Price: $20.99
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Springbok Rugby Hits
When the Final Whistle Blew on the 1995 Rugby World Cup Final at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, 43 Million South Africans Shared in the Celebration of the 'boks' Having Conquered the World's Best. Four Years On, the Springboks Are Prepared for an Evengreater Challenge, Defending their World Title. The Anthem in 1995 was the Hugely Popular 'hie Kommie Bokke' which Has Been Re-recorded for this Album as the Updated 1999 Wales Edition.
Website Dedicated To NZ’s RWC Hoodoo
New Zealand’s inability to win the Rugby World Cup since it first hosted the tournament 24 years ago has become so notorious it has its own website.
The site http://www.waitofanation.com/ – parodying the claim the All Blacks carry the “weight of a nation” into every world tournament – charts New Zealand’s history of World Cup disappointments.
After posing the question “pressure, what pressure?” the website observes “time and again, New Zealand has clutched defeat from the jaws of victory with peerless dexterity. Despite all the enduring success of the All Blacks, our lack of cups has become a saucer of embarrassment.”
The site points out the All Blacks have won 74 percent of matches over 106 years and have won more games, scored more tries and produced more points than any other team in World Cup history while winning the tournament only once, in 1987.
It offers for sale Wait of the Nation t-shirts, recommending they should be worn in a foetal position.
SAPA
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SOUTH AFRICA HOME CLASSIC JERSEY (GREEN) SHORT-SLEEVE
Handsome short sleeve rugby jersey in dark green with dark green piping. Stretchy side panels. Embroidered Springboks logo on right chest. South Africa Rugby patch is embroidered on the left chest. CCC logo is embroidered on front chest. South African flag is embroidered on the left sleeve. SASOL sponsor logo printed in center. Made of ultra soft, yet durable Temex fabric. 100% cotton drill collar with loop neck. The South African Rugby Football Union was founded in March 1992. In 1995, the International Rugby Board awarded South Africa the honor of hosting the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and the Springboks won the competition and won again in 2007! 74% Polyester, 28% Cotton. Comes with an extra rubber button. Sizes S-3X.Price: $0.00
Friday, August 26, 2011
SOUTH AFRICA RUGBY LOGO T-SHIRT (DARK GREEN) SHORT-SLEEVE
Pre-shrunk garment-dyed short-sleeve t-shirt with South Africa's team logo silk-screened onto the front of the shirt. 100% Cotton. Sizes S-2XL.(please add $3.00 for size 2XL).Price:
Friday, August 19, 2011
Rugby World Cup Greatest Moments
There have been a huge number of memorable moments in the 20-year history of the Rugby World Cup. Think of the last minute drop-goals to beat Australia by Rob Andrew (in 1995), and Johnny Wilkinson (in 2003). Or maybe the finest rugby match ever played, the semi between France and the All Blacks at Twickenham in 1999. Perhaps you might consider the moment that President Nelson Mandela walked onto the Ellis Park turf for the 1995 final wearing a Springbok shirt. Using interviews and action, The Rugby World Cup Greatest Moments includes all the most memorable action, including the record points tallies, and the breathless finishes. There's a special bonus for all rugby fans, with extended highlights of some of the very best matches. This DVD is a very special accompaniment to the sport's top tournament. Including: The 2003 World Cup Final Nelson Mandela visits the Springboks in 1995 France take on New Zealand in 1995 Wales beat Australia in 1987 Ireland play Australia in 1991 Scotland play England in the 1991 semi-final New Zealand win the first World CupPrice: $29.95
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
HALBRO SOUTH AFRICA OLD STYLE JERSEY (DARK GREEN) LONG-SLEEVE
Halbro North America International Replica Jersey with a myrtle base and an amber collar. Embroidered with South Africa's traditional team logo. 100% Cotton. Sizes S-3XL. Add $3.00 for sizes 2XL and add $4.50 for 3XL.Price:
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Jake On Steyn And Smith
Former Springbok coach Jake White – on RugbyXV.co.za – answers readers bets questions on Frans Steyn and Juan Smith.
Q: Having coached Francois Steyn, and no doubt having kept an eye on his performances for Grey College, do you believe he deserves another chance at flyhalf next year?
Nothing like game-time to help a player settle in a position (he no doubt would have benefited playing in the inside backs at Racing).
Do you believe this would be the best option for the Springboks next year, and what strengths do you think Steyn would bring to the position?
A: When I watched Frans at Grey he played 12 and 15, which I think are his two best positions by far.
Playing at flyhalf restricts him a bit, as you have to merely be a link at times, while Frans likes to run and test defences.
He helps out at flyhalf at Racing at times, but he’s essentially a 12 and 15.
With Jean de Villiers, the Boks are spoilt for choice at inside centre, which is why he’s been moved to fullback.
To read White’s input on a head coach’s role and possible replacement for Juan Smith, click here.
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Thursday, August 4, 2011
SA Coaches Back Boks
South African coaches believe the Springboks will be back to their best in the return leg of the Tri-Nations.
An under-strength Springbok side were put to the sword by old rivals Australia and New Zealand on their away leg, but local coaches believe the Boks can turn the tables on home soil.
National coach Peter de Villiers told Parliament on Tuesday his injury-depleted side were unable to land knockout blows when they had their opponents against the ropes, and certain team members were wary of playing “hazardous rugby”.
