to be deployed by DiV at Newland which suits FdP better, we should send "HORSES FOR COURSES". I see nothing wrong with the FEROCIOUS Ricky coming off the bench to terrorise and finish off the game for US. Go Ricky, you Beauty! Dont let these statements affect you. The same goes for Conrad.
Go Bokke!!!!!!
Friday, August 8, 2008
The Year of Nick Koster........
At last........Nick koster gets his first Currie Cup start at his favoured position, no8.
1999-2000, That position belonged to one of the most stylish and skillful rugby players to ever grace the Cape Rugby, Bob Skinstad. Fast track that, 2003, Schalk Burger made his debut for WP as a no8....and the rest is history...he went on to win the IRB World Player of the year in the following year. Big Joe also played brilliantly in that same position for the Stormer before injuries and the Cape hot chick distracted him. Double fast forward that , and now its the year of none other that Nick Koster......All these players have a similar charactersitic.....QUALITY.
Today, as i predicted last weekend, he gets his first start for WP against the Sharks....who knows, he could be the next 2009 IRB World Player of the Year......i put my money on that one.
2008.....the year of Nick Koster
1999-2000, That position belonged to one of the most stylish and skillful rugby players to ever grace the Cape Rugby, Bob Skinstad. Fast track that, 2003, Schalk Burger made his debut for WP as a no8....and the rest is history...he went on to win the IRB World Player of the year in the following year. Big Joe also played brilliantly in that same position for the Stormer before injuries and the Cape hot chick distracted him. Double fast forward that , and now its the year of none other that Nick Koster......All these players have a similar charactersitic.....QUALITY.
Today, as i predicted last weekend, he gets his first start for WP against the Sharks....who knows, he could be the next 2009 IRB World Player of the Year......i put my money on that one.
2008.....the year of Nick Koster
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Is it time to fire the coach?
Yet another sad outing by the Spanners Rugby Club as they went down 12-0 to the Internal league perenial giants, Ubumbo FC. This was the first game of the second-leg season in the Group A fixtures. The Spanners were a pale shadow of the resurgent Spanners team of the first half of the season as they struggled to show their flair and character that made them one of the best rugby playing side of the first round of the group stages.
Having won 3 of their 4 games in the first round group stages, Spanners topped the log and were dran in the Cup competition group of death with the Tornadoes, Cobras and Ubumbo, the top three side of the competition. As much as the Spanners were underdogs, they still produced sterlingperformances against these side and went down fighting. But last nite's game against Ubumbo was very dissappointing. Disappointing in the fact that the Spanners failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage, having dominated Ubumbo for much of the time. They also conceded two stupid tries due to poor defensive errors by the disappointing backline ( it may made me think of calling young and hard tackling Tchedu to the Spanners side). This was a combination of poor handling errors, missed tackles and lack of communication. Credit however must go to the forwards for their outstanding play, as they crushed their oppositon in the scrums and in the rucks.
After the loss, Coach Taru had mixed emotions. If ever anyone would come to ask for his head, then at least it has to be aftyer hearing his defense. As coach, i have a number of reason why i think we didnt win that game. Firslty i was missing about six regular starting players on the day, due to injuries and other varsity commitments, so the team didnt jel well together. Secondly, the season break seems to have affected the player's fitness as they struggled in the second half. I had a limited bench due to player unavailability. Finally, I think that the game plan i had in mind did not work as i expected bad weather on the night, so my players where not able to execute to the present conditions.I take the blame for that as i had misread the weather conditions.
One question needs be asked though? Should the board and management FIRE the coach? I say, no...please give me time to sort out my team's fitness and commitments. If i can select the best team i want from the whole pool of players i have available, then you can judge me from the results. A full stregth Spanners side can outmuscle any team in the UCT Internal League.
Having won 3 of their 4 games in the first round group stages, Spanners topped the log and were dran in the Cup competition group of death with the Tornadoes, Cobras and Ubumbo, the top three side of the competition. As much as the Spanners were underdogs, they still produced sterlingperformances against these side and went down fighting. But last nite's game against Ubumbo was very dissappointing. Disappointing in the fact that the Spanners failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage, having dominated Ubumbo for much of the time. They also conceded two stupid tries due to poor defensive errors by the disappointing backline ( it may made me think of calling young and hard tackling Tchedu to the Spanners side). This was a combination of poor handling errors, missed tackles and lack of communication. Credit however must go to the forwards for their outstanding play, as they crushed their oppositon in the scrums and in the rucks.
After the loss, Coach Taru had mixed emotions. If ever anyone would come to ask for his head, then at least it has to be aftyer hearing his defense. As coach, i have a number of reason why i think we didnt win that game. Firslty i was missing about six regular starting players on the day, due to injuries and other varsity commitments, so the team didnt jel well together. Secondly, the season break seems to have affected the player's fitness as they struggled in the second half. I had a limited bench due to player unavailability. Finally, I think that the game plan i had in mind did not work as i expected bad weather on the night, so my players where not able to execute to the present conditions.I take the blame for that as i had misread the weather conditions.
One question needs be asked though? Should the board and management FIRE the coach? I say, no...please give me time to sort out my team's fitness and commitments. If i can select the best team i want from the whole pool of players i have available, then you can judge me from the results. A full stregth Spanners side can outmuscle any team in the UCT Internal League.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The rise of a future star
Do these names ring a bell in your ears, Ralph Nicolas Koster? Or maybe when i say, Nick Koster, then maybe you might have a rough idea on who i"m talking about. The ex Bishops headboy and No8 who made SA schools in 2006 and 2007, the first ever Bishops boy to make it since the days on Herchelle Gibbs in 2004. At 110kg, this fellow runs 100m in 10.8seconds and was the fastest in this event in 2007 in the whole province. This young bloke was the top try scorer in the province, with over 38 tries in the 2007 SA school's season.
What a great turnaround. Last year, this fellow played for Bishops against Paarl Boys in a curtain raiser match for WP vs Bulls at Newlands. Fast forward that, and six months later, he actually made his provincial debut for WP against Boland last weekend, in match that Bishops and Paarl were curtain raising. This time he was watching that game closely sitting next to AJ and Bobo on the WP players suite. What a fairy tale, especially if u consider that he"s just turned 19 and already he"s being earmaked as the next big thing in the region after Schalk Burger, but with more flair and pace. Nick Mallet and Jake White have pinpointed him as the next big thing in South African rugby, having signed a provincial contract at a tender age of 16.
What a great turnaround. Last year, this fellow played for Bishops against Paarl Boys in a curtain raiser match for WP vs Bulls at Newlands. Fast forward that, and six months later, he actually made his provincial debut for WP against Boland last weekend, in match that Bishops and Paarl were curtain raising. This time he was watching that game closely sitting next to AJ and Bobo on the WP players suite. What a fairy tale, especially if u consider that he"s just turned 19 and already he"s being earmaked as the next big thing in the region after Schalk Burger, but with more flair and pace. Nick Mallet and Jake White have pinpointed him as the next big thing in South African rugby, having signed a provincial contract at a tender age of 16.
I first heard about this youngster in 2006 when he made the SA schools side but only got to watch him last year at the craven week in Stellies. All i could see was this bulky no8 running a 60m dash from his 22, bulldozing through the Border defence to score a magnificant try. Thats when i began to watch him closely.
A good friend of mine, and renowned rugby analyst and talent scout, NK indicated last week after the WP vs Boland game that Nick Koster would be playing Super rugby next year for the Stormers. Rassie seems to have already worked out where this youngster will feature in his plans. With Ross Skeate leaving for France and Francois Van Der Merwe having left already, the Stormers will lack depth in the no5 position and therefore with the new ELVs in place, the 1.98m stalwart maye used in that position at some stages in the game at that position, even though his prefer position is on the loose trio. This already closes the door for the vastly talented and hardworking UCT lock, Rito Hlungwani who has been battling to command game time in this year's Currie Cup campaign. Too bad coz WP will soon lose him to other franchises in the country.
Nick Koster came on the bench in the WP defeat to the Lions yesterday and scored and brilliant try. The handling was spectacular and the support play was awesome. This was his first try in the Competition and was reminiscent of Schalla 4 years ago when he burst into the scence as a try scoring machine for WP in this same competition. Schalla later on went to win the IRB Player of the Year in 2004. Nick has similar physical presence as Schalla and he's got good breakdown skills, good hands and pace, which makes him more lethal. This youngster is really destined for great things and he's lucky to be under the great guidance of the DJ Rassie. I see him in the Bok team soon, actually he could be in the end of year tour if he plays well in the Currie Cup season.
As much as we have talented no8s in Spies, Kanko, Duanne etc., Nick is a special player with special qualities....this youngster is a real MONSTER.........watch the space.....
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Rugby : The new Religion
As the book of John Sith (2:15) tells us: "....and Webb Ellis picked up the ball and said, 'Let there be Ruggaz boet'......and likewise, there was rugby. And he saw that the game was lekker and so decided to make the sport big."
