Sport – Page 2 – praag.org

Sprinboks invincible except for All Blacks

Jean de Villiers in the Springbok jersey

by Barnaby Chesterman

South Africa ended a long, hard season with a bruising victory over France in Paris on Saturday and in so doing reaffirmed the difference between the top two in the world and the rest.

Only one team have beaten the Springboks in 2013 and, barring an unlikely upset in Dublin later on Sunday, New Zealand will record the first ever 100 percent calendar year in the professional era.

While there is no doubt that the world champions, beaten only once in the last two years — a stunning 38-21 defeat to England at Twickenham last November — are the best team in the world, South Africa underlined at the Stade de France that they are clearly the best of the rest.

Although the 19-10 scoreline in Paris was relatively close, it did not tell the full story of a masterful display from South Africa.

Twice they were denied adding to JP Pietersen’s second-minute try by the video review system and, although the French did score through Yoann Huget right at the end of the first period, it came from a rare turnover offered up by the Boks deep in their own 22.

Otherwise they largely controlled territory, if not as much possession, and put such a huge amount of pressure on France deep down in the Les Bleus half that fly-half Remi Tales’s kicking appeared ineffectual.

By contrast Boks fly-half Morne Steyn, and particularly the excellent full-back Willie Le Roux, showed measured tactical nous in keeping France pinned down in their own half with a range of deep, long clearances, perfectly weighted up-and-unders and even a few cunning dinks over the fast approaching backline.

One excellent grubber from Le Roux deserved more than to see Francois Louw beaten to the end zone touch-down by a sliding, scrambling Huget.

In truth, France were really holding on to such a close result rather than knocking on the door and threatening to snatch a victory.

It means that this year South Africa have beaten Australia, Argentina and Scotland at home and away, turned over Six Nations champions Wales, earnt victory against France and defeated Samoa and Italy to boot.

If it wasn’t for the mighty All Blacks, this would possibly be hailed as one of the best South African teams of all time.

Captain Jean de Villiers alluded as much to that when he pointed out just how impressive their recent form has been.

Including last year’s November tests — when they beat Ireland and England, as well as Scotland — South Africa have beaten all of the rest of the top 11 teams in the world at least once in the last year — except New Zealand of course.

“We’re very happy with the last 12 months, if you take the end of the last year as well, that’s 13 (wins) from 15,” said De Villiers.

“It makes it results-wise one of the best years South African rugby’s had in a very long time.”

While the All Blacks’ dazzling brilliance is there for all to admire, it is easy to overlook just how talented the Boks are.

As well as their traditional strengths of power and commitment, and an impenetrable wall of defence, they also have creativity brimming through the side, with pace to spare on the flanks in Pietersen and former world player of the year Bryan Habana.

It was in the rucks and at the breakdown that France found them most effective, though.

“They were more solid than us in the rucks where they managed quite a few turnovers,” said France captain Thierry Dusautoir.

The question now for South Africa, is how to take that next step up and challenge New Zealand for the number one spot.

And that’s a conundrum that De Villiers says they are working on.

“For us (beating France) is not the end of the year, it’s just another step in our journey towards where we want to be and where we’re going.” he said. – AFP

Soccer: France beats Ukraine 3-0 to qualify for World Cup

France's Karim Benzema (right) shoots and scores the second goal for the team during their 2014 World Cup qualifying second leg playoff football match against Ukraine at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis near Paris Nov 19, 2013. — France’s Karim Benzema (right) shoots and scores the second goal for the team during their 2014 World Cup qualifying second leg playoff football match against Ukraine at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis near Paris Nov 19, 2013.

by Andy Scott

France produced a stunning performance to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit and qualify for the World Cup finals on Tuesday, beating Ukraine 3-0 in Paris.

In front of a raucous crowd at the Stade de France, Les Bleus took the lead on the night midway through the first half through Mamadou Sakho and levelled the tie on aggregate when Karim Benzema netted from an offside position on 34 minutes.

That strike came shortly after the Real Madrid man had seen a perfectly good goal disallowed, and the controversy continued as Ukraine defender Yevhen Kacheridi was sent off early in the second period.