Lions forwards coach Johan Ackermann, a former Springbok, said the Boks would be far stronger if they had time to work together without numerous injury concerns.
“I think killer instinct comes when there is trust within the team,” Ackermann said on Wednesday.
“A team that start believing in each other know that they can win regardless of what happens on the field, like for instance when a quick try is scored against you and that killer instinct kicks in.
“I think the team that went on the Tri-Nations tour weren’t together long enough and played against guys who had two to three times as much experience as they had.
“To build that killer instinct doesn’t happen overnight.”
Bulls coach Pine Pienaar said he hoped the Boks would bounce back at home.
“I’m sure Peter de Villiers is not happy with what happened there,” Pienaar said. “I believe for any Bok coach to have lost those two games would have put them under pressure.
“From a Bulls perspective we are holding thumbs that they do well in the return leg of the Tri-Nations.”
Ackermann said South Africa would be a far more capable side once a host of experienced players returned from injury.
“Those are guys who have won Super 14 tournaments and a World Cup, so they know what it is all about and how to deal with a setback like an early try against you,” Ackermann said.
SAPA
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Coach Peter de Villiers told Parliament on Tuesday he deserved a medal after four years at the helm of the world champion Springboks.
De Villiers was dragged in front of Parliament’s portfolio committee on sport after the Boks lost both matches of their Tri-Nations away leg, against Australia and New Zealand, last month.
According to Beeld, De Villiers added his team lacked killer instinct ahead of their Rugby World Cup title defence,
“At the moment we lack the ability to land a knockout blow when our opponents are against the ropes,” De Villiers said, according to the Afrikaans daily.
“There is an extreme fear of hazardous rugby and the standard of certain players is also a concern.”
De Villiers denied that he had sent key players to a training camp in Rustenburg during the Tri-Nations tour, insisting they had been sent there to rehabilitate various injuries.
“In a normal year we would risk five or six of those injured players in the Tri-Nations, but this is not a normal year,” he said.
The Springboks will face the Wallabies in Durban on August 13 and the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth on August 20 before the start of their World Cup campaign in New Zealand in September.
SAPA
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Thursday, July 28, 2011
Div Denies Secret Bok Camp Claims
The Springboks arrived in New Zealand on Wednesday with coach Pieter de Villiers denying a South African report that 21 “so-called injured” players are in fact at a secret World Cup training camp.
“They are not training at the moment,” he said when told of the report that the 21 were holed up in Rustenberg with Springboks’ technical director Rassie Erasmus.
“So-called is not the right word to use. They’re injured players back in South Africa and there’s a few guys going back today too who are also injured.”
The reigning world champions play the current top ranked All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday, a week after their under-strength side were trounced 39-20 by the Wallabies in Sydney.
De Villiers said the injured players would be tested next week to see if they were fit enough to take part in South Africa’s two home Tri-Nations matches next month.
Among the key South Africans missing from the Australasian tour are Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Fourie du Preez and Bryan Habana, while the All Blacks are likely to rest players who carried a heavy Super Rugby workload.
They include half the first choice forward pack with Keven Mealamu, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn and Owen Franks unlikely to take the field, which de Villiers said was sensible.
“I think that they (New Zealand) know how to manage the players and the workload,” he said, adding that the revamped Super Rugby season made the Tri-Nations a tough challenge in a World Cup year.
“The Tri-Nations is a good thing, it’s the best preparation you can get for the World Cup because the best teams in the world are there.
“But coming off the back of a long Super 15, it might just be a bit too harsh on the players,” he said.
SAPA
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Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Div hunts Jake's fitness guru
by Jóhann Thormählen 18 April 2011, 23:27
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has apparently made the next move to put together a management team for this year's World Cup.
De Villiers is set to rope in another member of his predecessor Jake White's management team as consultant for the tournament in New Zealand.
Sport24 understands that Derik Coetzee already received a call from De Villiers last week and the Bok coach will meet with the conditioning expert about his availability on Tuesday.
Coetzee was White's fitness guru when South Africa won the World Cup in 2007 and is still highly-rated.
De Villiers is also keen to employ former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones as consultant, while Western Province director of coaching Rassie Erasmus is also expected to come on board.
The South African Rugby Union (Saru) recently made the surprise move to axe Os du Randt as scrum coach.
Coetzee's involvement will not necessarily mean that more heads will roll, but it will be interesting to see how De Villiers uses him and current Bok conditioning coach Neels Liebel.
Liebel was in the firing line with assistant coaches Dick Muir and Gary Gold last year when the Boks performed poorly.
De Villiers will announce a squad of between 45 and 50 players in Wellington on Wednesday to take part in the first national planning session on 1 and 2 May in Cape Town.
A second planning session will be held in Durban on 11 and 12 June and a third in Johannesburg on 19 and 20 June.
The Bok coach will announce his World Cup captain on 2 May.
The final squad of 30 players for the tournament, which starts on 9 September, will be announced on 23 August.
Coetzee's involvement will be welcomed in rugby circles and also inside the Bok camp.
He has repeatedly distinguished himself from other experts as a conditioning coach. Apart from the fact that he helped prepare the 2007 Boks, he was previously with the South Africa under-21 side when they were coached by White. He also worked under Peet Kleynhans at the Cheetahs.
