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What a cock up least we did score some points a bit better than last week’s kiwi game.
Now that we are out and the team was booed of the field we need to ask what is wrong with this World Cup winning team.
“I believe we’re on the right track and the players believe it, too. They just have to get used to it and we will get there.” A great quote from our coach Peter De Villiers.
In the first half , the springboks had four clear point scoring chances, but Juan Smith, Jean de Villiers, Fourie du Preez and JP Pietersenall took turns squandering possession, throwing stray passes and making the wrong calls.
What is frustrating is the Boks got part of the first half right they kicked for corners, defended well the Aussies could not believe their luck that they were ten nil up going into half time. This is where South Africa panicked and played some ridiculous plays making it easier for the Aussies to extend their lead.
They were panic-stricken and again sought to run the ball from ridiculous positions, making things easy for one of the better defenses in the game.
“We’re the Springboks and the world champions. The players are as disappointed as the crowd because this is our job and our passion. That performance was not acceptable.” From Victor Matfield.
Let’s see what happens at Ellis Park
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South Africa ,New Zealand to meet in Durban
The Boks go in search of back-to-back wins against the kiwis when the sides meet in a huge game in Durban.
The Boks have seldom registered two wins on the trot against the kiwis, but will go into Saturday's match as the favorites following their 30-28 victory in Dunedin on July 12.
While the springboks have won just one in three games in this year's competition, they have all three home matches to come, starting with New Zealand at Newlands.
Peter de Villiers' men have five points from their three outings, while New Zealand head the summit with 10 points, but from four games.
While the springboks will be banking on their home support in the coming three weeks, they will also go into Saturday's contest on a high following the thrashing of Argentina.
The only problem is that the Kiwis destroyed the Aussies in their last game and seem to have got the team selection spot on.
So satisfied was New Zealand coach Graham Henry with that performance he has retained the same side for Saturday's match except for some minor changes on the bench.
We will have to do without Bakkies Botha, who was injured in the Argentina game ,Andries Bekker has taken his place and hopefully he can step up to the challenge.
Another player who is back of the bench is Percy Montgomery who will become the first South African to reach the 100 Test mark as he replaces Conrad Jantjes. There have been some issues with this from our rugby administrators saying Conrad Jantjies should be playing.
South Africa: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Andries Bekker, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Brian Mujati, 18 Danie Rossouw, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Enrico Januarie, 21 Francois Steyn, 22 Conrad Jantjes.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Willliams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Afoa, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.
South Africa Rugby homepage -
South Africa ,Argentina Preview
South Africa and Argentina meet again at the Coca-Cola Park as the boks focus on the upcoming home section of the Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand next weekend.
Todays clash has been billed as a rematch between the two 2007 World Cup semi-finalists as the Pumas attempt to gain revenge following the 37-13 defeat.
Argentina coach Santiago Phelan is rebuilding his squad, and is preparing for just his fourth game at the helm since taking over from Marcelo Loffreda.
The Pumas have lost all previous 12 Tests against the Boks ,the biggest area of concern for Phelan is at scrum-half after a recent failure to fill the void left by the retirement of Augustin Pichot last year.
The nation ranked fourth in the IRB world rankings are also without star man Juan Martin Hernandez due to injury - Felipe Contepomi taking up fly-half duties.
Contepomi said: "I believe the Springboks are the best team in the world at the moment, they are the world champions and they have started well in the Tri-Nations”.
"It is an away game for us and you wouldn't choose to play the best team in the world, when most of your players are in the middle of their pre-season, as your first outing under the new rules.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has resisted the temptation to make changes as his men look to play their way into form ahead of their Tri-Nations battle with the All Blacks on August 16 ,lets hope there an no injuries the pumas play a physical game.
With Schalk Burger failing to prove his fitness De Villiers has been forced to field a new-look back row unit of Luke Watson, Pierre Spies and Juan Smith.
Conrad Jantjes and Jean de Villiers are included in a Bok’s back-line as Victor Matfield continues captaincy duties amongst a strong South Africa pack.
South Africa:
15 Conrad Jantjes,14 JP Pietersen, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Butch James; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 3 CJ van der Linde, 4 Bakkies Botha, 5 Victor Matfield (c), 6 Luke Watson, 7 Juan Smith, 8 Pierre Spies, 9 Enrico Januarie.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Brian Mujati, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Joe van Niekerk, 20 Fourie du Preez, 21 Jaque Fourie, 22 Percy Montgomery.
Argentina: 15 Bernardo Stortoni, 14 José María Núñez Piossek, 13 Federico Martín Aramburu, 12 Miguel Avramovic, 11 Horacio Agulla, 10 Felipe Contepomi (c); 1 Rodrigo Roncero, 2 Mario Ledesma, 3 Pedro Ledesma, 4 Rimas Álvarez Kairelis, 5 Patricio Albacete, 6 Martín Durand, 7 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 9 Nicolás Vergallo.
Replacements: 16 Alberto Vernet Basualdo, 17 Marcos Ayerza, 18 Esteban Lozada, 19 Álvaro Galindo, 20 Alfredo Lalanne, 21 Benjamín Urdapilleta, 22 Rafael Carballo.
South Africa Rugby homepage -
16 -9 to the aussies
Australia had a great start to their Tri-Nations campaign with a 16-9 win over South Africa in Perth on Saturday.
Tries in each half from Lote Tuqiri and captain Stirling Mortlock secured victory for the Wallabies who have won fourth straight under new coach Robbie Deans. They thumped the French last month.
The boks who have played three bruising away matches, were going down to their second defeat of the tournament, coming down to earth after the historic 30-28 win over New Zealand in Dunedin last weekend.
We started well with Francois Steyn kicking a long-range penalty in the sixth minute to put the Boks 3-0 ahead, but proceeded to miss a drop goal and further penalty chance.
Tuqiri's try came against the run of play as he finished off a sweeping move following quick passes from Nathan Sharpe and Matt Giteau.
Australia took a further grip in the opening minutes of the second half as Mortlock powered over.
