A special bunch?

My life according to rugby has not been such a happy one. Winning more than sixty percent of our games, most coming against northern hemisphere opposition, was something i have never been satisfied with. To have in our trophy cabinet the riches we have now and i speak not only about rugby here, but two of the most cherished sports in English history.

(For record sake: South Africa are number one in Test Cricket, One day cricket, Rugby Union and Rugby sevens as well as being the the country with the Super 14 champions; the hardest provincial completion ever created.)

The Springboks beat the All Blacks 3 times in a row, that is worth more than any world cup ever. Having taken a beating for more than ten years by the old enemy, we showed that we are truly a great rugby nation. Maybe not always the best and maybe not always with the most complete style of rugby, but at the moment not many countries in the history of any sport, let alone two (cricket and rugby) have had the kind of success we have had over the last few years.

To add to the euphoria is the fact that non white South Africans have been involved, integrally, in the success of a country that has the option of embracing everyone as one people and becoming a nation with boundless possibilities. It doesn't mater the colour of your skin anymore, it doesn't even matter if you win, but if you show guts and heart and a patriotism that transcends all else you produce the results we have seen of late.

If we could all take a leaf out of any ones book it would be the much maligned coach of the springboks, Peter De Villers, who has achieved in his short career more than any other coach in Bok history, not withstanding the fact that he comes from a background that doesn't make it easy to succeed in a profession engrossed by the former "oppressor". No matter what any journalist says or anyone thinks, one tiny man has lead 22, no 60 million men and women to a glory in something so small as a sport with an oddly shaped ball that makes a difference to so many people.

There is no better time to be a South African supporter and by supporting we are part of the success. May it long live on.

I employ you all to keep watching rugby and to always, always, always enjoy.

This is sgr, slightly drunk and extremely emotional, but hey...wouldn't you be if you saw that tackle by Jaque Fourie or that penalty by Frans Steyn?

SGR

Rugby Results: Tri-Nations and Currie Cup round 10

12 Sep Currie Cup Blue Bulls 23 - 29 Sharks
12 Sep Currie Cup Cheetahs 33 - 31 Western Province
12 Sep International New Zealand 29 - 32 South Africa
11 Sep Currie Cup Lions 31 - 13 Leopards
11 Sep Currie Cup Boland 23 - 31 Griquas

Tri-Nations Rugby News: Frans Steyn back at the back for the boks!

New Zealand - 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Ma’a Nonu, 12 Stephen Donald, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Adam Thomson, 19 Rodney So’oialo, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Isaia Toeava 22 Cory Jane.

Springboks – 15 Frans Steyn, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (c), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Schalk Burger, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Adi Jacobs, 22 Ruan Pienaar.

Rugby Window: The Final!

Rugby Window: The Final!

The Final!

The only final we ever want to see in the Rugby World Cup is the Springboks against the the All Blacks. They are and have been the two mightiest nations in Rugby Union for pretty much the entire history of the international game. The 95 final being one of the most epic matches of all time; test rugby at it's most intense.

This Saturday the two teams will line up against each other in a game that will determine the outcome of this years Tri-Nations and the winner will take the No. 1 ranking. New Zealand haven't been at their best this year but back to back victories over the Boks and Wallabies will set their up and down season along the right path.

Both sets of forwards will be going at each other hammer and tongs and we shouldn't expect a very flamboyant or expansive match. Call the new style boring call it Ishmael if you want. It's is going to be the most brutal match of the year and if you respect test rugby for what it is you will be entertained, if not you just get out!

South Africa hold their fate in their own hands and a single point should clinch the trophy for the third time in their history. The media is always misleading and the Australian media create a game before the game full of the drama and intrigue of a soap opera. New Zealand on the other hand do their talking on the field, the way it should be done. It doesn't really matter what the bookies say or what has happened in the past, this game is a 50/50 call and that is the best rugby to watch.

The match starts at 9.30am CAT and i expect everyone to to be watching. Fourie Du Preez to have a blinder and Jaque Fourie to score the winner is my prediction. If you're a Black or Bok or anyone anywhere in the world i just hope you watch and enjoy!

SGR

Ndungane given a chance on the wing

"I feel really excited and honoured, and I'm looking forward to the weekend. I've been part of the squad for a quite a while now, just training and doing everything together and just waiting for my opportunity. It's funny how sport works, you can be in one game the one day and then out the next, so I'm definitely looking to make full use of this opportunity. It's good to be involved on Saturday," Ndungane said.

Springbok team - 15-Ruan Pienaar, 14-Odwa Ndungane, 13-Jaque Fourie, 12-Jean de Villiers, 11-Bryan Habana, 10-Morne Steyn, 9-Fourie du Preez, 8-Pierre Spies, 7-Juan Smith, 6-Heinrich Brussow, 5-Victor Matfield, 4-Bakkies Botha, 3-John Smit (capt), 2-Bismarck du Plessis, 1-Tendai Mtawarira.

Reserves: 16-Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17-Jannie du Plessis, 18-Danie Rossouw, 19-Schalk Burger, 20-Enrico Januarie, 21-Adrian Jacobs, 22-Francois Steyn.

