Super Rugby
The Bulls’ front row reserves have been boosted after former prop Rayno Gerber signed a deal for the Super Rugby tournament.
SANZAR CEO Greg Peters has ruled out the possibility of expanding Super Rugby from 15 to 16 teams from next year after South Africa said that the Southern Kings will play in the tournament from 2013.
Coach Naka Drotske has announced a strong team to take on the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.
SANZAR is to trial new disciplinary rules during the 2012 Super Rugby competition, CEO Greg Peters announced on Thursday.
The 7th Article in the set discussing the Vodacom Bulls.
In this Article we look at the contenders for CENTRES in the Vodacom Bulls 2012 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
Former Springbok captain Victor Matfield this week joined 17 other coaches from the Blue Bulls in becoming certified on the BokSmart national rugby safety programme.
It’s being regarded as a trial and will be contested over four chukkas so no teams have been announced, but the Sharks’ pre-season clash with the Boland Cavaliers on Friday night will nonetheless provide some areas of intense focus for both coaches and spectators alike.
Allister Coetzee has named the Stormers team to face Toyota Cheetahs on Saturday at Newlands:
The Cheetahs played with fits and starts vs the Griffons. According to Jóhann Thormählen of Volksblad. Riaan Smit was one of the few players that impressed. Tries were scored by Phillip Snyman, Rayno Benjamin, and Jean Stemmet, scored in the first half, and Hercu Liebenberg, and Sias Ebersohn (2) in the second half.
The breakdowns were again a problem, as promising Cheetahs attacks were thwarted, when the ball was pilfered by the Griffons. The question of depth, particularly in the backline was answered, with all of the backline fringe players playing well.
Hopefully the next few weeks will bring clarity as to the composition of the SA Super 15 teams, as injuries to several frontline players already having a profound impact!
Go Cheeeetahs!!!!!!
The 6th Article in the set discussing the Vodacom Bulls.
In this Article we look at the contenders for FLYHALVES in the Vodacom Bulls 2012 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
South Africa’s top referees scrummed against each and were given master classes from top coaches as part of a recently completed four-day training camp prior to the start of the 2012 rugby season.
Lock Wilhelm Steenkamp will lead a young and dynamic Bulls team in their first outing of 2012 when they take on the Kings in their compulsory friendly in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.
The 5th Article in the set discussing the Vodacom Bulls.
In this Article we look at the contenders for SCRUMHALVES in the Vodacom Bulls 2012 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
The 4th Article in the set discussing the Vodacom Bulls.
In this Article we look at the contenders for LOOSEFORWARDS in the Vodacom Bulls 2012 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
I have had a look at the Article dealing with whether Heyneke Meyer’s proposed ‘Unified SA Style’ is realistic or not.
Meyer said on Monday that his ultimate aim would be for all the teams in South Africa to adopt a similar style of rugby.
“In future I would like to install a national style of play and defence and all the attributes that go with it, and everybody should buy in,” Meyer said.
“I am realistic and know you can’t force people to play the same, but there should at least be a common goal and places where you can touch base.”
This brought me to the question is this possible at all and what is the typical South African style? I think what most SA teams have in common is the idea of dominating the set piece (scrum and line-out). Soften them up in the forwards before you spread it to the backs type of philosophy. Continue reading
The 3rd Article in the set discussing the Vodacom Bulls.
In this Article we look at the contenders for LOCKS in the Vodacom Bulls 2012 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
The Sharks are in the market for a world class prop, following the injury setback suffered by Springbok Tendai Mtawarira.
The last in the Stormers squad instalments, these two make up the back line.
The Speedsters, and this is where the Bully boys have helped the Stormers out a bit.
Not a shabby bunch of wingers to boot.
The main centre pairing for the Stormers have heaps of experience, but thereafter it wears a bit thin pretty quickly.
This is where I expect the debate to really get down and dirty, c’mon fella’s, give it your best shot!
Aaah, the scrummies. Those sniping, yapping little chuahuas amongst the pack of hounds. Potential here? I think so.
This is where the debate starts to get interesting. So much conjecture around Burger, his role and where he should play. With Flo gone, is the fetching role going to be an area of contention?
Rocky Elsom will be unveiled as the captain of the Waratahs on Tuesday, capping off a spectacular return to the NSW franchise where he started his Super Rugby career and first captained the side in 2007.
International forward David Pocock will become just the second full-time captain of the Western Force after he was selected to lead the team during their 2012 Super Rugby campaign.
Ma’a Nonu is expected to make a delayed Super Rugby start for the Blues as he is currently in Japan playing Top League rugby with the Ricoh Black Rams.
The Crusaders have named their first squad of the 2012 season ahead of their pre-Super Rugby season match against the Highlanders on Friday night at 5.45pm at Rugby Park, Greymouth.
This section deals with the locks for the Stormers. As with the Hookers, I think this is one of the stronger areas of the Stormers team, and when Bekker is back, it will make for one of the better lock combinations in the competition.
The second instalment of the ‘Series de Stormers’, this section deals with the men in the middle.
The 2nd Article in the set discussing the Vodacom Bulls.
In this Article we look at the contenders for HOOKERS in the Vodacom Bulls 2012 Super Rugby group, and what their worth will be in Super Rugby terms.
With only 3 weeks to go till the start of Super Rugby 2012, the news has arrived that all referees in Super Rugby as well as the Southern Hemisphere test series now to be known as The Rugby Championship (Tri Nations expanded) have powers to put players ‘ON REPORT’ for suspected foul play, under a system whioch will be trialed in rugby union for the first time.
The Cheetahs kicked off their preparation for the 2012 Super Rugby tournament with a 33 / 20 victory over EP Kings in East London.
The Halftime score between the Stormers and the Lions at Newlands was 13 / 6 in favour of the Stormers.
Full time could also not come quick enough for the Lions, the Stormers having raced ahead to 28 / 6 through tries by Gio Aplon.
The Final Score was Stormers (13) 28 / (6) 6 MTN Lions
I suppose this issue is so important to ALL SOUTH AFRICANS, that it is only just that we handle the Matter LIVE!
Herewith the announcement as it appeared live on TV in SA.
Oregan Hoskins announced the Coach, before that Jurie Roux, SARU CEO made some remarks.
It’s official, Heyneke Meyer IS the new Springbok coach!
Sharks and Springbok prop Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira has been ruled out for up to three months after suffering a shin fracture during a Sharks training session on Friday morning.