(Courtesy from iAfrica.com)
Fully fit at the start of a season for the first time in years and with nothing to prove, World Cup-winning Springbok flyhalf André Pretorius is looking forward to his stint at the Western Force. Continue reading
The Sharks’ annual Midlands preseason camp finished Friday the 15th of January following a week of intensive training mixed with a few fun physical activities designed to provide some variety to the hard work. Continue reading
No-one can wait any longer, the nerves are on a knife’s edge. The camps are going through their preparations. The new recruits are fitting well into the teams. They feel ready. Let the games begin. But there is still 26 days left before the games begin.The fans are getting nervous.
Read what some supporters had to say.
The 4Th and last 5-day Test between the SA Proteas and England takes place at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg from 14 January to 18 January 2010. The Proteas are one down in the series, so it is essential for them to win this Test to square the series and salvage some SA pride. This is the match thread for discussion of the game.
First there is the small matter of taking on the Cape Cobras in a cricket match at Newlands on Sunday. But that doesnt mean the Vodacom Stormers do not have their eyes firmly fixed on succes in this year’s Vodacom Super 14. Continue reading
Cape Town – South African referees expect to see fewer re-set scrums as a result of more accurate applications of the scrummaging laws this season said SA Referees manager Andre Watson on Friday.
This year the referees plan a massive crackdown on the breakdown. Over the years this is the most hotly debated and controversial part of Rugby. It boils down to interpretation by the referee. How quick do you blow? How consistent can the Referee be? Expect a lot of penalties early in the season. Eventually we might see less penalties but the first few weeks teams must make sure that their kickers are on form.
Speculation is rife in EP rugby circles that a Bulls and Bok looseforward will be loaned to them for the upcoming season. Continue reading
Just yesterday I posted an article about the Reds where Will Genia said that the success of the team will greatly depends on the mindset of the players. Low and behold, today I came across a similar statement, this one from yet another perennial cellar dweller, the Cheetahs. Continue reading
With his reputation in rugby assured and his multimillion-dollar business no longer needing his daily attention, Rod Macqueen could afford to start relaxing. But only a fortnight after his 60th birthday – and almost a decade of rebuffing any coaching offer that came his way – the World Cup-winning coach will instead plunge back into coaching for elite rugby’s newest team, the Melbourne Rebels.
The world’s most experienced referee, Jonathan Kaplan, has been awarded the Vodacom Super 14 opener between the Bulls and the Cheetahs on February 11.
I came accross an Article in Beeld today, which makes the Blood of EVERY BLUE BULLS SUPPORTER boil…. here curtecy from Beeld.
Pretoria – The newly-established Tshwane Sports Council is considering doing away with the Barberton daisy as the region’s traditional sporting symbol and the blue colouring of all representative teams from the Tshwane area.
I have been on record many times saying the majority of rugby fans are stupid, and this in part helps aid our underperforming teams a great deal in sustaining a ‘slapgat’ rugby culture. Continue reading
Pretoria – The Vodacom Bulls were dealt a setback when a freak accident ruled out Springbok utility back Francois Hougaard for up to six weeks. Continue reading
Having lived around this part of the world for a while now and having spoken to a number of people close to the Reds, I think the best way to describe them is a mix of the Lions and Cheetahs. Continue reading
The South African Rugby Union has given its full support to Bulls and Springbok loose forward Pedrie Wannenburg as he attempts to ‘clean up his act’, following his admission that he used cocaine and ecstasy, as well as also abusing alcohol. Continue reading
A flyhalf crisis in the City of Roses may see the young Sias Ebersohn run out for the Cheetahs’ Super14 team, albeit only in the warm-up game against Eastern Province in a couple of weeks time. Continue reading
The Sharks are probably the team in World Rugby that made the most of the game going professional, for one thing with the help of Mr. Price they sure sell a hell of a lot of T-Shirts. Continue reading
England and Europe, in fact the whole Northern hemisphere gripped in the coldest Winter for years left most people indoors.
Carol said Perhaps its just the snow making me restless!!
I am getting cabin fever…………
I WISH IT WAS SUMMER….
Former Bulls winger Bryan Habana is looking forward to the challenge of playing a more central leadership role with the Stormers as they continue their pre-season training in the build up to the 2010 Super 14 competition.
By Zelim Nel
London – Britain’s harshest winter for decades continued to disrupt sports schedules on Thursday as yet more fixtures were postponed because of freezing conditions.
Johannesburg, 7 January 2010… The Golden Lions Rugby Union has announced another exciting signing from International Rugby Academy of New Zealand (IRANZ) to join the franchise ahead of the 2010 Vodacom Super 14.
Player management and the threat of burn-out ahead of the 2011 World Cup has been big news in South Africa recently, but the Bulls don’t believe there is a problem. Continue reading
Our friends at the Lions made an interesting signing with news that former All Black flyhalf Carlos Spencer have joined the Lions. They are tight lipped about it all but it is understood it is also one of the biggest contracts ever in South African rugby. Continue reading
In Africa, few creatures inspire such lore and legend as the majestic king of the beasts and this is why they symbolize power and respect all through the continent, and even across the world. The masai , a nomadic warrior people from Tanzania and Kenia, believes that killing a lion with your bare hands is the single greatest achievement a man can accomplish in his lifetime (short as it may be).
Springbok captain John Smit and vice-captain Victor Matfield were honoured this week by being included in Rugby World magazine’s team of the decade. Fourie du Preez was named as one of the reserves. Continue reading
The 3rd 5-day Test between the Proteas and England at Newlands, Cape Town from 3 – 7 January 2010. England leads the series 1 : 0 so far. This is the match thread for discussion of the game.
Both Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussouw trained with the Cheetahs S14 Squad yesterday Continue reading
It’s generally good news for the Stormers on the injury front. Continue reading
I want to move forward in my career and experience a winning culture,” said the 26-year-old Springbok centre, who left the Lions to sign a contract with Western Province. Continue reading
The Bulls started training again on Monday after their festive break, with hooker Botha back after an absence of two seasons. Continue reading
Matfield, who was part of the 2007 World Cup winning squad, reacted to the debate initiated by Sports Science Institute of South Africa Professor, Tim Noakes, that the Springboks were overplayed and exhausted, resulting in their poor results in their European tour in November.
The Bulls will play one warm-up fixture against the Lions on January 30 in Polokwane before their Super 14 campaign kicks off on February 12 in Bloemfontein against the Cheetahs. Continue reading
After months of dispute about the financing and structure of the fifth Australian side – the first privately owned franchise – a major development is expected that will enable the club to start recruiting players and coaches. Continue reading
I was working today and almost every Sport bulletin on the Radio asked this question, Will they drop Ntini? The decision according to Smith on News24 is not in his hands. He even describe it as “sensitive”. When does the player become more important than the team. My feeling about Ntini is that he is one of our best players but that his current form is not at Test level.