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Joined February 2010
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Over the last two weeks, we've seen evidence that this young and inexperienced Springbok team have the skills and power to win the World…
For the second test in a row, Bismarck Du Plessis has smashed his obvious superiority over Smit into Peter de Villiers' face, and again,…
Sonny Bill Williams is being punished by Graham Henry. There was no other explanation for the pounding that man took against Tonga. Henry knew…
The New Zealand side has been announced, and, as usual, there's a whole host of changes from the team that lost the Tri Nations…
[caption id="attachment_23383" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="South Africa\'s Bakkies Botha, left, Victor Matfield and Bismarck du Plessis celebrate winning the Tri Nations Cup. (AP Photo/NZPA, David…
If John Smit is really the patriot and team man he claims to be, he would make the hard choice that Springbok coach Peter…
What a magnificent Test match! In a season where we've seen some one sided stinkers, and free flowing yawners, this was everything Test rugby…
It wasn't so long ago that the Boks went down 49-0 in Brisbane and people were calling for the head of Jake White. "Joke"…
One thing has become very clear from the Boks two heavy defeats to the All Blacks - change is needed. The team does not…
While it's great to see Springbok coach Peter De Villiers selecting some fantastic offshore talent, it's hard to hold much hope for this 'cobbled…
New Zealand are always crying about the number of players they have overseas, which, incidentally, is about the same as South Africa. Yet the…
Kiwi pundits like to point out that Super 14 success doesn't translate into International success. But that's only true for Kiwi teams. For South…
The Crusaders look set to bring home a big fat zero from their tour. I can't imagine that they'll be able to muster even…
After 10 games, there's still only one clear semi-finalist. Five points clear of the chasing pick, with two home games to come, you'd have…
As the final Super 14 season comes down to the wire, ten teams still technically have a shot at qualification. The Chiefs, Sharks and…
The farce that is English rugby continues its long downward spiral, a fall from grace unchecked since 2003. Yes, they played in the 2007…
And yes, semi is intended both ways. While most will agree the Sharks season is a bust, there is no reason to write them…
My prediction of a two point Sharks victory was so close to being right... 21-25 down and the Sharks had three opportunities to kick…
Call me crazy, but there are many reasons for predicting a Sharks victory on Saturday. Firstly, John Smit is back at hooker. The prop…
The Sharks have managed to slip from dire to worse, winless after 3 games into the new Super 14 season. How has a team…
I think this is the best piece of advise I’ve heard for a long time. The new Super 15 with its conferences was really, really stale. I didn’t enjoy watching it. And even in the old SUper 14, watching the Force battle it out with the Cheetahs was never that exciting. The real challenges always involved top class sides like the Crusaders, Bulls, Sharks, Brumbies, now Reds, etc.
I agree that we go back to the Currie Cup, which is thriving, and then the top 3 winners from each conference play each other in a Super styled tournament… maybe only the top 2 teams. Then it would always be a strength versus strength. Bulls vs Crusaders home and away is exciting… and it takes away the inevitable disadvantage of whatever team had to travel on any given year.
Love it! Implement it!
SANZAR should go back to domestic comps
You must be on Gatland’s payroll, the way you talk up the 4th placed team in the Six Nations (2 years running). You’d think the world’s best sides played in it… oh wait… that’d be the new expanded 4 nations. Have fun supporting your collection of also rans. I watched every minute, and only France was ever impressive.
Is youth the answer for the Springboks?
That being said, I do acknowledge a very distinct possibility of them beating this mish-mash Bok team… but only because the Januarie/Pienaar axis should give every Bok fan nightmares…
Is youth the answer for the Springboks?
Did you guys watch this years Six Nations? And last year’s for that matter? They were SLAUGHTERED by a very mediocre England, scraped through against Scotland (only because Scotland were in shock that they might actually win a game!), were poor against France and Ireland, and didn’t exactly light up the world against wooden spooners Italy.