Giteau missed the conversion but extended the lead to 13-3 with a 51st minute penalty.
But only two minutes later, Mortlock left the field with a suspected concussion after butting heads with Schalk Burger and after Australia gave away a penalty in the scrum, Springboks flyhalf Butch James closed the gap to 13-6.
A further Steyn penalty with just over 10 minutes remaining led to a painful finish, but a Berrick Barnes drop goal in the last bloody minute made sure the Aussies were going to win.
The Boks play their three remaining Tri-Nations matches in South Africa -- the All Blacks in Cape Town on August 16 and then back-to back-matches against the Wallabies on August 23 in Durban and August 30 in Johannesburg.
South Africa Rugby homepage -
New Zealand 28 South Africa 30
This was a brilliant Tri-Nations match even if you were a neutral supporter this would have been a great game to watch and with the South African win made the game all the better to watch. The Boks had not won at Carisbrook since 1921 and they had gone ten years without a victory on New Zealand soil.
Carter kicked the Kiwis into an early lead before Percy replied. A try on the half-hour from JP Pietersen, following a pick-up off the base of a five-metre scrum by the No 8, Joe van Niekerk, edged South Africa ahead. Butch James dropped a goal before Carter kicked two more penalties to trim South Africa's lead to 17-15.
The All Blacks, although still not as fast in getting numbers to the breakdown and constantly surprised by the huge improvement in the Springboks' scrum from the previous week, scored a try after 55 minutes from Sione Lauaki and Carter converted to make it 22-17.
Two Butch James penalties brought the South Africa back into the game but Matfield's trip to the sin-bin, for a high tackle which the referee had previously warned both teams he would penalize the faulty party ,a sixth penalty
When Carter kicked the Kiwis into a 28-23 lead with just 7 minutes remaining and the Springbok captain, Victor Matfield, in the sin-bin for the rest of the game, it looked like we were screwed. But the Ricky Januarie did his brilliant chip and lucky bounce to give us a much needed second try we were back in the game.
It was a game that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. The Kiwis coach, Graham Henry, not a man to give out compliments, called it "a fabulous game of rugby".
De Villiers said: "I always believed in the players and they put it together today and showed great belief in themselves. They knew they had to up their game and they did that. I was a bit worried when we went down to 14 men but the guys stuck to their guns for a great win. The difference with last week was that we had the ball on the front foot most of the time here."
South Africa Rugby homepage -
Tri Nations Kick Off
Joe van Niekerk will be playing instead of Pierre Spies or Ryan Kankowski for the No.8 position for the Tri Nations opening game against the Kiwis in Wellington.
Coach Peter de Villiers said: "Joe came back into the Springbok camp after having a brilliant Super 14 and he showed to all of us that he means business. The kiwis have been surprised at our new coach’s selection.
How The Boks Compare
In the front, the All Blacks boast a strong scrum, props Tony Woodcock and Greg Somerville and the Super 14’s hooker Andrew Hore. But the Boks reign supreme in the air, with combination of locks Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha and captain John Smit’s throws that was under the old rules and with the new rules in (No restrictions on players in the lineout) and the kiwis used to playing them our locks need to get up to speed. The good news is Richie McCaw is out.
In the backline Butch James had an outstanding World Cup year and has been working his magic with Bath, but is up against the famous Dan Carter.
While Jean de Villiers is the form inside centre of world rugby, he will be matched by the menace of Ma’a Nonu, while Conrad Smith has more street smarts and combination than rookie Adrian Jacobs.
The last time we beat the Kiwis in Wellington was in 1998 and I sure they are gunning for us to try make up for the World cup, it is going to be a hard game with crappy weather let’s hope our boys pull it off.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis; 1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Andrew Hore, 3 Greg Somerville, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Ali Williams, 6 Adam Thomson, 7 Rodney So'oialo (capt), 8 Jerome Kaino.Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Neemia Tialata, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Sione Lauaki, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Leon MacDonald.
South Africa: 15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Ricky Januarie; 1 Gurthro Steenkamp, 2 John Smit (capt) , 3 CJ van der Linde, 4 Bakkies Botha, 5 Victor Matfield, 6 Schalk Burger, 7 Juan Smith, 8 Joe van Niekerk.Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Brian Mujati, 18 Andries Bekker, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Bolla Conradie, 21 Francois Steyn, 22 Percy Montgomery
South Africa Rugby homepage -
Wales want a physical game ,bring it on
Image via Wikipedia Wales captain Ryan Jones believes the welsh team "have a chance to make a statement" when they take on the Boks in the first Test in Bloemfontein on tomorrow."
We did well in the Six Nations, but we drew a line under it pretty quickly. We set some pretty good standards there, but we still have to make sure we have good execution of the simple things, so that we have a platform to play from," he said.
"But we are still in transition. We will certainly find out where we are in two weeks' time. It is as simple as that. It is a chance for us to make a statement on Saturday, individually and collectively. "There is no tougher place in the world to play Test rugby than here.
We will go out and give everything, and play as if it is our last game. We will have to overcome things like the hard fields and altitude."Ryan Jones said they were prepared and look forward too a physical battle, he believed that his pack could match the home side's grunt yeah right .
"I believe we are as good as anything out there. And we will have to be this weekend. We all know that it will be a pretty tough day at the office."
South Africa Rugby homepage
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Show me the money
Bryan Habana has been made a offer from French club Bayonne for 400,000 Euros a year this has been the largest offer for a player even by French standards who do seem to have the cash to throw around at the moment.
Other clubs that are in interested is another French club called Toulouse; Bryan is looking at his options nice problem for him to have considering his salary would be tax free.
This will screw up Peter De Villiers hard line attitude to foreign based players playing for the boks, our rugby administrators need to stop living in their ivory tower and face reality that our top players will be poached by clubs with very deep pockets.
South African players who are based overseas are John Smit ,Victor Matfield, Percy Montgomery and Butch James.
South Africa Rugby homepage -
Peter De Villiers our new coach
Peter De Villiers made history by being named the first black coach of the Springbok rugby team what he made perfectly clear was that he would pick a south African team based on merit not colour.