Australia: 15-James O'Connor, 14-Lachie Turner, 13-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12-Berrick Barnes, 11-Drew Mitchell, 10-Matt Giteau, 9-Will Genia, 8-George Smith (captain), 7-David Pocock, 6-Rocky Elsom, 5-Mark Chisholm, 4-James Horwill, 3-Ben Alexander, 2-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1-Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16-Stephen Moore, 17-Pek Cowan, 18-Dean Mumm, 19-Wycliff Palu, 20-Luke Burgess, 21-Quade Cooper, 22-Peter Hynes.

Currie Cup Log 2009 after round 8

Pos Team.................P W D L Pts
1 Western Province...8- 6- 0- 2- 28
2 Sharks..................8- 6- 0- 2- 27
3 Blue Bulls.............8- 5- 0- 3- 25
4 Griquas................8- 5- 0- 3- 24
5 Cheetahs...............8- 4- 0- 4- 20
6 Lions....................8- 4- 0- 4- 20
7 Leopards...............8- 1- 0- 7- 15
8 Boland..................8- 1- 0- 7- 15

International Rugby Results: Tri-Nations and Currie Cup round 8

29 Aug Currie Cup Lions 20 - 13 Blue Bulls
29 Aug Currie Cup Griquas 13 - 58 Cheetahs
29 Aug Currie Cup Sharks 9 - 21 Western Province
29 Aug International Australia 25 - 32 South Africa
28 Aug Currie Cup Leopards 50 - 16 Boland

Boks make 2 changes to face the Wallabies

Ruan Pienaar will start at fullback against the Wallabies on Saturday, with Schalk Burger on the bench.

Pienaar replaces Frans Steyn, who will join Racing Metro after the Tri-Nations. Peter de Villiers has so far refused to pick overseas-based players, and this selection indicates Steyn won’t be considered while he’s in France.

‘Ruan is a brilliant rugby player,’ said Springboks coach Peter de Villiers. ‘We want to keep his interest levels high and we can’t afford to lose Ruan.’

The mercurial Frans Steyn drops to the bench where flanker Schalk Burger has also been named for his comeback from suspension for gouging in the June series against the British and Irish Lions.

The highly-rated Burger comes back into the Springboks squad for Danie Rossouw, who is nursing a slight hamstring strain, but could not unseat Heinrich Brussow from the starting pack.

‘It’s certainly indicative of where our team is at the moment to see Schalk at No.19,’ said captain John Smit. ‘It shows how far the team has come. It’s amazing to have a bench like that.’

A fourth straight Tri-Nations victory will almost guarantee the world champions the 2009 series crown.

Steyn finds himself on the bench, along with Schalk Burger, who returns from his eight-week ban. Heinrich Brüssow, who has been outstanding for the Boks this season, keeps the No 6 jersey.

Fourie du Preez will play his 50th Test on Saturday, becoming the seventh player in the starting XV to have reached the landmark.

Springboks – 15 Ruan Pienaar, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (c), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Schalk Burger, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 Adi Jacobs, 22 Frans Steyn.

(see this article first on www.keo.co.za)

And This Little Piggy Cried All The Way Home :'(

Oh how the conspiracy continues

It has always been an open secret since the Yarpie letter was leaked that the Aussies and the Kiwis tend to gang up against the Boks. As paranoid as this seems we need only look at the way South Africans are cited and banned for weeks for cleaning rucks whereas others nearly knock the oppositions block off and receive naught but a yellow card. In an Australian club game a few weekends back a player had his spleen ruptured from an incredibly early tackle and when one compares this to Bakkies Botha's "illegal" rucking it makes you laugh so hard you begin to cry and then have to leave work early because you are too emotional.

The latest criticism of the Boks, obviously because for the first time in a long time they are on top of the world, is that they kick too much and that rugby should be entertaining. This is a whole crock of nonsense and simply the only outlet the antipodeans have for their lack of quality execution in the last three games of the tri-nations. They are complaining that South Africa play a boring style of rugby, yet forget the completely forgettable game that opened up the tri-nations this year. A slew of handling errors and tired running lines culminated in a tight and very unattractive match.

To have a go at the Boks when they are on top is ridiculous and smacks of sour grapes. The point is: rugby is a sport and like all sports (especially international sports) both teams are trying to win the match. If they weren't it would be called Sunday league and even then most of the guys would handle their hangover better if they won their game of touch footy. South Africa are simply playing to their strengths which is a good kicking game and a great defensive line. The Boks had opportunities to score at least three more tries against the Aussies and if they had taken their chances then it would have been impossible to cite "boring" rugby. The scoreline would have and should have been massive, but the Boks made elementary mistakes, mistakes the Wallabies and All blacks are making far too often.

I am in the enviable position of using a biblical quote like our fine coach Mr De Villiers ( i am honored)does on just such occasions; they should take the log out of their own eye before trying to take the spec out of the Boks'. If you ask any South African supporter if he was entertained by the games he witnessed he will tell you "hell yeah I was!" and I leave it up to the the blokes from down under to stop worrying and winging about the Boks kicking and start focusing on your catching, because your going to need it.

And that's what really grinds my gears...

