Under normal circumstances one would back the Sharks to take this one without hesitation against the wooden spooner Cheetahs, but the Sharks have problems…
Is there really any doubt in anybody’s mind who will win in any game between the Rubble Reds and the Multiple Champion Crusaders… maybe this year there should be….
The gutsy and unlucky Highlanders against a Blues Team who were fast out of the blocks to only fade very badly as the game wore on…. what will happen here?
Club rugby in Western Province received a huge boost with the announcement by the Department of Culture Affairs and Sport of the Western Cape Government that they will give financial support to 25 rugby clubs.
Well round one is done and dusted and we’re cruising into week two of this year’s Super 14 competition. But hold up just a minute; what did you make of the season’s opening exchanges. Here are some brief assessments to kick off proceedings – please add your thoughts below!
The weather favoured South Africa with the umpires calling play off with the visitors on 115 for three on the fourth day of the second test against India at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
South Africa, Super 14, Super Rugby
Super 14
The Blue Bulls Company has released Vodacom Bulls lock Wilhelm Steenkamp on loan to the Sharks for the remainder of the Vodacom Super 14 competition.
Steenkamp, who has 19 Super Rugby caps, will return to his Pretoria base after completion of the competition.
He will again be available for selection for the Vodacom Blue Bulls once the Currie Cup season starts.
According to the BBC’s business and high performance manager, Ian Schwartz, a request from the Sharks to utilize the services of Steenkamp, was granted and Steenkamp will join the coastal side immediately.
“Wilhelm will get playing time at the Sharks, which will not only benefit the player, but South African rugby as a whole,” Schwartz said of Steenkamp, who last year also represented the Emerging Boks against the British and Irish Lions.
“The Sharks is in need of a top class lock and we have released Wilhelm due to our depth in that position. We have no doubt that he will add value to the Sharks in their campaign.”
courtesy of www.thebulls.co.za
The Sharks have chosen a far better balanced team, although once all injuries are over it could still be stronger.
Players still out are as follows, Muller, Swannepoel, Mostert, Ludick, Mvovo Continue reading
The instruction to referees to “be stricter” has had a major impact in the first round of Super 14 action with 153 points scored from penalties. Continue reading
The Stormers are considering picking Ricky Januarie as a counter to the Waratahs’ dangerous Wallaby scrumhalf Luke Burgess in Saturday’s Super 14 match at Newlands in Cape Town. Continue reading
Die Westelike Provinsie het nie gras onder sy voete laat groei nie ná die Springbok-senter Jean de Villiers se aankondiging gister dat hy die Ierse streekspan Munster eersdaags gaan verlaat. Continue reading
Springbok Ashley Johnson has been left out of the Cheetahs starting line-up and will sit on the bench when the team travels to Durban to face the Sharks in a Super 14 Round Two match on Friday. Continue reading
Johannesburg – South Africa has a new export product: zef.
Something on the lighter side before the real build up to the weekends Rugby. Also to take our minds away from the Cricket struggle.
Bad light and a wet outfield have prevented play from starting on the fourth day of the second test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday.
According to Terry McLean the 1965 team was the worst Springbok team ever to visit New Zealand. Weak indeed as a team, but consisted of really talented players, including some of the best known and biggest Springbok legends.
My fellow Rugby Talkers, today I made a huge mistake and must now beg for for forgiveness.! Continue reading
What counted on the score board was a victory to the home team, with the Crusaders beating a tenacious Highlanders side 32-17, but that was not all that went on in Christchurch at the weekend.
Continue reading
Munster announced today that Jean de Villiers will return to South Africa at the end of the current season. Continue reading
Oops…with all the exitement of the Super 14…we seem to have forgotten that there is another trophy to be won this year as well. I thought I might try my hand at some team talk…
Please don’t be offended…but if you are…whatever…
Advantage India, certainly … but South Africa have suddenly served up a gutsy little reminder that they retain an ambition to “escape” at Eden Gardens and thus still win the series.
Sharks named their Super14 squad for 2010 with not to many surprises, although one still sees problems in the backline.
The lack of depth here is a scary one as one shudders to think if someone like Ruan Pienaar got injured? Continue reading
In week 3 of the Varsity Cup, 4 matches are played today. This is the math thread for all 4 games. 2 Games are broadcast on TV in SA (SuperSport 1).
They must have read about it. They must have heard about it. They must have planned for it. Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla have played a Test there before. Nothing, though, can be preparation enough for an Indian comeback from the dead at Eden Gardens.
Samoa wins Final 33 – 12 against New Zealand
SA lost to New Zealand 12-5 in the quarter finals
South Africa wins the plate against , can you believe it. At last a win against Fiji. 12 – 7
Sevens maestros Fiji continued their dominance over the Springboks when they won a highly-charged match at the Las Vegas Sevens 12-5 to win Pool B.
n Artikel vanaf die FNB Varsity Cup website. Studente rugby was nog altyd lekker om te kyk, nou met die FNB geborgde Varsity Cup kry ons elke Maandag 4 wedstryde .
Laasweek het ons baie gehoor van Boom Prinsloo die man wat 4 driee ingeryg het, wie is die man? Lees hieronder die onderhoud wat met hom gevoer is.
Italy hosted England in Rome today, in their Six Nations match of the series. This is the match thread for discussion of the game.
Only the Crusaders were happy at home in the 7 Super 14 matches of the weekend!
Of course, the only 2 sides who can really feel satisfied with the 1st round results are the High-stepping Champions, the Bulls and the Crusaders. These 2 winning sides were the only ones to score a full 5 Log Points in their respective wins.
This is not merely about the ICC rankings. A series win in India is a big box any team other than India needs to tick if it wants to be the best in the world. Think Australia in their modern heyday and the frustration and the eventual satisfaction the “Final Frontier” brought them. India, on the other hand, pride themselves on their home record, and their claims to being the best will take a big beating if they lose.
The Sharks hosted the Chiefs at ABSA Park, Durban tonight in sweltering February heat and humidity and rain. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA. The Chiefs scored a 1-point win over the Sharks, 19 / 18 in the most difficult conditions possible.
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The Lions hosted the Stormers at the “Coke-Tin” late this afternoon. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The game was broadcast on SuperSport 1 in SA on TV.
The Stormers had a good First half, scoring all their points and clearly overshaddowed the Lions in the Fist Half. The Second Half was different, only 7 points coming in the whole half, the Lions always playing catch-up. In the end the Stormers won comfortably, 26 / 13. No bonus points was earned for tries.
All in all, the game was a dour affair.
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The Queensland Reds hosted the Waratahs today. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The game was broadcast on SuperSport 1 on SA TV. The Waratahs won right on full time, by scoring a converted try, they won 30 / 28
Stress and anxiety attacks made Meyer quit rugby Continue reading
The Crusaders hosted the Highlanders today in New Zealand. This is the match thread for discussion of the game. The match is broadcast on SuperSport 1 on SA TV. The Crusaders won 32 / 17, grabbing their bonus point 4th try when time was already up.