Original Contributions
OK, the shouting AT Heyneke Meyer & Co is done for his broader Squad selection of 32 players, some real bolters in and some surprising omissions… which did not exactly go down quietly and without a fight.
Now the 22-Man team for the first England Test and the first Test with Heyneke Meyer in charge has been announced too and generally there should be more or almost complete agreement for the run-on 15 chosen.
At a media briefing at 12.30 in Durban today, Heyneke Meyer confirmed that Jean de Villiers will lead the Springboks against England in the upcoming series.
Well whoever said rugby was boring. In one fell swoop, the Sharks were left washed up on some beach on the Jukskei, the Bulls were humbled at home, Heyneke Meyer attempts to fark with our heads and Keo is up for a bit of sex and coke. And that is all before the Queen steps onto her barge!
A new list of the proposed law changes has been released by the IRB. These will be trailed later this year.
The Barbarians Summer Series proper begins this weekend with the Killik Cup against England at Twickenham, and not much has been spoken about it here.
At this stage of the season, things are starting to click into place on the Logs, with teams starting to know that they are out or left with a mathematical chance to make the play-offs of the competition.
Realistically there are only 9 teams still able to qualify for the 2012 Super Rugby play-off’s, but with the Hurricanes and Reds right on the edge and needing almost a miracle to reach the play-off’s.
What, you may well ask has the headline got to do with this match. Let me explain.
As much as I hate this clichéd saying that every sports commentator has used with gay abandon since the 1980’s, where the English football hacks had run every overused idiom, including this one into the ground, it is most apt for this game. This really was “a game of two halves”.
A round-up of the latest news shorts from the weekend’s rugby.
A round-up of the latest news shorts from the weekend’s rugby.
We are
reaching the halfway mark of the 2012 Super Rugby season, these are some of my thoughts so far.
At 16.00 today (Sunday 15 April), Heyneke Meyer is set to release the names of his support team, but there may be a surprise in store……
This weekend that was I went to a coaching course with a group of players. The course was generally speaking very informative. We rotated through different stations doing basic handling, rucking, tackling and kicking drills with lots of feedback to players and coaches.
At the end we played a game (10 players on each side) called touch and ruck. It is a really nice way to enforce some basic skills at the young age groups. Players learn about maintaining the offside line, to go up in a line on defence and on attack, to touch with both hands (essential to learn that you need to punch through with the arms when you tackle), to rip and place and to clean-out at the rucks.
A while back I wrote an article on martial arts in rugby (see here). The focus of that article was more on the tactical side of things; strategic approaches in martial arts which can also be used (and are as a matter of fact) in other sports like rugby.
An interesting development in New Zealand rugby over the last two years has been the increasing use of martial arts techniques and training methods in rugby. One of my colleagues was heavily involved with the Manawatu Turbos last year playing under Dave Rennie. Rennie of course is now coaching the Chiefs and one can clearly see some of these techniques now being used by the Chiefs. According to my colleague, Rennie has acquired the services of a martial arts expert in Hamilton who is now working with the Chiefs.
It wasn’t the stronger team that won this match, there wasn’t one. It was a little bit of perhaps slightly better planning by the Stormers, and a little bit of luck.
Stormers go into the match against the Lions at Coca Cola Park on Saturday at 19h10 with the same side as last weekend.
Three things struck me about yesterday’s game – The Stormers didn’t succumb to the Blues mind games, the tight five finally seemed to strike a chord, and the manners of the Newlands crowd are despicable.
Growing up as a Durban boy my only sporting interest and great passion as a school boy was surfing.
What I didn’t fully realize was that I was born with the body of a prop, and so rugby entered my life as a prop forward at Under 13 level and soon thereafter rugby had relegated surfing to second place, and I played my first game at first division level against the then current Springbok tight head at the tender age of Nineteen!!
15 Years later I played my last game at first division level and happily bear the cauliflower ear and aches and pains of being lucky enough to scrum down in this great game with and against the most interesting men I could ever wish to meet.
