Saturday 3rd July – Peter de Villiers announced yesterday afternoon, in lieu of next years
World Cup tournament in New Zealand, a squad of 20 contracted Springbok players that
will participate in a conditioning squad from the end of the Tri-Nations until the playoffs
of the Currie Cup.

 
The Springbok involvement in the Tri Nations ends with the Bloemfontein Test
against Australia on the 4th September. Thereafter, the 20 selected Boks will undergo
a series of “mini-camps” which will focus on certain aspects of each of their physical
conditioning. These camps will end by October 16th, allowing those Springboks whose
unions have qualified to return in time for the playoffs.
The squad was selected after an agreement was made with all stakeholders concerned,
both in Springbok rugby and the Currie Cup tournament.
“We undertook a similar programme in 2006 and were satisfied with the results and
have again had buy-in from the provincial unions and our competition sponsor, Absa
and from SuperSport,” said Andy Marinos, manager of National Teams. “The significant
difference this time is that the players will appear in the knockout stages of the Absa
Currie Cup – something that didn’t happen in 2006.
“That was a strategic decision as we wanted to give the players some game time before
the end-of-season tour, which will be deliberately approaching as if it were a World Cup
campaign.”
This conditioning squad is sure to elicit a certain amount of contention, as elements of
consistency are not present, and the selection criteria is not immediately obvious.
Both Zane Kirchner and Gio Aplon, de Villiers only recognized fullbacks in the Tri
Nations touring squad, will be sent back to their provinces after the Tri Nations and will
not be included in the conditioning squad. So to will the likes of Juan de Jongh, Ryan
Kankowski, Chilliboy Rallepele and Fracois Louw, all players who seemed to be high on
de Villiers World Cup squad radar.
Adi Jacobs is included in the conditioning squad, perhaps somewhat contentiously
although it is common knowledge the degree to which de Villiers rates him. This
despite the fact that he will not have had very much game time come September 4th. The
same, insofar as post-injury match fitness is concerned, can be said for the inclusion
of Heinrich Brussouw and JP Pietersen. One would have thought that match fitness
achieved in the Currie Cup would have done these players in particular far more good
than a conditioning camp, considering that conditioning is a significant part of the rehab
process. Inexplicably, only one prop is included in Tendai “Beast” Mtawarrira. For
a position in which the degree of effectiveness is exactly proportional to the physical
condition of the player, this seems bizarre.
Conversely, Jean de Villiers is sent back to Province, despite him having played
continuously while overseas and not in need of match fitness. Surely he must feature
significantly in de Villiers World Cup plans for 2011? It seems unlikely at best that
Wynand Olivier and Adi Jacobs- both of whom have as many critics as supporters-
are, in terms of the centre pecking order, above Jean de Villiers, a player who is almost
unanimously considered, world wide, one of the top centres currently playing the game.
Perhaps Peter de Villiers is taking this idea of overseas based players suddenly being too
slow for the Boks a little too much to heart.
Positively, however, Ricky Januarie IS included in the conditioning squad. Given that he
seems destined to be at the World Cup, perhaps he should be sent there now.
Granted, this is not de Villiers World Cup squad, but one would not be blamed for
considering this his core of the team to defend the title. No doubt the coaching staff have
a plan for each of the players, but this is not immediately obvious to the ones who believe
they have the most interest vested: the public.
The conditioning squad selected is:
Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Heinrich Brüssow, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du
Plessis, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Adrian Jacobs, Ricky Januarie,
Tendai Mtawarira, Victor Matfield, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Danie
Rossouw, John Smit, Juan Smith, Morné Steyn and Pierre Spies.

Article by Andrew Seymour

Western Province and Boland continued their excellent form at the 2010 Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week on Wednesday in Welkom.

WP defeated Eastern Province 58-19 while Boland edged hosts Griffons 36-34 in the final game of the day.

The Cape side held a 18-5 half time lead against EP after winger Devon Williams and fullback Craig Barry scored two fantastic tries before the break. Williams converted Barry’s five-pointer and also kicked two penalties during the first half.

Prop Marzuq Marman dived in at the corner to score Eastern Province’s first points in the match before the half time hooter. Barry then scored his second try of the game minutes after the break before Williams converted his try to steer Western Province to a 25-5 lead.

Soon after Barry crossed the try line, it was flanker Sikumbuzo Notshe turn to add his name to the try-scoring sheet (30-5). His five-pointer was converted by Williams. Province continued to pile the pressure on EP and immediately after the kick off Williams ran in to scored his second try of the match (37-5).

In the 52nd minute of the game, EP captain and No 8 Jacobus Swart crashed his way over the try line (37-10) before fullback Cleavan Laport converted his try (37-12).

However eight minutes later it was WP flanker Marvin Orie who scored WP’s fifth try of the match. Williams converted the five-pointer to steer the Cape side to a 44-12 lead.

Province scored two further tries before the end. Barry who walked away with the Man of the Match award which is sponsored by Coca-Cola and winger Heinrich Arendse scored WP’s seventh and eighth tries. Both five-pointers were converted by Williams who ended the game with a personal points’ haul of 28.