De Villiers was the surprise choice of the rugby administrators to succeed Jake White this decision by SARU top dogs was to make sure the future SA rugby team moved away from their current white racial profile.
"The fact that I am the first black coach must end now," peter said to end questions about his colour of skin.
"Players out there must understand they will all stand an equal chance ... If they are good enough, talented enough and work hard enough they will be part of the squad."
Peter De Villiers has been given an initial two-year contract; He led the under-21 South African rugby side to the World Championship final last year (not winning it though) after winning the title in 2005.
Peter has also coached the Emerging Bok team, winning an IRB tournament held in Romania last year.
Wish you luck peter, you will need it ,you just need to beat the Kiwis at home this year and please remember your quote about picking players on merit not colour.
South Africa Rugby homepage -
22-5 to the Barbarians !
The boks lost on Saturday with a 22-5 defeat to the Barbarians .The Springboks fielded several top players against the invitational side at Twickenham, including Francois Steyn, Schalk Burger and Bryan Habana but maybe the thought they had already won the game before they got on the field.
The barbarians played one of the better games I have seen for the last couple of years.
Australia's Matt Giteau and retired Wales’s flanker Martyn Williams scored in the first half, with Rocky Elsom adding a third score in the second. Barend Pieterse got South Africa's try in the 35th minute, and his team was denied another touchdown by some amazing defence late in the second half.
The Barbarians fielded a really strong side, starting with six past and present All Blacks and Jason Robinson who was playing his last game
"I didn't know at the start if I'd be able to play," Robinson said "I'm feeling a bit stiff. In the second half, I got a bit of cramp, but who cares now?
We were never in the game,the Barbarians played some amazing running rugby and made sure we did not come back at the end.
South Africa Rugby homepage -
SA Line up for the Barbarians
Bismarck Du Plessis will be replacing John Smit in the bok’s line-up against the Barbarians on Saturday after his French club Clermont Auvergne refused to let him play,Johann Muller will be the captain for the game
England hooker Mark Regan is confirmed as captain of the Barbarians there has been a bit of a spat with his English club Bristol over them wanting him to rest for their upcoming games.
Johan Ackermann replaces Bakkies Botha, he injured his ankle against the welsh , JP Pietersen makes way for Akona Ndungane.
South Africa:
15-Ruan Pienaar
14-Akona Ndungane
13-Jaque Fourie
12-Francois Steyn
11-Bryan Habana
10-Andre Pretorius
9-Enrico Januarie
8-Ryan Kankowski
7-Juan Smith
6-Schalk Burger
5-Johan Ackermann
4-Johann Muller
3-Jannie Du Plessis
2-Bismarck Du Plessis
1-CJ Van der Linde.
South Africa Rugby homepage -
SA Lineup for Wales
Bok captain John Smit and Bryan Habana are among nine members of the Boks' victorious World Cup final to face Wales in Saturday's game here at the Millennium Stadium.
Although several players are missing from the two game tour South Africa play the Barbarians next Saturday.
JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, and Francois Steyn are in the backs and upfront is Schalk Burger and Juan Smith together with Bakkies Botha and prop CJ van der Linde.
In all the team shows six changes and a positional switch from the one that beat the English. Among those missing against Wales will be goal kicking full-back Percy Montgomery, duo Butch James and Fourie du Preez, No 8 Danie Rossouw and Victor Matfield.
Ruan Pieenar takes the injured Montgomery's place with Andre Pretorius and Ricky Januarie providing the new half-back pairing.
Saturday's game will be Jake White's final game in charge of the Boks after four years in charge where he has come under political pressure from the muppet gang.
"I'm not unhappy about it. I'm very content with where we are as a group. The brief was when I took over we wanted to be number one in the world, we wanted to be world champions and I've been lucky enough and privileged enough to be part of that.
Sharks Ryan Kankowski, in line to make his debut on Saturday, is the only player from outside the World Cup squad.
South Africa Rugby homepage -
Fourie is out of the welsh game
Fourie du Preez became the latest South Africa player to drop out of the tour of Wales due to a persistent shoulder injury.
Du Preez will now miss Saturday's match against Wales at the Millennium Stadium and the December 1st international against the Barbarians at Twickenham.
Team will be announced tomorrow
South Africa Rugby homepage -
We Won
South Africa punished England's slack ill-discipline for a tight 15-6 win over the 2003 defending champions in the rugby World Cup final on Saturday.
Percy Montgomery kicked four penalties and 20-year-old centre Francois Steyn stepped up and kicked a great long distance kick to punish the English.
England did hold their own especially in the second half but could not keep the cup thanks god if they had won this game they would have been entitled to keep the cup permanently. They played some brilliant games against Australia and France.
Percy “the hair” Montgomery started his game by kicking his first penalty in the seventh minute when England centre Mathew Tait slipped on the pitch and held on.
Bryan Habana put in a bone-crunching tackle on Paul Sackey on the right wing but did not roll away allowing Wilkinson to kick a tough penalty
Thanks to Lewis Moody he must be feeling sick after a stupid and cynical kick to trip up Butch James, Montgomery levelled the score.
The Boks came close to scoring a try in the closing stages of the first half. The forwards had their drives repelled by England's defensive before the referee awarded the Springboks a penalty, which Montgomery kicked.
A big bone of contention came two minutes after the halftime interval. England's Mark Cueto looked to have touched down in the corner as he was tackled by Danie Rossouw, only for officials to rule that part of his leg, knee was out of play before he grounded the ball, and if you watch the video you can see clearly that his leg was over the line the poms are having a hard time getting used to it but when Martin Johnson said the video referee was right you have to accept the result.
Rather than the try, the referee awarded a penalty, which Wilkinson slotted between the posts
England captain Phil Vickery and fullback Jason Robinson both wobbled off in the second half and Wilkinson missed another drop goal attempt after 71 minutes thank god.
We beat the English at their own game we made less mistakes them and punished them when their bad discipline plays from Moody and Corry.