Coetzee has been at the University of the Free State for the last few years and also assisted the Shimlas as fitness expert for their 2011 Varsity Cup campaign.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Smit Wary Of Wounded Wallabies
John Smit is warning his inexperienced Springboks line-up to be wary of an Australian squad desperate to rebound quickly from a humiliating loss to Samoa when the Tri-Nations tournament kicks off on Saturday.
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers selected props Dean Greyling and Werner Kruger and back rower Ashley Johnson to make their run-on test debuts against Australia in Sydney, and has included uncapped scrumhalf Charl McLeod on the bench.
Greyling and Kruger will start on either side of captain and 103-Test veteran Smit in the front row.
Only two months out from the World Cup, defending champion South Africa is missing a host of regular starters due to injuries but has a smattering of experienced players.
Lock Johann Muller overcame a hamstring injury and is one of five World Cup winners in the starting lineup, while halves Ruan Pienaar and Morne Steyn and center Wynand Oliver form the basis of the backline.
“The new caps had outstanding Super Rugby seasons and this is an exciting opportunity for them,” De Villiers said. “They have been rewarded for their form and now it’s up to them.
“We have got some new combinations, but there is a lot of potential in this side and the players are hungry for this chance.”
Smit said the Wallabies would be wanting to make a point against South Africa at the same ground where they lost last week to Samoa for the first time ever, a defeat which cost them the No 2 world ranking.
“I suppose it’s not probably the best result for us,” Smit said on Tuesday. “There’s certainly no chance of us catching them unmotivated right now. They’ll be pretty motivated to turn things around.”
Smit said his props for the weekend wouldn’t be intimidated by the Australians.
“They’ll be nervous and I’m pretty sure Australia will want to have a crack at them as well up front,” he said. “I’m sure they’ll understand that but the boys have stepped up every week in Super 15 so I can’t see it being any different in a test match.”
The Samoans outmuscled a below-strength Australian lineup at the breakdown and contact zones, forcing turnovers. But with four more of the stars of the Reds Super Rugby-winning team recalled to Australia’s starting lineup after a week off, De Villiers isn’t likely to employ an identical gameplan.
“They won’t be undercooked against us. We know that,” De Villiers said. “Genia and Cooper is a hell of a danger … there’s a lot of dangers in the Wallabies side.
“If you’ve got the ball, you don’t have to target the breakdown. So we will try to hold onto our ball, our possession, and then we don’t need to flood the breakdowns.”
Associated Press
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Three of the form South African players of the Vodacom Super Rugby season will make their international debuts against Australia on Saturday, following the announcement of the Springbok team in Sydney on Tuesday.
Props Dean Greyling and Werner Kruger and loose forward Ashley Johnson were named by coach Peter de Villiers in the Springbok team to meet the Wallabies at the ANZ Stadium in the opening Castle Tri-Nations test.
The team is led by John Smit, in his 103rd Test, and contains four other Rugby World Cup winners in Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, Danie Rossouw and Johan Muller. A sixth, CJ van der Linde, is on the bench as the replacement prop.
Heinrich Brüssow was not considered as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury.
Uncapped scrumhalf Charl McLeod was named on the bench. Three of the four potential new caps have appeared in non-Test Springbok matches; the exception is Dean Greyling.
“The new caps had outstanding Super Rugby seasons and this is an exciting opportunity for them,” said De Villiers. “They have been rewarded for their form and now it’s up to them.
“We have got some new combinations, but there is a lot of potential in this side and the players are hungry for this chance.”
Joint Super Rugby top try-scorer, Bjorn Basson (nine tries), was named on one wing with Lwazi Mvovo – who was tied for second on the SA scoring log with six – was named on the other in a backline also featuring the pace and elusiveness of Gio Aplon and Juan de Jongh.
The experienced trio of halfbacks Ruan Pienaar and Morne Steyn and inside centre Wynand Oliver complete the backline.
Lock Flip van der Merwe gets the chance to step out of his understudy role to the injured Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield while Vodacom Bulls pairing, Deon Stegmann and Danie Rossouw partner Johnson in the back row.
Springboks: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Juan De Jongh, 12 Wynand Oliver, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Johann Muller, 4 Flip Van Der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Dean Greyling.
Replacements: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ Van Der Linde, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Adrian Jacobs, 22 Patrick Lambie.
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Sunday, July 17, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Boks back on track after flight scare
The Springbok team will now leave on the away leg of their Castle Lager Tri-Nations tour at 11:15pm on Saturday on a specially arranged Qantas flight it was announced on Saturday.
The team is scheduled to arrive in Sydney at 7:05pm (local time) on Sunday -- 31 hours later than originally scheduled – after the team’s flight on Friday was forced to return to Johannesburg after suffering an engine failure.
“There has obviously been some disruption but we are on top of it and have made the necessary adjustments to our planning,” said Springbok coach Peter de Villiers.
“We had timed our departure with a view to managing the effects of jet lag and have had to re-examine those plans. We’ve looked at the programme and it has had an effect, but we will manage it.
“Obviously there were a few stressful moments but we have given the players a free day to relax before we get back together this evening.”
The team spent the night at the Intercontinental Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport and was informed of the new arrangements at a team meeting at 9am on Saturday.
“Qantas have been very good,” said De Villiers. “They kept us informed throughout the night and their general manager came through to the team meeting to explain the situation and answer any questions from the players.