France made their one-man advantage count as an Oleg Gusev own-goal put them ahead in the tie for the first time in the 72nd minute and Didier Deschamps’ side saw out the rest of the game to win 3-2 on aggregate.

As expected, Deschamps rang the changes, making five in all to his starting line-up from Friday’s 2-0 loss in Kiev, with Raphael Varane, Sakho, Yohan Cabaye, Mathieu Valbuena and Benzema coming in.

For Ukraine, there were three changes, notably in defence, where the banned Oleksandr Kucher and Artem Fedetskiy were replaced by Yaroslav Rakitskiy and Vitaliy Mandziuk respectively.

The visitors must have been braced for a backs-to-the-wall job, but they could scarcely have expected France to play with such a high level of intensity in the first half.

Ukraine were pinned back from kick-off, and goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov turned a Valbuena shot around the post inside three minutes before Paul Pogba headed a Valbuena corner over the bar.

And just as the away side thought they had taken some of the early sting out of the contest, their defence – which had gone eight successive matches without conceding before this game – was finally undone in the 22nd minute.

When a Valbuena set-piece delivery from the right fell to Franck Ribery on the edge of the box, the Bayern Munich man’s shot was blocked by Pyatov, but Sakho was on hand to convert the rebound from a tight angle, the Liverpool defender netting his first goal at international level.

France’s hope turned to genuine belief, and the home fans rose to their feet as a glorious shooting opportunity fell to Pogba on the edge of the box. However, the young midfielder could only blaze his effort over the bar.

Controversy was just around the corner, as Benzema bundled a low Ribery cross from the left into the net at the back post, only for the offside flag to cut short his joy.

It was the wrong decision by the Slovenian officials but remarkably another error on their part allowed France to level the tie on aggregate.

A scramble in the Ukrainian box saw the ball come off Valbuena and fall to Benzema barely six yards out. This time, he was offside but the assistant’s flag stayed down as he gleefully fired home.

Ukraine knew that an away goal would swing the tie right back in their favour, but they scarcely produced an attempt on target in the opening half and their hopes were dealt another massive blow just after the restart as Khacheridi, who had already been cautioned late in the first half, was booked again for a late challenge on Ribery.

Down to 10 men, Ukraine remained a threat and Roman Bezus just missed the target from long range, but France continued to press relentlessly in search of a third goal and they got their reward with under 20 minutes remaining.

When a Patrice Evra shot was pushed out by Pyatov, Ribery returned the ball across the face of goal and unfortunate substitute Gusev turned it into his own net under pressure from Sakho.

Pyatov saved from substitute Olivier Giroud’s header as France sought to put the final outcome beyond doubt, but they held on to secure their ticket to Brazil. – AFP

Soccer: France, Portugal nervous ahead of World Cup match

France and Portugal, two of Europe’s footballing heavyweights, face a fraught test of nerves on Tuesday with their places at the 2014 World Cup finals at stake.

France, the 1998 world champions, are 2-0 down to Ukraine after the first leg of their play-off ahead of the return in Paris while Portugal, semi-finalists in 2006, take a slender 1-0 advantage to Sweden.

Elsewhere, Greece look well set to make the finals in Brazil next year as they enjoy a 3-1 lead over Romania while Iceland, bidding to become the smallest country to reach the World Cup, are 0-0 with Croatia ahead of their trip to Zagreb.

France are clearly most at risk of failing to qualify for a major championships for the first time since they missed the boat for the 1994 World Cup.

And although Ukraine have lost their previous three play-offs — against Croatia (1998), Germany (2002) and Greece (2010) — they arrive in Paris with a two-goal cushion from the first leg, a psychological advantage and facing a home team smarting from a pasting in the press.

The manner of their defeat in Kiev on Friday prompted the sports daily L’Equipe to write off their chances.

“In terms of what we saw on Friday night … the French would do well just to draw the second leg,” offered the newspaper.

And if they are to overcome the Ukrainians, they will have to do so without Laurent Kolchensky at the heart of their defence after the Arsenal defender was sent off late on following a clash with Oleksandr Kucher as tension spilled over.