We clinically took England apart to be World champions for the next four years which is bloody brilliant.
South Africa Rugby homepage -
Bryan in action
South Africa Rugby homepage -
Here we go
South Africa’s roadmap has gone to plan so far. Through the side there are settled combinations in virtually every area from one to fifteen, with the selection Francois Steyn at inside centre providing unpredictability and hopefully keep a couple of the English players preoccupied
The Bokkie strengths are well documented: kicking: lineout: tough back row: defence around the fringes and panic inducing blitz defence as they start going through the phases.
England has had a dire couple of years but their belief has been restored ,they don’t know how but enjoying being the underdog what has happened though is Jonny Wilkinson is back to calm the ship plus their new find Andrew Sheridan who took out the Australia pack.
There is talk of Sheridan's illegal method of scrummaging – something about him 'boring in' South Africa need to have a cunning plan for the scrum ,CJ van der Linde who is in the firing line on Saturday.
Our scrums against Argentina were not great but we have the line outs with best in the world Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha to work their magic.
Fourie Du Preez has made his mark on this tournament for me when he took England apart let’s hope for some surprises this Saturday will just leave you with this quote which made me feel better.
“WALLABY Chris Latham is tipping a 30-point triumph for South Africa in the World Cup final, with "backline speed and skill" rendering Jonny Wilkinson irrelevant.”
South Africa team for Saturday.
· 15 Percy Montgomery
· 14 JP Pietersen
· 13 Jaque Fourie
· 12 Francois Steyn
· 11 Bryan Habana
· 10 Butch James
· 9 Fourie du Preez
· 8 Danie Rossouw
· 7 Juan Smith
· 6 Schalk Burger
· 5 Victor Matfield
· 4 Bakkies Botha
· 3 CJ van der Linde
· 2 John Smit
· 1 Os du Randt
South Africa Rugby homepage -
A South African Handshake
South Africa Rugby homepage -
Can Steyn step up the pace?
Steyn has been one of Springboks' coach Jake White's young lions ,he has played in all of the Springboks' matches at the tournament so far, after replacing the injured Jean de Villiers, and has scored a try and a penalty, admits that sometimes he tries White's patience.
"He doesn't come down on me, but I think he wishes he could give me a hiding - but it has been good," said Steyn, who will win his 16th cap on Saturday.
"I like Jake a lot and he gave me a good opportunity and I just hope I can take it with both hands.
As for whether he can outdo England's master of the drop goal Jonny Wilkinson, Steyn, who landed two monster drops in the Tri Nations win over Australia earlier this year, is a bit coy ,he has been fluffing the last couple of games and panicked in the Kiwi Tri-Nations game.
Maybe Steyn will be our surprise for England this Saturday.
South Africa Rugby homepage -
Jannie in action
Do you remember jannie destroying England in the 1999 World Cup ,Looks like the final will be on on drop goals.Which player do you think will have the highest tally of drop goals for this final?
South Africa Rugby homepage -
We are in the Final
The Boks overpowered Argentina 37-13. We led 24-6 at halftime but it was only late in the second half that we came back into the game and made sure there were no surprises.
Two tries in the last 10 minutes of the first half had seemingly put South Africa in control but the Pumas scored just four minutes after restart when Manuel Contepomi crashed over.
The boks scored three first half tries, to halfback Fourie Du Preez, Habana and Danie Roussow.
Du Preeze scored in the seventh minute, intercepting an attacking pass.
Two of these tries came from mistakes from the pumas allowing Habana and Roussow to score, the Pumas have had an amazing world cup tournament but did seem to choke or lose their composure today.
The Argies scored early in the second half going to 24-13 and pressured the bookies favourite on a number of occasions, threatening to get even closer.
However, two Percy Montgomery penalties who the argies were supposed to pressure and disrupt and an classic intercept try to winger Bryan Habana - South Africa's second of the match did the dirty on the Pumas.
Game over Bring on the Poms
South Africa Rugby homepage -
"Vamos Vamos" The Bokkie
Times have changed Argentina is rated as a genuine world class team lately and the side is packed with quality players such as Juan Martin Hernandez who been labelled "the best player in the world" by Butch James.
We do have Bryan Habana though who hopefully will put in some nice tries even if he does not the argies will have two to three players marking him for the game allowing our boys to play some nice running rugby.
If South Africa plays to the form they showed against England, especially up front they will beat argentine and maybe win the World Cup but if we go into the game thinking it is only Argentina we will be in for a nasty surprise.
This world cup has been great for all the surprises in this tournament what with the first game Argentina, the kiwis and the Aussies out nobody saw that coming especially the bookies.
"You have to respect Argentina. They have done wonders with what they have been given. They are a unique team and do things differently," Jake White thoughts on Argentina he has made just one change, recalling CJ van der Linde, who missed last week's game against Fiji.
Just look at the stats Argentina have never beaten the Boks ,They have been the minows star of the tournamnent and should have a place in either the Tri Nations or the Six Nation's, If the argies were playing any other team I wish them good luck .I am sure is will be a great physical game.
South Africa Rugby homepage -
Dougie has lost the plot
The Kiwi winger Doug Howlett has been arrested on suspicion of "causing criminal damage "by jumping on two cars outside the Hilton hotel near Heathrow airport.
Dougie trashed two cars by jumping on them ,this is kiwi style for the early exit did happen at three in the morning ,must have been totally trashed.
We are all human but the locals back home are telling him off on his personal website.
"Thats crazy as Doug.What were you thinking?" and "You better have a darn good explanation Mister! "
Dougie has been a very bad boy,classic.
http://www.doughowlett.com/board.html?&no_cache=1&view=single_thread&cat_uid=2&conf_uid=2&thread_uid=826
South Africa Rugby homepage -
Five Minutes of Panic
Juan Smith and Butch James scored late tries allowing the boks to survive the Fiji backs in full attack mode the final score was 37-20.
The Fijians came back from back from 20-6 ,first half was pretty boring ,but in the second half the coach pep talk must have been inspirational.
