Loosehead
Queensland winger Digby Ioane has been suspended for five weeks (four matches) for a tip tackle on Sharks flanker Marcell Coetzee.
Bulls scrum half, Francois Hougaard, has been suspended from all rugby for one week after receiving a RED CARD in the game against the Cheetahs for a tip-tackle on Robert Ebersohn.
Springbok and Sharks prop Tendai “‘Beast” Mtawarira has been admitted to a private hospital in Cape Town suffering from heart palpitations.
Sharks coach, John Plumtree, has chosen his best available side to take on the Bulls on Friday night at Loftus Versveld at 19:10 in thier opener for Super Rugby 2012.
Folks, it can be that big time Rugby may no longer be played at Newlands
Allister Coetzee has surprised somewhat by naming Bryan Habana to play at outside centre for the DHL Stormers against the Kings this weekend in the compulsory friendly games against the Kings as well as in preparation for Super Rugby 2012.
Jean de Villiers will captain the side in the absense of Schalk Burger, who attended the Laureus Awards in Europe.
All in all not the strongest Stormers side and there should still be a few tweaks before Super Rugby proper starts. Players who should make the final Super Rugby squad still missing includes the likes of Dewaldt Duvenage, Schalk Burger and Juan de Jongh.
Coach Naka Drotske has announced a strong team to take on the Stormers in Cape Town on Saturday.
And as expected some of what he says make no sense whatsoever.
News from the City Of Roses is that, one of the leading contenders to Captain the Springboks in 2012, Juan Smith, has not recovered from his injury and is on crutches once again.
The multi-talented flyhalf and center is set to leave Durban and further his career at Bayonne.
News from Newlands is that the WP / Stormers have signed U21 centre JP du Plessis.
The Executive Council of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) has called a Special General Council meeting for January with a view to ratifying the appointment of the Springbok coach.
The meeting will take place in Cape Town on January 27, 2012 and is required by the SARU constitution, which specifies that the appointment of the Springbok coach has to be approved by the General Council to become official.
In news hot off the press, reports from the WP / Stormers High Performance Institute is that Schalk Ferreira has come out of retirement to play for the Franchise.
World Cup winning coach Graham Henry has chosen 2007 World Cup winning player Victor Matfield to lead the Barbarians in the game against Australia this weekend.
In news just in, Ex Bulls and Lions flyhalf, Burton Francis, is set to sign for the Stormers
News from Durban is that the Sharks are not offering the Springbok centre Adi Jacobs a contract for 2012.
Breaking news on the BBC is that England coach, Martin Johnson, has resigned.
The Griqua’s Rugby Union and Earl Rose’s agent have not managed to negotiate a contract for the player for the 2012 season.
Coach Naka Drotske has named a squad of 51 players who will train and play trials in Jeffery’s Bay in January.
As a neutral in this game, I have been wondering.
Coach Naka Drotske has announced a team showing two changes from the team that so comprehensively beat the Sharks. Continue reading
Toby Flood has been preferred at flyhalf for Sunday’s game against Georgia. Continue reading
In a surprising move the Sharks have actually named their team to play the Cheetahs within the suggested time frame.
The Scottish and Georgian teams have been announced for their clash on Wednesday.
France 47 / Japan 21 (Final Score)
France and Japan did battle in Auckland at 08:00 SA Time (18:00 NZ Time).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
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Job done for France but not until after Japan gave them a good run for their money and a massive scare in the second half.
Herewith the teams to play in Pool B’s opening round.
Three of the five teams in this pool are good enough to make it through to the quarter finals. England should make it leaving Scotland and Argentina to fight for the second place in this group.
Springboks
Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield are injured ahead of Sunday’s opening game against Wales.
Pine Pienaar has announced the Bulls team to play against the Leopards on the weekend. It is safe to say those playing will not go to the RWC.
The New Zealand Rugby Union has supported a campaign encouraging All Black fans to abstain from sex in support of the All Blacks.
Coach Peter De Villiers has dropped Springbok Captain John Smit to the bench for this weekend’s clash against the All Blacks. Continue reading
Shock and horror, many big names have been excluded from the All Black squad to play the 3N Test in South Africa. Continue reading
Reds back rower Scott Higginbotham and Nathan Sharpe were named in the Wallabies rugby team to face the Springboks in a Tri Nations rugby Test against the Springboks in Durban on Saturday.
Currie Cup Premier Division cellar dwellars, The Vodacom Blue Bulls, have received a bit of good news. The newly signed scrum half, Jano Vermaak, is available to play for them with immediate effect. This will most certainly boost the Blue Bulls, who are in the unfamiliar position of last on the Currie Cup Premier Log.
Springbok coach, Peter de Villiers, has added the Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow to the squad to face Australia on Saturday in Durban. Continue reading