EP though were the final side to score points when Duane Adams scored his side’s third try of the match which was converted by Laport (58-19).

In a thrilling final game of the day Boland recorded their second win at the Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week following their exciting 36-34 victory over the Griffons. Both tries played an entertaining brand of rugby with 10 tries scored in this match.

Niel Neethling, Jaco Enslin, Rene Eksteen (2) and Ryno Venter added five-pointers for the hosts. Venter kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Winger Ruan van Rooy scored a brace of tries while Jacques Rossouw, Ashlon Davids and Wiaan Liebenberg also added their names to the try scoring sheet. Rossouw kicked four conversions and a penalty.

The Blue Bulls conceded their second defeat at the 2010 Coca-Cola under-18 Craven Week in Welkom after going down by 23-20 to the McCarthy Ford Lions on Wednesday.

The Lions held a 17-13 half time lead and were responsible for most of the attacking play during the first half. However it was the Blue Bulls who were the first team to score when scrumhalf Rudi van Rooyen crashed over the try line to add his side’s first points of the match. His try was converted by former SA Schools flyhalf Tony Jantjies (7-0).

The Johannesburg side though hit back almost immediately when prop Gideon Muller powered his way to score the Lions’ first try of the match two minutes later. Marius Schmidt kicked the conversion to level the scores at 7-7.
Jantjies regained the lead for his team with a superb drop goal, but the scores were then leveled for the second time during the first half when Schmidt kicked a penalty in the 24th minute of the game.

The Blue Bulls flyhalf added a penalty four minutes later to steer his side to a 13-10 lead, but the Lions edged ahead at half time when flanker Fabian Booysen scored his sides second try of the game before the break. His try was converted by Schmidt (17-10).

The Lions pivot – Schmidt then kicked two further conversions after the restart to stretch his side’s lead to 23-10.
The Blue Bulls piled on the pressure during the second half, but resolute defence from the Lions ensured that the Pretoria side failed to pierce the Johannesburg side’s defensive systems until the final movement of the game. That was when Blue Bulls hooker Justin van Wyk. Jantjies kicked the conversion. 

Eastern Province Country Districts (CD) recorded their first win at the 2010 Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week on Wednesday following their 27-13 victory over Namibia.

The tourists held a 7-0 half time lead after centre Berto Miller scored the first of match in the 30th minute of play. His five-pointer was converted by flyhalf Aurelfo Plato.

Namibia’s points in the second half were scored by Plato who added a penalty kick before winger Malcolm Moore scored in the corner in the final minute of play.

EP Country Districts built momentum in the second half and were ultimately rewarded with three well worked tries.
Scrumhalf Ryan Dugmore scored a brace while centre Bart van der Vyver and winger Dylan Bond also added their names to the try-scoring sheet. Fullback Carl Theron kicked two conversions while flyhalf Willem Venter added one conversion.

The Limpopo Blue Bulls also secured their first win at the Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week when they comprehensively defeated the Border Country Districts by 50-0.

The Pretoria side, who conceded a 41-11 defeat to the Boland on Monday, ran in eight tries and played some exciting running rugby against the Border CDs who failed to score any points against their opponents.

Limpopo Blue Bulls flanker Roy-Ramon Auret scored a hat trick of five-pointers while LC van Tonder, Cor Rautenbach, Lyvette Shikwambana, Lucas van Zyl, Juan Smit and Madala Ndinisa all added their names to the try-scoring sheet. Flyhalf Arno Venter kicked five conversions.

The Pretoria outfit was superb up front and laid the perfect platform for their young talented backs to trouble their opponents. Flanker Auret was one of the standout performers for the Limpopo Blue Bulls and rightly walked away with the Man of the Match Award which is sponsored by Coca-Cola. 

Coca-Cola Under-18 Craven Week results and scorers for Day Three:

Western Province 58 Eastern Province 19
Scorers: Western Province – Tries: Devon Williams (2), Craig Barry (3), Sikumbuzo Notshe, Marvin Orie, Heinrich Arendse; Conversions: Williams (6); Penalties: Williams (2). Eastern Province – Try: Marzuq Marman, Jacobus Swart, Duane Adams; Conversion: Cleavan Laport (2).

Boland 36 Griffons 34
Scorers: Griffons – Tries: Niel Neethling, Jaco Enslin, Rene Eksteen (2), Ryno Venter; Conversions: Venter (3); Penalty: Venter. Boland – Tries: Ruan van Rooy (2), Jacques Rossouw, Ashlon Davids, Wiaan Liebenberg; Conversions: Rossouw (4); Penalty: Rossouw.

McCarthy Ford Lions 23 Blue Bulls 20
Scorers: McCarthy Ford Lions – Tries: Gideon Muller, Fabian Booysen; Conversions: Marius Schmidt (2); Penalties: Schmidt (3). Blue Bulls – Tries: Rudi van Rooyen, Justin van Wyk ; Conversions: Tony Jantjies (2); Penalty: Jantjies; Drop goal: Jantjies.

Limpopo Blue Bulls 50 Border CD 0
Scorers: Limpopo Blue Bulls – Tries: Roy-Ramon Auret(3), LC van Tonder, Cor Rautenbach, Lyvette Shikwambana, Lucas van Zyl, Juan Smit, Madala Ndinisa; Conversion: Arno Venter (5).