Rabeni was sinbined and they scored two amazing tries within five minutes,the first Vilimoni Delasau kicked and outran two South Africans to score ,two minutes later Sireli Bobo scored another one.
We played like idiots for another five minutes and finally slowed the ball down making sure we used the forward strength to control the game, allowing Smith and James to score.
South African Rugby homepage -
Fiji to play South Africa
Fiji gave Wales a great game first time they have beat Wales to get through to the quarter finals against South Africa.
Fiji started with a 25-3 lead in the first half, but Wales, came back hard in the second half with 26 points ,the final fifteen minutes the lead changed three times but Fiji managed to keep the welsh under control.
We are playing USA tomorrow, not much to say about the build up to the game.
South African Rugby homepage -
Boks 30 Tonga 25
The boks reached the quarter-finals but needed to bring all their big names off the bench to see off a dangerous Tonga side , thank god they did that was getting a bit worried.
With his much-changed team trailing 10-7 in the second half, Coach Jake White introduced captain John Smit, Francois Steyn, Bryan Habana, Percy Montgomery, Victor Matfield and Juan Smith, to make sure there were no nasty surprises.
We came back in the second half ,great spurt of tries then we relaxed and they came back ,give them credit they did not give up.
South African Rugby homepage -
what a thumping
South Africa trashed England 36-0 in the World Cup match in Paris to inflict the defending champion's biggest loss in its 30 games at the sport's biggest event. Thank god had the poms chirping us for too long now
JP Pietersen scored two tries for the Springboks at the Stade de France and Juan Smith got the other. Percy Montgomery kicked 18 points as the 1995 world champion posted its fourth straight win over England, vey nice.
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Schalk Ban update
Schalk Burger has had his World Cup ban, slashed in half - to just two matches.
"This tournament is about playing rugby, not about sitting in tribunals and we are just happy that we can get on with it now," Yeye added.
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England build up to friday
ENGLAND'S defense is falling to pieces after captain Phil Vickery joined golden boy Jonny Wilkinson on the sidelines.
Vickery was suspended for two matches for tripping USA player Paul Emerick in Sunday's lukewarm 28-10.
And Wilkinson's stand-in, Olly Barkley, is also struggling tobe match fit.
Ag shame man
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Schalk Burger not playing against the poms
The Boks have suffered a huge blow after losing Schalk Burger for Friday night's showdown with England.
Burger received a four-match on ban on Tuesday night after being cited for a dangerous tackle on Samoa Junior Polu during the Springboks' victory in Paris on Sunday.
It means Burger, who has 48 hours to appeal the decision, will miss games against England, Tonga and the United States.
That does suck the refs are taking a hard line with English player phil vickery also banned.
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South Africa build up to friday
The Springboks look set to make just one change for their World Cup game against the Poms at the Stade de France on Friday, Francois Steyn replacing injured Jean de Villiers.
However, Coach Jake White said he would not announce the definitive team until at most 48 hours before the match, though; the first team names on the list carry just the one change from the team that walloped Samoa 59-7 on Sunday.
White is playing games with the English on who he is going to select then again the English are using the Wilkinson injury for a bit of confusion.
"There are a couple of things I need to look at. Though the English I must say it is a bit of a shock that (Lawrence) Dallaglio is not in the 22," added White when informed the World Cup winning backrow forward had not been selected.
"They are going to give it all they can."
Steyn has already caught the eye with two stunning drop goals against Australia in a Tri Nations win earlier this year in South Africa but then played a shocking game against the Kiwis.
The only other doubt for South Africa concerns backrow forward Schalk Burger who before Tuesday's team announcement was cited for a dangerous tackle in the Samoa game
"We got a fax telling us that the video showed him tackling a player in the air. But we are confident he will be cleared."
The probable team to face England features two survivors from the 1999 World Cup quarter-final victory over England at the Stade de France - fullback Percy Montgomery - who will equal Joost van der Westhuizen's national record of 89 caps - and prop Os du Randt.
First line-up could be changed.
South Africa
Percy Montgomery;
JP Pietersen
Jaque Fourie
Francois Steyn
Bryan Habana
Butch James
Fourie du Preez
Danie Rossouw
Juan Smith
Schalk Burger;
Victor Matfield
Bakkies Botha
CJ van der Linde
John Smit (capt)
Os du Randt
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SA 59 -7 Samoa
The Boks sent a clear message to the clash by starting off their campaign with a bang a thumping Samoa 59-7.
The pressure on the Springboks was incredible in the first half; the boys were rattled as they had to contend with not only their opponents but with booing throughout the game from a crowd that rooted for Samoa.
Percy Montgomery and Bryan Habana were key in the game, with their impressive finishing. But it was a brilliant team effort that took the Springboks to this bruising win.
Montgomery opened the scoring for the Springboks with a penalty in the second minute, which calmed the nerves slightly. Montgomery slotted another two penalties in the next few minutes to give the Boks a 9-0 lead.
Samoan outside centre Gavin Williams missed a penalty in the 11th minute but he made up for that with a great try just three minutes later when he managed to burst through a handful of Springbok defenders and cruise to the line and made it look so easy ,the guys were fast asleep on that try.
Not even Springbok scrumhalf Fourie du Preez and physical flank Schalk Burger's great tackling skills could stop the brawny centre from creeping to the line.
With the score at 9-7 the Springboks managed to take control of the game and created several opportunities to extend their lead.
Wing Habana scored the team's first try, taking advantage of Samoa's unorganised defence to dot down. This was followed by other try compliments of Montgomery.
But despite leading 21-7 at the break, Springbok coach Jake White would have felt a little disappointed that his team did not score more tries. The Boks wasted at least three chances to score tries in the first half.
Whatever Jones said to the team at half-time worked because Samoa showed far greater determination in the second half. However, their passion was not enough to stop the Boks from taking control plus the springboks are fitter and that showed in the second half.
They hit top form and showed signs of what they are capable of by running in a few great tries. In the first 15 minutes of the second half, the Springboks ran in three, with Habana and Montgomery each scoring their second of the game. Another went to centre Jaque Fourie.