A friend of mine once said to me,"You know what bugger, Rugby provides that spiritual strength to all those who love it.Most men rate putting in a big hit more joyous thatn the birth of child, whilst other claim to have learnt the meaning of life after having chowed gap and crossed over for a try time". As crazy and immoral as it may sound, some people eat, walk, cry, sit, cough, drink, sleep, or talk rugby everyday of theri friggin lives.
A typical Rugga-mad Fella's weekend is made like this: Friday evening he goes home to watch the Springbok Saga on TV. That should lead him to the Currie Cup game between Cheeters and WP at 7pm. After the game, abo Naas come in as usual with their 2cent comments on the game. Him being a talkative fellow, this may take up another 45min or so till 10.30pm. The fella then decides to take a copy of the Rugby illustrated magazine with him top bed so that it can ease him to sleep. Mind you all his dreaming about is whether the Boks are winning the following day at the House of Pain. He's woken up at 8am by the build up to the All Blacks vs Boks game at 9.30am. After the game, abo Naas come thru again this time with their 3cent post-motem comments on why Frans Steyn kicked the drop goal instead of running the ball down the line.
This analysis should take another hour or so and thus leads us to the Australia vs France game at 12.30pm. Just after the Aussies game, a Currie cup game between the Sharks and Bulls kicks-off at 3pm till 5pm. After the match, the Fella is tired of watching games at home and so decides to take a walk to the Southern Sun Pub in newlands to watch the England vs Scotland game at 1700pm. Meanwhile the Fella is drinking, watching and talking rugby with the Dolsters. This would be a build up to the main game of the evening, France vs Argentina which commenses at 9pm. After the big game at 11pm, the fella and his collegues begin to decimate all the rugby matches and players that have been played that day, over shots of tequilla and more beer.
Mind you during this time, one or two phone calls have been made to his wife and on one occasion the conversation (at 1500pm) went like, "Hey babes, i'm watching rugby with the boys, see you when i'm done"...the girl responds, "so rugby is more important than, me?"....Fella's response, "No babe, just that this weekend has been hectic you know, my team was playing so eish.....but i'll make it up to u next wknd". Really........next weeknd my foot. Its still going to be the same menu.
Sunday morning, he gets up for breakfast with his wife at Mug and Bean and decides to get the Sunday times to check out the rugby update. This will take him till noon before he goes for a rugby training session with his rugby colleagues to try and take out the hang-over...... .hahahahahahahahahaha. When he gets back at 1800pm, he's tired and decides that now its time to go watch a movie with his wife and kids, of which he passes out halfway thru it.........What a shame, the life of a Rugga-Mad-Fella. The weekend is gone and now he has to go and post articles on his blogspot, www.rugga-mad-fella.blogspot.com to unwind the weekend.
This cant be life okes, this really cant be life.......
A friend of mine once said to me,"You know what bugger, Rugby provides that spiritual strength to all those who love it.Most men rate putting in a big hit more joyous thatn the birth of child, whilst other claim to have learnt the meaning of life after having chowed gap and crossed over for a try time". As crazy and immoral as it may sound, some people eat, walk, cry, sit, cough, drink, sleep, or talk rugby everyday of theri friggin lives.
A typical Rugga-mad Fella's weekend is made like this: Friday evening he goes home to watch the Springbok Saga on TV. That should lead him to the Currie Cup game between Cheeters and WP at 7pm. After the game, abo Naas come in as usual with their 2cent comments on the game. Him being a talkative fellow, this may take up another 45min or so till 10.30pm. The fella then decides to take a copy of the Rugby illustrated magazine with him top bed so that it can ease him to sleep. Mind you all his dreaming about is whether the Boks are winning the following day at the House of Pain. He's woken up at 8am by the build up to the All Blacks vs Boks game at 9.30am. After the game, abo Naas come thru again this time with their 3cent post-motem comments on why Frans Steyn kicked the drop goal instead of running the ball down the line.
This analysis should take another hour or so and thus leads us to the Australia vs France game at 12.30pm. Just after the Aussies game, a Currie cup game between the Sharks and Bulls kicks-off at 3pm till 5pm. After the match, the Fella is tired of watching games at home and so decides to take a walk to the Southern Sun Pub in newlands to watch the England vs Scotland game at 1700pm. Meanwhile the Fella is drinking, watching and talking rugby with the Dolsters. This would be a build up to the main game of the evening, France vs Argentina which commenses at 9pm. After the big game at 11pm, the fella and his collegues begin to decimate all the rugby matches and players that have been played that day, over shots of tequilla and more beer.
Mind you during this time, one or two phone calls have been made to his wife and on one occasion the conversation (at 1500pm) went like, "Hey babes, i'm watching rugby with the boys, see you when i'm done"...the girl responds, "so rugby is more important than, me?"....Fella's response, "No babe, just that this weekend has been hectic you know, my team was playing so eish.....but i'll make it up to u next wknd". Really........next weeknd my foot. Its still going to be the same menu.
Sunday morning, he gets up for breakfast with his wife at Mug and Bean and decides to get the Sunday times to check out the rugby update. This will take him till noon before he goes for a rugby training session with his rugby colleagues to try and take out the hang-over...... .hahahahahahahahahaha. When he gets back at 1800pm, he's tired and decides that now its time to go watch a movie with his wife and kids, of which he passes out halfway thru it.........What a shame, the life of a Rugga-Mad-Fella. The weekend is gone and now he has to go and post articles on his blogspot, www.rugga-mad-fella.blogspot.com to unwind the weekend.
This cant be life okes, this really cant be life.......
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
"What if.............?" It doesnt mean anything
It seems this player hating will never cease. I'm sorry guys I have to visit this same subject again, but I’m fed up of okes trying to discredit the Bok's sweetest victory in as many years. I'm not under the influence of any harmful substances (am in the office) but believe me or not, to me that victory was sweeter than winning the World Cup last year. I know most okes are still sour about why Henneke Meyer was not made Bok coach, but it’s late. People have hated DiV since day one; well of course why trust a black man with such a highly fancied “Bok job” .. .. bull@%$#!!! Everyone is just waiting for him to screw up so that they can say, “I told you, ……..”. People have to accept that DiV is the incumbent South African rugby coach…..yes, the first ever to win at Carisbrook in almost a century.
To respond to that that heading, I can also say that if Ricky hadn’t gotten that bounce, then probably he would have made 3 more breaks to score 3 tries. As much as people say it was a ‘lucky’ bounce, I could see Ricky’s hands trying so hard to the point of dislocating his wrist so as to salvage that stray ball. The level of eye contact and hands coordination under such immense pressure (as Mils was running behind him) was brilliant and I don’t think any average player would have recouped the ball. Big up Ricky, you are such a smart and intelligent player. He must do great things with those agile hands and I’m sure the ladies love them. Besides, even if it was luck, in any given situation, luck only befalls those who also work hard and put a bit of effort. Luck alone won’t pass you an exam but if you are intelligent enough to put in some effort, then you’d also be lucky to come up with a question that is familiar and ace it.
To conclude my article, I’d also want to ask a question. “What if Tank hadn’t written that article?”…..maybe I wouldn’t actually posted an article today.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Stop the hating....
Seems a certain bunch of guys have recently completed their PHDs (player haters)after the weekend. Or should i call it the CHD (coach haters). I have since read a couple of articles proclaiming that the Bok victory was by chance and that the statistics show that the ABs were the better team. For instance, the AB dominated possession 58% to 42%, while they spent 66% of the game in South Africa’s territory . So whats? Who cares about the stats to make excuses? I'm sure okes are just out to take a swipe at DiV. Lies, damn lies and f*&* the statistics.
Seems after all that PdV is the Puppet master, not the Puppet that people take him for.After all, he succeeded in getting our scrum going again - in just a week. If the AB scrums were so legitimate the previous week, why did they not walk all over us on Saturday?
According to me, myself and I, Coach-Taru, the most important stats that we should be looking into is the SCOREBOARD.....and it simply reads like this, SA 30-28 NZ. This is going to remain in history for the next millenium years, not the amount of possession that the ABs had in the Bok territory. Winning test matches is about committment, steady nerves and defending. Period! Well done boys.
Who won the quarter final match between the ABs and France at last years World Cup? Damn right it was France. But no one will ask you why the ABs didnt win in that game. No one will care to remember about the so called "forward pas" or the the refs name in 10 years time..... i've actual forgotten him. So at the end of the day, "Look at the damn scoreboard", and your statistics can never let you down.
Seems after all that PdV is the Puppet master, not the Puppet that people take him for.After all, he succeeded in getting our scrum going again - in just a week. If the AB scrums were so legitimate the previous week, why did they not walk all over us on Saturday?
According to me, myself and I, Coach-Taru, the most important stats that we should be looking into is the SCOREBOARD.....and it simply reads like this, SA 30-28 NZ. This is going to remain in history for the next millenium years, not the amount of possession that the ABs had in the Bok territory. Winning test matches is about committment, steady nerves and defending. Period! Well done boys.
Who won the quarter final match between the ABs and France at last years World Cup? Damn right it was France. But no one will ask you why the ABs didnt win in that game. No one will care to remember about the so called "forward pas" or the the refs name in 10 years time..... i've actual forgotten him. So at the end of the day, "Look at the damn scoreboard", and your statistics can never let you down.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The "House of Pleasure"
What a magnificent game! It seems the Pringboks have reclaimed their world no1 spot within a week owing to their dramatic victory over the AB at the now called 'house of pleasure' for the 1st time in almost a century.
