Springbok Rugby
It has been a frantic two weeks in rugby circles in the Southern Hemisphere and unfortunately for some South Africa has been in the midst of each storm, played by the media and in the media.
Article courtesy of SA Rugby
It’s been 13 long years since the Springboks last scored a try at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane against the Wallabies – a record they are keen to change in Saturday’s third Vodacom Tri-Nations Test of 2010.
Two recent performances from the Springboks have raised some serious questions about the team that should take us to World Cup success next year, and whether the current crop has hit the ceiling, or still has a lot to offer Bok rugby. I asked Dr. Ross Tucker, an expert in the field of sport science for his opinions on the matter. Continue reading
The line between calling something as you see it and whining seems to be very fine, so call me a whiner if you like, but I am getting tired of being politically correct when criticising referees. Continue reading
All I read this morning are excuses, blaming others and a good old SA whinge to excuse the Springboks diabolical performance for 2 straight weeks in a row.
My view is radically different… the All Blacks are a well oiled machine at the moment, they play situations and referees perfectly, they play cleverly and they use their heads, not for head butting and shannanigans but to outplay their opposition.
The Springboks and their coaching staff on the other hand come accross as hotheads who easily lose their cool with NO ABILITY to get the referee on their side… and they follow it up with sub-standard play and incompetance!
It wasn’t only the Springboks’ battered and scratched bodies that were aching when they boarded their flight for Brisbane yesterday.
By RICHARD KNOWLER – The Press
I saw a Springbok team that tried their heart out and fought back brilliantly up to the second low blow by the referee in the 43 th minute. From then on the coaching staff started replacing players. Taking Danie Roussouw off so early was not the best change but replacing January with Ruan was overdue.
Springboks coach Peter de Villiers lashed out at the standard of rugby Test referees Saturday and suggested cheating may be the only way to beat diverse law interpretations.
Article from Sport24 by Rob Houwing
Alain Rolland is the latest referee to find himself public enemy No 1 in the eyes of the South African rugby public and commentators.
Victor Matfield has been frighteningly calm this week when quizzed on South Africa’s response to their 32-12 loss in the Tri-Nations opener.
The Springbok team that takes to the field against the All Blacks in Saturday’s second Vodacom Tri-Nations Test in Wellington, is the most experienced ever.
It is the most experienced Springbok team ever that will try and win a Test here for the first time since 1998 on Saturday. The starting team has 700 Tests behind them.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers on Monday criticised the role of television producers in the citing and subsequent suspension of Bakkies Botha.
Here’s the dreaded video material:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-DQ29ycLkU[/youtube]
The All Blacks have had nearly a year to stew on the discontent of their personal Springbok hell of 2009.
We shall see tomorrow night whether they’ve put that time to good use.
Injury-troubled forwards Bakkies Botha and Danie Rossouw have been passed fit to play for the Springboks in the Tri-Nations rugby opener against the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday.
Reading on some web sites and in the press, there seems to be some confusion regarding the possible move of the Test on 21 August 2010 between the Springboks and All Blacks, from Coca-Cola Park (Ellis Park) to the National Stadium (Soccer City).
Some pundits believe the move is a forced move under presssure from SARU, forcing the GLRU (Gauteng Lions Rugby Union) to move the game in an attempt to recover the outstanding British and Irish Lions debt owing by the GLRU to SARU, some believe it is a new and exciting initiative by the GLRU to revive rugby in their region and a possible pre-curser to moving the home base of the GLRU permanently to the National Stadium.
Whatever the case, here is an insight from someone high up in the Club Scene in the GLRU structures.
This Tri-Nations will see one of its closest finishes where amazingly, all three teams will be looking to get something different out of the game as we start looking to the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Continue reading
Graham Henry loved the analogy. That the All Blacks are no longer the hunted but the hunter. That rugby’s international landscape has changed. The Springboks roll into Auckland today as the beast with the target on its back.
South Africa are no longer in awe of the New Zealand All Blacks, Springboks coach Peter de Villiers said on Sunday.
Springboks coach Peter de Villiers says he and his All Blacks opposite Graham Henry have one thing in common – they both have big mouths.
Richie McCaw admits he has to step up his game against the Springboks.
The Boks have been a persistent problem for All Blacks captain McCaw, touted as the world’s best No7.
A big fat Springbok-sized reality check is coming for the All Blacks in just over a week’s time – and the challenge for Graham Henry’s men is to be a lot more ready for it than they were last year.
From the article – Swaggering Springboks up All Blacks’ ante
By MARC HINTON – Stuff
It seems the the Bookies, around the world have made the Springboks slight favourites to win the Tri-Nations over the All Blacks and the Wallabies trailing way behind in the backgroud.
Springbok captain John Smit said the coming Tri-Nations tour will be taken serious and not used solely as a yardstick and building block for the World Cup in 15 months time.
“If we want to go there with the focus on next year we’ll miss the plot. We want to go there and focus on things we’ve built up over the last few tests.
Hardly a media conference goes by that there isn’t some reference to next year’s World Cup in New Zealand by Springbok coach Peter de Villiers or even the players who are interviewed separately afterwards
Ke nako. It’s time.
A article written by JJ Harmse, one i could just as well written. Yes the things said in this article was my view all along.
The most experienced lock pairing in the history of world rugby will be re-united against Italy on Saturday when Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha play together for a 60th time.
Chiliboy Ralepelle at hooker and Victor Matfield as captain?
That will probably be just two of the moves that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers will make for Saturday’s rugby test against Italy in Witbank.
De Villiers has retained the squad of 27 that did duty for South Africa last week.
Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis saved a man’s life at Newlands on Saturday night shortly after helping his side to their biggest Test win yet over France on South African soil.
Continue reading
Peter, you are talking too much again! Do you feel left out after all the success of the Bulls and Stormers? Just concentrate on your job and stay out of the press. This week you had something to say about the management of players and the pace of the game in Europe. I just wonder when will this bite you in the back?
Ruan Pienaar may get the opportunity to show that he is the man to succeed Fourie du Preez as Springbok scrumhalf when the Boks play against France at Newlands on Saturday.
The clever bloggers on Rugby-Talk picked the players’ performances as follows. The Survey stopped early this week at 18:00 Sunday.
The best players in the Super 14 came through stronger in this test against Wales in Cardiff. Form and understanding made the local players outshine the European contingent. The players who made the difference for South Africa was , Victor Matfield, Dewald Potgieter, Danie Roussouw, Ruan Pienaar John Smit and Juan de Jongh.
Rate your players in the poll below.
The Poll closed at 18:00 on Sunday 6 June.
His business interests and pride in the Cheetahs jersey made it easy for Juan Smith to renew his contract with the Free State Rugby Union.
Article By Hendrik Cronjé and Jóhann Thormählen
Fourie du Preez is lost to Springbok rugby for now.
The Bulls scrumhalf will undergo a shoulder operation on Tuesday, which could render him out of action for the rest of the season.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers was happy with his team’s first training session in Cardiff today ahead of the clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.