Eastern Province CD 27 Namibia 18
Scorers: Eastern Province CD – Tries: Bart van der Vyver, Dylan Bon, Ryan Dugmore (2); Conversions: Charl Theron (2); Penalty: Willem Venter. Namibia –Tries: Berto Miller, Malcolm Moore; Conversion: Aurelfo Plato; Penalties: Plato (2).

Coca Cola Under-18 Craven Week Fixtures for Day Four:
Game 1:          Griquas CD v Platinum Leopards (10h10)
Game 2:          Zimbabwe v SWD Eagles (11h30)
Game 3:          Border v Valke (12h50)
Game 4:          Pumas v Griquas (14h10)
Game 5:          Free State Cheetahs v Kwazulu Natal (15h30)

The Bizhub Free State Cheetahs announced themselves as one of the teams to beat in the 2010 Coca Cola Under-18 Craven Week following their impressive victory over Border in Welkom on Tuesday.

The Bloemfontein side entertained the crowd at the North West Stadium with their entertaining brand of running rugby which was orchestrated by flyhalf Johan Goosen. The Free State pivot who was a member of SARU’s 2009 Under 18 High Performance squad was solid on defence and regularly aided his talented backline.

Captain and centre William Small-Smith who was also part of SARU’s High Performance squad last year and Paul Jordan also created havoc in the midfield and looked dangerous as a centre combination against the Border backline which included centre Andile Jho and scrumhalf Bongi Kobese who were both members of the SA Schools side of 2009.

The Free Staters scored four tries which were added by Small-Smith, Jordaan, hooker Armandt Stoman and scrumhalf Kevin Luiters. Flyhalf Goosen kicked three penalties and three conversions.

Border’s only try in the match was scored by the vice captain Jho, while Kobese kicked two penalties and converted Joho’s try.

Kwazulu Natal (KZN) ran in three well worked tries to defeat the Impala Platinum Leopards 33-12 in the penultimate game of the day.

Fullback Mbembe Payi, flanker Meyrick Walker and centre Patrick Howard all scored five pointers for the Durban side which were all converted by flyhalf Duncan Campbell. Who also kicked four penalties.

Campbell dictated play with his tactical kicking while Howard wreaked havoc in the midfield by regularly breaking the Leopards’ defensive lines. Hooker Sewzo Mtshali also impressed up front for the KZN side.

 The Platinum Leopards scored two tries thanks to the efforts of winger Pieter Bornman and prop Louwrens Strydom. Scrumhalf Divan Visser converted Bornman’s try.

The Griquas Country Districts kicked off day two at the 2010 Coca Cola Under-18 with a solid 23-15 victory over Zimbabwe.

The Kimberley side held a 13-12 half time lead thanks to the efforts of flyhalf Juan Booysen and Derek Botha who added tries for their side before the break. The other points for the Griquas CD came via a penalty kick from winger Johan Myburgh.
Zimbabwe’s points in the first half came via two tries from centre Fakudzwa Chieza and lock Graham Logan. Corey van Rensburg kicked one conversion before the restart.

In the second half Myburgh scored a converted try and slotted a penalty in the final stages of the match.

The tourists tried to play the ball wide to their speedy wingers Claude Bare and Takudzwa Chipumha, but failed to build moment during the game to allow their quick backs excellent ball on attack.

Griquas recorded their first victory at the 2010 Coca Cola Under-18 Craven Week after defeating the NWU Valke 26-24 in a thrilling second match played at the North West Stadium.

The Valke held a 14-9 half time lead, but it was the Kimberley side who came up with the goods in the second half to snatch victory in the final minutes of the game.
Griquas’ only points before the break came via three penalty kicks from Jacobus du Plessis. However after the break Herman Groenewald and Hermanus van Niekerk both scored tries which were converted by Du Plessis.

Wiehan Hay, Ruaan Stephen Lerm and Damian van Wyk were the try scorers for the Valke. All three five pointers were converted by Ruan Bernard who also added one penalty.

However minutes before the end, Du Plessis steered Griquas to victory after kicking his fourth penalty of the afternoon.

Meanwhile the Pumas ran in four tries and recorded a 26-18 victory over the SWD Eagles in Welkom.

Outside centre Nkululeko Ngozo scored a brace of tries, fullback Marthinus van der Merwe and hooker Mark Pretorius were the other try scorers for the Witbank side.
The Pumas’ other points came via the boot of Van der Merwe who kicked two conversions while flyhalf Clinton Swart added one conversion.

Flyhalf Johannes Potgieter and lock Ruan Snyman were the try scorers for the Eagles. Centre Hendri Rust kicked one conversion and two penalties.
Coca Cola Under-18 Craven Week, Day Two results and scorers:

Bizhub Free State Cheetahs 35 Border 13
Scorers: Free State Cheetahs – Tries: William Small-Smith, Armandt Stoman, Kevin Luiters, Paul Jordaan; Conversions: Johan Goosen (3); Penalties: Goosen (3). Border – Try: Andile Jho; Conversion: Bongi Kobese; Penalties: Kobese (2).