Ricky the Hero. He won the game for the Boks following his fantastic solo effort try in what i would label, "The Momento Brillianto" of the game. His allround performance has somehow grown to consolidate his place in the team. Ricky, often criticised by some 'so called rugby intellects' showed why JW stuck with him even during his rough times. One person who is definately not happy about his brilliant performance is Fourie Du Preez, the incumbent Bok no9. He has to work extra hard hard to oust the ex-convict that escaped from Pollsmoor.
A sunday times paper has labelled the victory as a result of Jake White's game plan. Bull*&^%....absolutely bull@#$*. People should just give credit where it due and i think this time DiV got it right. For a coach to turn the team confidence from taking a drubbing in Wellington to a great victory at the so called 'house of pain' deserves a warm round of applause. JW failed in his 4 year helm as Bok coach (six macthes in NZ) but DiV did it his second test there to put his record to 4/5 test wins. The first coach to win at the House of Pain, the first to win in NZ in ten years. If you look closely in the at the records, there aint no reason to fish for records like, "first black coach to win this, or first black coach to win that...". Its all pure and legite records. Big up to DiV.
Now my worrying question is, Who is the 1st Bok Captain to win at the "house of pain"? John Smit is the Bok Captain but he never took part in that match. Matfield was given the reigns but yellow carded in the 71st minute when the Boks were losing 23-28. Then came 'captain my captain', Jean De Villiers to take over and immediately the Boks beat the ABs, with 14 men on the field. Jean deserves credit for calming the guys down and re-assuring them that they can win the game. So is it him or its Matfield? Its a tricky one.
Schalla was phenominal. That bloke plays so well that everyone seems to expect it and nothing seems unusual with his high work ethos. Its only when he plays an average game that they mention him on the papers. Luke Watson also came on in the dying minutes and he sparked the team from the back of the scrum and beautiful off-loads. Knowing him to be a great leader, he definately had a hand in calming the boys down.
Great win and sweet celebrations. Lets focus on Mat Giteau now.........
Cheers
Ricky the Hero. He won the game for the Boks following his fantastic solo effort try in what i would label, "The Momento Brillianto" of the game. His allround performance has somehow grown to consolidate his place in the team. Ricky, often criticised by some 'so called rugby intellects' showed why JW stuck with him even during his rough times. One person who is definately not happy about his brilliant performance is Fourie Du Preez, the incumbent Bok no9. He has to work extra hard hard to oust the ex-convict that escaped from Pollsmoor.
A sunday times paper has labelled the victory as a result of Jake White's game plan. Bull*&^%....absolutely bull@#$*. People should just give credit where it due and i think this time DiV got it right. For a coach to turn the team confidence from taking a drubbing in Wellington to a great victory at the so called 'house of pain' deserves a warm round of applause. JW failed in his 4 year helm as Bok coach (six macthes in NZ) but DiV did it his second test there to put his record to 4/5 test wins. The first coach to win at the House of Pain, the first to win in NZ in ten years. If you look closely in the at the records, there aint no reason to fish for records like, "first black coach to win this, or first black coach to win that...". Its all pure and legite records. Big up to DiV.
Now my worrying question is, Who is the 1st Bok Captain to win at the "house of pain"? John Smit is the Bok Captain but he never took part in that match. Matfield was given the reigns but yellow carded in the 71st minute when the Boks were losing 23-28. Then came 'captain my captain', Jean De Villiers to take over and immediately the Boks beat the ABs, with 14 men on the field. Jean deserves credit for calming the guys down and re-assuring them that they can win the game. So is it him or its Matfield? Its a tricky one.
Schalla was phenominal. That bloke plays so well that everyone seems to expect it and nothing seems unusual with his high work ethos. Its only when he plays an average game that they mention him on the papers. Luke Watson also came on in the dying minutes and he sparked the team from the back of the scrum and beautiful off-loads. Knowing him to be a great leader, he definately had a hand in calming the boys down.
Great win and sweet celebrations. Lets focus on Mat Giteau now.........
Cheers
Friday, July 11, 2008
Bring back the wagon.....
The Boks have struggled to be dominant in the scrums ever since the 20th of October 2007. Yes...exactly, besides it being my lovely girlfriend's birthday, thats the day we won the World Cup.
Our scrums have been suspect, actually terrible and we were out-scrummed by abo Italy and Wales, hectically, hayi kancane. Realistically, against the AB without Carl Heyman and Sommerville, the Boks were expected to walk over the AB front row. But it seems we have gone back to the drawing board. There is clearly no excuse. Everyone is talking about the emission of BJ Botha on tour, but to me thats nonsense and thats not were the issue is. BJ was also outscrummed by Jenkins in the Welsh test, so okes should not get too happy.
With a situation like this, if i were DiV, I'll dial +27 51 000 0000. Yes, you got it right, 051 is a area code for Bloemfontein, he might be lucky to get through coz the network is very bad, especially in the rural and isolated bushes of Verkeerdevlei, a wheat farming region. But who the f@#$ is in Bloemfontein....Yes you got it right again. A 160kg rotand and heavily obese chap who has two World Cup medals in thatched cabinet.
The great Ox should be macked into making another surprise comeback in test rugby. He is very much needed in that Boks engine room. All it takes is to bring him to the Cape and make him run up the mountains for a solid month to shed that 40kg chunk of useless fat....then we're all sorted, hundreds!!
He is "only" 35 years old and still mobile, well at least i hope so. He showed during last year the value of having expereince in the front row and ever since his departure, that gap is being felt.
He has been voted as the greatest losehead prop in the World XV team of the century, along rugby greats like Frik Du Preez, Keith Woods and John Eales. That experience needs to be rubbed off to abo Mujati and the Beast who greatly require it. So yah, lets all unleash the greatest mack daddies of this world to help bring back the scrum doctor to fix our front row niggles.
Ox for President!
Our scrums have been suspect, actually terrible and we were out-scrummed by abo Italy and Wales, hectically, hayi kancane. Realistically, against the AB without Carl Heyman and Sommerville, the Boks were expected to walk over the AB front row. But it seems we have gone back to the drawing board. There is clearly no excuse. Everyone is talking about the emission of BJ Botha on tour, but to me thats nonsense and thats not were the issue is. BJ was also outscrummed by Jenkins in the Welsh test, so okes should not get too happy.
With a situation like this, if i were DiV, I'll dial +27 51 000 0000. Yes, you got it right, 051 is a area code for Bloemfontein, he might be lucky to get through coz the network is very bad, especially in the rural and isolated bushes of Verkeerdevlei, a wheat farming region. But who the f@#$ is in Bloemfontein....Yes you got it right again. A 160kg rotand and heavily obese chap who has two World Cup medals in thatched cabinet.
The great Ox should be macked into making another surprise comeback in test rugby. He is very much needed in that Boks engine room. All it takes is to bring him to the Cape and make him run up the mountains for a solid month to shed that 40kg chunk of useless fat....then we're all sorted, hundreds!!
He is "only" 35 years old and still mobile, well at least i hope so. He showed during last year the value of having expereince in the front row and ever since his departure, that gap is being felt.
He has been voted as the greatest losehead prop in the World XV team of the century, along rugby greats like Frik Du Preez, Keith Woods and John Eales. That experience needs to be rubbed off to abo Mujati and the Beast who greatly require it. So yah, lets all unleash the greatest mack daddies of this world to help bring back the scrum doctor to fix our front row niggles.
Ox for President!
Pride cometh before a fall........
With reference to my previous post, well i must say that i swallow my words and statements that i made....painfully. Usually i dont like admiting that i'm wrong but at least this time i have to be man enough and admit that we were totally outclassed by the ABs. I expected the Boks to win the match hands down due to the stats and facts that were at hand, but i guess they failed to make use of their only chance of winning in New Zealand for the 1st time in 10 years.
The "House of Pain" calleth!!!!! There shall be crying and gnashing of teeth. Not in the last 87 years have the Springboks or any other SA team won in that dungeon of a place. So what can lil' DiV do to change the unchangeable....or maybe the fact that ten Springboks who played in the last ever Test at Carisbrook in 2005 will start on Saturday, compared to four from the All Blacks will make a difference? I wonder.....and i shudder to think of what may happen at the that painful house, there's gon' be so much blood shed.
The team selection has been very suspect, but i dont want to dwell much on that subject as i'll end up losing myself. Lets concentrate with what DiV has dished out for us. I guess any team selection is going to be critised, even the World Cup winning side was critised before they lifted that William Webb Ellis plaque.
The Springboks are likely to improve from last weekend's outing, at least they got a rude awakening....just because you are world champions doesnt necesaarily mean that u'll get away with the tag....ask Federer, he'll tell a novel about it. However, i dont think that we'll pull a win at Carisbrook.......i guess 20 years from now my kids would be saying to their buddies, "We havent won in NZ in the past 30 years", because if ever there was a chance to do that, that was last weekend when the AB looked very vulnerable after a sluggish world cup early exit, as well as playing an experimental side. WE on the other hand had the most potent group of players that won the WC.