France coach Didier Deschamps, who admitted his side were undone by Ukraine’s sheer physicality in the first leg, said: “We’ve got to put them under pressure, to go at them. On Tuesday, we’ve got to be in the battle. We have the ability to turn it round and that’s what we have to do.”

In Solna, near Stockholm, things are more finely poised, with Sweden taking on Portugal in the second leg a goal down from Lisbon, predictably scored late in the game by Cristiano Ronaldo.

Swedish hopes rest even more squarely than ever on the broad shoulders of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, especially with his phenomenal goalscoring record at the Friends Arena, where he has found the net 10 times since the stadium was inaugurated a year ago.

Elsewhere, Greece should complete the formality of qualifying in Bucharest, having racked up a surprising 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Piraeus.

But little Iceland travel to Zagreb with their improbable World Cup dream still just about alive after a desperate draw in the goalless first leg in Reykjavik.

That match saw them fight a constant rearguard action against relentless waves of Croatian attacks after being reduced to 10 men for the last 40 minutes after defender Olafur Skulason was sent off.

Yet they still have everything left to play for and should they achieve the unthinkable and win in Zagreb they would become the fist nation with a population of under a million ever to reach the final stages of the competition.

Springboks en route to Paris after 28-0 victory over Scotland

The Springboks move on to Paris on a roll of two wins out of two from their November tour of Europe, and with their try-line yet to be breached.

Having succeeded in shutting out Wales on the try front in their 24-15 victory in Cardiff eight days previously, South Africa managed to prevent Scotland from scoring a single point in a clinically-executed 28-0 victory at Edinburgh’s Murrayfield on Sunday.

“You’ll always take four tries to nil in Test match rugby,” said South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer.

“The great thing for me is that we wanted to work harder on our defence. Last week was awesome; we didn’t give away any tries against Wales. And this week we didn’t give Scotland any points.

“I was very happy with that — especially at the end, when we were down to 14 men (replacement flanker Marcell Coetzee was in the sin-bin for the final 10 minutes).

“We had a back-line player on the scrum (centre Jaque Fourie).

“That’s what I like about this team. They don’t like giving points away. They put their bodies on the line. It was awesome defence.”

The Springboks effectively had victory in the bag at half-time. Tries from Willem Alberts, Willie le Roux and JP Pietersen, making his 50th Test appearance, plus three conversions from Patrick Lambie, put them 21-0 up at the interval.

A fourth try 13 minutes into the second half, scored by replacement prop Coenie Oosthuizen and converted by Lambie, completed the routine victory as Meyer’s charges looked ahead to their final tour match against France in Paris this Saturday.

There was, however, some collateral damage to the South African squad.

Tighthead prop Frans Malherbe limped off in the 33rd minute and is unlikely to feature against the French, whom the Springboks have not beaten away from home for 16 years.

“Frans has got a ripped cartilage,” Meyer reported. “We’re not sure if he’s going to be fine. The doctor will make a decision tomorrow (Monday) but at this stage we’re not very hopeful that he will be able to continue.”

Blindside flanker Francois Louw was stretchered from the field in a neck brace with four minutes remaining but Meyer said: “I’ve spoken to the doctor and it was precautionary. He’s injured his neck but he should be fine. We’re still monitoring him.”

On the subject of his squad’s form, having followed up their impressive second-place in the Rugby Championship with two clinical victories in Europe, Meyer commented: “I’m very proud of the guys and the way we’ve been playing. There are a lot of youngsters coming through and there’s a great blend. To have a 75 percent winning record this year is awesome. I’m very, very happy with our consistency.

“We’ve scored seven tries to nil on this tour so far. If we win next week, I think it will be an 80 percent win record for the year, which hasn’t happened a lot.

“But we have to keep our feet on ground and stay humble. I believe we’re on the right track but there’s still a long way for us to go.”

As for Scotland, they were left licking the wounds of their first blank on the scoreboard since a 40-0 Murrayfield defeat by New Zealand during the 2007 World Cup.

“We let ourselves down early on and put ourselves under a heap of pressure,” Scotland’s interim head coach, Scott Johnson, reflected.

“We were up against a clinical side who took all of their chances.”

