SA Rugby
Hello all, I have been coerced into being a contributing author on Rugby-Talk, providing a Cheetah perspective on all things rugby! This is new territory for me, but in the interests of Cheetahs supporters, and the growth of Rugby-Talk, I will give it a good old whirl.
In today’s Article, I will look at the possible contenders for props in the Cheetahs 2012 Super Rugby group, and whether they could force their way into Bok contention. I encourage all to differ from me, as that is what we all blog for. However, let’s avoid the personal diatribes.
The afternoon of the same morning they arrived from South Africa the Springboks played in their first game against a combined team of Western Australia in PERTH.
Charles Blunt the President of Australian rugby formally welcomed every Springbok with a handshake before the first match (see Picture below).
This picture shows Charles Blunt president of Australia rugby being introduced to the players by Hannes Marais before the first match. Here he shakes hands with Dirk de Vos.
The Cheetahs will face 3 Super Rugby sides as well as the Kings in their preparations for Super Rugby 2012, between 28 January and 11 February 2012.
Vodacom Bulls lock Fudge Mabeta will miss the 2012 Super Rugby campaign after being injured in a car accident.
An era of unprecedented success – a ten-year period where they won five Currie Cup titles (one shared) and three Super Rugby crowns – now gives way to a time of rebuilding.
This is primarily (although not exclusively) due to the crippling effect of departures, mostly of senior players.
When I read this ‘oldish’ article I decided that our resident scrum gurus would love it. Here it is courtesy of the Rugby Site’s Waterboy, Brendon Ratcliffe.
Toulouse’s South Africa hooker Gary Botha broke his right leg in Friday’s French Top 14 win over Montpellier and will be ruled out for up to four months.
From left to right: Robbie Barnard; Piet Visagie; Johan Spies and Joggie Jansen
One of the brightest stints in the history of Springbok rugby was in 1970 and 1971. In 1970 South Africa of course won the 4 test series against Brain Lochore super All Black team at home. The 1971 international season started off with two tests at home against a French touring side. The Springboks won the first one on 12 June 1971 in Bloemfontein 22-9 and drew the second one 8 all on 19 June 1971 in Durban.
What a year of would-haves, could-haves, should-haves and, ultimately, bitter underachievement for the Springboks in a year when the All Blacks enjoyed the delicious irony of at last winning the World Cup despite being outplayed in the final. After 26 years of being the best team on the planet but failing to land the Webb Ellis Cup because of the wicked vagaries of death-or-glory rugby, the wheel finally turned for the Kiwis at the global showpiece.
SIX years ago, Oregan Hoskins took over the reins as South African Rugby Union (Saru) president, tasked with the huge responsibility of converting the organisation plagued by infighting and back-stabbing into a respectable and ethical body — and there is no doubt he has achieved that.
18 July 1956, Fraser Park, Timaru – Springboks 20 / 8 South-Canterbury & North-Otago & Mid-Canterbury Combined
Craven took a week off –resting at Mount Cook- and under instruction of assistant manager Dan de Villiers the Springbok intentions was to run the ball against a team not likely to front any stiff opposition.
A number of factors combined to derail the effort especially in the last quarter of the second half when the match turned into an extremely scrappy affair. These factors being injuries –before and during the match- poor refereeing, and a general sort of holiday or lack of real application attitude amongst the second stringers. Continue reading
William Small-Smith and Craig Barry, who are both contracted to the Springbok Sevens team, have been included in a squad of 33 players for the South African Under-20 training camp in Stellenbosch in January.
The latest development in the rugby wheel is the evolution of the second row forward – the left lock or enforcer lock in particular. Traditionally a bulky, abrasive character, the enforcer lock does the donkey work in the tight-loose, bashes opposition forwards into submission and beefs up the set pieces.
Rob Houwing imagines what the country’s five Super Rugby Franchises may wish for as main presents in their stockings on December 25 …
Add your wish list in the comments.