My guess is that the AB will win by 6. This time i have reversed my predictions......I guess i'm as loose and pliable as a hlamla......
Good luck to the Bokke again....i still have maximum support for my boys...PEACE!!!
The "House of Pain" calleth!!!!! There shall be crying and gnashing of teeth. Not in the last 87 years have the Springboks or any other SA team won in that dungeon of a place. So what can lil' DiV do to change the unchangeable....or maybe the fact that ten Springboks who played in the last ever Test at Carisbrook in 2005 will start on Saturday, compared to four from the All Blacks will make a difference? I wonder.....and i shudder to think of what may happen at the that painful house, there's gon' be so much blood shed.
The team selection has been very suspect, but i dont want to dwell much on that subject as i'll end up losing myself. Lets concentrate with what DiV has dished out for us. I guess any team selection is going to be critised, even the World Cup winning side was critised before they lifted that William Webb Ellis plaque.
The Springboks are likely to improve from last weekend's outing, at least they got a rude awakening....just because you are world champions doesnt necesaarily mean that u'll get away with the tag....ask Federer, he'll tell a novel about it. However, i dont think that we'll pull a win at Carisbrook.......i guess 20 years from now my kids would be saying to their buddies, "We havent won in NZ in the past 30 years", because if ever there was a chance to do that, that was last weekend when the AB looked very vulnerable after a sluggish world cup early exit, as well as playing an experimental side. WE on the other hand had the most potent group of players that won the WC.
My guess is that the AB will win by 6. This time i have reversed my predictions......I guess i'm as loose and pliable as a hlamla......
Good luck to the Bokke again....i still have maximum support for my boys...PEACE!!!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Boks to win by six points..........
We are the current IRB World Champions...We have not lost in the last 13 games or so...We have not lost a game in 14 months...We have two IRB Player of the year stars in running on team against the AllBlacks on saturday...We have a quality side that bosts itself of over six leaders in the side ( Smit, Matfield, Jean, Juanito, Schalla, Luke, Percy, Butch to name a few)...We are the No1 Team in the world and we want to keep to that spot, and last but not least, the wealthy Richie Mccaw is not playing...so NO-ONE can stop us...Boks to win by six points this weekend.
Jake White never did it in four years. Nick Mallett was the last guy to do it - 10 years ago and now is a chance for lil' DiV to turn the tables and beat the AB in their backyard. Its not going to be easy trust me, especially in their second test at the much feared and frightening "house of pain", in Dunedin the following week. But this our chance as world champions to instil our authority and show them what we are made of. Good luck Bokkke and let hope we thump those Maoris......
Jake White never did it in four years. Nick Mallett was the last guy to do it - 10 years ago and now is a chance for lil' DiV to turn the tables and beat the AB in their backyard. Its not going to be easy trust me, especially in their second test at the much feared and frightening "house of pain", in Dunedin the following week. But this our chance as world champions to instil our authority and show them what we are made of. Good luck Bokkke and let hope we thump those Maoris......
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Springbok XV of all time
The springbok has been the instantly recognisable symbol of South Africa since 1906. If you had to list the greatest Springbok XV of all time, who would it be? Well, its not an easy one considering that you start talking about guys like Paul Roos, the springbok team's first ever ever captain, Danie Craven, Frik Du Preez, Joost, Os all the way to the current crop of players like the Ha-burner, if he does feature at all.
Well i have tried to compile my Bok XV of all time and here it goes,
1. Os Du randt ( 2 World cup medal, legend)
2. James Dalton (bullet)
3. Balie Swart (the scrum doctor)
4. Frik Du Preez (named South Africa's player of the 20th Century)
5. Big Vic (the line out genieous)
6. Andre Venter (the enforcer)
7. Schalk Burger (Animal)
8. Gary Tiechmann (Captain fantastic)
9. Danie Craven (most famous for popularising the dive pass)
10. Naas Botha (just becoz he's Naas)
11. Habana (current IRB player of the year)
12. Japie Mulder (1995 World cup star)
13. Danie Gerber (made the world's team of the century)
14. Carel Du Plessis (dynamite comes in small packages, excellent runner for a 'ngamla')
15. Percy (most capped Bok, most points by a Bok, World cup medal, What more can say)
Post your team of the century and see if we have commom rugby insight.....next week we shall look at the World greatest XV of all time....
Cheers
Well i have tried to compile my Bok XV of all time and here it goes,
1. Os Du randt ( 2 World cup medal, legend)
2. James Dalton (bullet)
3. Balie Swart (the scrum doctor)
4. Frik Du Preez (named South Africa's player of the 20th Century)
5. Big Vic (the line out genieous)
6. Andre Venter (the enforcer)
7. Schalk Burger (Animal)
8. Gary Tiechmann (Captain fantastic)
9. Danie Craven (most famous for popularising the dive pass)
10. Naas Botha (just becoz he's Naas)
11. Habana (current IRB player of the year)
12. Japie Mulder (1995 World cup star)
13. Danie Gerber (made the world's team of the century)
14. Carel Du Plessis (dynamite comes in small packages, excellent runner for a 'ngamla')
15. Percy (most capped Bok, most points by a Bok, World cup medal, What more can say)
Post your team of the century and see if we have commom rugby insight.....next week we shall look at the World greatest XV of all time....
Cheers
Monday, June 23, 2008
Bok Post-mortem....
The Boks completed their three test series with a not so convincing 26-0 victory over a 3rd string Italian side. The match started of with a bang when Frans Steyn scored a telling trying after a brilliant run by the Ha-burner. The match looked promising from the start but slowly faded as we started playing to the Azzurri rhythm. The Boks handling skills were pathetic, no need to blame it on the wet conditions. Our line outs were not so great and the scrummaging was again suspect. Kicking for touch was very bad, an area that will get us punished especially if you are playing against the AB with their brilliant backs that will counter attack us to death.
Other areas of play that i noticed was that with Schalla on in the 2nd half, there was immediate action on the side of the scrum. Not to take anything away from Fluke Watson, sorry, Luke Watson, he's been playing more of an 8th man game, which leaves the breakdowns not so taken care of, an aspect that Schalla is dominant. With the breakdown general, Lt Richard Hugh Mccaw sidelined for the coming 6 weeks, lets hope the Boks would be able to capitalise on that area.
Also Frans Sten is not a no10, at least not as yet. He did better at 15 (especially in wet condtions). I guess he needs to get used to the position, but do we really have the time to allow him to adjust....with the journey down under in 2 weeks time? Our scrum is suspect. We dont have a quality tighthead and CJ is really on the wrong side of the scrum. We also need to work on our handling skills in the wet conditions otherwise we are gonna get punished down under.
However there were some positives in the Newlands game. Our mauling and driving was good, resulting in two tries by the Bismark Du Plessis. Ricky was outstanding at scrum half, especially with his defensive play, although his kicking game found hin wanting at time. We didnt see much of Kanko before he got injured. Big Joe had a fine performance off the bench. Habana is still lethal and Matfield is not only a line out thief, but a hard-working horse on defence. Man mountain Bakkies is still an abrasive and dirty player. Juan Smith has shown to be a classic blind side flank, perhaps the best blind-side flank in the world at the moment. The Beast had a good game, especially on the lose and his scrummaging has vastly improved.
Overall, after 3 test matches, the boks at least have shown what Champions should be evidence for, winning a game even though they played badly. What matters is the back to back victories. We need to start instilling that winning culture. Also one could argue that the match against the Boks were a bit complacent against the Azzuri and hence their showing. Tri Nation is a different ball game and there's no room for it.
Well at least thats my 2 cents (maybe 4 cents with inflation. What are your thoughts?Please post them through on the comments section.
Well for some of us with season tickets, we are looking forward to August 18 at Newlands for the Boks's clash with the highly fancied AB, the world's best Chokers.
After all, we are the World Champions!!!!!!!!Go Bokke!!!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Crash Test Bunnies
Personally I think I am a die hard bokka supporter. I would go to some length to see the mighty bokka play test rugby anywhere in the world but this Saturday’s game begs to differ. Can we really call Saturday’s game a TEST? Test rugby is an opportunity to see two nations battle it out on the battle field. Saturday will be just another training session for the boks..I would go even further to call it 'shadow rugby’!! What makes me more so upset is that ticket prices are still at ‘Test’ levels. Wouldn’t this be an opportunity to take the game to the people, I mean didn’t Mr. Hoskins use this exact line to get himself reelected?
So I'm I having a bad day and just taking it out at the passionate Azzuri?? I mean they went one better this year by not conceding the wooden spoon at the six nations by beating Scotland (who are a story for another day). The history tells us one thing..Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost to the Bokka….Now we have a THIRD rate Italian team, any guesses? I say 100 points..if not then the PDV needs to fire someone!!
Now that I have vented lets talk rugby…I am excited to see what Franscois “special one” Steyn can do at flyhalf. I like PDV explanation into why he went for the young utility back instead of Peter Grant:
“But I also have to do what’s best for the country, and I’m glad to say this is a rugby decision.”