I hope you all watch the game this Saturday between the the Wallabies and the All Blacks and by Jove if its not exciting i want Graham Henry to personally pay me my money back! I'm not kidding.
Rugby fans please, please, please...enjoy

SGR

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Rugby Fixtures August 2009: Currie Cup & Tri-nations

21 Aug Currie Cup Blue Bulls v Leopards 19:10
-------------------------
22 Aug International Australia v New Zealand 12:05

22 Aug Currie Cup Cheetahs v Boland 15:00
22 Aug Currie Cup Sharks v Griquas 15:00
22 Aug Currie Cup Western Province v Lions 17:05

International Rugby News: Australia vs New Zealand (teams)

For the game this Saturday in Sydney...

Wallabies – 15 James O’Connor, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 George Smith (c), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Subs: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Ben Alexander, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 David Pocock, 20 Will Genia, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Peter Hynes.

All Blacks – 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Luke McAlister, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Subs: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 John Afoa, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Rodney So’oialo, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Ma’a Nonu.

SGR

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Currie Cup News: Akona back in blue

Akona Ndungane is back in the bulls side after suffering from a severe case of shin splints. The injury has caused the Springbok winger to miss every game since the final of the Super 14.

He will make his first appearance in this year's Currie Cup against the Leopards at Loftus Versfeld on Friday night. Team doctor Org Strauss confirmed on Monday that he was completely rehabilitated and that Ndungane will be able to play approximately 50 minutes on Saturday.

SGR

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super rugby

Rugby Union Results: Currie Cup Round 7

Lions 19 - 30 Sharks
Boland 7 - 38 Western Province
Griquas 24 - 25 Blue Bulls
Leopards 17 - 71 Free State Cheetahs

A little sum sum i picked up on an ozzy rugby site

Year formed:1889
Emblem:Springbok
RWC 2007:Champions
Best finish:Champions 1995, 2007
World ranking:1
Coach:Peter De Villiers
First Test:30 Jul 1891 v Great Britain, Port Elizabeth; SA lost 0-4
Team colours:Dark green jerseys with gold collars, white shorts
Website:www.sarugby.co.za

SGR

Learn to play rugby

If you are interested in taking your game to another level or just learning the basics Click Here! for an online guide.

Best Dish Network deals

Rugby Union Fixtures

Currie Cup

FRIDAY

Leopards v Free State Cheetahs (Potchefstroom) 7.10pm

SATURDAY

Griquas v Blue Bulls (Kimberley) 3pm

Boland Cavaliers v Western Province (Wellington) 3pm

Lions v Sharks (Johannesburg) 5.05pm

International Rugby News: Rathbone Retires

Clyde Rathbone, the former SAU21 captain has decided to retire from rugby citing injury and lack of desire as his main reasons.

A player who should have been one of the greats and a contemporary of Jean De Villiers, Rathbone has been plagued by injury after injury throughout his career. At the age of 28 he has only played 26 tests for Australia (his adopted country) and 52 Super rugby games.

Rathbone severely injured his face in a club match at the weekend, prompting this announcement, and will require a heap of surgery. From the rugby window team we wish him a speedy recovery and lament the loss of such a talented player.

SGR

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International Rugby News: Carter rushed back in black

Dan Carter has been recalled to the All Blacks squad for the remainder of the Tri-Nations tournament after recovering from an Achilles injury, New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said on Monday.

The flyhalf had played a club game and two rounds of the provincial Air New Zealand Cup competition, and was ready to return to the top-flight, All Blacks coach Graham Henry said in an NZRU statement.

They next face the Wallabies in Sydney on August 22.

Courtesy of superrugby.co.za

Burger or Brussow?

Have we forgotten what Schalk Burger has done for south Africa and do we not always use the adage form is temporary and class is permanent? Why then is it almost impossible for any South African to believe that he should start on the flank for South Africa in Australasia. The answer: Heinrich Brussow; by far the find of the season, not only locally but world wide as well. Every year or so a world class player performs modern miracles and through a string of performances makes the world stand up and take notice.

Dan Carter, Johnny Wilkinson and even Schalk Burger at the beginning of their careers were ear marked for greatness. It was just a feeling in the air; an intangible quality that made them one of the first picks in anybodies world side. What Heinrich Brussow has done over past month and a half is akin to what these great players did and the question we have to ask now is who will Peter De Villiers pick going into the most important tour of his career.

Schalk at his best is a wrecking ball who tears into the opposition with his rucking, tackling and barn storming runs. Brussow is nowhere near the runner or defender Burger is and he isn't an international lineout option, whereas Burger is a proven jumper at the back of the lineout. Burger does have his downfalls; he is a target to all referees with his exuberance and Samsonite blonde locks, he gives away too many penalties through ill discipline and he has started to lose too many balls in the contact situation.

Brussow is the best fetcher in the world at the moment and provides better balance to the loose trio, Spies and Smith do the running and the jumping whilst Brussow gets down and dirty stealing balls like a kleptomaniac squirrel in a nut shop.

The real trip is using these two in tandem, but how? Schalk is no impact player and the longer he is on the field the better he becomes. Brussow could be utilised off the bench but then the Boks will miss the penalties and turnovers he wins in the first half where they are arguably better and have scored more points all their tests this year.