“Things like this draw people closer together and hopefully that’ll be the effect on this team. But right now it’s all systems go and we’re looking forward to getting to Australia and preparing for a test match.”
In a statement Qantas said a new aircraft had been despatched to Johannesburg on Saturday to accommodate passengers that were scheduled for Sydney. All passengers were to receive their original seat numbers and the flight will carry the same flight number, QF64.
The new aircraft is scheduled to land in Johannesburg at 8pm on Saturday and is scheduled for departure at 11:15pm.
Boks Receive Double Boost
World Cup winner Johann Muller and star flanker Heinrich Brüssow were included in the Springbok squad on the away leg of the Castle Tri-Nations Series on Friday.
The pair have responded well to treatment and will be part of a 28-man party to take on Australia in Sydney on July 23 and New Zealand in Wellington a week later.
The squad includes World Cup-winning prop, CJ van der Linde, who was added as cover at the start of the week because of a number of injuries to leading front rankers. The 30-year-old DHL Western Province prop – who can play on either side of the scrum – has now been retained having trained well with the squad this week.
“Johann and Heinrich are very important to us this year and they’ll continue their rehabilitation on tour,” said Peter de Villiers, Springbok coach.
“This squad is a good blend of experienced players, with Rugby World Cup titles behind their name, and the form players from Vodacom Super Rugby, with some outstanding potential. We’ve had some good field session this week and I’m excited about this tour.
“We’ve chosen from our Rugby World Cup preliminary squad – so the players know they’re in the selectors’ thinking for the tournament. I’ve told them that this is their chance to prove that they’re ready to take their place in the final squad.”
Following the overseas leg of the Series, the Springboks host Australia in Durban on August 13 before concluding the shortened series against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth on August 20. The final Rugby World Cup squad will be named on August 23.
Castle Tri-Nations tour squad:
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It’s all systems go for the 2011 edition of the oldest provincial rugby competition in the world, the Absa Currie Cup.
Here are some bullet points of all eight Absa Currie Cup Premier Division teams ahead of the first round of matches this weekend.
Sharks: The title holders begin the defence of their crown this weekend severely hampered by international call-ups.
No fewer than 16 players are unavailable for selection — 15 due to their Springbok commitments and Steven Sykes has left for Irish club Leinster — so it will be a completely unfamiliar side from the one that did duty in the recently concluded Super Rugby competition.
Newly appointed captain Keegan Daniel is the only forward survivor from the starting XV that did duty in last season’s 30-10 final victory over Western Province in Durban.
Among the backs, only Stefan Terblanche and Louis Ludik remain.
The main acquisition for John Plumtree’s men is the signature of veteran centre Marius Joubert, who joins from Clermont Auvergne in France.
The Sharks are also boosted by the availability of utility back Frederic Michalak after the Frenchman joined them at the back end of their Super Rugby campaign.
Among those to watch out for in the new season are hookers Kyle Cooper and Craig Burden, number eight Marcell Coetzee and fetcher Francois Kleinhans.
«Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Next»
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Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Flyhalf Battle Takes Centre Stage
Already the contest between flyhalves which will illuminate Saturday’s Super Rugby final between the Reds and the Crusaders, and maybe decide it, has the ring of one of sport’s great head-to-heads.
The competition between the Crusaders’ Daniel Carter and the Reds’ Quade Cooper has all of the qualities which cause an individual contest within a team sport to loom out of the compelling background of the match itself.
Saturday’s final in Brisbane, Australia, pits the two most exciting and constructive flyhalves in world rugby against each other and may decide, in a foretaste of this year’s World Cup, which may be called the best No 10 in the game.
In one corner there is Cooper, the hometown hero, poised and confident yet still only 23. He is shaven-headed and liberally tattooed, muscled yet youthfully lean, possessed of the most singular goal-kicking style in world rugby. Cooper is brash, unorthodox, inventive and unafraid.
He is New Zealand-born – raised in Tokoroa, a logging town about 150km south of Auckland – but moved with his family to Brisbane at age 14. His family roots in New Zealand are still deep, though. So deep that Sean Maitland, the Crusaders’ winger, is his first cousin.
Cooper has played only 24 Tests, scored only 41 points in international rugby and yet already he is universally acclaimed as one of the best playmakers in rugby, one who has the ability to decide this year’s World Cup.
Saturday’s meeting is his second with Carter in Brisbane this season – he decided the first with a last-minute penalty which gave the Reds a 17-16 win over the Crusaders in the tournament’s 15th round. It could be the second of five meetings between the pair this season if they are to meet again, ultimately, in the World Cup final.
Carter is the established master. Now 29, he has played 93 Tests and scored 1,188 test points; more than any player other than England’s Jonny Wilkinson (1,195).
Clean cut, athletic and assured in all of the fundamentals of the flyhalf’s game, Carter brings additional qualities of skill, anticipation, opportunism and tactical insight which have made him the world’s benchmark at least for the last five years.
He has the edge on Cooper in experience, in his proven track record and his participation in five previous Super rugby finals, but Cooper’s season with the Reds has elevated his reputation.
Cooper may do more than Carter that is unpredictable, even unaccountable; he has the ability to operate in the most limited space, to make breaks in the midst of defenders. He does it all with apparent ease.
Carter will do all that he needs to do exceptionally well, even flawlessly. He will find his touches, manage territory, make his tackles, create gaps for his outside players. He has the No 10's very best quality, that he can be counted on.
