Brooke's Belters

From the outset, I'm not by any means a rugby expert, but it baffles me how Peter de Villiers takes off his kicking machine Morne Steyn and brings on Butch James when the Springboks need 3 converted tries to win. We scored 2 but with Pienaar missing both conversions, we were out of the game even before Genia muscled his way over.

Surely if Div was bringing on James, it was because he thought that the former Sharks flyhalf was a better kicker than Steyn, but low and behold Pienaar was the man tasked with the kicking duties when it came to converting the tries.

Last night I went to Andre the Hypnotist in Cape Town and it seems that Divvy is hypnotised throughout 80 minutes during a Test match because his decisions make absolutely no sense.

Time for Divvy to snap out of hypnosis and head back to the Currie Cup? 

As many of you will know, I am the Commercial Manager at Sport24 and responsible for all competitions you see on the site. We give away a lot of cool prizes but it's not often I get to meet the winners face to face and see the look on their face when they are presented with their prize.

I had that privilege to do so a couple of weeks ago in Cape Town and JHB during the events we held with Peter Shilton.

See below article which was on Sport24 for how everything unfolded from the competition right up to presenting our winners with their unbelievable prizes.

Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who wrote a weekly column for Sport24 during the Soccer World Cup, was recently in South Africa for two events - in Cape Town and Johannesburg - as a guest of British Airways and Sport24.

Sport24 ran a competition in which their readers could not only win a spot at these exclusive events to hear stories from England’s most capped footballer, but also to stand a chance to win two Club World Tickets to London sponsored by British Airways.

The Sport24 winners from Cape Town and Johannesburg, as well as several British Airways staff members and their trade clients, gathered at the events and, following the draw, Michelle Clarence (Cape Town) and Stuart Oppelt (Johannesburg) walked away with the fantastic prizes.

Stuart couldn’t hide his excitement when Sport24 contacted him recently.

“I have a permanent smile these days. When Peter Shilton called out my name I nearly fell off my chair. Time stood still for a while and it felt like it took me ages to get to the front. The whole moment felt surreal. I have not felt this happy in a long time. One thing I do know is that I will never forget that moment.”

Sport24 Commercial Manager David Brooke reiterated Stuart’s joy.

“Hearing Peter Shilton tell stories about Maradona and the infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal was surreal. Here’s a guy who I used to watch on television when I was younger, so just to be able to see and meet him was unbelievable. We love to give prizes away on Sport24 but to see the smile on Michelle and Stuart’s faces was something that will stick with me for a long time to come.”

We've got a dedicated WIN PAGE on Sport24 so go and check out the latest competitions, including the chance to win corporate hospitality tickets to the Tri-Nations during the South African leg.

Here's a pic of me with Peter Shilton, Ashley Cowan from British Airways and Sport24 winner Michelle Clarence

We’ve had Football Fridays where everyone in South Africa is encouraged to wear yellow and green in support of Bafana Bafana but ladies and gentleman, I now bring you Dutch Dinsdag.

I encourage everyone to come to work in orange on Tuesday, especially in Cape Town where the Uruguayans need to know that thanks to their cheating striker Luis Suarez ,(I did want to rename Sunday, Suarez Sunday where I handled my balls all day without anyone giving me into trouble), there will be an entire nation backing the Dutch to reach the World Cup final.

Even though Suarez is banned for the semi-final, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Dutch stick 5 past them. Apparently they will still announce his name because he is still part of the squad so I look forward to 64 000 fans booing when his name is announced in the pre-match build-up.

I watched the Germany vs Argentina quarter-final in 3D on Saturday and I can happily say it was an awesome experience. The camera angle that we were watching was one that is not usually seen on regular TV, it felt a bit surreal but I’d definitely do it again.

Hup Hup Holland…

Whilst some people will be spending R2000 on Argentina vs Germany tickets to see the match live at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon, I will be at the Nu-Metro at Canal Walk watching the game live in 3D for R120. I've heard some great things about this experience and Nu-Metro better impress me as it's a massive game to watch.

What will Maradona look like in 3D? Will his pants be even tighter? Will that mean that I won't be able to eat my popcorn without vomiting in my mouth just a bit after seeing Maradona's ass cheeks splashed across the movie theatre screen, in 3D nogal?