It's a decision I'm glad I don't have to make. Peter De Villiers has a completely fit squad which hasn't happened in many a Sprinbok year. The money says Brussow will start as his form and effect on the game have been integral to the Bok's success recently, but De Villiers loves springing surprises. What I do know is that the Springboks are in a perfect opportunity to clinch the Tri-nations title for a third time and beginning what could be a golden age of Springbok rugby.

SGR

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27 Man Springbok Touring Squad Announced

The president of the South African Rugby Union, Oregan Hoskins, and Springbok coach, Peter de Villiers, on Saturday named a squad of 27 for the away leg of the Vodacom Tri-Nations.

Four players were added to the squad of 23 that did duty during the three home tests, in which the Springboks were unbeaten. The four new players in the squad are Vodacom Western Province flanker Schalk Burger, Sharks loose forward Ryan Kankowski, Vodacom Blue Bulls prop Gurthrö Steenkamp and Sharks winger Odwa Ndungane. All of them were in action earlier in the year against the British & Irish Lions.

The squad departs South Africa on Monday, August 24, 2009. Their first game is on Saturday, August 29 against the Wallabies in Perth. A week later, on Saturday, September 5, they meet Australia again, this time in Brisbane, before concluding the tour in Hamilton against the All Blacks on Saturday, September 12.

The Springbok tour squad is:

Forwards:
John Smit –The Sharks, Captain
Victor Matfield – Vodacom Blue Bulls, Vice-Captain
Andries Bekker – Vodacom Western Province
Bakkies Botha – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Heinrich Brüssow – Vodacom Free State Cheetahs
Schalk Burger – Vodacom Western Province
Bismarck du Plessis – The Sharks
Jannie du Plessis – The Sharks
Ryan Kankowski – The Sharks
Tendai Mtawarira – The Sharks
Chiliboy Ralepelle – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Danie Rossouw – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Juan Smith – Vodacom Free State Cheetahs
Pierre Spies – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Gurthrö Steenkamp – Vodacom Blue Bulls

Backs:
Jean de Villiers – Vodacom Western Province
Fourie du Preez – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Jaque Fourie – Xerox Lions
Bryan Habana – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Adi Jacobs – The Sharks
Ricky Januarie – Vodacom Western Province
Odwa Ndungane – The Sharks
Wynand Olivier – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Ruan Pienaar – The Sharks
JP Pietersen – The Sharks
Frans Steyn – The Sharks
Morné Steyn – Vodacom Blue Bulls

Courtesy of SA Rugby : http://www.sarugby.co.za

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Springboks make it 3 out of 3 in the 2009 Tri - Nations

The Springboks made it 3 out of 3 after there 29 - 17 domination of this new-look Wallabie team.
This means the Boks go on the away leg of the tournament with one hand firmly on the 2009 Tri-Nations trophy. With a lead of 8 points over the struggling All-Blacks, the Boks must believe that this is there year.

The Wallabies started strongly with a their first try in 1 minute and 48 seconds of game time. A good team try from a line-out ending with Adam Ashley-Cooper crossing the line. But after that it the Springbok Juggernaut proved far too strong for this young Australian side. Morne' Steyn continued to impress by scoring 28 points for the boks taking his Bok tally to 65 points in only 5 games (of which he only started 3). Heinrick Brussouw played with the ferocity that we have come to expect from the young Bok star winning much of the ruck ball in the first half. Springbok captain John Smit showed his skill by setting up the Boks try with a delicate little chip through the Aussie defence, with the air of a seasoned fly-half, to allow Victor Matfeild to cross the line for his 6th test try. The Wallabies made thing hard for themselves by reducing themselves doing to 13 men with about 5 mins of the first half to go, Giteau with an uncharacteristic elbow to the face of Fourie DuPreez which will surely see him cited and the loose forward followed suit for a blatant off-side professional fowl. The half time score was 23 - 10 to the Boks.

The second half was far less entertaining than the first, with a multitude of mistakes from both teams making it a frustrating game to watch. The Boks missed out of at least 2 good try scoring opportunities. The formidable South African line-out proved to be too much for the Wallabies, loosing 9 of their own throw-ins throughout the game. However the Australian scrum put massive pressure on the Boks, the first real test for out star front 5. The half ended with a converted try for the Wallabies by Giteau and a yellow card for substitute captain George Smith for a cynical infringement at the Wallabies 5 meter line.

It must also be mentioned that Victor Matfeild and Bakkies Botha celebrated their 50th match starting as the Springbok lock combination. Well done from the Rugby Window family, it has been an emotional 50 games.

Final Score: Springboks 29 - 17 Wallabies.