Kwazulu Natal (KZN) 33 Impala Platinum Leopards 12
Scorers: Kwazulu Natal – Tries: Mbembe Payi, Meyrick Walker, Patrick Howard; Conversions: Duncan Campbell (3); Penalties: Campell (4). Leopards – Tries: Pieter Bornman, Louwrens Strydom; Conversion: Divan Visser.

SWD Eagles 18 Pumas 26
Scorers: SWD Eagles – Tries: Johannes Potgieter, Ruan Snyman; Conversions: Hendri Rust; Penalties: Rust (2). Pumas – Tries: Nkululeko Ngozo (2), Marthinus van der Merwe, Mark Pretorius; Conversions: Van der Merwe (2), Clinton Swart.

NWU Valke 24 Griquas 26
Scorers: Valke – Tries: Wiehan Hay, Ruaan Stephen Lerm, Damian van Wyk; Conversions: Ruan Barnard (3); Penalty: Barnard. Griquas – Tries: Herman Groenewald, Hermanus van Niekerk; Conversions: Jacobus du Plessis (2); Penalties: Du Plessis (4).

Zimbabwe 15 Griquas CD 23
Scorers: Zimbabwe – Tries: Fakudzwa Chieza, Graham Logan; Conversion: Corey van Rensburg; Penalty: Van Rensburg. Griquas CD – Tries: Juan Booysen, Derek Botha, Johan Myburgh; Conversion: Myburgh; Penalties: Myburgh (2).

Coca Cola Under-18 Craven Week Fixtures for Day Three:
Game 1:          Eastern Province CD v Namibia (10h10)
Game 2:          Border CD v Limpopo Blue Bulls (11h30)
Game 3:          Lions v Blue Bulls (12h50)
Game 4:          Western Province v Eastern Province (14h10)
Game 5:          Boland v Griffons (15h30)
Coca Cola Under-18 Craven Week Fixtures for Day Four:
Game 1:          Griquas CD v Platinum Leopards (10h10)
Game 2:          Zimbabwe v SWD Eagles (11h30)
Game 3:          Border v Valke (12h50)
Game 4:          Pumas v Griquas (14h10)
Game 5:          Free State Cheetahs v Kwazulu Natal (15h30)
Issued by SARU Communications

Years ago an Australian man pretending to be an American made a movie.  Interestingly he played a Scotsman.  That man was Mel Gibson, and the movie was called Braveheart, and everyone loved it because there were fantastic speeches about valour and freedom, and everywhere you looked there were warriors bashing each others’ heads in with big hammers and swords.  Granted, in the end the Scots lost, which is something they’re quite used to, and Mel Gibson got torn apart by an evil man with a big knife and a few horses.

I can’t imagine an axe wielding Hugh Grant or Jude Law leading a band of Scotsmen over a muddy field dressed in a kilt with blue paint on his face.  It would just look as if he was wearing too much makeup.

A few years later the Americans made another movie, this time called Gladiator!  The main character in which was not played by an Italian or a Spaniard, because, lets face it, as hard as he tries, Antonio Banderas just can’t pull off badass warrior.  When he tries it, it’s just funny. 

The main character, Maximus was played by a New Zealander also pretending to be an American. 

He played a Spaniard.  He got betrayed, stabbed and beaten.  As if that wasn’t bad enough they then tried to feed to lions and tigers, and made him fight against other New Zealanders pretending to be Spaniards and Italians until he triumphed over all, despite dying and hallucinating about a corn field.

Even South Africa has their titbit of warrior movie history.  Arnold Vosloo was the mummy no less, an all powerful being who could knock planes out of the sky with sand!

The only conclusion one can make from all of this, is that those from the southern half of our planet are far better suited to being warriors than our pale counterparts in the north.  They even import our warriors to make their movies and domestic rugby leagues more credible.

South Africa, Australia and New Zealand face off in the Tri Nations, the most spectacular of all rugby competitions apart from the Rugby World Cup.  Those in the north will say, “But what about the six nations?”

To which I usually reply, “yes, so what about it?”

The Springboks have to be favourites going into the tournament. 

They have the best squad, the most experience, and the best captain in the universe.  They are missing JP Pieterson, Francois Steyn, Juan Smith and perhaps most importantly, the general, Fourie du Preez.  It’s no coincidence that he has been in both the Super 14 winning Bull’s team as well as the most successful Springbok team in years.  He is the complete scrumhalf, and he has the mind and instinct to go with it.  He has been “replaced” by Ricky Januarie.  While he adds physicality and an element of unpredictability to the team, his service isn’t as crisp as du Preez and his tactical kicking is poor in comparison.

Next in line is Ruan Pienaar.  He would be first in line were it not for the fact that he is simply too talented for his own good.  He can play scrumhalf, flyhalf, wing and fullback (kind of), and this makes him the perfect player to come off the bench, which sucks for him.  If it weren’t for that fact, and the fact that he has been shunted from pillar to post as a result, I firmly believe he could challenge du Preez for the number one scrumhalf position in South Africa and leave Januarie gasping for breath as he flies on by… But that’s not the case, which is why he’s going overseas…

Everybody already knows what the rest of the Springbok team will look like, except for perhaps fullback and right wing, where Sideshow Bob Kirchner and Gio Aplon are really the only options chosen, unless Pieter de Villiers decides to put Jean de Villiers or Jaque Fourie at the back. 