Scotland finish their November home series against Johnson’s native Australia at Murrayfield this Saturday. – AFP

‘Mining execs sitting [expletive] pretty’

Speakers at the inaugural Investing in Resources and Mining in Africa conference in Johannesburg tackled executives’ remuneration, with fund managers in particular scathing about the way chief executives are rewarded, said Business Day.

Gold Fields chief executive Nick Holland’s R45 million pay packet last year was a case in point, the newspaper reported.

“The mining industry is heading in the wrong direction and very rapidly I shall say,” Old Mutual gold fund portfolio manager Mike Schroder said.

Mining executives’ pay is not consistent with their companies’ performance and should be reviewed, according to a report on Thursday.

“My advice to the CEOs: Julle bly fokken lekker. R45m? Bliksem! (You’re sitting fucking pretty. Damn!) Your personal greed is the biggest obstacle for the turning of this trend. Come down with the pay packages or get out.”

Conference chairman and former Harmony chief executive Bernard Swanepoel, said pay packets were “exorbitant and over the top”.

A new pay determination formula was needed.

“The credibility of executive management gets undermined by pay which is disproportionate to performance of companies,” Swanepoel reportedly said. – Sapa

Rugby: All Blacks crush Springboks in controversial test

Brodie Retallick is congratulated on his try by All Blacks teammate Liam Messam. Picture: Phil Walter

The All Blacks took the outright lead in the Rugby Championship here Saturday when they comprehensively beat South Africa 29-15 in a bitter contest between the heavyweights of world rugby.

In a match marred by a red card for Springboks hooker Bismarck du Plessis, the All Blacks also picked up a bonus point with their overwhelming victory over the previously unbeaten South Africans.

The All Blacks finished with only 13-men with two yellow cards in the final 10 minutes when captain Kieran Read was dismissed for a lineout foul and Ma’a Nonu was sent from the field for a shoulder charge.

The Springboks came to New Zealand confident they could shatter their Eden Park hoodoo, where they have not won since 1937.

Instead they were outplayed by pace on attack and the staunch defence by the All Blacks who scored four tries to the visitors’ two.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said du Plessis may have been “unlucky” with his first yellow card but overall he had no complaints about the refereeing.

“In an intense battle like that your going to get moments,” he said.

“You don’t like seeing it but it happens and you pay the price for being ill disciplined. We paid it twice.”

The Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer refused to blame the cards for the loss and said he had no excuses.

“The ref is always right,” he said.

“If you start making excuses for your team then they start to make excuses. There were a lot of things that weren’t good enough even when we had 15 men on the field.”

The intensely physical battle erupted into an all-in brawl in the 15th minute when All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter was bowled in a shoulder charge by du Plessis.

It took referee Romain Poite a full minute to restore order, and when the dust settled the injured Carter was out of the game and du Plessis received 10 minutes in the sin-bin.

Du Plessis received his second yellow, and subsequent red card, in the first minute of the second half when he elbowed Liam Messam in the throat.

In between the cards, the All Blacks lost fullback Israel Dagg with an ankle injury and Sam Cane spent 20 minutes receiving medical treatment for a head wound.

When Carter went down the All Blacks led 7-3 and by the time du Plessis returned to the field they were 14-3 ahead and on their way to extending their unbeaten run at Eden Park to 32 (31 wins, one draw) dating back to 1994.

The All Blacks also overtook France for the most Test wins, moving to 383, and also extended their records for the most test points (13,242) and most Test tries (1,726).

The All Blacks kicked off with the breeze behind them and punished South Africa early when Nonu latched on to a misdirected Bryan Habana clearing kick.

The All Blacks centre’s return kick forced a lineout in the corner from where Read drove over for his first try.

Morne Steyn landed a penalty for the Springboks before the punch up, then when the All Blacks had a one-man advantage they struck again with their second try.

Replacement fly-half Beauden Barrett carved through the Springboks backline on a 55-metre run and lock Brodie Retallick finished off the move when he crashed over by the posts.

Du Plessis returned to the field to briefly restore his place in the South African good books when he scored from a lineout drive.