MM

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ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division Log

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	BPts	Pts
1	GWK Griquas	5	5	0	0	200	87	113	25	9	3	23
2	Sharks	5	4	0	1	145	79	66	14	6	2	18
3	Vodacom Western Province	5	3	0	2	150	98	52	15	8	3	15
4	Xerox Lions	5	3	0	2	122	96	26	11	7	3	15
5	Vodacom Blue Bulls	5	3	0	2	127	96	31	13	8	2	14
6	Vodacom Free State Cheetahs	5	1	0	4	89	114	-25	7	8	1	5
7	Boland	5	1	0	4	74	213	-139	7	30	1	5
8	Platinum Leopards	5	0	0	5	70	194	-124	8	24	0	0

Currie Cup Results: Round 5

Cheetahs 24 -15 Blue Bulls

Platinum Leopards 15 - 44 Sharks

Boland 13 - 19 Golden Lions

Griquas 33 - 32 Western Province

MM

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Griquas march on

Griquas took another step towards Currie Cup semi-final qualification with a shock win over in-form Western Province. The hosts clinched the nail biter 33-32 and have anounced there arival as contenders for the crown they have won only once in the history of the competition. More results to follow.

SGR

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Springbok Starting 15 Unchanged After Smashing All Blacks

Peter DeVilliers has stated that the starting 15 for the Boks will be unchanged for this weekends match against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town. After a media interview earlier this week, the Bok Coach seemed to be hinting that Ruan Peinaar may be inline to take back his starting position at number 10. However he has decided against it, and who can blame him after Morne Steyn placed both hands firmly on the Springbok Flyhalf position by scoring all 31 points in the 31-19 victory over the All-Blacks in Durban last week. Thankfully now the Boks have two quality flyhalfs in the team, a stark contrast to 2007 when they seemed to have no one in reserve for Butch James. The center pairing of Jean DeVilliers and Jaque Fourie will also stay the same as well, the two have rekindled the flames of their awesome center pairing that was lost on that faithful day against Samoa at the 2007 RWC. Their is only one change on the bench, that is bringing Ruan Pienaar back from injury to replace Wynand Olivier. Lets hope the Boks can make it three out of three when they take on a formidable Wallaby team.

The Springbok team is (Test caps in brackets):

15. Frans Steyn (32)
14. JP Pietersen (28)
13. Jaque Fourie (47)
12. Jean de Villiers (50)
11. Bryan Habana (50)
10. Morné Steyn (5)
9. Fourie du Preez (48)
8. Pierre Spies (24)
7. Juan Smith (59)
6. Heinrich Brüssow (6)
5. Victor Matfield (85)
4. Bakkies Botha (59)
3. John Smit (86) – Captain
2. Bismarck du Plessis (26)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (15)

Reserves:

16. Chiliboy Ralepelle (6)
17. Jannie du Plessis (9)
18. Andries Bekker (16)
19. Danie Rossouw (40)
20. Ricky Januarie (37)
21. Ruan Pienaar (31)
22. Adi Jacobs (24)

MM

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Bob Skinstad is joined by International referee Craig Joubert for a beer

Courtesy of Bob Skinstad
www.twitter.com/bobskinstad

MM

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Stream and Watch South Africa vs New Zealand - Live Tri-Nations Rugby

Click here to watch Live Tri-Nations Rugby - South Africa vs New Zealand

http://www.justin.tv/manu_soccer

MM

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Currie Cup News: Captains hat-trick helps Western Province on its way to 3rd place

Luke Watson lead from the front in WP 48-7 (half time 15-0) win over the Platinum Leopards by scoring a hat-trick of tries for the blue and white hoops. WP's seven try haul over the newly promoted Leopards was enough to send them into second place. (Now in 3rd place after the Bulls victory over Boland) The Leopards however, stay on zero points at the bottom of the table.

Willem DeWaal shocked the Leopards and the 9135 Newlands faith full by deferring from his usual kicking game to cut through the the backs like a hot knife through butter to score a brilliant individual try off the back of a line-out. This seems to be the journeyman's season, racking up 18 points last night.

Scorers:

WP 48 – Tries: Luke Watson (3), Willem de Waal, Joe Pietersen, Pieter Louw, Gio Aplon. Conversions: De Waal (5). Penalty: De Waal.

Leopards 7 – Try: Deon van Rensburg. Conversion: Clayton Durand.

MM

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2009 Currie Cup Log - Round 4

ABSA Currie Cup Premier Division | Log

Pos	Team	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	BPts	Pts
1	GWK Griquas	4	4	0	0	167	55	112	22	5	3	19
2	Vodacom Blue Bulls	4	3	0	1	112	72	40	13	5	2	14
3	Vodacom Western Province	4	3	0	1	118	65	53	11	5	1	13
4	Sharks	4	3	0	1	101	64	37	8	4	1	13
5	Xerox Lions	4	2	0	2	103	83	20	10	6	3	11
6	Boland	4	1	0	3	61	194	-133	6	29	0	4
7	Vodacom Free State Cheetahs	4	0	0	4	65	99	-34	4	8	1	1
8	Platinum Leopards	4	0	0	4	55	150	-95	6	18	0	0

2009 Currie Cup Round 4 Results

Free State Cheetahs 12 - 21 Natal Sharks (Bloemfontein)

Western Province 48 - 7 Platinum Leopards (Cape Town)

Blue Bulls 50 - 18 Boland (Pretoria)

Golden Lions 19 - 23 Griquas (Johannesburg)

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How to pick a silver fern

The Springboks have put themselves in a great position to reach yet another milestone in world rugby history. By beating the all-blacks this Saturday they become first team in about a decade to record back to back wins against the New Zealanders.