It is Carter’s resume more than his form this season which make him stand out as the current world No 1, although this has been a quiet season.
Blues coach Pat Lam, after his team’s semi-final exit at the hands of the Reds, sought to rank the pair.
“Quade is right up there,” he said. “There is Dan, then him.”
Even Carter has remarked on how Cooper’s developed this season with the Reds.
“Quade has just grown from the way he played last year,” Carter said. “He is really leading them and creating a lot of opportunities … He really is the danger man.”
Cooper almost single-handidly contrived the Reds’ 30-13 win over the Blues, though others such as winger Rod Davies – who scored three tries – benefited from his creativity.
All the elements of his game were present in the stunning try he set up for centre Ben Tapuai. Receiving the ball from a kick 35 metres from his own goal line, he fended off Auckland winger Lachie Munro and, working with only a metre to the touchline, hared upfield. He beat another Auckland tackler near the sideline then turned sharply infield, dummied beyond the grasp of another defender and handed off to Tapuai.
He explained later: “I see an opportunity and I’ve just got to take them.
“There were a few other options, a few safe options some might say. I’m sure that’s what everyone else was thinking but that’s what the defence was thinking as well.”
Blues coach Lam was both stunned and admiring.
“You appreciate skill,” he said. “You appreciate good players whether they’re Australian or English or wherever they come from. You’ve got to try to defend him as a team. One-on-one he’ll beat just about every player around.”
Carter has been less influential this season: steady but seldom spectacular. It seems to have become the nature of Carter’s game that he saves his best for the big occasion.
He has run more rarely this season than he typically does but that might also be encouraged by the fact that he has outside him Sonny Bill Williams and one of the best backlines in Super Rugby.
“He’s probably been a little bit quiet in recent times,” Crusaders assistant coach and former All Blacks midfielder Daryl Gibson said. “He’s one of those players, because he does everything so well, you sometimes don’t notice just how good he is.
“You look at a number of other (flyhalves) playing with a lot more flair, but they also make a lot more mistakes. He does a fantastic job of making sure we stick to the game plan and go out and execute everything we need to do.”
And he’s coming into form, contributing 19 points in a nearly perfect kicking performance in the Crusaders’ 29-10 semi-final win over the DHL Stormers in Cape Town last weekend.
“Everyone would be disappointed if we didn’t go all the way,” Carter said. “Not a lot has to be said.”
SAPA
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McKenzie Lauds Majestic CooperMcKenzie Lauds Majestic CooperCoetzee: Beaten By A Better TeamCoetzee: Beaten By A Better TeamTags: Crusaders, Dan Carter, Featured, Quade Cooper, RedsCategory: Super RugbyJake On Stormers’ Crushing Loss
Former Springbok coach Jake White – on RugbyXV.co.za – answers readers’ best questions on Jean de Villiers, the Stormers, and the Boks’ conditioning.
Q: You were at the Stormers game against the Crusaders on Saturday, what does this outcome mean to the Boks going forward? The Stormers were up against possibly the best in New Zealand, how should we recover from this?
A: It should be a massive wake-up call for South Africa, especially because the win was so convincing. This result, however, won’t have any bearing on any possible World Cup match between the two countries, because New Zealand have for years dominated Super Rugby, without going on to win the Tri-Nations or World Cup. But we can’t say it has no bearing at all – even Allistair Coetzee said that the Saders were far too good for the Stormers.
To read the full article and to ask Jake a question, click here.
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Tags: Jake White, Jean de Villiers, StormersCategory: Columns, Super RugbyNienaber set to join Boks
by Gavin Rich 05 July 2011, 14:45
The Stormers may not have won through to the Super Rugby final but there has been more confirmation in the wake of their semifinal defeat last weekend that the Springboks will base their game heavily around the Cape team’s strategy at the forthcoming World Cup.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers lauded the Stormers as the team with the playing style that could win the World Cup when he spoke at a press conference in Wellington in April.
The following week it was confirmed that Stormers tactical guru Rassie Erasmus had joined the Boks as a technical adviser. And now Jacques Nienaber is set to join his Stormers boss as part of the World Cup challenge.
It has not been officially announced yet, but the Nienaber recruitment is considered a done deal, and it will be made official at a press conference within the next couple of days.
It is understood that the Nienaber appointment will be along the same lines of that of Erasmus – the defence expert will be part of the Bok group up to and including the World Cup and then revert to his current role at Western Province/Stormers for the 2012 Super Rugby and Currie Cup campaigns.
The Nienaber appointment should be welcomed, for while the Stormers didn’t advance to the Super Rugby final, they did end the competition as comfortably the best defensive side.
And the World Cup is likely to be more about defence than Super Rugby is.
De Villiers wanted Nienaber to help the Boks out during last year’s disastrous Tri-Nations campaign, but WP refused to release him.
In any event, introducing a defensive system is not something that can be done in a couple of days, which was what De Villiers envisaged back then.
Now it is different, as it is anticipated the top Springboks will remain behind when the squad goes on the away leg of the Tri-Nations – as was the case when Jake White prepared the Boks for their World Cup challenge in 2007.
It is understood that Erasmus will be staying behind to coach the players during a camp that will have a strong conditioning emphasis but also deal extensively with on-field strategy.