Scrumming had become a practical education in the skill of a contest that only a few get to experience, and the enjoyment of watching and appreciating the contest between props based on their know how and technique has kept me close to the game that gave me so much enjoyment.
SO WHO HAS STOLEN THE SCRUM FROM RUGBY IN 2012?
Two from two and a bye next week for the Stormers, thats 12 points in the bag, and thats what counts. The Stormers used their ‘get out of jail free’ card this weekend, and between now and the Blues in 2 weeks, there’s a lot of work to be done.
For the Sharks it is 0 from 2 with 2 meagre bonus points.
Stormers grind out a 13 point margin win against the Hurricanes at Newlands.
There were surprises aplenty as Naka Drotske announced his 30 man squad, for the 2012 Super Rugby tournament.
The biggest surprise will no doubt be the ommission of veteran stalwart Ryno Barnes, the Griquas hooker, he was surprisingly usurped by Hercu Liebenberg, younger brother of Stormers hooker, Tiaan.
Other surprise ommissions were Johan Wessels, with Justin Downey doing enough to get the nod. Riaan “True Blue” Smit, makes way for Boland import Willie le Roux, and not surprisingly, Phillip Burger makes way for Cameron Jacobs.
The Cheetahs will travel to Polokwane, to face an expected full strength Bulls team in the last warm-up.
The match take place on Saturday.
The Cheetahs will look to test a couple of players, who have played more of a role off the bench, as Naka and his merry men, fine tune their team.
This match will be televised on SuperSport, which is a step in the right direction after they got their priorities all wrong in broadcasting the Stormers vs Boland game, but failing to broadcast the much more meaningful warm-up matches between the Lions vs Stormers, and Cheetahs vs Stormers!
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!!!!!!
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!
In the left corner, wearing black trunks with orange trim…
… and in the right corner wearing a loin cloth and ostrich feathers…
The referee for this bout will be the circus clown SARU!!
The Cheetahs squad has now been discussed and time to do the same through a range of Articles on the Bulls.
After the Bulls range of Articles, we’ll see ranges of Articles on the remainig 3 Franchises too… but let’s focus on the Bulls for now. I will handle the discussion of players a bit differently from the Articles on Cheetahs contenders, limiting discussion to the 33 players in the Bulls official Super Rugby training group.
In this Article we look at the contenders for PROPS in the Vodacom Bulls 2012 Super Rugby group, and whether they could force their way into Bok contention.
17 July 1971 – Sydney Oval, Sydney
South Africa 19 / Australia 11
Not much is available about this Test apart from some Gerhard Viviers commentary (see video below) and brief descriptions of the Springbok tries. There were two changes to the South African team who played against France earlier the season at home.
Morné du Plessis and Hannes Viljoen got their first caps in the places of the injured Tommy Bedford and Gert Muller. The South African team can be seen in the table below.
In this final edition of the series of articles, dissecting the contenders for the Cheetahs squad, we are going to look at the players vying for the fullback berth. GBS has been putting the pressure on, for me to finish, in the vain hope that the Breezers, Guppies, Pink Nulle, and Kitties get their contenders on the table.
It is almost time, but still almost a month before the first salvos in this years Super Rugby competition gets fired.
Enough time methinks for these scribes to put fingers to keyboards!
Without further ado, here are the Cheetahs contenders for the Last Outpost:
As we continue to wait in anticipation of Super Rugby to start proper, here are the contenders for the glory boys out wide. Here I have a concern, with the players available. While all of them are speedsters, they aren’t in the same league as the likes of Guildford, and co. That said, they fit well into the Cheetahs pattern, where there is often space created out wide.
I see that most supporters believe that this is their teams year lol, normally this has been the sole preserve of the “Drizzlers” as GBS rfers to the Stormers.
Be it as it may, I am impatient for it all to start! Bring it on!!
Time running out for the opposition scribes to name their teams GBS? How about getting your slaves to work!