South Africa have momentum and confidence on their side, whilst the Kiwis have resilience, wet weather experience and a few game breakers who could easily upset the apple cart at the weekend.

The Springbok pack completely dominated in the first test – which put SA top of the log – lineouts, tackle ball and scrumming where all equaled if not bested by arguably the best tight five in the world at the moment and in Heinrich Brusouw they have the best openside fetcher on form in the world – a terrier of epic proportions and the find of the year. Add to this the enormous amount of caps amassed by John Smit's Boks over the past 6 years.

The backlines are where things start to become hazy. Both backlines possess amazing players capable of some of the best tries you'll ever see, but maybe because of the way the game has gone since it became professional, backlines (and wings) are seeing very little ball for large parts of the game. The only way to get better is to practice and without sufficient ball backlines will be rusty which accounted for the slue of handling errors we saw last week. 10 by the Boks and 9 by the all blacks is far too many for an international match on a dry and windless high veld evening.

Mornre Steyn will be eager, as he gets a start this week, to make up for his pitiful attapempt on Conrad Smith which lead to the no. 13 getting over for a try that never should have been. Steyn's kicking will take centre stage this Saturday as it looks likely to rain.

Nothing to lose and everything too gain for the Boks makes this one a humdinger. New Zealand have the lads and minerals to pull off an upset, so please folks I implore you: enjoy.

SGR

Could this be the best team in Springbok history?

With 14 of the Springbok match day squad holding World Cup winners medals, this could well be the best Bok team in recent years. The 22 man squad contains a total of 754 test caps (which averages out to around 34 caps per person). This includes Brian Habanna and Jean DeVilliers who will be awarded their 50th cap as well as John Smit (85 caps) who will break the world record of most matches as test captain with his 60th appearance in that role.

On top of that, on paper the three least experienced players in the team Heinrick Brussow(5 caps), Morne Steyn (4 caps) and Tendai "the Beast" Mtawarira (14 caps) have proven to be Bok stars in their own right. The Beast has taken 2 Super 14 seasons and one and a half Springboks seasons to make himself a household name, any Springbok supporter would be a lier if they said they had not screamed BEAST at the T.V screen atleast once in the last 18 months. Heinrick Brussow took his chance against the B&I Lions when Burger was banned and has proven to the world that he is a contender for Richie Mcaws title as best open side in the world. Last but not least, Morne Steyn, I can hear all the B&I Lions fans across the globe shudder at the name. Steyn has waited in the wings, playing his best rugby in the 2009 Super 14 for the Bulls. He got his chance in the second test against the B&I Lions, in his first match he stopped Ugo Monye scoring what could have been a match winning try. In the second test with the air of a seasoned veteran, slotted a 50 meter penalty to win the series.

When you add the world class combinations of Bakkies and Victor(lock), Jaque and Jean(center), Fourie and M Steyn(half-back), Smith and Brussow(flanks) and of course Brian and JP(wings) you can start to see the winning formula. To that I must add that Frans Steyn has started to silence his critics by settling well in his position at fullback, and the formidable sight of Bismark, Smit and the Beast in the front row is enough to frighten any opposition coach. Spies too has played some cracking rugby in his time and I'm sure his best is still to come.

The bench is shaping up too, Ricky Januarie, Jannie Du Plessis, Dannie Rossouw and Wynand Olivier hold world cup winners medals and the later two holding Super 14 winners medals. The rest is made up of Chiliboy Ralepelle, Andries Bekker and Adi Jacobs, who can complain about having a former Springboks captain (Ralepelle), the proven campaigner (Jacobs) and the rising star (Bekker) in the mix?

However the only way this team will prove themselves to be the best Bok squad in history will be to win the 2009 Tri-Nations. While the campaign has started well, there is still a long way to go, and it continues this weekend with a possible record second consecutive home win over the All Blacks.

The Springbok team is (Test caps in brackets):
15. Frans Steyn (31)
14. JP Pietersen (27)
13. Jaque Fourie (46)
12. Jean de Villiers (49)
11. Bryan Habana (49)
10. Morné Steyn (4)
9. Fourie du Preez (47)
8. Pierre Spies (23)
7. Juan Smith (58)
6. Heinrich Brüssow (5)
5. Victor Matfield (84)
4. Bakkies Botha (58)
3. John Smit (85) – Captain
2. Bismarck du Plessis (25)
1. Tendai Mtawarira (14)

Reserves:
16. Chiliboy Ralepelle (5)
17. Jannie du Plessis (8)
18. Andries Bekker (15)
19. Danie Rossouw (39)
20. Ricky Januarie (36)
21. Adi Jacobs (23)
22. Wynand Olivier (23)

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Springboks Team to face the All Blacks

Springbok team:

Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.

Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Andries Bekker, Danie Rossouw, Ricky Januarie, Adi Jacobs, Wynand Olivier.

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Campaign for Rugby 7's at the Olympics

This is the official video that was released by the IRB in the campaign to make rugby an Olympic sport once again. Support the cause at: www.olympic-rugby.org


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Olivier recalled as back up to the "Smash and Dash" combination of Fourie and DeVilliers.

