Monthly Archives: August 2017
Southern Kings head coach, Deon Davids, named a strong side on Thursday that will take on the Scarlets in the opening match of the Guinness PRO14 Championship.
The Southern Kings will face the defending Guinness PRO14 champions at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli on Saturday when they play in their first match of the 2017/18 season.
Davids will field an experienced team which includes players who have plied their trade in the Guinness PRO14 previously as well as the Vodacom Super Rugby competition. The side will be led by captain, Michael Willemse.
“We have some exciting players in the backline and we also have some talent in the forwards. I would like to see a good balance between the backs and forwards,” Davids said.
“I will encourage the guys to play the way we are used to playing – that is playing towards where our pace is, making good decisions and recognising and using areas of space.
“We also need to be wary of the fact that games are not only won with ball in hand, our biggest challenge will be our work rate, intensity and physicality without the ball. That will be a big ask for us.”
The Toyota Cheetahs will become the first southern hemisphere side ever to take part in the Guinness PRO14 championship.
The side from Bloemfontein will be making history when they take on Ulster Rugby on Friday evening at 20:35 (SA time) at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast, Ireland.
“The Toyota Cheetah players are extremely excited to join this world class championship”, said Toyota Cheetah captain, Neill Jordaan after arriving in Belfast on Wednesday.
Guinness PRO14 will for the first time play under the new Conference format which sees each team play home and away against clubs in their own Conference and then home or away against the other Conference before two more rounds that ensure all derby games are played, which formed an important part the competition up till now.
South Africans who previously played for Ulster are Johann Muller, Ruan Pienaar and Franco van der Merwe.
A truly historic chapter will be written this weekend when the first-ever Guinness PRO14 season kicks off after the addition of the Toyota Cheetahs and the Southern Kings from South Africa.
As this world class Championship continues to raise the bar, the introduction of the Cheetahs and the Kings makes the Guinness PRO14 a global tournament. Round 1 also marks the first games played under the new Conference format which sees each team play home and away against clubs in their own Conference and then home OR away against the other Conference before two more rounds that ensure all derby games are played.
The Cheetahs will be the first team from South Africa to go up against ‘northern’ opposition when they travel to Kingspan Stadium on Friday night to face Ulster while the Kings face a daunting trip to Parc Y Scarlets where the men from Llanelli will play their first Championship game since winning the title at Aviva Stadium last May.
Premiership and Championship players will take part this season in the development of a new pitch-side test to diagnose concussion and brain injuries.
Saliva and urine samples will be collected during the new campaign, after studies showed they could provide swift indicators of head injuries.
It could lead to a handheld device to assess if a player is fit to play on.
During matches in 2017-18, players with confirmed or suspected concussion will provide saliva samples immediately following the injury and will give follow-up samples as they go through the return-to-play protocol.
These will be compared to players from the same game who did not suffer head injuries and those who had other injuries.
The study will run alongside the existing Head Injury Assessments, but if the results support those found in laboratory tests, it could eventually see tests being carried out pitch-side on a device.
Los Pumas (10) 23 / 41 (17) Springboks (Final Score)
The Argentinial Los Pumas and South African Springboks did battle in The Rugby Championship 2017 at
Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta, Argentina, at 21:40 SA Time (19:40 GMT, 16:40 ARG Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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FS Cheetahs (13) 30 / 24 (7) Golden Lions (Final Score)
The Toyota Free State Cheetahs and Xerox Golden Lions did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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WP (17) 20 / 21 (14) Sharks (Final Score)
DHL Western Province and the Cell C Sharks did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
DHL Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa at 15:00 SA Time (13:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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All Blacks (14) 35 / 29 (17) Wallabies (Final Score)
The New Zealand All Blacks and Australian Wallabies did battle in The Rugby Championship 2017 at
Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, New Zealand, at 09:35 SA Time (07:35 GMT, 19:35 NZ Time, 17:35 AEST).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Pumas (22) 51 / 15 (10) Blue Bulls (Final Score)
The Steval Pumas and Vodacom Blue Bulls did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Captains from the PRO14 teams posing in Dublin
The Guinness PRO14 official launch gave a sneak peek of this year’s final venue as media gathered at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
After the Scarlets claimed the 2016/17 title in style last year in the Irish capital, the first-ever Guinness PRO14 final will take place at the same ground.
For Guinness PRO14 Chief Executive Officer Martin Anayi, it offers the championship some stability at a time of expansion with the introduction of two South African teams, the Southern Kings and the Toyota Cheetahs, as well as a conference system.
And Anayi believes using the Aviva Stadium will pay dividends for the clubs in the long-term, while offering a top class stadium for the showpiece final.
He said: “It’s an amazing facility, it’s an iconic venue and we do great business here. That’s important when you understand our model. Our model is to give revenue back to the clubs to be competitive on the pitch.
“The final from last season and this final coming up in 2018 will allow us to deliver as much revenue as we can in this season of great change for the good. A little bit of stability goes a long way.”
While all eyes will be on the semi-finals as New Zealand take on USA and France tackle defending champions England, there is still plenty for the other eight teams to play for on the penultimate day of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 in Belfast.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 semi-finals have a sense of déjà vu about them as they are a repeat of those from the inaugural tournament back in 1991.
On that occasion in Wales, USA edged past New Zealand 7-0 and England overcame France 13-0. Four-time champions New Zealand and France, bidding to reach their first final, will hope that history does not repeat itself to end their title dreams prematurely in Ireland.
The attention inevitably will be on the two semi-finals at Kingspan Stadium, but there is still plenty for the other eight teams to play for on the penultimate match day of Ireland 2017, be it automatic qualification for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2021 or simply to achieve the best ranking they can.