Next we have New Zealand. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, there is no such thing as a weak All Black side.  If they get it right they can beat the Springboks, and even if they don’t, the games will still be close. 

A South Africa vs New Zealand test match is the pinnacle of test rugby.  The two countries have the best players and the richest history, something England might disagree with.  But they don’t count, because they’re boring. 

They have had their fair share of injuries of late, especially at hooker, lock and centre, and have had to deal with an exodus of experienced player to the cold North, but with Ma’a Nonu and Kevin Mealamu returning and the recent emergence of players like Rene Ranger, Corey Flynn, the Franks brothers even Hika Elliot from the Chiefs, they’re well covered going forward.   New Zealand also has a wealth of young talent coming through.  Israel Dagg was outstanding until he got concussed, and in players like Rene Ranger, Zac Guildford and Rudi Wulf they have excellent back up to their initial squad.
They are also looking forward to getting Sitaveni Sivivatu, Masaga and the Iceman back from injury and when that happens they will be almost impossible to contain at the back. 
There is still an issue at lock though, where the replacements for Ali Williams and company are still lacking experience at the top level and just cannot compete with the South African quartet of Matfield, Botha, Russouw and Bekker. 

But they do have Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter.  A great deal is made of these two men, and for good reason.  They are both warriors, and have been in many battles over the years and almost always come out on top.  Many pretenders to their respective crowns have come and gone in the recent past but none have remained standing for too long.  The have the same impact on the All Blacks as Fourie du Preez and John Smit have on the Springboks, they are leaders of leaders of men.  
One cannot forget Graham Henry, he may be a miserable old codger, but he’s smart, tough and an excellent coach to boot.

The rest of the squad is solid, and I think it will be business as usual between South Africa and New Zealand battling each other for Tri-Nations glory.

That leaves us with the Australians.

They are the youngest and most inexperienced side in the competition, but they are brimming with talent in the backs and can beat anyone on their day.  The only problem is that “their days” are few and far between; they’re very inconsistent and move from sublime to mediocre in the space of one half of rugby. 

Their major weakness is up front.  They are missing two front rows, their best lock pairing in Nathan Sharpe and James Horwill, and have yet to properly fill the void left by George Smith and Dan Vickerman’s retirement / move up north, although I stand to be corrected on the latter.  One would think Phil Waugh would have been the idea candidate, given the fact that he’s waited so long for Smith to either get injured or retire, but Robbie Deans left him out of the squad completely, which I’d imagine might irk the neck-less one somewhat.

The Aussies have lost some of that cleverness they used to have, and that’s disappointing.  In the past they made up for their perceived lack of talent when compared to the other teams in the competition by being clever, playing to their strengths and attacking their opponents’ weaknesses.  They would frustrate teams into giving away stupid penalties and starve them of possession all afternoon, all the while waiting for an opportunity to unleash their dangerous backs. That generation of players is all but gone, with only Matt Giteau and sometimes Stirling Mortlock, when he isn’t broken, carrying the flag.  The new generation has the potential to emulate their predecessors, but it’s going to take some time to build up the depth they need up front to dominate the possession statistics again.  Their first choice pack isn’t bad at all, but one or three injuries take a heavy toll.

While they’ll compete in patches I have a funny feeling that they could well come out the other end of the tournament winless against their two big rivals. 

In closing, the battlefields have been selected and the armies chosen by their respective generals.  Weapons have been selected and the warrior spirit that is rugby will once again come to the fore.  The rest of the world can sit and watch in awe at how the game should be played. 

May the best team win, and if not, then the most entertaining one.

The modern day South African loose forward is an incredible specimen. Physical, imposing, skillfull and versatile. They are the toast of world rugby. Francois Louw is an example of such a player.

Throughout history South Africans have prided themselves on the abilities of our forwards. No more so than our loose forwards. Size has never been an issue. Nor has physicality. It was almost a prerequisite, a given. One has to only think of players such as Andre Venter. Hard men who were uncompromising.

There were however, loosies who deviated in their game and their qualities. Players such as Rassie Erasmus and Bobby Skinstad were blessed with great skill and vision and in their era were members of a small group of SA loose forwards.

The modern day South African forward is a convergence of our historical prototype loose forward and the minority group which possessed skill and vision. As a result of law changes and the direction which the game has taken, great emphasis has been placed on dynamism, athleticism, strength and skill.

Loosies now have to be a complete package to keep up with the demands of modern rugby. No longer can a loosie rely on one or two aspects or strengths in their game to make them a world class loosie. Instead a loosie now needs to possess a more absolute game. The South African contingent of loosies are at the forefront of this modern hybrid player.

Jean Deysel, Dewald Potgieter, Schalk Burger, Duanne Vermuellen, Willem Alberts, Ryan Kankowski, Pierre Spies, Deon Steggman and Francois Louw are all modern day loosies of the highest calibre. They are comfortable making a skip pass, taking the ball up hard, winning the ball on the ground, running in the wider channels or making big hits.