The moment that every green and gold blooded South African has been waiting for (since the opening match of the 2007 RWC against Samoa where DeVilliers tore his bicep) is just around the corner, the Smash and Dash combination of Jaque Fourie and Jean DeVilliers is reborn this Saturday. At their peak, these two phenomenal centers were arguable as significant to the Springbok back line as Victor Matfeild and Bakkie Botha are to the Boks pack.
The inform Olivier was recalled to the Boks squad this week to replace the injured Adi Jacobs, thus allowing Fourie to reclaim his rightful place along side DeVilliers in the Bok center. Jacobs has been struggling with a groin injury throughout the winter internationals against the Lions. As I'm sure most would agree, we now have the top three centers in South Africa playing for the Boks. While there are still some people who doubt Oliveir, his current form speaks for itself. Adi Jacobs has played well over the last 12 months while Fourie has been recovering from a series of injuries, but now that the Golden Lions star player is back, he MUST start along side DeVilliers. Without the finishing skills of Fourie, we may well have lost the second test against the Lions and perhaps even the series.

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Springbok Team to play New Zealand this weekend

Springbok team: Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, <>John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.

Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Ryan Kankowski, Ricky Januarie, Morne Steyn, Wynand Olivier.

Currie Cup Results: Week 2

18 July: Bulls 30 - 22 Western Province
18 July: Griquas 36 - 11 Leopards
18 July: Lions 31 - 22 Cheetahs
17 July: Sharks 46 - 10 Boland

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George Smith Reaches 100 test Caps for Australia

Today George Smith reached the milestone of 100 test caps as a Wallabie. Since his debut in 2000 against France, Smith has played with all the ferocity and skill that is expected of an international flanker. He is the most capped Australian forward and the first flanker to reach 100 test caps in world history. He spent the 2008 season captaining the Brumbies through the Super 14 and captained the Wallabies on numerous occasion.

From the team at Rugby Window, we all take our hats off to you George, hope to see you in many more matches to come.

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All-Blacks edge past Wallabies

The 2009 Tri-Nations kicked off with the first of the Bledisloe Cup matches. This match was a credit to how close this years competition promises to be, with the on form Wallabies fronting up to the All-Blacks in Auckland. Australia got off to a flying start with Barnes crossing the try line in the first 5 minutes of the match, completing a well worked team try. With the wind behind them the Wallabies continued to dominate of the first 25 minutes, with Gitteau slotting two penalties to make the lead 13-3. The first half was a struggle for New Zealand with many of their top players being starved of game time due to injury. The line out was not functioning correctly loosing two of their throw in's during the first half. After a rusty first 30 minutes from the All-Black captain, Richie McCaw, he clawed back some credibility by scoring the only New Zealand try to go into the break 13-10. This set up a great second half, in the 45 minute the All-Black coaching staff started bringing on the subs and this proved to be the difference. With the wind behind him Stephan Donald kicked four penalties to Giteaus one which left the final score at 22-16 to the All-Blacks. This game was massively physical, with George Smith and Wycliffe Paulu doing some great work on the ground for Australia. Jarome Kayno and Rodney Soalo stood out for New Zealand. As the great All-Black Tano Umange once said about the Tri-Nations; "well it isn't tiddly winks". This Tri-Nations could the the hardest and closest competition in years.

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Springbok Squad to play the All-Blacks this weekend

Springbok squad:

Forwards: Andries Bekker (Western Province), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Heinrich Brüssow (Free State Cheetahs), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), Victor Matfield (Blue Bulls), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Blue Bulls), Danie Rossouw (Blue Bulls), John Smit (Sharks - captain) Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls)

Backs: Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Jaque Fourie (Lions), Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls), Adi Jacobs (Sharks), Ricky Januarie (Western Province), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks). JP Pietersen (Sharks), Frans Steyn (Sharks), Morné Steyn (Blue Bulls).

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Weekend Currie Cup Results:

11	Vodacom Western Province	29 - 15	Sharks	Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
11	Vodacom Blue Bulls	19 - 13	Xerox Lions	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
10	Vodacom Free State Cheetahs	18 - 28	GWK Griquas	Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
10	Boland	26 - 18	Platinum Leopards	Boland Stadium, Wellington

Quote of the Week:

"Currie Cup rugby is traditionally not a competition about fairies and princesses, its about hard men and we see that in the opening minutes of this match..."

(the great...) Bob Skinstad
Western Province vs Sharks 11/07/2009

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Western Province VS KZN Sharks: Preveiw

The 2009 Currie Cup has begun! Saturday afternoon sees two giants of South African rugby go head to head in a battle that could very well set the tone for the season to come. WP have a point to prove after 8 long years of Currie Cup drought, while the defending champs the Sharks will look to start the grueling task of retaining the most coveted domestic prize. The Sharks 22 include 7 current Springboks and have strength across the park, their only weakness being at the flyhalf position where rookie Guy Cronje will have to front up against the formidable Springbok Peter Grant and the resurgent force of Emerging Bok Willem de Waal.