Bobo is back after four years out of the green colors. We see him partner with his stomers inside center, Jean De Villiers. I am beginning to enjoy the big come backs this year and hopefully these guys can give back with to PDV with some huge games. Weather has been poor lately so let’s hope rain will not spoil the party this weekend. Good luck bokka..i don’t think they’ll need it.
Assistant Coach
So I'm I having a bad day and just taking it out at the passionate Azzuri?? I mean they went one better this year by not conceding the wooden spoon at the six nations by beating Scotland (who are a story for another day). The history tells us one thing..Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost, Lost to the Bokka….Now we have a THIRD rate Italian team, any guesses? I say 100 points..if not then the PDV needs to fire someone!!
Now that I have vented lets talk rugby…I am excited to see what Franscois “special one” Steyn can do at flyhalf. I like PDV explanation into why he went for the young utility back instead of Peter Grant:
“But I also have to do what’s best for the country, and I’m glad to say this is a rugby decision.”
Bobo is back after four years out of the green colors. We see him partner with his stomers inside center, Jean De Villiers. I am beginning to enjoy the big come backs this year and hopefully these guys can give back with to PDV with some huge games. Weather has been poor lately so let’s hope rain will not spoil the party this weekend. Good luck bokka..i don’t think they’ll need it.
Assistant Coach
Looking into the future......
Wetpups Golden Cubs trounce SACS.........
As previously stated, this blogspot is trying as much to cover all spheres of rugby, ranging from school's rugby, varsity rugby, club rugby and of course professional rugby. One of the contributors to the site, TJ 'the Rugby Guru' Tapela took some time of, as he usually does, to experience the much entertaining junior schools rugby between the Wetpups Golden Cubs and SACS.
The courageous Wetpups Golden Cubs put up a sterling performance to beat the highly rated SACS by three tries yesterday in a very thrilling game,according to a report by the 'Guru'. Pictured above is the team photo of the Wetpups young generals. Of cause one of the two players of colour is Tchedu, the son of our very own 'Guru'. Blessed with an excellent boot and running skills, the future looks bright for him if he continues progressing well and aiming higher. More so with the current dearth of complete flyhalves in the country, an issue that has been of concern for the past decade, his father has vowed to mould him into being one of the future flyhalves in the country.
However, looking at the team, I think someone like Mike Stofile will definitely not be impressed with the mixture of the team. Nonetheless, we wish the youngsters a more victorious season.
Cheers
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
What a headache to be envious of....
What a long and extremely hectic working week. Its been frantic in the office, supervisor is back in town from Canada after a 6months absence so there's a lot of updates and progress reports that need to be adhered to. I guess that's how it is when you have to report to someone............. I'd rather report to DiV on the rugby field by just being present only like the Bok players....at least there's not much to lose or be scared of....except if you are a Ricky........it could cost you a place in the squad.
The weekend seems to look very exciting, and the anxiety itself would be not necessarily be on the match between the Boks and the Welsh itself, but on who is actually gonna start for the Boks this weekend. Spies or Kanko, what a headache any coach would love to have. Its been rumoured that DiV did not have Sharks in his first test plans owing to his assumption that the Sharks were not gonna be available in time for the Bok camp had they proceeded with the play-offs. It explains why guys like Kanko, Beast, Steyn and even Muller where not in the match 22. Now that he might get a chance to be in seems very interesting considering that Spies had a very good run on Saturday.
On the other hand, Ricky is back in the selection mix after serving a match suspension and will vie for the scrum-half berth against Bolla who had a fantastic game in the first test. Percy and Big Vic also showed the importance of experience when they came on in the second half to drive the Boks to a comfortable victory over the Dragons. Bare in mind that Janjies and Andries also had good runs.
I guess the situation is still to become even more complicated when guys like Schalla, Jaque Fourie and FdP return from injury.
I'd rather be like DiV who has to spend sleepless nights, caught in a dilemma on who to choose in my starting line up, than be like 'a' Federer who has to try hard to decipher the secret code on how he can eventually get hold of Nadal on the clay court.
Finally just as an update, the Bok U20 team has trounced Scotland 73-3. First game was won 108-18 against USA, a game which their coach Eric Sauls said afterwards, " it was a good game but i was a bit disappointed at some stage in the late first half when the boys weren't scoring tries as swift as during the first quarter". Goodness sake, does this guys expect to win 200 nil. Even DiV said he wasn't happy with the score but he'll just pocket it. Are our coaches becoming to ambitious now just coz the boys are delivering? Well i doubt even that DiV would be satisfied with a 77-12 win against Wales this weekend.
Again, at least its a good feeling, coz I'd rather be a DiV who's not happy with the 47-18 win against Wales, than be a Jomo Sono who was scrounging for at least a draw this past season in the PSL.
Warm weekend guys and keep the beers flowing........
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Its ON!!
ITS ON:
Springboks - Conrad Jantjes, Tonderai Chavhanga, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Bolla Conradie, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Luke Watson, Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Brian Mujati, John Smit (c), Gurthro Steenkamp.Subs: Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw , Ruan Pienaar, Peter Grant, Percy Montgomery.
Versus
Wales - 15 Jamie Roberts, 14 Mark Jones, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 Sonny Parker, 11 Shane Williams, 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Gareth Cooper, 8 Ryan Jones (captain), 7 Dafydd Jones, 6 Jonathan Thomas, 5 Alun-Wyn Jones, 4 Ian Gough, 3 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Matthew Rees, 1 Adam Jones. Subs: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Duncan Jones, 18 Ian Evans, 19 Gareth Delve, 20 Warren Fury, 21 James Hook, 22 Morgan Stoddard
14:00 - 17:15MNET/SS1
Please could we get some predictions...
Could this be a bad start for DiV......................
Springboks for Welsh clash
Conrad Jantjes, Tonderai Chavhanga, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Bolla Conradie, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Luke Watson, Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Brian Mujati, John Smit (c), Gurthro Steenkamp.
Subs: Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw , Ruan Pienaar, Peter Grant, Percy Montgomery.
No Kanko, Frans or Beast in the match 22........
Danie "the Dinosaur" Rossouw has been strugggling to make the Bulls bench in the Super 14. Yet Big Joe and Kanko fail to make the bench. Bolla Conradie's story is even more interesting. From being the reserve scrumhalf for Stormers, to being called up as a late replacement for the injured FdP in the Bok camp,to starting in the first Bok test of the season...What a leap?
Matfield and Percy, the stallwards behind SA's world cup campaign are on the bench. I would understand the latter's situation, having played for a 2nd division French team, mostly at flank, and was injured for some of that time. This is understandale considering that Andries had a stormer of season. Percy's case is also comprehensible..
I would also back the inclusion of James in the starting team. He played in first division European rugby from much of the season (some time injured but was looking good in his few games back)…and judging from reports he was one of the form players during that season in the competition.......
But hey, i'm sure if Dan Carter played for Toulon the Allblacks would also bench him when he returns, right!
However, starting Bolla ahead of Ruan is ridiculous (Ricky has been axed for disciplinery reasons). Of all the healthy,talented scrummies in the country, i cant believe Bolla is the next best after Ricky. Having SA's best player in the Super 14 (Kanko) out the match 22 is absolutely ludicrous.
On the lighter side, beside Daniesoraus, the bench is looking quite lethal. The only bench to rival this bench is Gunners’ bench of 2003/4 season....
Lets hope for the better....Go Bokke!!!!! ....Go PdV!!!
Conrad Jantjes, Tonderai Chavhanga, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Bolla Conradie, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Luke Watson, Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Brian Mujati, John Smit (c), Gurthro Steenkamp.
Subs: Bismarck du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Victor Matfield, Danie Rossouw , Ruan Pienaar, Peter Grant, Percy Montgomery.
No Kanko, Frans or Beast in the match 22........
Danie "the Dinosaur" Rossouw has been strugggling to make the Bulls bench in the Super 14. Yet Big Joe and Kanko fail to make the bench. Bolla Conradie's story is even more interesting. From being the reserve scrumhalf for Stormers, to being called up as a late replacement for the injured FdP in the Bok camp,to starting in the first Bok test of the season...What a leap?
Matfield and Percy, the stallwards behind SA's world cup campaign are on the bench. I would understand the latter's situation, having played for a 2nd division French team, mostly at flank, and was injured for some of that time. This is understandale considering that Andries had a stormer of season. Percy's case is also comprehensible..
I would also back the inclusion of James in the starting team. He played in first division European rugby from much of the season (some time injured but was looking good in his few games back)…and judging from reports he was one of the form players during that season in the competition.......
But hey, i'm sure if Dan Carter played for Toulon the Allblacks would also bench him when he returns, right!
However, starting Bolla ahead of Ruan is ridiculous (Ricky has been axed for disciplinery reasons). Of all the healthy,talented scrummies in the country, i cant believe Bolla is the next best after Ricky. Having SA's best player in the Super 14 (Kanko) out the match 22 is absolutely ludicrous.
On the lighter side, beside Daniesoraus, the bench is looking quite lethal. The only bench to rival this bench is Gunners’ bench of 2003/4 season....
Lets hope for the better....Go Bokke!!!!! ....Go PdV!!!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Saturday 7th 2008
"Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them -- a desire, a dream, a vision."
-- Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is remembered as one of the greatest sportsman in the world. A true champion that defied all odds to win back the world heavy weight championship after many years away from the ring. You might be asking yourself "What the HELL has this to do with Saturday??".
Remember Rudolf Straeuli ? The camp? Derrick Hougard cut into two by hard hitting Brian Lima at the 2003 World Cup? YES, I still remember and so should the springboks and the nation. Four years later we were crowned world champions. It was the the desire, dream, and vision of 15 men and a nation behind them.
So we cannot forget where we have come from as we step onto the field on Saturday. Lets hope PDV continues the DREAM, the VISION and the DESIRE!!!!!Good luck to the boys this year.....
Assistant Coach
-- Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is remembered as one of the greatest sportsman in the world. A true champion that defied all odds to win back the world heavy weight championship after many years away from the ring. You might be asking yourself "What the HELL has this to do with Saturday??".
Remember Rudolf Straeuli ? The camp? Derrick Hougard cut into two by hard hitting Brian Lima at the 2003 World Cup? YES, I still remember and so should the springboks and the nation. Four years later we were crowned world champions. It was the the desire, dream, and vision of 15 men and a nation behind them.
So we cannot forget where we have come from as we step onto the field on Saturday. Lets hope PDV continues the DREAM, the VISION and the DESIRE!!!!!Good luck to the boys this year.....
Assistant Coach
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Assistant Coach
"Statistics tell us that about half of all assistant coaches aspire to be head coaches. The road to becoming a head coach, however, is slippery. Coaching as an assistant lays foundation for stepping up to the position where the buck stop, the head job. Assistant coaches have many responsibilities. When they master those responsibilities, the door may open to becoming the HEAD COACH."
My name is Heskin "Heskino" Mzungu aka Assistant Coach. My first entry to the coach's words must begin with a definition of the assistant role. The assistant coach plays a big role in the success of a team. I am sure you remember the influence of Eddie Jones and Allister Coetzee in the success of the springboks last year. Mr Jake White is now in the company of Rod Macqueen, Brian Lochore (assistant coaches Alex Wyllie and John Hart), Kitch Christie and Sir Clive Woodward.
We now begin a new era in South African Rugby on Saturday 7th June 2008 with a Peiter De Viliers on the driving seat. Will Dick Muir and Gary Gold play their roles and give the South African Public another year of Saturdays braai's and beer happy Monday Rugby Analysis...
My name is Heskin "Heskino" Mzungu aka Assistant Coach. My first entry to the coach's words must begin with a definition of the assistant role. The assistant coach plays a big role in the success of a team. I am sure you remember the influence of Eddie Jones and Allister Coetzee in the success of the springboks last year. Mr Jake White is now in the company of Rod Macqueen, Brian Lochore (assistant coaches Alex Wyllie and John Hart), Kitch Christie and Sir Clive Woodward.
We now begin a new era in South African Rugby on Saturday 7th June 2008 with a Peiter De Viliers on the driving seat. Will Dick Muir and Gary Gold play their roles and give the South African Public another year of Saturdays braai's and beer happy Monday Rugby Analysis...
Boks to win 28-14
According to Coach Taru's pre-match review,the Boks look set to beat the Dragons this weekend and my Man of the match is going to be Luke Stofile. The only concerning question should be,By how much? Well i have made my prediction of 32-14 and you are welcome to make yours. . The Allblacks play Ireland this weekend and my gut-feeling tells me that the Irish will upset the Kiwis by 18-15, with BOD man of the match.
The person who makes the closest predictions of both scorelines and the Man of the Match stands a chance to be awarded with a brand new Spanners Rugby Club jersey or jacket, courtesy of Coach Taru.
Please send your predictions on the comments section below this post.
Thanks okes and to my 'Guru' and female rugby analyst, lets rendezvous at the Sultry Southern Sun....
Go Bokke!!!!!
The person who makes the closest predictions of both scorelines and the Man of the Match stands a chance to be awarded with a brand new Spanners Rugby Club jersey or jacket, courtesy of Coach Taru.
Please send your predictions on the comments section below this post.
Thanks okes and to my 'Guru' and female rugby analyst, lets rendezvous at the Sultry Southern Sun....
Go Bokke!!!!!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Will he "pull' another one?
A good friend of mine once said to me that Chavanga, Big Joe and Andre Pretorious had become such close friends in recent times as they have been hanging around lots almost everyday..........But what's their favourite hangout place which could make them bond together this much and hook up everyday? Club? Nooooooooo! Pub?Nooooooooo!....so where? Strip Clubs? Noooooooo! Well i cant guess any further.
But wait......what do they have all in common? "they r'all injury prone"........Oh Yes, now i know. They have been spending so much time together in Rehab than on the field.
Tondie made his Bok Debut in 2006......scoring 6 tries on arrival. He has since played in only 2 Tests. The 'BIG' question is, Will he make it to the Tri Nations Series? Well we hope so coz the frequency at which that boy gets injured may not be more than the number of times abo Ollie Le Roux eat burgers in day, but it certainly is more than the frequency at which JP try scoring rate has been this season.
Coz eish, the probability of Tondie not 'pulling' it is as good as the probabilty of Mugabe not rigging the 'run-off' votes in Zim.
So lets keep our fingers, our legs and our balls crossed........We need that speedster.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Xenophobia: Will it encroach into the Bok camp in Stellenbosch?
Interesting scenario:
Imagine guys like Shimmie, Tyibilika, Eddie Andrews and Sephaka leading a rabblement of angry and incensed local rugby players carrying matchets and pangaz, demanding that the non- South Africa Springboks named in the June Test trials return to their countries as they are talking up their "jobs" as well as taking away the limited Bok jersey. On the other end of the field, you have the likes abo De Wet Barry, Marius Jobert, Ollie Le Roux etc breathing heavily, carrying their short guns and pistols, claiming that these foreigners have stolen the limelight and their beautiful women (mainly directly linked to Bobby and Percy)……hence they should leave the country.
The SA defence force sends a heavy battalion of soldiers to help save the poor guys like Chavanga (Zim), Beast (Zim) (the attackers would think twice before pestering him…that man is a real beast), Mujati (Zim), and of coz the once famous Men In Black, Percy (Namibia) and Bobby Skinstad (Zim) who featured in the “Menace to Society II” during the infamous Stormers side of 1999 by taking all the woman around owing to there appealing chiselled features (I’m very straight by the way…) which left most women snivelling for more….Very interesting is it?
Did Percy not kick the Boks to WC victory, was Bobby not the man who brought excitment to the Cape Rugby, Does Chavanga not hold the record for most tries scored by a Bok in a single game, Did Mujati not cause a bitch fight between the Lions and Stormer, and revitalise the scrummaging in the Cape Rugby circles, and well, as for the Beast.....i need not to say any further, just listen to Shark Tank roar everytime he touches the ball,"beaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast"...........
Honestly, these guys have worked very hard to earn the Bok call ups and therefore need not be victimised.
This xenophobic violence is disgusting and despicable.
To all the perpetrators, please role your tails back, calm down and bring tranquillity back to South Africa …after all we are all AFRICAN brothers
Lets be “abafana be PEACE and LOVE”……. like the Kaizer Chiefs soccer fraternity is famously known for.
Peace magents...askies bafethu
Sho
Imagine guys like Shimmie, Tyibilika, Eddie Andrews and Sephaka leading a rabblement of angry and incensed local rugby players carrying matchets and pangaz, demanding that the non- South Africa Springboks named in the June Test trials return to their countries as they are talking up their "jobs" as well as taking away the limited Bok jersey. On the other end of the field, you have the likes abo De Wet Barry, Marius Jobert, Ollie Le Roux etc breathing heavily, carrying their short guns and pistols, claiming that these foreigners have stolen the limelight and their beautiful women (mainly directly linked to Bobby and Percy)……hence they should leave the country.
The SA defence force sends a heavy battalion of soldiers to help save the poor guys like Chavanga (Zim), Beast (Zim) (the attackers would think twice before pestering him…that man is a real beast), Mujati (Zim), and of coz the once famous Men In Black, Percy (Namibia) and Bobby Skinstad (Zim) who featured in the “Menace to Society II” during the infamous Stormers side of 1999 by taking all the woman around owing to there appealing chiselled features (I’m very straight by the way…) which left most women snivelling for more….Very interesting is it?
Did Percy not kick the Boks to WC victory, was Bobby not the man who brought excitment to the Cape Rugby, Does Chavanga not hold the record for most tries scored by a Bok in a single game, Did Mujati not cause a bitch fight between the Lions and Stormer, and revitalise the scrummaging in the Cape Rugby circles, and well, as for the Beast.....i need not to say any further, just listen to Shark Tank roar everytime he touches the ball,"beaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaast"...........
Honestly, these guys have worked very hard to earn the Bok call ups and therefore need not be victimised.
This xenophobic violence is disgusting and despicable.
To all the perpetrators, please role your tails back, calm down and bring tranquillity back to South Africa …after all we are all AFRICAN brothers
Lets be “abafana be PEACE and LOVE”……. like the Kaizer Chiefs soccer fraternity is famously known for.