The word opportunity is one which is very real in South African rugby, especially when it comes to loose forwards. The injury of Heinrich Brussow and the unavailability of Juan Smith presented Francois Louw with the opportunity to play for the Boks. He has taken this opportunity with both hands and has been impressive as a well rounded modern day flank. This opportunity could have gone to many flanks in South Africa but it went to Francois Louw and he has repayed the coach and selectors faith in him.

Great pride stirs up when one thinks of South African loose forwards. The physicality of an Andre Venter and Jean Deysel, the speed of a Pierre Spies and Ryan Kankowski, the silky smooth hands of a Rassie Erasmus or Bobby Skinstad, the ball carrying abilities of a Willem Alberts and Duanne Vermuellen and the competing on the deck of a Heinrich Brussow or Deon Steggman. Now let’s celebrate Francois Louw, a man who seems to possess all these qualities. Long live the South African loose forward! Powerfull, fast and skilled. The toast of all the world.

Article by Njabulo Zulu

Western Province kicked off their 2010 Coca Cola Under-18 Craven Week title defence to the perfect start following their 20-3 victory over the Lions in Welkom on Monday.

The Cape side played enterprising, running rugby at the North West Stadium and dominated their opponents in most facets of play.
WP though only managed to add two tries was scored by flanker Sikhumbuzo Notshet early in the first half and Steven Kitshoff who crashed his way over the try line after the restart. Both tries were converted by flyhalf Gavin Hauptfleisch.
Hauptfleisch also added two penalties while the Lions’ only points came via a penalty kick from pivot Marais Schmidt.
Both teams tried to spread the ball regularly to their wings with the Johannesburg side guilty of conceding many handling errors throughout the match.

Western Province though were the better of the two sides in the line-outs, at the breakdown and also boasted the superior scrum.
“I am very happy with the victory and just relieved to have started off the week with a win,” said WP Coca Cola Under-18 Craven Week coach Chris October.

“The Lions were extremely physical in their approach, but our guys held their own up front. We tried to play a running brand of rugby, but made a few handling errors during the game which stifled our rhythm.”

In a surprise result at the 2010 Coca Cola Under-18 Craven Week, the Blue Bulls conceded a 19-17 defeat against Eastern Province.
The Port Elizabeth side held a 16-0 half time lead after scrumhalf Jaco Grobler and winger Llwellyn Pieterse scored two early tries while flyhalf Franz Botha kicked two penalties before the break.

However the Blue Bulls hit back after the restart and ran in three tries which were scored by winger winger Patrick Maponya, No 8 Nardus van der Walt and prop Luan de Bruyn. Rudi van Rooyen converted Maponya’s try to steer the Blue Bulls to a 17-16 lead.
However with five minutes remaining in the match, Botha kicked his third penalty of the match to regain the lead for EP (19-17).
The Blue Bulls had one final flourish in the final minutes of the game to snatch victory, but were held up on the try line due to the tigerish defence of the Eastern Province side.

Boland ran in six tries as they outclassed the Limpopo Blue Bulls by 41-11. The Wellington side dazed the crowd at the North West Stadium with their entertaining and attractive brand of rugby. Wingers Leroy Bitterhoutt (2) and Ruan van Rooy scored tries while flanker Wiaan Liebenberg, scrumhalf Robin Andrews and fullback Maree Kotze were the other players who crossed the try line for the Western Cape side.

Boland flyhalf Gerbrand Roets kicked four conversions and one penalty. Limpopo Blue Bulls flanker Roy-Ramon Auret was the sole try scorer for the Pretoria side. Scrumhalf and captain Lukas van Zyl kicked two penalties.

The Wellington side held a narrow 12-6 half time lead but shifted into first gear immediately after the break and scored five exciting tries after they managed to spread the ball to their quick wings.

While the Boland backline dazzled, their forward pack were responsible for providing their speedsters quality first phase ball after they managed to dominate the breakdown and the set phase.

The Namibians kicked off the 2010 Coca Cola Under-18 Craven Week with a 37-8 victory over the Border Country Districts (CD).
The tourists ran in five tries to the one five-pointer scored by the East London side. Lock Ian van Wyk scored a brace of tries while man of the match No 8 Gerhard Lotter, lock Eric Jordaan and prop Desiderius Sethie ran in Namibia’s other tries.

Lock Sakhi Notwala was the only player to cross the try line for the Border CDs. The East London side’s only other points came through a penalty which was kicked by flyhalf Iwandile Dabele.

Both teams tried to play running rugby during the first half of the game but struggled to build momentum as both Namibia and Border CD were guilty of making numerous handling errors when on attack.

The Namibians held a 13-8 half time lead despite Border CD opening the scoring when Notwala crashed his way over the try line in the eighth minute of the game.  

However after the break the tourists easily broke their opponents’ defensive lines to run in four further tries.
Meanwhile the Griffons held their nerve and recorded a 28-25 win over the Eastern Province Country Districts in the final game of the day on Monday.

The hosts ran in four tries which were scored by Buran Parks, Barend Wessels, Rewaan Rodgers and Pierre Botes. All four tries were converted by flyhalf Ryno Venter.