During that fortnight to three weeks that the playing Boks will be away in Australasia a lot of groundwork can be laid for the Boks to take on board the Stormers defensive system – though conditioning does have to be a big part of this as the secret to the Stormers’ proud defensive record is work-rate.
The Stormers conceded just 257 points and 18 tries in 17 matches in Super Rugby in 2011, while the Springboks leaked tries to an alarming extent during last year’s Tri-Nations.
The Bok squad is currently in Cape Town undergoing medical evaluation. The squad for the away leg of the Tri-Nations is to be announced on Saturday.
Former Boks not worried about scrum
by Michael Green 05 July 2011, 08:03
Former Springbok props Ollie le Roux and Willie Meyer do not believe there is any reason for the South African rugby team to panic about their scrummaging.
Their views come in the wake of the Crusaders' dominant scrumming performances - first against the Sharks at Twickenham earlier this year and then over the past two weekends against the Sharks and Stormers.
The Crusaders' powerful performances have prompted fears that the Boks could be on the receiving end of a mauling in the scrums by the Kiwis at the World Cup.
Crusaders props Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks, and hooker Corey Flynn are expected to form the backbone of the All Blacks' scrum and it's no wonder that there are concerns about the Boks' scrumming.
Sport24 spoke to Meyer and Le Roux about the issue. However, both are of the view that one should not overreact based on the Crusaders' scrumming.
"It should be remembered that the Stormers' pack is definitely not the Springboks' pack. However, it's a good wake-up call and definitely one that should be taken cognisance of," said Meyer.
"The Boks will be able to stand their ground against the Kiwis if the selectors pick the right players. I'm not sure whether the All Blacks' pack will differ much from the one that plays for the Crusaders."
According to Le Roux, i's a "completely different game at Test level and the scrum is only a starting point. There is nothing the Boks need to be worried about.
"However, the right players need to be picked and the players must be focused. And they have to do the scrum basics 100%."
Meyer said that it would be wise to take an experienced pack to the World Cup.
His locks would be Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield, and the front row will be made up of Jannie du Plessis, John Smit and Beast Mtawarira.
"Bismarck du Plessis definitely has to be in the squad and could play a major role as impact player later in games," said Meyer.
Le Roux believes that CJ van der Linde has to be picked in the Bok team.
"Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis must be picked with him. We will need that strength in the scrums. We also have good locks like Danie Rossouw, Flip van der Merwe, Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield. The big problem is who should be omitted from which game."
Meyer and Le Roux are not too worried about former Bok prop Os du Randt no longer assisting Bok coach Peter de Villiers as scrum consultant.
"When you get to Test level there is not much more that you can learn about scrumming," said Meyer.
"I don't consider it a major problem that the Boks don't have a scrumming specialist. I do, however, believe that it's important for them to prepare thoroughly and that the pack's rhythm in the scrums is good."
Le Roux said that the Bok team "did not scrum that much better" when they were assisted by Du Randt.
"I know Rassie Erasmus well because I played under him for a long time. Together with Gary Gold (assistant coach) they will ensure that things run smoothly."
Monday, July 4, 2011
Springboks question scrum
The Springboks will convene in Cape Town on Tuesday afternoon with serious questions about their scrumming ability and whether they will be able to contain New Zealand's Franks brothers without the input of a scrum coach. The logistical nature of the Springbok camp means that not much attention will be paid to rugby sessions. Medical testing and the supply of clothing are likely to take up most of the players' time. The scrums will surely be high on the list of priorities when the Bok squad starts to train at Florida Park in Ravensmead on Wednesday. The Crusaders destroyed the Stormers' scrum in Saturday's Super Rugby semi-final. While no member of the Cape side's front row is in the Bok squad, it's still a source of concern that the home team got such a hiding in the scrums, especially as the Stormers were able to stand their ground in that department against other local sides. The Crusaders also twice had the upper hand over the Sharks' Bok front-row and also dictated matters against the Bulls' front three. With a decision having been made to dispense with the services of regular scrum coach Os du Randt after he breached team protocol, South Africa will have to make the right decisions to ensure that the Bok scrum is in good shape when the first Tri-Nations Test is played in three weeks time. Gary Gold, who has previously coached the Bok scrum and technical advisor Rassie Erasmus will make sure that they find help in that regard, but BJ Botha may again be viewed as a key player. Botha came to the Boks' rescue in 2009 when he joined them on their November tour. He was particularly good in the Test against Ireland in which he dominated the home side. Last year Botha played in the overseas Tri-Nations games for the Boks, but he struggled with a neck injury. He was not picked again, but may well make an appearance against the Aussies in Sydney. Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is likely to decide on Tuesday who will be considered for the first part of the Tri-Nations when he has the medical reports available.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Semi-Final Preview: Stormers v Crusaders
It’s the battle of the titans as South African Conference winners the DHL Stormers collide with the New Zealand Conference-winning Crusaders in a blockbuster Vodacom Super Rugby semi-final showdown in Cape Town on Saturday.
The hosts, who finished the regular season in second place behind Australian Conference winners the Reds with 12 wins and four defeats, are one match away from reaching their second Vodacom Super Rugby final in as many seasons.
Standing in their way are the seven-time champion Crusaders, who boast a remarkable record of 17 victories from 22 knockout matches, including a 27-16 win over the Stormers in their first semi-final encounter in Christchurch in 2004.