Steyn kicked the conversion and Barrett landed a penalty for the All Blacks who took a 17-10 lead into the break.

The second half had barely started when du Plessis was sent from the field and when the All Blacks went a player up they immediately struck again.

Read crossed for his second try when he stormed through an attempted tackle by Janie du Plessis, Bismarck’s brother, and Barrett’s conversion lifted the All Blacks to 24-10.

Cane scored the bonus point try in the 67th minute before South Africa came back with a late try to replacement back Pat Lambie. – AFP

Cheetahs played full 80 minutes to win: Prinsloo

Free State Cheetahs captain Boom Prinsloo praised his side for playing the full 80 minutes to beat the Golden Lions 26-23 in their Currie Cup game in the Free State stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday.

The hosts are now second on the logm pending the results of Saturday’s other Currie Cup games between Griquas and the Sharks and the Blue Bulls and Western Province, but for the time being eighth-man Prinsloo,is relieved that his team stood their ground for victory.

The Cheetahs nearly squandered a half time lead of 23-3 and gave the Lions ample chance to make a come back, with a penalty by Cheetahs winger Riaan Smit the only difference.

“We made it very difficult for ourselves in the second half, but I am glad that the guys kept their cool and did not lose their concentration. In the end we finished well,” said Prinsloo.

“This Lions team never gives up. Credit must go to my team mates for playing untill the final whistle. I am really proud of the effort they put in.”

The Cheetahs looked impressive in the line outs, but struggled in the scrums with Lions Springbok front rower CJ van der Linde an important factor.

“Our lineouts improved a lot since last week after we worked hard on it in our preparation, but our scrums weren’t up to scratch. We are still struggling a bit with the timing and the new calls, but we need to rectify that this coming week,” Prinsloo added.

“Next week we play the Sharks. It is always tough to travel to Durban. But if we can build on the momentum we now have after beating the Lions we can not only beat the Sharks in their own back yard, but really finish well this season,” Prinsloo added.

The Lions followed their lacklustre performance in the first half with a stellar 40 minutes in the second, but in the end good tries by winger Anthony Volmink and replacement full back Ruan Nel were not enough to see the visitors travel back to Johannesburg with a win.

“We struggled to get into our rhythm in the first half and made it very difficult for ourselves. The guys really pitched in the second half, but we can’t just play rugby in the second 40 minutes, we have to play the full game, something we did not do against the Cheetahs. It is really something we need to work on,” Lions flanker and captain Derick Minnie said. – Sapa

Cricket chief lashes out at ‘racist abuse’

Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland has lashed out at “racist comments” directed at Muslim Fawad Ahmed after the leg-spinner asked not to wear a kit displaying the logo of beer brand VB.

Pakistan-born Ahmed, who became an Australian citizen in July after his application was fast-tracked, did not have the logo on his shirt during his international debut in last week’s T20 matches against England.

It emerged Tuesday that he had “expressed discomfort with the conflict this created for him, due to his religious beliefs”.

Cricket Australia agreed with his request to wear an unbranded shirt, but this sparked critical comments on the Cricket Australia website and other social media.

“Legitimate reason RELIGION, no its not, it’s a game of cricket, not praying at a church,” said one reaction.

“It is driven by money and fans not by religious fanatics. Those who don’t like the Australian culture should leave, or keep misguided values to themselves.”

Sutherland said he was disgusted with such comments.

“Cricket Australia would like to express its extreme disappointment over racist comments towards Fawad Ahmed on social media… some of which are falsely attributed to former Australian cricketer Dean Jones,” he said in a statement late Tuesday.

“CA does not condone racism in any way, shape or form.

“CA is fully supportive of Fawad’s personal beliefs and he is a valued and popular member of the Australian cricket team and the wider cricket community.”

South African batsman Hashim Amla, also a Muslim, is another player in a similar situation and has been permitted not to wear the logo of Cricket South Africa sponsor Castle, a beer company, on his kit.

The sensitive issue also reared up in English football with striker Papiss Cisse pulling out of Newcastle United’s pre-season tour this year, saying he was not prepared to promote the club’s sponsors, money-lending company Wonga.