Jamion-Lewellyn Booysen, Charl Theron and Deswell van der Berg scored tries for Eastern Province CD. Flyhalf Ntsikelelo Mlamleli kicked two conversions and two penalties.

Coca Cola Under-18 Craven Week, Day One results and scorers:

Western Province 20 Lions 3
Scorers: Western Province – Tries: Sikhumbuzo Notshet, Steven Kitshoff; Conversions: Gavin Hauptfleisch (2); Penalties: Hauptfleisch (2). Lions – Penalty: Marais Schmidt. 

Griffons 28 Eastern Province CD 25
Scorers: Griffons – Tries: Buran Parks, Barend Wessels, Rewaan Rodgers, Pierre Botes; Conversions: Ryno Venter (4). Eastern Province CD – Tries: Jamion-Lewellyn Booysen, Charl Theron, Deswell van der Berg; Conversions: Ntsikelelo Mlamleli (2); Penalties: Mlamleli (2).

Blue Bulls 17 Eastern Province 19
Scorers: Blue Bulls – Try: Luan de Bruyn, Nardus van der Walt, Patrick Maponya; Conversion: Rudi van Rooyen. Eastern Province – Tries: Jaco Grobler, Llwellyn Pieterse; Penalties: Franz Botha (3).

Boland 41 Limpopo Blue Bulls 11
Scorers: Boland – Tries: Leroy Bitterhoutt (2), Wiaan Liebenberg, Robin Andrews, Ruan van Rooy, Maree Kotze; Conversion: Gerbrand Roets (4); Penalty:  Roets. Limpopo Blue Bulls – Try: Roy-Ramon Auret; Penalties: Lukas van Zyl (2).

Border CD 8 Namibia 37
Scorers: Border CD – Try: Sakhi Notwala; Penalty: Iwandile Dabele. Namibia – Tries: Ian van Wyk (2), Gerhard Lotter, Eric Jordaan, Desiderius Sethie; Conversions: Aurelio Plato (3); Penalties: Plato (2).

I first met Seriousness in a garage shop convenience store about three years ago.  She was your typical convenience store clerk.  She had a uniform, a hat and a big smile, and predictably got me the blue box of cancer sticks instead of the red one.  It was late, and I was drunk so naturally I initiated a stupid conversation.

“Hey! Seriasness! How’s it going China!?” Except that’s not how it come out, Seriousness heard, “Hey! Serashnesh! Howshje it grrr Chian!”

At which point she no doubt thought, “What a F*&^ing tosser.”

And I agree with her, when you’re drunk and acting a like idiot, everything is fantastic and you think you’re the funniest person in the world. In reality you’re just an intoxicated nuisance to anyone remotely sober, even more so to a minimum wage earner in an all night store. 

It’s why people who like to drink congregate together, because then other drunken people also think everything is funny.  Then they get into fights, vomit and pass out, if they’re guys, and if they’re women they either cry, and lose all their stuff, or make a regrettable decision to go home with the guy who earlier in the evening looked as if he’d dipped his head in a vat of old vegetable oil before venturing out of his cave to find his next victim.

Which brings me to the point of this article. 

Rugby is supposed to be fun, it’s a sport, and yes there are serious aspects to it, like any game against England, nobody wants to lose to them; because they’re boring. 

Rugby fanatics are also rather serious, taking it as a personal insult to themselves, their family and their dog if anyone deigns to criticize their beloved team or their favourite player. 

The typical response to any such insult is to hurl abuse straight back, insulting the offending party, his lineage and his cat, and telling him that he should just commit suicide for daring to insult the mighty Bronkhorstspruit Buccaneers and their star Flyhalf, Mullet van der Spuy.  
 
And that’s all good and well, if it’s in the right spirit and taken with some sort of sense of humour, but as with everything, sometimes people don’t have a sense of humour, and sometimes they’re just stupid, and because they’re stupid they say stupid things. 

As long as Seriousness works at that convenience store she shall forever be cursed to have stupid conversations with intoxicated idiots at three AM and awkward encounters with greasy haired murderers trying to buy condoms and expensive energy drinks. 
 
If she were to live up to her name I don’t think her job would be very enjoyable. So I’m sure she has a good laugh every time she sees someone stumble through the store looking for headache pills and yesterdays baked goods. 

The same is true for every rugby based discussion forum.  If you take things too seriously you could end up miserable and being stalked by a murderous grease-ball, armed with energy drinks, condoms, and drain cleaner bought from Seriousness Gumede the convenience store clerk…

I sit here on a chilly Saturday morning in Johannesburg watching the once invincible New Zealand All Blacks V tricky Wales. Brings me to my topic of this article and that being probably the greatest rivalry in Rugby Union.

 That rivalry being the one between: New Zealand and South Africa at Rugby Union. Being a South African I am bias towards the Springboks but I’d like to think this article is not as one sided as many might first think.
The All Blacks. With mass retirements, loss of form and injuries to boot has looked less and less powerful in the past two seasons. One could say their constant shock defeats in World Cups might have shaken the Rugby culture in New Zealand up a little.