White might have been criticised for bringing former Australian coach Eddie Jones on board as his technical adviser especially from the aussies.
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Jake wants to stay as coach
Jake White wants a second term as the Springbok coach, but he arrived in Paris knowing the South African Rugby Union are not thathappy with him and not towing the line.
Only a Springbok World Cup win will influence an administrative mindset that currently believes the Boks need a change of leadership next year.
White who does not have the support of the provincial presidents spoke to the Cape Argus in an interview that he was committed to remaining in South African rugby and that first prize was to continue with the Springboks.
He said that if there was no incentive to stay in South Africa, he would have to look abroad.
"I have a contract until the end of the year and I will see out that contract, which includes Tests against Wales in November.""I would have liked some kind of commitment with regards to 2008 before leaving for the World Cup, and I am disappointed that no progress was made on what my possible role could be after the World Cup," White said."I am grateful for the support I've had in recent months and everyone has pulled in the direction of the Boks to ensure we are in good shape for the World Cup.
SA Rugby managing director Jonathan Stones told the Cape Argus recently ."We will advertise internationally for the Springbok coaching position by the end of September and Jake has been encouraged to apply.
Nice to see the admin chaps are supporting white allowing him to focus just on the world cup and not his exit plan for after the world cup, drive me nuts. -
First game of the world cup 2007
John Smit returns at hooker to captain South Africa almost three months after he injured his hamstring back in June. Apart from the return to fitness of Smit and centre Jean de Villiers, the team has no real surprises. On the wing Pietersen edges the talented Frans Steyn, who finds a spot as impact player on the replacement bench, and an out of sorts Ashwin Willemse.
South Africa's overall record against Samoa: Played 5; Won 5; Points for 257 and points against 58. An average score of 51-12.
Commentators have mentioned Springboks should guard against complacency ahead of their Samoa in Paris on Sunday. The focus of the attention at today's first media conference was the highly anticipated Group A clash next Friday - a match that will in all possibility determine the Group a winners.
The islanders are physical and gave England a run for their money at the 2003 World Cup in Australia.England, on the other hand, takes on the United States before the match against the Springboks.
With injuries no longer a concern, White is expected to unleash the big guns for Sunday's match. Hopefully we do not get too many injuries those Samoan boys are brutal.
South Africa: 15 Percy Montgomery, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Danie Rossouw, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 John Smit (c), 1 Os du Randt. Replacements: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 BJ Botha, 18 Johann Muller, 19 Wikus van Heerden, 20 Ricky Januarie, 21 André Pretorius, 22 Francois Steyn.
Date: Sunday, 9 September Venue: Parc des Princes, Paris Kick-off: 16:00 (15:00 BST) Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand) -
Too many guinness the night before
South Africa stuttered to a narrow 18-3 win over Irish provincial team Connacht.
The Springboks laboured against the weakest of the four Irish teams who won only four games from 20 in last season's Irish League.
The sole score of the first-half came Butch James playing in the centre to accommodate Ruan Pienaar at flyhalf, fired over a penalty from in front of the posts.
South African wing Ashwin Willemse then crossed for a try four minutes into the second half, during which both sides made a raft of replacements.
Replacement No 8 Jacques Cronje scored South Africa's second try, and Butch James this time made no mistake with a conversion.
South Africa will now face Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday in their final warm-up game before their opening World Cup clash on September 9 against the bruiser Samoans.
Jack white mentioned that his team struggled to get momentum going and when they did, they failed to finish off their attacks.
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Kiwi New Haka
classic video ,bring on the world cup
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Boks playing abroad will not be selected
The President's Council of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) has made an about turn and placed a ban on players taking up contracts abroad. They will no longer be considered for national selection. considering most of our top players will be playing for teams in europe what a bunch of muppets.
It is not the first time that the muppet gang has made uturns on policy ,they have made it clear that players will have to choose between contracts abroad and playing for the Springboks.
"The [President's] Council has made a decision that those [players] who play overseas and don't return to South Africa to play provincial rugby will in future not be eligible to be selected to play for South Africa," SARU CEO Johan Prinsloo said on Thursday.
"This is obviously a major shift, but we made the call.
"They must come back and first play Currie Cup rugby before they can be chosen again. The Council made this decision in the interests of South African rugby," he added.
The latest player to confirm his departure is Western Province flyer Brent Russell, who has signed with english club Saracens.
Other departing players include
Gary Botha (Harlequins)
Percy Montgomery (Perpignan)
Butch James (Bath)
Marius Joubert (Clermont)
Ashwin Willemse (Perpignan)
De Wet Barry (Harlequins)
Victor Matfield (Toulon)
John Smit (Clermont)
Gerrie Britz (Perpignan)
Bobby Skinstad (Perpignan)
Joe van Niekerk (Northampton Saints)
Lawrence Sephaka (Toulon).
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Kiwis take the Tri-Nations 26-12
Daniel Carter kicked seven penalties around one try to prop Tony Woodcock as New Zealand beat Australia 26-12 to win the Tri-Nations.
Carter kicked four goals in the first half and three in the second and missed only one of eight attempts a huge improvement of the last couple of months to lift the All Blacks over a dogged aussie team.
Stirling Mortlock kicked all of Australia's points with penalties.
The victory clinched the Tri-Nations title for New Zealand for the third straight year, kept the Bledisloe Cup in New Zealand for the sixth year in a row
But cracks are starting to appear in the new zealand pack they ere great in the scrums but line outs could be improved and backline were not providing try scoring opportunities
"Through the whole Tri-Nations, the emphasis was on doing it right," the All Blacks' captain, Richie McCaw, said. "We didn't always do it right but putting a couple of trophies in the cabinet tonight is pretty satisfying."
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Victor signs for Toulon
The Blue Bulls said on Thursday that their captain Victor Matfield had signed a sixth-month contract with French club Toulon.
Matfield, 30 has played 58 times for South Africa, will join Toulon on Jan. 1.
Matfield would assess his international future following the appointment of a new Springbok coach after the rugby World Cup later this year. Matfield said he hoped to represent South Africa against the British and Irish Lions in 2009.