Tellingly, however, the Crusaders have lost all three semi-finals they have contested on South African soil, all against the Vodacom Bulls – in 2007, 2009 and 2010 – a testament of the importance of home ground advantage and the handicap of travelling across the Indian Ocean.
The hosts are well-rested following their bye, while jetlag and a physical battle against the Sharks in last weekend’s Qualifier in Nelson are bound to take its toll on the visitors in the latter stages of Saturday’s clash.
This advantage, though, may well be nullified by the psychological edge the visitors enjoy over the Stormers due to their spirited 20-14 win at the same venue in May that was made all the more impressive as it was achieved without key men Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Andy Ellis and Brad Thorn.
They had also lost Israel Dagg, Sean Maitland, Kahn Fotuali’i and Adam Whitelock to injury in the first half. The Stormers, in contrast, fielded a near full-strength side with Peter Grant the only first-choice player ruled out of the clash.
Stormers coach Allister Coetzee said improved decision-making will be the key to thwarting the challenge of the Crusaders this time round in the pressure-cooker environment of play-off rugby.
“The Crusaders have class all over the pitch and we know the huge challenge that they pose. Our physical intensity will have to be massive for the full 80 minutes if we want to come out with a positive result,” commented Coetzee.
“It will be vital for us to be accurate and to make better decisions than the last time we played them. We had chances to put them away and we didn’t, so we have focused on our decision-making ahead of the game.”
With both sides lethal on turnover ball, Coetzee said accuracy in execution and minimising mistakes will be two other focal points.
“Errors are made in every game, but with the huge pressure on the players this Saturday it would be natural if more mistakes are made,” said Coetzee.
“That being said, the team has been preparing for this moment for seven months and this coupled with our experience of these types of games over the last few years will help us to ensure that we maintain our accuracy,” he added.
The Stormers will be without ace No 8 Duane Vermeulen, who suffered a knee injury in the win over the Toyota Cheetahs in the Cape side’s final regular season match a fortnight ago.
Nick Koster will subsequently start at the back of the scrum with Saracens standout Schalk Brits coming onto the bench as loose forward cover. In the only other change to the pack, the larger Tiaan Liebenberg starts at hooker ahead of Deon Fourie.
Coetzee has also opted to reshuffle his backline with Jean de Villiers reverting to his more accustomed position of inside centre and Gio Aplon moving to the wing, with the reliable Conrad Jantjes included in the last last of defence.
Dewaldt Duvenage and Jaque Fourie are both carrying minor injuries but have been named in the starting line-up. Duvenage’s injury is said to be the most worrying and the Stormers have successfully registered Nic Groom as back-up as a precautionary measure.
The Crusaders on the other hand have made just one change with All Black skipper Richie McCaw returning from a foot injury at the expense of Matt Todd. McCaw takes over the captaincy from Kieran Read, who has been cleared from injury and retains his place at No 8.
Key Battle: The battle of the flyhalves will be as crucial as ever as Peter Grant will look to send a message to Springbok coach Peter de Villiers after being omitted from the preliminary Springbok World Cup squad and Dan Carter will want to regain his form after an ordinary day with the boot against the Sharks.
Then there’s the mouth-watering clash of the midfields and round two of Jean de Villiers versus Sonny Bill Williams. Their first meeting was tightly contested with Williams shading it due to a trademark off-load which created the first of the Crusaders’ two tries.
Jaque Fourie’s upstaging of Robbie Fruean was more decisive and levelled the scores at one-all, which sets the scene for a thrilling tussle. Two greats of the modern era will renew their legendary rivalry in a captain versus captain clash as Schalk Burger and Richie McCaw lock horns once more.
However, the most significant confrontation will be that of Wicus Blaauw, Tiaan Liebenberg and Brok Harris versus Wyatt Crockett, Cory Flynn and Owen Franks. It was here, in the front row, where the round 12 encounter between the sides was won.
Crockett had led the Crusaders’ front row’s charge with a Man of the Match two-try performance and the all-All Blacks combination had the upper hand at scrum time over the trio of Blaauw, Fourie and CJ van der Linde.
Coetzee has turned to Liebenberg and Harris to turn the tables on the visitors, but they will have their work cut out for them as they will come up against a trio boosted by Flynn’s 100th appearance for the Crusaders.
Last Meeting: Crusaders 20-14 Stormers (Cape Town).
Prediction: Coetzee’s changes in personnel more than hints at a conservative game plan and whether or not early predictions of possible rain come to fruition, the Crusaders are also likely to play field position.
The battle at the breakdown will thus be of the utmost importance and here the teams will turn to scavengers Francois Louw and McCaw to work their magic. The tactical nous of the halfback pairings will also come to the fore and the possible loss of Duvenage would be a massive blow for the hosts.
It’s bound to be a match of Test match-like intensity that could be decided by a single score. As a result, goal-kicking will be crucial, and with Grant boasting an unrivalled 84.7% success rate and Carter struggling to find his range, the Stormers could have the edge.
Ultimately, the Stormers’ home ground advantage and the Crusaders’ travel bogey will converge and see the Stormers book their place in the final with a narrow three-point win.
Saturday 2 July: DHL Stormers v Crusaders, Cape Town (17:05)
DHL Stormers: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger (captain), 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Rynhardt Elstadt, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Wicus Blaauw
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Anton van Zyl, 19 Schalk Brits, 20 Louis Schreuder, 21 Juan de Jongh, 22 Johann Sadie.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Matt Todd, 20 Kahn Fotuali’i, 21 Matt Berquist, 22 Ryan Crotty.