First my commiserations to all who suffered losses during the terrible floods in Limpopo, and Mpumalanga! The power of nature, though beautiful to behold, is humbling indeed. I hope that all affected, will soon have their lives returned to normal. Especially guys like Superbul in Hoedspruit.
In this, the penultimate article in the series that looks at contenders for the Cheetahs Super Rugby squad of 2012, I am going to look at the midfield. Things have been a tad quiet on Rugby-Talk. Come on people bring out the handbags!
Must say the Cheetahs seem to have more than useful cover in this position too.
Welcome back to some of the regulars, like sharky_forever, Loosehead and Lion4ever… and to Webmonster GBS, recover quickly! The excitement and anticipation is building as we near the practice runs. It is thus fitting, that we look at the position, in which we are all of a sudden blessed with numerous contenders for the Bok 10 jumper. The Cheetahs are very lucky to have some exciting players in this position. A welcome change indeed!
The Cheetahs have produced a number of Springboks in this position, and some, it could be argued should have gotten more chances to play. Guys like Jannie de Beer, that only played a handful of test matches could have contributed more. Ironically, the Cheetahs are the SA franchise with arguably the most talent and depth in the flyhalf channel heading into the 2012 Super Rugby Competition.
Canterbury 9 / South Africa 6
This match was a turning point in terms of the media and public’s (in both countries) relationship with Craven and the 1956 Springbok team.
Terry McLean writes: This was the day that Canterbury, for the second time in three encounters, defeated South Africa, this was the night that Danie Craven, after telling me that he was not a happy man, said a critical piece about refereeing in New Zealand, this was the week-end in which he made an official complaint about the quality of New Zealand refereeing and this was the succeeding week in which angry passions were stirred in the backrooms of newspaper offices, both South African and New Zealand, that the Grey River Argus felt impelled to say, “Sour grapes, Dr Craven –very sour grapes indeed!”
The 1956 team was not a particularly happy touring group and struggled to find their feet right from the start of the New Zealand leg of the tour after losing the first match against Waikato. The Springboks had a hard time adjusting to the wet playing surfaces, the rainy/muddy conditions, the flat lying and rush-up defensive style of the New Zealand teams but in particularly with the kick and charge/marauding foot rush tactics of the New Zealand teams. The rucks were a nightmare for the Springboks and they were at loss how to counter the locals’ aggression, structure and ascendency at the tackle ball.
Morning Webmonster, minions, and my fellow Cheetah supporters. Now that we have the ground forces sorted, lets focus on the guys, that have to do something with the “pill” that has been fought for tooth and nail. Now last year, the Cheetahs cut loose, and ran many a team ragged. Can they continue in similiar vein, and simultaneously close the “revolving door” that they dished up as their defence at times. To lose 7 matches, in last years Super 15, by 7 points or less, makes one wonder what could have been, had the defence been 20% better?
Today we look at the scrumhalf contenders. A position where the Cheetahs have had some colourful characters. Like Werner “Smiley” Swanepoel, and Michael Claasens.
Time for the Cheetahs to look the part! Watch out boys, we can bite! Ha ha.
This edition looks at the selection of loose forwards. One area where the Boks, and in particular the Cheetahs have been strong.
This one is lengthy, as a few players have announced themselves during the injury crisis last year. No doubt there will be hot debate, but what is sure is that the Cheetahs have options aplenty, and may just have the most balanced and exciting backrow in SA, and will be one of the best in the tournament!
Let’s hope in the interests of Cheetahs and Bok rugby, that Juan, and Ratel will stay relatively injury free in 2012.
Hallo all rugby addicts! It’s good to see the blogging intensifying, as prep for the 2012 Super 15 has started in earnest at all the franchises. Rassie’s antics has stolen my thunder momentarily, but I’M BACK!
Anyway, back to my series of articles on contenders for the Cheetahs 2012 Super squad. Tall Timber is next. An area where the Cheetahs have not had dominance since David de Villiers’ departure. We have had some good locks, guys like Braam Els, Flippie, Rory Duncan, and Barend Pieterse, but we need some staunch players to really get the powerful Cheetahs scrum to become destroyers!