Toulon have also signed Australia scrumhalf George Gregan and former All Black flyhalf Andrew Mehrtens. Tana Umaga, another former All Black, has been appointed team manager. The frenchies have quite a bit of cash behind them quite a team they are creating might be a bit over the hill.
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Our response to the Haka
The Sprinboks freaking out from the defeat at the hands of New Zealand, look set to unleash their own version of the All Blacks' famous haka based on an old Zulu war dance.
Springbok coach Jake White said he had asked the rugby authorities about reviving a dance that was last used more than 80 years ago in order to psyche up his players.
“The history books show that the 1926 Springboks performed a Zulu war dance in major matches on their tour,” , “New Zealand have come up with a new haka recently and, quite honestly, I would like to use ours as a challenge to them.”
White revealed that his team have already performed the ritual in the changing room but believes it could have a greater impact on the pitch.
I have done my own informal survey and initial reactions is that it is a bit naff and we are copy cats ,not to sure what I feel about it.
Will they have shields and a assegai maybe parts of old british miltary uniform from the kicking they got at isandalwana.
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Kiwis 33-6 SA
The All Blacks did beat us but they did not look invincible.
The Kiwi’s took 69 minutes to score a try on Saturday against a Springboks team lacking 20 top players. The All Blacks scored 21 points in the last 11 minutes to give their Tri-Nations victory.
The victory moved New Zealand into a tie for first place with Australia. The two teams meet in the final game of the tournament next Saturday in Auckland.
Until the 69th minute, when the substitute scrum half Brendon Leonard scored a dashing try, the All Blacks had stumbled to a 12-6 lead, due entirely to the goal-kicking of Daniel Carter.
Carter, the fly half, finished with 23 points, including a try in stoppage time, but even his form was not that great which is making the Kiwis nervous.
Late substitutions spurred a charge that restored New Zealand's ascendancy after it fumbled and faffed against a really weak South African team that produced determined but unremarkable defence.
The All Blacks problem is that they have only one more test match - against Australia - before the World Cup starts in France in September. It is likely that few All Blacks will play another match before the world cup kicks off.
Carter remains below par, He was reluctant to attack the Springbok line and preferred to kick the ball, even in promising attacking positions and would have easily added another ten points to the result.
Who knows we might have a realistic chance for this world cup.
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Aus 25 -17 Boks
Australia won against South Africa 25-17 to move top of the Tri nations table.
The Wallabies, who trailed 17-0 after 15 minutes at Sydney's Stadium, scored 25 unanswered points including tries to Mark Gerrard, Stephen Hoiles and Matt Giteau.
Yesterdays victory, which followed last week's come from behind win over New Zealand, lifted Australia four points clear atop the standings with two matches remaining. The All Blacks would seal a third straight title by winning both home games.
South Africa, missing 20 of its top players, took a 14-0 lead within 10 minutes through converted tries by flanker Wikus Van Heerden and a 50-meter intercept by winger Breyton Paulse nice back flip there breyton. Fly-half Derick Hougaard made it 17-0 before the Wallabies rallied with a Gerrard try and Stirling Mortlock penalty.
No. 8 Hoiles forced his way over at the start of the second half to tie the score before Springboks hooker Gary Botha was sin-binned in the 53rd minute for playing the ball when he was on the floor what a muppet. Two minutes later, Giteau collected Gerrard's chip ahead and the inside center's momentum carried him over the line to make it 25-17.
The match was the last international in Australia for scrum- half George Gregan, 34, and 33-year-old fly-half Stephen Larkham, who are quitting Australian rugby to play in Europe after the World Cup and make some nice cash.
Springboks captain Bob Skinstad will miss next week's game against New Zealand in Christchurch after fracturing a rib in today's match. White said he'll name a new skipper during the week.
We started well ,in the face of the Australians at the beggining but twenty minutes into the game we really lost posses ion and with the two sin bins we could have been slaughtered points wise. -
Stirling thoughts on the game
Stirling Mortlock expects an under-strength South African side to be tough nuts.
Jake White has rested the majority of his main players for the Tri-Nations matches in Australia and New Zealand to prevent any serious injuries ahead of the World Cup in September.
Ruan Pienaar and JP Pietersen are the only players backing up from the Springboks side that downed Australia in Cape Town, and White has been widely criticised for the tactic and caused a debate within Sanzar about the future of SA in the Tri-nations.
Despite the lack of experience Mortlock said the Springboks would have plenty to play
"A lot of their guys have been selected to show their wares at this level and push forward to make the 30-man squad for the World Cup," he said.
"They've got nothing to lose. From our end there has been a little bit of an unsettled preparation this week.
"It's really important from our perspective that we go out there and put on a really polished performance and send out two of our stalwarts in their last home match in fitting fashion."
Mortlock said the Wallabies would have their work cut out containing the "massive" South African forward pack which should concern them what with their scrum not at their best.
" this one in particular is the biggest and most confronting forward pack that we've faced in a number of years, so there's no doubt they'll be trying to utilise that to their advantage."
Captain Bobby Skinstad, who last played for the Springboks in 2003, said his side would be looking to send a message to the Wallabies two months out from the World Cup,This must be strange for Skinstad to go from being on Sky Sports as a comentator to now captaining the team.
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Aussies beat the All Blacks
Australia came back to beat New Zealand 20-15 today.
The Wallabies scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to beat the kiwis for the first time since 2004 after first-half tries from prop Tony Woodcock and winger Rico Gear had given the Kiwis a 15-6 lead at the break.
Backs Adam Ashley-Cooper and Scott Staniforth scored second-half touchdowns for the Australians as the All Blacks struggled following a sin-bin absence for prop Carl Hayman.
Stirling Mortlock struck two penalties and Matt Giteau two conversions for the Wallabies while Dan Carter hit a conversion and penalty for the All Blacks.
The Aussies are back ,they always seem to get the timing right for the big tournamnets.
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Aussies are pissed
South African rugby officials defended today the selection of a weakened squad to meet Australia and New Zealand in the next Tri-Nations games .