The latest “incident” was their early exit quarterfinal defeat to France in Cardiff. This was the All Blacks’ worst result in six Cups keep in mind. After that loss Graham Henry and his staff were under huge pressure to keep their positions.

 At the time I felt New Zealand needed to be bold and give the job to Robbie Deans who had been working with the Crusaders team. So successfully:  for so many years and had led them to a record five Super Rugby titles. Regardless they went for a conservative approach and kept Henry. Since then players have not really looked as committed as they did a few seasons ago before that loss to France.

For me the only coach who could have guaranteed New Zealand a World Cup win was Robbie Deans. Now Deans is coaching an up and coming young Wallaby squad. Another issue is that they are currently playing only 8 out of their previous 30 Man World Cup 2007 squad. All that experience has been lost. A player like Carl Hayman could also have proven invaluable. I fear New Zealand might be heading to another World Cup exit without winning the trophy. Then again to write off New Zealand on their home turf is done at your own peril.

The Springboks. Mass returns from Europe. Current: World Cup, Super Rugby and Tri Nations Champions. Depth in certain positions: which South African Rugby has never known? Bok Rugby is in a good place right now. 

Some problems the Boks face. Francois Steyn must play at 15 and how does the future management continue this winning formula. One thing we can be happy about is the leadership of John Smit. How many players could have diffused the tension situation between himself and the Du Plessis brothers due to Bismark not getting enough game time? Older brother Jannie has been playing out of his skin since the early rounds of Super Rugby 2010 thanks to that. Another bonus for the Boks is the backup leadership of Victor Matfield, Fourie Du Preez, Schalk Burger and Jean De Villiers. The only problem I see besides the ones I mentioned before are a few positions which we are thin on. Lock is one where I feel young Juandre Kruger returning from English based Northampton Saints would have been a better bet. Another is outside centre where perhaps an in form Marius Joubert based at ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14.
Otherwise we take an experienced, fit and motivated squad to World Cup 2011 in New Zealand to meet the old foe on their home turf.

Defend our World Cup for only the first time in Rugby history against a team who has always felt they should never have lost it since they won the first one way back when in 1987.

Article written by Shaun Swindon

Italy is known for a lot of things.  They’re all great cooks and they’re the reigning football world champions, at least for another few weeks.  They make fast cars that look fantastic, drive like a dream, and break down on a regular basis but unlike other car owners, people who own Italian cars don’t mind as much, because the cars look great, and they knew what they were getting into.  You don’t buy an Alfa Romeo and actually expect it to be reliable. 

That’s like eating a two day old convenience store pie that’s been sitting in the sun and expecting not to get food poisoning.  If you buy a Ferrari, well, the chances are you have more money than you know what to do with and can afford to pay somebody else to worry for you.

This brings me, quite naturally, to the Italian rugby team.  Unfortunately they do not echo the Italian grace, speed and flair common in Alfas’ and Ferraris’.  The Italian rugby team is more like a Fiat that has been patched together with silver duct tape and a few imported parts from obsolete factories in Eastern Europe, Africa and the antipodes. No matter how good your mechanic, the vehicle will always just be an old Fiat filled with pirate parts. It might have character and do the best it can with what is has, but it will almost always end up falling short.  To overcome their shortcomings they will sit doing ninety km/h in the fast lane alongside another Fiat also doing ninety km/h to hold up the faster moving vehicles trying to get past. 

This weekend the Italians take on the Springboks in the second of two test matches.  The Springbok rugby team is more like a tank.  It generally overwhelms any obstacle with brute strength and power and they’ll be a mite upset about the fact that Italy managed to spoil their party a bit in the first test match.

Italy versus South Africa part 2 can be thus be compared to pitting an old Fiat and an angry tank that’s been prodded with a stick against each other in a demolition derby.  It’s going to hurt, a lot, and the Fiat end up horribly broken. I expect the Springboks to take the match by more than thirty five points this time. 

It’s not the most high-profile news at the moment with the Boks in action against Italy this weekend and World Cup soccer on the go, but we’ll give it to you anyway.

The Sharks take on the Valke at the John Vorster Stadium in Nigel on Friday night at 6pm.  It’s the Absa Currie Cup Compulsory Friendly and here’s the team.

The Sharks 

15. Stefan Terblanche (Capt)
14. Mark Richards
13. Piet Lindeque
12. Andries Strauss
11. Louis Ludik
10. Steve Meyer
9. Rory Kockott
8. Keegan Daniel
7. Michael Rhodes
6. Jacques Botes
5. Alistair Hargreaves
4. Anton Bresler
3. Wiehahn Herbst
2. Craig Burden
1. Tendai Mtawarira

Replacements
16. Kyle Cooper
17. Patric Cilliers
18. Eugene van Staden
19. Justin Downey
20. Charl McLeod
21. Monty Dumond
22. Dwayne Jenner

An interesting look to the side with Meyer back from retirement, Ludik for the first time in Sharks colours, Beast & Hargreaves out of the Bok squad for different reasons and Cilliers on the bench.

Okay.  Maybe this is for die-hard Sharks fans only and I’ve been spending too much time at the Sharks Supporters Club in Cape Town.