Peace magents...askies bafethu
Sho
Masaga fails to make the cut........
The All Blacks announced a squad of 25 (excluding Crusaders players) for the upcoming June tests. It seems Masaga still has a lot more to do (score at least 28 tries in the Super 14) for him to be rewarded the All Black jersey by Henry. Instead the unfancied Rudi Wulf seems to have taken his place.
Intereseingly, here is what Henry said about Jerry Collins, "......All Blacks coach Graham Henry has said the recently retired Jerry Collins wouldn’t have made his training group.I think it’s the correct decision [for Collins to retire],” said Henry.
“He wouldn’t have got in the All Blacks in this first selection anyway. His form had wavered and he’d be the first to agree with that.”........."
Come on Henry, those are pure and juicy sour grapes.............
Nway, here is the New Zealand training squad – John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Tom Donnelly, Andrew Hore, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Keven Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Kevin O’Neill, John Schwalger, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So’oialo, Adam Thomson, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Tuitavake, Paul Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf.
Intereseingly, here is what Henry said about Jerry Collins, "......All Blacks coach Graham Henry has said the recently retired Jerry Collins wouldn’t have made his training group.I think it’s the correct decision [for Collins to retire],” said Henry.
“He wouldn’t have got in the All Blacks in this first selection anyway. His form had wavered and he’d be the first to agree with that.”........."
Come on Henry, those are pure and juicy sour grapes.............
Nway, here is the New Zealand training squad – John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Daniel Braid, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Tom Donnelly, Andrew Hore, Richard Kahui, Jerome Kaino, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Keven Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Ma’a Nonu, Kevin O’Neill, John Schwalger, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So’oialo, Adam Thomson, Neemia Tialata, Anthony Tuitavake, Paul Williams, Tony Woodcock, Rudi Wulf.
Monday, May 26, 2008
The not so auspicious XV...............
If you consider the okes that played in the Super 14, here is a combo that 'just' didnt make the Bok cut......
1. Jannie Du Plessis
2. Tiaan Leibenberg
3. Wiaan Du Preez
4. Albert Van Der Berg/ Rory Duncan
5. Adrian Fondse
6. Jaque Botes
7. Keegan Daniel/Francois Louw
8. Cobus Grobelaar
9. Jano Vermark
10. Morne Steyn/ Lieflin
11. Eddie Fredricks
12. Braddley Barrit
13. JW Jonker
14. Ryno Benjamin
15. Bevin Fortuin/ hennie Dannila
Please post your opinions on the SA Super 14 team of the season on the comments section below............
1. Jannie Du Plessis
2. Tiaan Leibenberg
3. Wiaan Du Preez
4. Albert Van Der Berg/ Rory Duncan
5. Adrian Fondse
6. Jaque Botes
7. Keegan Daniel/Francois Louw
8. Cobus Grobelaar
9. Jano Vermark
10. Morne Steyn/ Lieflin
11. Eddie Fredricks
12. Braddley Barrit
13. JW Jonker
14. Ryno Benjamin
15. Bevin Fortuin/ hennie Dannila
Please post your opinions on the SA Super 14 team of the season on the comments section below............
Sharks lose the bite......
The battle at the breakdown and at the set phases seemed to have overwhelmingly won the the semi final game for the Waratahs. There was much anticipation to see who was going to win the breakdowns between between the two side, notably a contest between Botes and Waugh, with the latter winning convincingly.
The Sharks shot themselves on the foot from the word go, so by introducing the big Samoan Tiaone who hadnt palyed more than 80 minutes of Super Rugby before. The big flank looked out of sorts and contributed to eight of the Sharks' eleven handling errors, a feat that will earn him a world record for the highest number of knock ons by an individual player in a rugby match. I wonder if he threatened to head-butt Dick had he not not started the match...
The Sharks line out were poor, losing about five of them.....possibly another record set there. The lose trio of the 'piled' Palu, Rocky Elsom and 'warior-like' Waugh bullied the Sharks upfront, with Waugh being the outstanding man of the park. The only guys from the Sharks who probable played descently were Beast, Kockott and Bradley Barrit who came on at second half.
Well i guess most of the Sharks could not wait but join the Boks in Stellies so i suspect there was a conspiracy theory in the mix......"if i dont attend the training camp soon, i might lose my place to the other players already there for the Welsh game, so why bother about the Super 14 final........"
Goodbye Dick........wish you all the best with the Boks,
Guys like Keegan, Deon Carstens, Botes, Sykes and Barrit should be looking forward to the Currie Cup season.............tough luck guys
Adios
The Sharks shot themselves on the foot from the word go, so by introducing the big Samoan Tiaone who hadnt palyed more than 80 minutes of Super Rugby before. The big flank looked out of sorts and contributed to eight of the Sharks' eleven handling errors, a feat that will earn him a world record for the highest number of knock ons by an individual player in a rugby match. I wonder if he threatened to head-butt Dick had he not not started the match...
The Sharks line out were poor, losing about five of them.....possibly another record set there. The lose trio of the 'piled' Palu, Rocky Elsom and 'warior-like' Waugh bullied the Sharks upfront, with Waugh being the outstanding man of the park. The only guys from the Sharks who probable played descently were Beast, Kockott and Bradley Barrit who came on at second half.
Well i guess most of the Sharks could not wait but join the Boks in Stellies so i suspect there was a conspiracy theory in the mix......"if i dont attend the training camp soon, i might lose my place to the other players already there for the Welsh game, so why bother about the Super 14 final........"
Goodbye Dick........wish you all the best with the Boks,
Guys like Keegan, Deon Carstens, Botes, Sykes and Barrit should be looking forward to the Currie Cup season.............tough luck guys
Adios
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Spanner flies the Swazi flag high.........
The Spanners have been blessed with the abundance of talented individuals in their side of 2008. Of note is the former France U21 Internationl Jullian who has been plying his trade for the side during his off season. Juilian would be returning back to France to resume his game back at home in August and his final game for the Spanners is against Ubumbo.
Recently, one of the longest serving faithfulls of the Spanners side, Heskin "Heskino" Mzungu recently returned from a weekend on duty for the Swaziland national side in the Pre-World Cup qualifiers game against Botswana on the 17 of May. 'Heskino' had an outstanding debut for Swazi where he put up blisterling display at 8th man, which left the crowd remeniscing about the hard driving All Black and Chiefs player, Sione Lauaki. Unfortunately the Swazi team lost 17-7, but for his great work he was duly awarded the Forward's Man of the Match by his compatriots. For a record, Heskin is now a Test player and lets hope this was the beginning of his many caps for the Swazi side and the Spanners are delighted to have such talent in the side.
Well done Heskino and hope to see back in the Spanners colours.
Recently, one of the longest serving faithfulls of the Spanners side, Heskin "Heskino" Mzungu recently returned from a weekend on duty for the Swaziland national side in the Pre-World Cup qualifiers game against Botswana on the 17 of May. 'Heskino' had an outstanding debut for Swazi where he put up blisterling display at 8th man, which left the crowd remeniscing about the hard driving All Black and Chiefs player, Sione Lauaki. Unfortunately the Swazi team lost 17-7, but for his great work he was duly awarded the Forward's Man of the Match by his compatriots. For a record, Heskin is now a Test player and lets hope this was the beginning of his many caps for the Swazi side and the Spanners are delighted to have such talent in the side.
Well done Heskino and hope to see back in the Spanners colours.
Nadoes survive late Spanners' surge..........
Final Score: Tornadoes 10 - 5 EBE Spanners......
Spanners continued to send waves around the UCT Rugby Internal League circuit with a brilliant display of sheer character and determination. Following last weeks narrow loss to last season tournament runner up Cobras, where they led 17-5 till the 70th minute but eventually lost 26-17 (thanks to the ref), the boys in green put up s sterling performance to almost deny the perenial Champions, Nadoes a victory.
History has it that the Nadoes (Rondebosch old boys) have been dominating the Internal League for the past decade. A good game by any oppositon means that they did not allow the Nadoes to get a bonus point, which has not been common lately as the Nadoes have been getting a full house in all their game in the past two seasons.
Last night saw them heavily punished by the Spanners pack which was well marshalled by Howwie at the back of the scrum and the evergreen captain Rob. The Spanners were unlucky to concede an early try after a lapse in concetration in the backline which allowed the Nadoes to take advantage of the overlap and score an unconverted try by the corner flag in the 5th minute. The Spaneers regrouped and after some harsh words from Coach Taru on the sidelines, the boys started to show what they are made of. They dominated possession and spent almost the entire half in the Nadoes half, but were infortuanate not to get a point as the makeshift referee organised by the Nadoes after the delegated ref failed to turn up seemed to be partial in his decision making.
However this did not stop the Spanners from reinging terror in the Nadoes half, with our pack marauding their opposition. After half time, the Spanners still kept on the momentum but were unlucky to be penalised by the not so popular ref. The Nadoes were awarded a try that never was after their player was pushed out at the corner flag. He later on confirmed that he didnt think it was but the Nadoes line man running touch told him to award it. This however did not demoralise the Spanners who actually raised their game. Coach Taru made a couple of changes to the Spanners side and introduced the former France U20 International, Julian to bolster the back line and they were duly awarded a try in the 75nd minute after 12 phases of play, engineered by their superb forwards.