Star All-Black lock Chris Jack will make his Currie Cup debut in this match, does this mark the beginning of SA Rugby fulfilling its potential for creating truly professional (in every sense of the word) rugby in South Africa? Where we can afford to import some great international players to help boost struggling provinces. This weekend marks the return to top flight rugby for Hanyani Shimange. The once understudy to Springbok captain John Smit and second choice Springbok hooker for two years, fell off the raidar when Jake White dropped him before the 2007 RWC in France. Now he is back in the provincial fold and lets hope he stays there, where he belongs. Im sure every blue blooded Province supporter will agree that they could use another Tri-Nations winner in the ranks and this forgotten Bok journeyman may just be back with vengeance.

When looking at the team sheets, one cannot help but feel that the Sharks outfit may be too much for a developing Western Province. However WP's Springboks (Grant, Januarie, Watson, Liebenberg, Shimange and Chavange), Emerging Boks (Newman and de Waal), the Fijian Flier Sireli Naqelevuki and of course All-Black Chris Jack must not be underestimated. WP's great rugby pedigree may just make a come back this year.

KO: 17:05 (C.A.T)
Newlands Stadium Cape Town

Squads

Sharks: Stefan Terblanche; Odwa Ndungane, Andries Strauss, Riaan Swanepoel, Luzuko Vulindlu; Guy Cronje, Rory Kockott; Keegan Daniel, Jean Deysel, Jacques Botes, Johann Muller (capt), Steven Sykes, Jannie du Plessis, Craig Burden, Deon Carstens. Reserves: Skipper Badenhorst, Patric Cilliers, Albert van den Berg, Justin Downey/Ryan Kankowski, Charl McLeod, Monty Dumond, Chris Jordaan.

Western Province: Joe Pietersen, Frikkie Welsh, Morgan Newman, Peter Grant, Sireli Naqelevuki, Willem De Waal, Ricky Januarie, Luke Watson (capt), Pieter Louw, Pieter Myburgh, Anton Van Zyl, Chris Jack, Brok Harris, Tiaan Liebenberg, Wicus Blaauw. Reserves: Hanyani Shimange, JD Moller, De Kock Steenkamp, Deon Fourie, Dewaldt Duvenage, Juan De Jongh, Tonderai Chavhanga.

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Tri-Nations Fixtures 2009 (all kickoff times are local)

July 18
New Zealand v Australia
Auckland
19:35

July 25
South Africa v New Zealand
Bloemfontein
15:00

Aug 1
South Africa v New Zealand
Durban
15:00

Aug 8
South Africa v Australia
Cape Town
15:00

Aug 22
Australia v New Zealand
Sydney
20:05

Aug 29
Australia v South Africa
Perth Perth 18:05

Sept 5
Australia v South Africa
Brisbane
20:05

Sept 12
New Zealand v South Africa
Hamilton
19:35

Sept 19
New Zealand v Australia
Wellington
19:35

Nokwe not a team player...?

Jongi Nokwe has been left out of the Cheetahs squad that will face the Griquas this weekend in Bloemfontein. After his average performance against the British and Irish Lions in the 3rd test, Nokwe has been dropped by Cheetahs head coach, this is hard to believe as he is one of the stars of the struggling outfit. While his defense in questionable at best, his attacking mind and incredible finishing skill will surely be missed this weekend. If the game goes down to the wire, Nokwes absence may be vital. News from the Cheetahs camp is that Lionel Mapoe will be starting on the left wing in place of the "lazy" Nokwe. The coaches believe that Jongi has not spent enough time with the squad because of national duties, despite other provinces starting their Bok players with the same period of absence. Could this be the beginning of the end of Nokwe's career as a cheetah? With teams like WP and Lions in need of a couple more world class players to buff up their back lines, who knows where this Cheetah will end up.

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Currie Cup openning weekend fixtures: And so it begins...

The first week of the 2009 Currie Cup sees two of South Africa's Big derby matches. Last years winners, the Sharks vs Western Province in Cape Town and last years runner up the Blue Bulls vs the Golden Lions at Loftus Versfeld. These battles of titanic proportion will undoubtedly set the tone for the season to come, with Province and the Lions having points to prove against their formidable opponents. Other games this weekend include; Cheetahs vs the Griquas in Bloemfontein and the Platinum Leopards start their lives in the premier division in Wellington against the Boland Cavaliers. This should be a great weekend of classic clashes so have a beer and enjoy.

Currie Cup Fixtures this weekend:

Friday:
15:30 Cavaliers vs Sharks
19:10 Cheetahs vs Griquas
Saturday:
15:00 Bulls vs Lions
17:05 WP vs Sharks

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IRB not happy with Bok protest

The IRB will charged the South African Board with misconduct after the players "justice" protest against the citing of Bakkies Botha during last weekends Lions Test match. Lead but John Smit, the players wore arm bands with the words "justice" written on them. This protest was also worn be coach Peter de Villiers and the players not involved in the match.

"The International Rugby Board (IRB) takes the view that such an act demonstrates a clear disregard of the disciplinary process and does so in a manner which brings, or has the potential to bring, the game into disrepute," (IRB statement)

An independent third party will undergo and investigation into the offense to see if the South African Rugby Board can be charged.

More information will follow...

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