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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)