Strangely enough, the referee did not have a timer himself, he kept on refering to the Nadoes touch judge for time left and when he blue up the final whistle, there was still 3 minutes to go and the Spanners were amped up to post a first ever victory over the 'mighty' Nadoes. The scores ended at 10-5 to the Nadoes.
Well done to the Spanners for such a gusty performance. Looking forward to a big game against Ubumbo after the season break.
Spannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrssssssss!
Posted by : Coach Taru
Spanners continued to send waves around the UCT Rugby Internal League circuit with a brilliant display of sheer character and determination. Following last weeks narrow loss to last season tournament runner up Cobras, where they led 17-5 till the 70th minute but eventually lost 26-17 (thanks to the ref), the boys in green put up s sterling performance to almost deny the perenial Champions, Nadoes a victory.
History has it that the Nadoes (Rondebosch old boys) have been dominating the Internal League for the past decade. A good game by any oppositon means that they did not allow the Nadoes to get a bonus point, which has not been common lately as the Nadoes have been getting a full house in all their game in the past two seasons.
Last night saw them heavily punished by the Spanners pack which was well marshalled by Howwie at the back of the scrum and the evergreen captain Rob. The Spanners were unlucky to concede an early try after a lapse in concetration in the backline which allowed the Nadoes to take advantage of the overlap and score an unconverted try by the corner flag in the 5th minute. The Spaneers regrouped and after some harsh words from Coach Taru on the sidelines, the boys started to show what they are made of. They dominated possession and spent almost the entire half in the Nadoes half, but were infortuanate not to get a point as the makeshift referee organised by the Nadoes after the delegated ref failed to turn up seemed to be partial in his decision making.
However this did not stop the Spanners from reinging terror in the Nadoes half, with our pack marauding their opposition. After half time, the Spanners still kept on the momentum but were unlucky to be penalised by the not so popular ref. The Nadoes were awarded a try that never was after their player was pushed out at the corner flag. He later on confirmed that he didnt think it was but the Nadoes line man running touch told him to award it. This however did not demoralise the Spanners who actually raised their game. Coach Taru made a couple of changes to the Spanners side and introduced the former France U20 International, Julian to bolster the back line and they were duly awarded a try in the 75nd minute after 12 phases of play, engineered by their superb forwards.
Strangely enough, the referee did not have a timer himself, he kept on refering to the Nadoes touch judge for time left and when he blue up the final whistle, there was still 3 minutes to go and the Spanners were amped up to post a first ever victory over the 'mighty' Nadoes. The scores ended at 10-5 to the Nadoes.
Well done to the Spanners for such a gusty performance. Looking forward to a big game against Ubumbo after the season break.
Spannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrssssssss!
Posted by : Coach Taru
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Sharks to unleash the "Beast".......as the Tahs declare "Waugh"
The Super 14 semis this weekend look set to provide some incredibly entertaining rugby. With the Sharks away to the Tahs, they are armoured to unleash the "Beast" against the Tahs, who are set to declare "Waugh" against their counterparts.
"Beast" has a solid season in the forward department and together with the Kank, they are the best performing forwards in the Sharks' engine room. Cant wait to here the 50 000 Bok supporters shouting"Beeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssst" at the home of Rugby (Newlands stadium), if he makes the final cut for the Boks that is. As for the Kank, he surely deserves the Super Rugby Player of the Tournament nomination, if the Sharks make it to the final. I guess my rugby guru TJ and upcoming female analyst and staunch Sharks fan, Val would agree with me.
On the other hand, Phil Waugh has had a remarkable season as captian of the Tahs and together with the once useless thick chunk, Palu who destroyed the Sharks in the previous fixture, they add great value to the back row. Lets hope he doesnt run over Botes....again! I guess Nk aint pleased to see Keegan slowly losing the fan base to Deysel.....on the bench.
On the other fixture at Christchurch, I look forward to the canes outmuscling the Saders, especially in the forwards. My buddy, Jerry is back with a bang (am sure u noticed in the Blues game) and i expect him to decimate the wealthy MacCaw. In my opinion, the loose trio of Jerry, Rodney and Masoe is the most lethal in the competition, with Masoe having a great fetching season. With DC back for the Saders, he might catalyse the fatigued Saders to improve on their last two shaddy performances. Go Weepu and show the Saders how the guiter is played...
Weekend Predictions
Sharks 19 - 13 Tahs
Saders 18 - 23 Canes
Final at the Shark Tank
Sharks vs Canes
P/S - I wish to send my condolences to a friend, and one of the highly renowned analysts in the rugby circles of the Cape, in this grieving moment. Be strong buddie.
"Beast" has a solid season in the forward department and together with the Kank, they are the best performing forwards in the Sharks' engine room. Cant wait to here the 50 000 Bok supporters shouting"Beeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssst" at the home of Rugby (Newlands stadium), if he makes the final cut for the Boks that is. As for the Kank, he surely deserves the Super Rugby Player of the Tournament nomination, if the Sharks make it to the final. I guess my rugby guru TJ and upcoming female analyst and staunch Sharks fan, Val would agree with me.
On the other hand, Phil Waugh has had a remarkable season as captian of the Tahs and together with the once useless thick chunk, Palu who destroyed the Sharks in the previous fixture, they add great value to the back row. Lets hope he doesnt run over Botes....again! I guess Nk aint pleased to see Keegan slowly losing the fan base to Deysel.....on the bench.
On the other fixture at Christchurch, I look forward to the canes outmuscling the Saders, especially in the forwards. My buddy, Jerry is back with a bang (am sure u noticed in the Blues game) and i expect him to decimate the wealthy MacCaw. In my opinion, the loose trio of Jerry, Rodney and Masoe is the most lethal in the competition, with Masoe having a great fetching season. With DC back for the Saders, he might catalyse the fatigued Saders to improve on their last two shaddy performances. Go Weepu and show the Saders how the guiter is played...
Weekend Predictions
Sharks 19 - 13 Tahs
Saders 18 - 23 Canes
Final at the Shark Tank
Sharks vs Canes
P/S - I wish to send my condolences to a friend, and one of the highly renowned analysts in the rugby circles of the Cape, in this grieving moment. Be strong buddie.
DiV unleashes the Bok!
A few surprises have been sprung by the new Springbok coach, Peter De Villiers when he announced a squad of 42 for the preparation of the June tests. As widely anticipated, DiV suck with the bulk of the World cup heroes, almost 18 of the members who represented the Springboks at the last WC, with more numbers expected to be named from the Sharks side. Hoever, Earl Rose, Dolie,Floors and Lobberts where the surprise call ups, considering they never took part in the 2008 Super14 tournament.
According to Coach Taru, a couple of players who produced much sublime and solid performances in the Super14 have been unfortunate not to "make the cut". These include, Hendric Brossouw (Cheeters flank) who had a solid season on the side of the scrum, Cobus Grobbelar (Baywatch) the inspirational captain in the lion's resurgent campain towards the end of the S14, Peiter Louw (The Grandson), Tiian Liebenburg and Doeon Stegmann, just to mention a few. I'm sure their talents would be recongnised as the currie cup season progresses.
From the sharks team, players expected to make the cut may include, Beast, Bismark, Jannie, BJ Botha, Muller, Albert, Kankowski, Botes, Kockott, Ruan, Frans, Odwa,JP, Waylon and maybe Adi Jacobs.
Here's my starting XX against Wales:
1. Henkie
2. Smit (c)
3. Beast
4. Andries
5. Matfield
6. Juanitto
7. Wickus
8. Kankoski
9. Ricky
10. Butchie
11. Chavanga (if he's fit, otherwise Odwa)
12. JD Villiers
13. J Fourie
14. Habana
15. Percy
Bench
16. Bismark
17. Watson
18. Mujati
19. Spies
20. Ruan
21. Muller
22. Frans
Cheers
Coach Taru
According to Coach Taru, a couple of players who produced much sublime and solid performances in the Super14 have been unfortunate not to "make the cut". These include, Hendric Brossouw (Cheeters flank) who had a solid season on the side of the scrum, Cobus Grobbelar (Baywatch) the inspirational captain in the lion's resurgent campain towards the end of the S14, Peiter Louw (The Grandson), Tiian Liebenburg and Doeon Stegmann, just to mention a few. I'm sure their talents would be recongnised as the currie cup season progresses.
From the sharks team, players expected to make the cut may include, Beast, Bismark, Jannie, BJ Botha, Muller, Albert, Kankowski, Botes, Kockott, Ruan, Frans, Odwa,JP, Waylon and maybe Adi Jacobs.
Here's my starting XX against Wales:
1. Henkie
2. Smit (c)
3. Beast
4. Andries
5. Matfield
6. Juanitto
7. Wickus
8. Kankoski
9. Ricky
10. Butchie
11. Chavanga (if he's fit, otherwise Odwa)
12. JD Villiers
13. J Fourie
14. Habana
15. Percy
Bench
16. Bismark
17. Watson
18. Mujati
19. Spies
20. Ruan
21. Muller
22. Frans
Cheers
Coach Taru
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