Related posts:
Semi-Final Preview: Reds v BluesConservative Stormers Await CrusadersWhy Stormers’ Midfield’s IneffectiveMcCaw Returns As Flynn Reaches TonTags: Crusaders, Dan Carter, Featured, Jean de Villiers, Peter Grant, Richie McCaw, Schalk Burger, Sonny Bill Williams, StormersCategory: Super RugbyUncertainty Over Currie Cup Format
The General Council of the South African Rugby Union has the final responsibility for determining the format of the Absa Curie Cup competition, Jurie Roux, CEO of the South African Rugby Union, confirmed at the launch of the 2011 tournament in Johannesburg on Thursday.
“The President’s Council approved the principle of a strength-versus-strength format from 2012 onwards, when the future structure was reviewed at the end of 2009,” said Roux.
“They gave the Competitions Committee the task of determining what format would work, within the broad principles of strength-versus-strength and the new playing calendar from 2011 onwards.
“In March, the committee confirmed that the only practicable format within those constraints was a top division of six teams and a first division of eight teams. That recommendation was accepted by the Executive Council who, in turn, must seek acceptance of their recommendation at a General Council meeting.”
Roux said the rationale for the recommendation was presented to a workshop of union presidents and CEOs in Cape Town last week. A number of concerns were raised and alternatives were discussed but none was accepted as a workable substitute.
Roux said the decision-making process was not complete and that further discussions would take place before the General Council would be asked to make a final decision.
“Both Absa and SuperSport are aware of the debate and favour the recommended model, but the final decision rests with the unions,” said Roux.
He added that the decision needed to be taken during the course of 2011 but no specific timelines had been attached.
Related posts:
New Currie Cup Campaign LaunchedTags: Jurie RouxCategory: Currie CupJoin SARugby.com Currie Cup Pool
The Absa Currie Cup commences in two weeks with the Golden Lions hosting the Ford Pumas in the season-opening clash on July 15 and as per usual, SARugby.com will host its own Superbru pool.
Now is your opportunity to put your rugby knowledge to the test against SARugby.com staff members and friends and earn ultimate bragging rights and great prizes by entering the free Superbru Currie Cup prediction game and joining the SARugby.com pool.
For newcomers, the competition is simple. Predict the outcome of each game – the more accurate you are, the more you will be rewarded.
Continuity will be key, and for those that often fail to make their predictions in a particular week, Superbru aim to add with incentive by awarding weekly prizes.
So whether you are a veteran or a debutant to the game, join the SARugby.com pool by following the steps below and show the brotherhood what you’ve got.
Website: http://www.superbru.com/curriecup/pool.asp?p=183481
Pool name: SARugby.com
Pool code: mazemeow
Related posts:
Uncertainty Over Currie Cup FormatNew Currie Cup Campaign LaunchedUncertainty Over Currie Cup FormatNew Currie Cup Campaign LaunchedCategory: Currie CupMcLeod replaces Januarie in Bok squad
The Springbok preliminary Rugby World Cup squad has been called into camp in Cape Town from July 5 to 8 to begin preparations for the international season.
Stormers players will not attend if their team is involved in the Vodacom Super Rugby final. Charl McLeod (The Sharks) has been called in to the training squad in place of Ricky Januarie, who has retired from international rugby.
The players will undergo medical assessments to assist in selection for the Castle Tri-Nations Series. The squad for the first leg of the Series will be named on July 9.
A media schedule for the Cape Town camp will be issued on Friday.
Preliminary Rugby World Cup squad:
Willem Alberts (The Sharks)
Gio Aplon (DHL Western Province)
Bjorn Basson (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Andries Bekker (DHL Western Province)
Bakkies Botha (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
BJ Botha (Munster, Ireland)
Heinrich Brüssow (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
Schalk Burger (DHL Western Province)
Juan de Jongh (DHL Western Province)
Jean de Villiers (DHL Western Province)
Bismarck du Plessis (The Sharks)
Jannie du Plessis (The Sharks)
Fourie du Preez (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Jaque Fourie (DHL Western Province)
Dean Greyling (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Bryan Habana (DHL Western Province)
Alistair Hargreaves (The Sharks)
Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Adrian Jacobs (The Sharks)
Butch James (MTN Golden Lions)
Elton Jantjies (MTN Golden Lions)
Ashley Johnson (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
Ryan Kankowski (The Sharks)
Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Werner Kruger (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Patrick Lambie (The Sharks)
Francois Louw (DHL Western Province)
Charl McLeod (The Sharks)
Victor Matfield (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Tendai Mtawarira (The Sharks)
Johann Muller (Ulster, Ireland)
Lwazi Mvovo (The Sharks)
Odwa Ndungane (The Sharks)
Wynand Olivier (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Coenie Oosthuizen (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, Ireland
JP Pietersen (The Sharks)
Chiliboy Ralepelle (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Danie Rossouw (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
John Smit (The Sharks)
Juan Smith (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
Pierre Spies (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Gurthrö Steenkamp (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Deon Stegmann (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Frans Steyn (Racing Metro, France)
Morne Steyn (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Adriaan Strauss (Toyota Free State Cheetahs)
Flip van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls)
Duane Vermeulen (DHL Western Province)
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