But the Senegal international has since donned a Newcastle shirt featuring the logo after talks with the club and Islamic teachers.

The rise of Ahmed, a former refugee who fled his home in the Pakistan border region near Afghanistan, where he said he was targeted by the Taliban, has seen him become a hero to some in Australia’s immigrant communities. – Sapa/AFP

Four black rhino poachers shot dead

More valuable tha a pale male — More valuable than a pale male

Four suspected rhino poachers were shot dead in the Kruger National Park at the weekend.

Rangers in the park made contact with a group of six suspected rhino horn poachers on Saturday, SanParks spokesman Ike Phaahla said on Monday.

“A shoot-out ensued between the suspected poachers and the rangers; three of the alleged poachers were killed and the other three were arrested,” said Phaahla.

Phaahla said two rifles, ammunition and rhino poaching equipment were recovered.

Another suspected rhino horn poacher was shot and killed by rangers in Crocodile Bridge in Mpumalanga on Saturday.

Limpopo police spokesman Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said police also arrested four suspected rhino poachers on Sunday at Hoedspruit.

“Police found the alleged poachers in possession of a hunting rifle, firearm silencer and ammunition,” said Hangwani.

The four men aged between 33 and 46 will appear in the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday on charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and charges under the National Environmental Biodiversity Act which includes conspiracy to poach rhino.

The court date for the first three arrested was not available. – Sapa

Springboks aim to keep momentum against Argentina

by Daniel Lorenzo

South Africa hope to maintain the momentum from four victories and 25 tries this season when they face Argentina for the second consecutive weekend in Mendoza Saturday.

The Springboks made a dream start to the Rugby Championship last Saturday in Soweto, scoring nine tries in a 73-13 romp against Los Pumas.

It was a record winning margin for the southern hemisphere championship and cast South Africa in a new light of adventurous and exciting rugby rather than a predictable kick-and-chase outfit.

South Africa scored 23 tries in 12 Tests last year — this season they have already notched 25 against Italy, Scotland, Samoa and Argentina with JJ Engelbrecht and Bryan Habana claiming four each.

The try fest stems from a settled backline with full-back Willie le Roux, wings Bjorn Basson and Habana, centres Engelbrecht and Jean de Villiers, and star goal-kicking fly-half Morne Steyn beginning all four games.

Forwards have also got in on the scoring act with hooker Adriaan Strauss and flank Francois Louw bagging two apiece and four others also dotting down.

Satisfied that the team have improved since he took charge last year, coach Heyneke Meyer wants to see the recent home form transferred to western Argentina.

His ambition with an unchanged starting line-up is another bonus-point victory against opponents who have made five alterations, three of them injury induced.

“We are developing a killer instinct as a team and the challenge now is to have the same attitude away from home,” Meyer told reporters.

“Last weekend has to be forgotten and we must show ruthlessness against a wounded opponent. We were clinical in Soweto and we must be equally clinical in Mendoza.

“Those tries did not come from throwing the ball around, the team played with structure and purpose and wore down the Pumas. That is what we must build on.”

Meyer hardly needs to remind his men in green and gold how close they came to suffering a first defeat in Argentina at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas last season.

A try by currently injured centre Francois Steyn after he charged down a clearance kick gave the Springboks a 16-16 draw they did not deserve.

Among the Argentine stars last August in the city at the foothills of the Andes were prop Rodrigo Roncero and No.8 and captain Juan Martin Hernandez Lobbe.

They instilled a passion to the Pumas pack that was sadly lacking last weekend with the South Americans a beaten team long before the final whistle.

It did not help a team competing in the Championship for only the second season that they lost lock Patricio Albacete and full-back Juan Martin Hernandez to early injuries.

Nor were chances of a maiden win boosted by the yellow carding of hooker Eusebio Guinazu for a deliberate knock-on and No.8 Leonardo Senatore for a high, dangerous tackle.

England-based Guinazu and Senatore are in the starting line-up again, but veteran workhorse Albacete and enterprising Hernandez have not recovered.

Lobbe, who helped French side Toulon win the Heineken Cup last season, remains sidelined and his continued absence is a massive blow.