Four years ago, the SA Rugby bosses did the right thing morally by appointing Peter de Villiers as the first black Springbok coach. Next month they will hopefully do the right thing again. This time by picking the best man for the Bok job – doesn’t matter if he is white, caramel, black, or something in-between.
Former Blue Bulls flyhalf Francois Brummer is searching for a new rugby team after he failed to obtain a contract at the Eastern Province Kings.
The Vodacom Bulls has signed a five year partnership with renowned sports brand Puma and the clothing brand will be the official kit supplier to every team under the Blue Bulls Company’s auspices.
International Rugby Board Chairman Bernard Lapasset has been re-elected for a second consecutive term in office by members of the IRB Council at its reconvened Interim Meeting in Los Angeles, USA, on Monday.
Dear Santa,
Well, another year has nearly come and gone since you last heard from me, and as you know, I am not usually one to complain about what you send down my chimney, but, I was hoping that this year we could perhaps re-look at my list a little closer.
In recent days there has been some speculation that Francois Steyn could be moving back to South Africa, and of course the speculation started who could vie for his services.
One of the candidates touted to have offered Steyn employment, of course, is the Golden Lions Rugby Union, but apparently that is not the case… yet.
The Third Tournament of the HSBC Sevens World Series 2011 / 2012, known as the Nelson Mandela BaySouth Africa Rugby Sevens tournament played on 9 and 10 December 2011.
This week the tournament was in OUR back yard, the first games started at 11:37 on 9 December 2011, SA Time. We only had a lively general Discussion Article and not a Live Article with Score Updates as the games proceed.
This was exactly that, the Discussion Article, here you will find all the scores.
News from Newlands is that the WP / Stormers have signed U21 centre JP du Plessis.
Former Springbok & Sharks centre Adrian Jacobs is unlikely to play Super Rugby for the Stormers in 2012 after he snubbed an offer to train with them.
The South African Rugby Union (SARU), with the backing of the National Lottery and Department of Sport and Recreation, plans to launch a major academy project that is aimed at developing promising young players.
The Golden Lions Rugby Union received notification this morning via social networking website www.twitter.com that a rumour has been circulating that the Golden Lions Rugby Union are bankrupt and can only afford to pay their players’ salaries until the end of the month.
The Stormers pre-season training squad for the 2012 Super Rugby season has finally been named and is listed below, noting that the squad is not finalised for the 2012 season and players may be added at any time. Continue reading
Dawie Theron, coach of the South African Under-20 side, is satisfied with the significant amount of work his training squad put in during their camp in Stellenbosch, which concluded on Wednesday.
A really fascinating day at the Beyond Sport Summit – highlighted by an entertaining panel discussion including Michael Johnson and Oscar Pistorius, and chaired by Bob Skinstad – was interrupted slightly upon getting three bits of truly bizarre sporting news …
Springbok utility back Frans Steyn could be on his way back to South Africa at the conclusion of his contract with French club Racing Metro, which expires at the end of June next year.
Vodacom Bulls prop Rossouw de Klerk will miss the start of the 2012 Vodacom Super Rugby season due to a foot injury.
As we wait, and as we wonder, with some trepidation I tell you, for the announcement of our next coach, thoughts will start turning to the next captain. I have posted an article by Totalflanker as to his thoughts on what makes a good Captain.
Former Springboks and Vodacom Bulls legend Victor Matfield will join the Vodacom Bulls on a consultancy basis for the 2012 Super Rugby season.
Centres Wandile Mjekevu and Morgan Newman has joined the Sharks for trials on Monday as they prepare for the 2012 Super Rugby tournament.
Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu says star playmaker Cecil Afrika’s return will be a major boost at the Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens.
I just read this blog called Sore Eye. Some of the reactions are posted at the bottom of the article. What do YOU think?
Allister Coetzee is a talker, a great talker, but perhaps an interminable talker. Funny, articulate, intelligent, passionate, the kind of talker who silences the braai with one-man entertainment. He’s the leading contender, they say, for Bok coach. Who knows what SARU will do, but I reckon Allister Coetzee is not the man. Continue reading