Australia and New Zealand have criticised South Africa's decision to omit 20 frontline players for the games in Sydney on July 7 and Christchurch a week later. A statement from the South African Rugby Union (Saru) said nine players had been injured in the opening matches against Australia and New Zealand. South Africa beat Australia 22-19 before losing 26-21 to World Cup favourites New Zealand.
"A large number of players were extremely exhausted as a result of a demanding five-week period of test match rugby and an equally demanding Super 14 competition," it said. "A total of nine players are now injured following the New Zealand and Australian matches and, given the status of these coupled with the fatigue of others, it would not have been advisable for management to allow these players to travel to Australasia."
We are not going to beat the all blacks in their home turf so we might as well keep our guys fit for the world cup.
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We were so close
The Kiwis reasserted their position as favourites for the forthcoming Rugby World Cup with a close 26-21 win away to rivals South Africa in the Tri-Nations.
After a pair of excellent victories over England, overturning Australia and a dominant showing by their sides in the Super 14, the Springboks have assumed the mantle of the All Blacks' closest challengers.
But Graham Henry's side recovered after trailing 21-12 late in the second half to silence the kings park crowd and claim only their second win in their last five attempts in the country.
South Africa dominated the early exchanges, but appeared to have spared the All Blacks as the game headed for half-time with penalties from Percy Montgomery and Ruan Pienaar cancelled out by a pair from Dan Carter.
However in the final minute of the half, flanker Schalk Burger ensured a deserved interval lead for his side and he edged his way over at the back of a trundling driving maul.
An Aaron Mauger drop-goal cut the deficit to two points, but the Leicester-bound centre then saw his attempt to pass out of a tackle lodge in the grateful hands of Butch James who raced in under the posts to extend the lead to 18-9, which was classic.
Montgomery and Carter exchanged penalties, but it seemed the odds on New Zealand ending their 20-year wait for the World Cup in France this autumn were set to lengthen as the game entered the final 12 minutes with the Springboks clutching a healthy nine-point advantage.
A powerhouse break from Rodney So'oialo shot through the South African defence and back row partner Richie McCaw scooped up the loose ball to dot down and start the Springbok nerves rattling.
Carter's successful conversion left his side still two points short of South Africa, but they seized the lead just three minutes later when Leon MacDonald's counterattack was rounded off by winger Joe Rokocoko.
The last twenty minutes was critical and we were not fit enough ,our replacements could not cope with the All Black hype e.g Steyn we were so close but we made more mistakes than the Kiwis and we paid for it.
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South Africa 55 England 22
Saturday's most revealing snapshot happened in the Bok’s dressing room at half time. England was up 19-17, having just scored a converted interception try from Dan Scarbrough to add to four penalties by Jonny Wilkinson. Instead of panicking and ranting .White delegated responsibility to the players. They accepted the unspoken challenge to get their butts in gear and put in what White described as "our best 10 minutes in the two Tests" to run in three tries and splinter England's resistance.
The 43rd minute try scored by Bakkies Botha was the most ominous, showcasing as it did the rare pace, power and handling skills of the forwards. As for the second of Bryan Habana's two tries, taking his tally against England to five in their last three meetings, there was pure genius in the way he ducked into space and threw a glorious sidestep to leave the debutant Nick Abendanon in a heap of twisted vowels. Pierre Spies, the No 8 with hands the size of dustbin lids, also waltzed over for the first two tries of his Test career in a manner which suggested he may well shatter all Test scoring records for a forward by the time he is finished and what a start he is a real find from this English tour.
For England this series was an unnecessary evil, a sickly damage-limitation exercise. For South Africa, contrary to what Brian Ashton keeps claiming, the legacy has been purely positive. "It's easy for Brian Ashton to say because he didn't lose to South Africa for the last seven years. There are a lot of psychological bonuses for us," insisted White. Bring on September.
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Loftus build up
I am really going to enjoy the match on Saturday, strange how all rugby playing nations all like to beat England .Having to watch South Africa’s over the past couple of years has been quite painful at times.
England has to put a brave face on and maybe they can put this bug behind them but with South Africa not playing as a team for six months and the SA public enjoying the Super 14 and build up to the world cup.I wonder what the score will be, I am hoping for a 50 point gap to the Springboks which would be awesome.
Team information:
South Africa:
P Montgomery (Sharks); A Ndungane (Bulls), W Olivier (Bulls), J de Villiers (Stormers), B Habana (Bulls); B James (Sharks), R Januarie (Lions); G Steenkamp (Bulls), J Smit (Sharks, capt), C J van der Linde (Cheetahs), B Botha (Bulls), V Matfield (Bulls), S Burger (Stormers), J Smith (Cheetahs), P Spies (Bulls).
Replacements: G Botha (Bulls), D Carstens (Sharks), J Muller (Sharks), B Skinstad (Sharks), R Pienaar (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks), A Willemse (Lions).
England:
M Brown (Harlequins); J Noon (Newcastle), M Tait (Newcastle), T Flood (Newcastle), D Scarbrough (Saracens); J Wilkinson (Newcastle, capt), A Gomarsall (Harlequins), K Yates (Saracens), M Regan (Bristol), M Stevens (Bath), R Winters (Bristol), A Brown (Gloucester), N Easter (Harlequins), M Lund (Sale Sharks), B Skirving (Saracens).
Replacements: A Titterrell (Sale Sharks), S Turner (Sale Sharks), D Schofield (Sale Sharks), C Jones (Sale Sharks), S Perry (Bristol), A Allen (Gloucester), N Abendanon (Bath).
What do you think the score will be?
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I like this score ,58-10
We showed no mercy against a second-string England team, crushing the pommes 58-10 nice.
Percy Montgomery kicked 23 points - a record against England - converting all seven tries and adding three penalties on Saturday. The Bok’s easily surpassed their previous best score against England, a 35-9 victory in 1984 in Johannesburg.
The Springboks jumped to a 27-point lead in the first half, and then didn't score from the 39th minute to