“We had a lot of things to do this week, starting with the mentality of the players,” admitted Argentina coach and former star forward Santiago Phelan.

“The team realises that the second season is going to be much tougher than the first and we are up against the three best rugby teams in the world.

“We need to grow up, we need to learn about intensity, we need to keep playing the top teams in order to learn and improve,” he stressed.

Dominant in the set pieces and loose exchanges a week ago, South Africa seem set to triumph in a country where their biggest winning margin was 32 points nine years ago.

But if Argentina can rekindle the passion of last season and tackle better — they missed one in three in Soweto — another humiliating defeat should be avoided. – AFP

Springboks dump black player for missing flights

by David Legge

Prop Trevor Nyakane has been dumped from the South Africa squad for missing flights and a video session, the national rugby union announced Sunday.

A statement said the 24-year-old forward would miss the trip to Argentina for a Rugby Championship match on August 24 because of “repeated breaches of team protocol”.

And a tweet from the official Springbok rugby account shed greater light: “No great scandal folks. Breach of protocol in Trevor’s case means missing flights and video session.”

Nyakane was among 30 players chosen for home and away Tests against the Pumas at the start of the annual southern hemisphere rugby championship that includes title-holders New Zealand and Australia.

But the prop from Bloemfontein-based Super 15 outfit the Cheetahs did not make the matchday 23 in the 73-13 rout of Argentina at Soccer City stadium in Soweto this weekend.

The 118-kilogram forward rose to prominence as an second-half impact player for his province and won his first Springboks cap against Italy last June as a replacement.

Nyakane also came off the bench against Scotland and Samoa in other four-nation tournament games and is considered a long-term challenger to tighthead incumbent Jannie du Plessis.

Coach Heyenke Meyer has replaced Nyakane with uncapped Lourens Adriaanse in his 26-man touring squad while Piet van Zyl takes the place of unavailable scrum-half Fourie du Preez.

Japan-based Du Preez, who came off the bench this weekend after a two-season absence, has been freed by Suntory Sungoliath only for the three South African home fixtures in the Championship..

Nyakane, injured hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle, full-back Zane Kirchner, centre Juan de Jongh, Du Preez and lock Franco van der Merwe drop out of the original 30-strong squad.

“We are allowed to travel with only 26 players and it was difficult to leave out a few of our squad members,” Meyer admitted before the Springboks flew to South America Sunday.

“The players that stay behind will benefit from game time in the Currie Cup and will certainly be in the selection frame when we select the squad for Australia and New Zealand.”

Despite the 60-point triumph against the Pumas, South Africa will be wary of facing them in western city Mendoza, where they snatched an undeserved 16-16 draw last season.

Squad

Backs: Bjorn Basson, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Patrick Lambie, Ruan Pienaar, Willie le Roux, Jan Serfontein, Morne Steyn, Jano Vermaak, Jean de Villiers (capt), Piet van Zyl

Forwards: Lourens Adriaanse, Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Juandre Kruger, Francois Louw, Flip van der Merwe, Tendai Mtawarira, Coenie Oosthuizen, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, Adriaan Strauss, Duane Vermeulen – Sapa

New Sharks recruit SP Marais has Springbok ambitions

New Sharks recruit SP Marais said it was not easy leaving Port Elizabeth for Durban, following his recent switch from the Southern Kings, but felt the move was necessary for his long-term ambitions.

The 24-year-old was the biggest pre-Currie Cup signing for the KwaZulu-Natal side and their new coaching staff.

Marais revealed on Tuesday he turned down offers from the Bulls and Cheetahs following his former team’s relegation from Super Rugby.

“There were a few options but I had to look at the bigger picture,” he said.

“I had to make a sound decision and, for any rugby player, the most important thing is your game time and that was one of the big factors that brought me here.”

The Cape Town-born player made a successful start with the Sharks scoring a match-winning try on debut against the Lions last Friday.

“As you see, I’ve been here a week and already got the opportunity,” Marais said.

“I need to use these opportunities now, so that when Super Rugby comes around next year, I’ve already found my place here.

“The first game was good, but it was more about the team winning and I’m glad I was part of that.”