They talk up a good game, but they’ve been lousy for 2 years. Year 1 with Gatland was great, but he has been in danger of getting the sack ever since after a diabolical run. Coming in 4th for 2 years running for a team claiming to challenge Southern Hemisphere dominance is a joke.
Is youth the answer for the Springboks?
Lauaki has been a bit parter at best, making way for more solid, but unspectacular performers like Read and So’oialo – likewise Toeavu, who has never got a consistent run. Rokocoko was dropped in favor of Jane (though he was admittedly out of form). Nonu was left out of the 07 WC squad because he was too much of a loose cannon (even though every NH cried softly to themselves when they thought about him). Sivivatu… he’s a try scoring machine. Henry did well there.
I think there’s a good case for Henry playing it safe…
Sonny Bill could be rugby gold
Totally agree with Ranger getting a run. Henry plays it so safe, fielding the likes of Cory Jane, who’s admittedly a talented, skilled player. But he doesn’t have the opposition asking questions before the game, squirming uncomfortably in their seats during video sessions as they watch him elude another man. Ranger is an oppositions nightmare. Sure, he does stupid things – but he is unbelievably destructive, and if someone actually ran a good support line, the All Blacks could be back in the try scoring business.
Sonny Bill could be rugby gold
That’s an awesome list mmax – thanks for putting that together. There’s some talent there, but let’s be honest – how many front-line players are we really losing overseas? I see a lot of 3rd stringers there with a couple Bok starters, most of whom are coming home. Sowerby argues for inclusion — but do we really lose anything in Spies, Kankowski or even Russouw? Luke Watson proved he couldn’t hack it internationally… I could go on and on.
However… what I do see is the potential strength of our Super 14 franchises torn to shreds. Bring half these guys back and you have 2 fantastic Super 14 teams to supplement the jokers currently plying their trade in Bloemfontein and Johannesburg. Same could be said for the Highlanders, Chiefs and Force. The Super 14 as a whole would raise its standard of play and be a far more fascinating contest.
The Springboks' great strength is its depth
Debate is exactly what these articles are supposed to inspire! If I had no opinion, there’d be nothing to debate… I’m not a journalist writing news. I’m the common man, expressing opinion… just like your very common opinion. So get out your handbag, turn and march ten paces.
The Springboks' great strength is its depth
I think the greatest appeal of a sport is a winning team… as a Sharks fan, I lost interest when they could no longer qualify for the semi – an average of 40,000 at Newlands and about 5,000 at Ellis Park are testament to the value of a winning team… even though the Lions try play a brand of “attractive” rugby. There’s nothing attractive about being hammered by 50 points. Go ask the disappearing fans in Dunedin. If Australia actually won something again, the rugby fans would re-emerge. They’ve been second rate for the better part of a decade now. Here’s hoping the Reds sparked a revival.
The Springboks' great strength is its depth
I could also write about how Australia has more depth than the ABs at the moment… it would almost be true.
The Springboks' great strength is its depth
The Sharks had a nightmare start, but were the form team of the 2nd half, winning 7 from 8, with only an away loss to the Bulls… something was mentally/politically awry at the start of the Sharks season – else it would have been 3 SA semi-finalists. Also, remember they had 5 away games Down-Under, including a double trip across the Tasman… which Aussie team had that honor?
The Springboks' great strength is its depth
It’s begun! Now just 7 more wins and they’ll be there!
Don't laugh, the Sharks are still semi-contenders
I think he adds a lot of value to the team, and wing is the only place left to accommodate him. He’s a great defender, has a long kicking game, which is currently missing from the Boks back 3, and is a proven match winner. When you need that 60 meter penalty (or dropgoal) he has the BMT required to pull it off. He played on the wing for the Boks in that outrageous first season, before slotting in at center for the World Cup. He’s trimmed down a lot this season, so he can actually run again… I think he adds an different, but important, X-factor to the likes of Le Roux and Kriel.
Boks need an experienced bench