The top seven teams will secure direct passage to WRWC 2021 and avoid the global qualification process. For hosts Ireland, Australia, Canada and Wales that means if they can taste victory on Tuesday they will confirm their place and avoid the winner-takes-all seventh place play-off on Saturday.
Springboks (13) 37 / 15 (5) Los Pumas (Final Score)
The South African Springboks and Argentinian Los Pumas did battle in The Rugby Championship 2017 at
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, at 17:00 SA Time (12:00 ARG Time, 15:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Blue Bulls (21) 40 / 41 (17) FS Cheetahs (Final Score)
The Vodacom Blue Bulls and Toyota Free State Cheetahs did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa at 14:05 SA Time (12:05 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Wallabies (6) 34 / 54 (40) All Blacks (Final Score)
The Australian Wallabies and New Zealand All Blacks did battle in The Rugby Championship 2017 at
ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Australia, at 12:00 SA Time (20:00 AEST, 22:00 NZ Time, 10:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Currie Cup 2017
The Rugby Championship (TRC) 2017
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WP (22) 39 / 3 (3) Golden Lions (Final Score)
DHL Western Province and the Xerox Golden Lions did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
DHL Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Golden Lions (24) 31 / 47 (5) Sharks (Final Score)
The Xerox Golden Lions and Cell C Sharks did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg, South Africa at 19:30 SA Time (17:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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WP (42) 45 / 34 (13) Blue Bulls (Final Score)
DHL Western Province and the Vodacom Blue Bulls did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
DHL Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa at 17:15 SA Time (15:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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FS Cheetahs (17) 25 / 30 (6) Griquas (Final Score)
The Toyota Free State Cheetahs and Tafel Lager Griquas did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa at 15:00 SA Time (13:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Blue Bulls (10) 20 / 28 (13) Sharks (Final Score)
The Vodacom Blue Bulls and Cell C Sharks did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa at 17:30 SA Time (15:30 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Pumas (10) 34 / 45 (38) FS Cheetahs (Final Score)
The Steval Pumas and Toyota Free State Cheetahs did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, South Africa at 15:15 SA Time (13:15 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Griquas (17) 44 / 34 (15) WP (Final Score)
The Tafel Lager Griquas and DHL Western Province did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Tafel Lager Park, Kimberley, South Africa at 13:00 SA Time (11:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Promising young flyhalf Curwin Bosch, No 8 Dan du Preez and fullback Warrick Gelant were on Saturday included in the 34-man Springbok squad for the start of the 2017 Rugby Championship campaign.
The 22-year old Du Preez is the twin brother of Springbok loose forward Jean-Luc du Preez.
Springbok coach, Allister Coetzee, said he is pleased with the largely unchanged squad, which allows for greater continuity and consistency.
“Our players must be well-conditioned, match-fit and also be able to make good on-field decisions. We are also looking for continuity, experience and combinations – all elements which I believe are reflected in the current squad selection,” said Coetzee.
The Springbok group gets together on Tuesday, 8 August in Port Elizabeth to start their preparations for the 2017 campaign, which kicks off their on 19 August against Argentina at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Blue Bulls (28) 54 / 22 (15) Golden Lions (Final Score)
The Vodacom Blue Bulls and Xerox Golden Lions did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, South Africa at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Lions (3) 17 / 25 (15) Crusaders (Final Score)
The Emirates Lions and Crusaders did battle in the Super Rugby 2017 final at
Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg, South Africa at 16:00 SA Time (14:00 GMT, Sunday 02:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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WP (10) 34 / 19 (12) Pumas (Final Score)
DHL Western Province and the Steval Pumas did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
DHL Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa at 13:00 SA Time (11:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
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The Cheetahs will face a tough start to life in the Guinness Pro14 as they kick off with two games against Irish opposition in Ireland. They are due to play their opening fixture on Friday the 1st of September against Ulster in Belfast and then play last season’s finalists Munster the following weekend.
The Kings start their PRO14 journey on the road in Wales against reigning Champions Scarlets during the weekend of 1st to 2nd September and then make the short hop to Gallway in Ireland to face Connacht the following weekend.
Both teams return home for the matches during the weekend of 15th to 16th September with the Cheetahs getting a bit of a reprieve as they host Italian team Zebre while things get tougher for the Kings as they play against Leinster in their first home game of the tournament.
The last weekend of September will see Bloemfontein play host to the Ospreys who will be the first Welsh team to make the overnight flight to South Africa in the PRO14. This is all if the scoop from a local publication ahead of the official fixture announcement next week is accurate.
Sharks (17) 41 / 3 (3) Griquas (Final Score)
The Cell C Sharks and Tafel Lager Griquas did battle in the Currie Cup 2017 at
Growthpoint Kings Park, Durban, South Africa at 19:00 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1 & CSN on TV in SA.
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Celtic Rugby and the South African Rugby Union have today confirmed that the Toyota Cheetahs and the Southern Kings will join an expanded Guinness PRO14 tournament in time for the upcoming 2017/18 season.
A long-term strategic agreement has been signed by both parties which will allow the participation of two South African franchises in the renamed Guinness PRO14 Championship.
The agreement means that the Championship will take place across the northern and southern hemispheres and marks the first phase of expansion as the Guinness PRO14 becomes a truly global tournament.
This move will contribute to the drive for ever higher standards that we demand across the tournament and provide greater resources to our clubs who will compete in the most testing environment the Championship has ever created.
We can also reassure supporters across the Championship that all current home and away Derby games have been protected – these fixtures are sacrosanct to the tournament and those tribal rivalries are just one element of what makes the Guinness PRO14 so special.
With a new format, new teams and new audiences the Guinness PRO14 – which leads World Rugby statistics for Positive Play – will hit even greater heights in 2017/18.