His decision to leave Eastern Province was based on his ultimate goal to play for the Springboks.

“If you want to go further and into the green and gold, then this is the way to do it.

“So it was time for me to move and I’m very happy to be here.”

Marais credited Alan Zondagh, former Western Cape coach and founder of the Rugby Performance Center (RPC), as well as ex-Springbok assistant Alan Solomons, who recently left the Kings, for enhancing his development.

“The two of them played quite a big role in my career,” he said.

The Sharks on Tuesday confirmed Jacques Botes would stay on as captain for the competition, despite the return of Keegan Daniel.

The regular skipper missed the opening two games of the campaign with a knee injury, but would be back this week, said backs coach Sean Everitt.

“We want to keep Jacques as captain just for continuity purposes,” Everitt said. “

Just because it’s a new group, with new coaches, the more continuity you have the better. He’s done really well and we want him to continue.”

Daniel would wear the number six jersey instead of Brynard Stander, who was ruled out due to a ligament problem.

Odwa Ndungane and Tim Whitehead (ankle and rib) were also out — the former after sustaining a hamstring injury on Friday, although Sizo Maseko, Jean Deysel and Marco Wentzel have all been passed fit to play. – Sapa

Springboks annihilate Argentina

The Springboks got their Rugby Championship campaign off to a good start with a 73-11 annihilation of Argentina at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

The Boks were in rampant form as they scored nine tries to one for their biggest winning margin over the South Americans to sound a warning that they want to stake a claim for the title in this year’s competition.

They were not only impressive on attack but deprived Los Pumas of possession, while their defensive line proved to be impenetrable.

The match, played as part of the Nelson Mandela Sport and Culture Day, had little entertainment value in the opening 10 minutes.

However, Springbok flyhalf

converted two penalties in this period to hand his side a six-point lead.

At the quarter-hour mark Argentine captain Felipe Contepomi added to the scoreline with a successful conversion.

The two placekickers exchanged two more penalties between them, with only three points separating the two sides.

However, the momentum swung in the hosts’ favour when a deliberate knock down by hooker Eusebio Guinazo metres from the line earned him a yellow card and a penalty try against his team.

Steyn converted the try to extend the Boks’ lead to 10 points after 27 minutes of play.

The try sparked the Boks into action as they added another five-pointer six minutes later when JJ Engelbrecht fielded a Willie le Roux grubber kick to canter through for the try.

Steyn converted and added another penalty conversion in the 38th minute which saw the Boks go into the change room leading 26-6.

Shortly after the restart the Boks showed their intent with a driving maul from a lineout that saw Adriaan Strauss crossing the whitewash for the their third try of the match, with Steyn converting.

To add insult to injury Argentina received their second yellow card of the match, with Leonardo Senatore receiving his marching orders for a dangerous tackle on Engelbrecht in the 50th minute.

Four minutes later Willem Alberts scored the Boks’ bonus-point try, while captain Jean de Villiers added the fourth a minute later as he intercepted an Argentine ball from the kickoff to find an open goalline, with Steyn converting both tries.

Playing in his first match in more than a year, Fourie du Preez also got onto the score sheet in the 62nd minute.

In the 66th minute Bryan Habana scored the team’s seventh try in the to bring up their 66th point in the match, with only six points against them.

Four minutes before the end of the match Bismarck du Plessis closed South Africa’s try-scoring account, with Steyn finding his target once again.

The Argentineans had the final say of the match as Contepomi got over the whitewash to add some respectability to the score sheet.

Scorers: Springboks 73 (26): Tries: Penalty Try, JJ Engelbrecht, Adriaan Strauss, Willem Alberts, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Fourie du Preez, Duane Vermeulen, Bismarck du Plessis. Conversions: Morne Steyn (8). Penalties: Steyn (4).

Argentina 11 (6): Tries: Felipe Contepomi. Penalties: Contepomi (2). – Sapa

South Africa crush Argentina to top table

South Africa crushed Argentina 73-13 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto Saturday to set the early pace in the Rugby Championship.

The bonus-point win over rivals who had two forwards sin binned put the Springboks level with New Zealand on five points, but well ahead on points difference. – Sapa