All those questions shall be answered but in the meantime I am looking forward to a cracking game and a totally new experience. I've been told to book towards the back of the cinema to avoid sudden heart attacks (granted, it's not Avatar), which I have done so hopefully it will be a memorable experience.

I've heard that there isn't any commentary though which will be weird but have no fear, I am going to be rocking my radio for the full 90 minutes so I can keep up with the commentary - I mean not having commentary whilst watching a game of football on TV is like seeing Ricky Januarie without KFC in his hand, it's just not on...

For those who are going to the game, enjoy it, I've been to 3 of the Cape Town matches and despite Rooney and the rest of his overpaid English team-mates not arriving for the Algeria clash, it's been fantastic.

Click here to find out more about Nu-Metro's World Cup in 3D experience

A year ago to the day I sat with my dietician for the very first time and plotted a way to improve my life, to lose weight and to be healthy.

Standing on that scale when I felt the worst I had ever felt was no easy task but I had to do it because it shocked me into understanding the gravity of the situation. I was 27 years old and I was extremely overweight – something had to give.

The scale read 130 that day, today, 365 days later, the scale reads 108, meaning a total weight loss of 22kgs in one year. Many of you who read my blog will understand the good and the bad times that I have had during the past year but no matter what, that 22kgs has been hard work but fun at the same time and if there’s anything I can pass on as a message to anyone looking to change things around in their life it’s ‘Don’t look short term, think long term, because there is no easy fix, there are no pills that work long term, it’s down to you as an individual to make the necessary changes in your life. Your mind has to be correct in order to make these changes but when you see improvements in your life like I have seen, you realize that it’s all worth it.’

A year ago today I was miserable, but I sit here today writing my blog with a girlfriend of almost 8 months and happier than I have ever been in my life so when I look back at gym sessions I have had and the copious amounts of apples I have consumed in a year, it’s all paid off.

The key now is to keep up the momentum because as my dietician always says, “weight loss is about a 5 year plan,” 4 years to go then for me but I’m ready.

If you want any advice give me a shout, dave@sport24.co.za

I thought this picture would illustrate things a bit better!

What a weekend for South African sport. From Friday, the country has been in full blown patriotic support and our teams didn't disappoint.

Bafana Bafana, despite some shaky moments early on, especially with Lucas Thwala looking a bit on the fat side being smoked down the left flank, were brilliant to watch. Siphiwe Tshabalala, who undoubtedly made some international football scouts stand up and take notice, wrote himself into South African folklore with an absolute screamer to give the host nation the lead over their more fancied opponents Mexico before Rafael Marquez equalised. Even still, a draw was more than what most people were expecting and especially with France and Uruguay both looking pretty ordinary, Bafana will fancy their chances to go through to the second round.

Then it was the Boks' turn to get in on the festivities. I was at Newlands on Saturday and never before have I seen so many Bafana shirts on display - it made a change from those bloody All Blacks supporters who come out of the woodwork when the All Blacks are in town. The atmosphere was electric, maybe because we were allowed to have Castle beer in our stadiums again, but whatever the reason, the Boks delivered and totally dismantled the French. Even Ricky played well, although I still maintain they put a hot dog on the tryline before he dived over for his try.

Tonight, I'm watching our cricket team taking the Windies to the cleaners. It might have slipped through some minds this weekend but Dale Steyn took his 200th Test wicket during this Test which is unbelievable for a man so unassuming yet so successful. I can't help but think that the Windies team don't give a crap about Test cricket anymore and only really show any interest when there are Pro20 matches on the cards.

Anyways, it's been an amazing weekend for South African sport, let's keep the ball rolling.

Moment of the weekend: Seeing vuvuzelas confiscated outside Newlands before the big Test - NO VUVUZELAS ALLOWED AT NEWLANDS - My kind of stadium...

I can't help thinking that Cape Town is seriously lacking in World Cup gees with just under 2 days until kickoff. I've seen pictures of Johannesburg with thousands of people lined up in the streets celebrating the biggest event to ever hit our shores. There are flags draped along the roadside lamposts, everyone is in the vibe.

Here in Cape Town, there's car mirror socks and a few 'Welcome to the World Cup' flags on roadside lamposts.

This all got me thinking, which doesn't happen often I must add. Cape Town were thrown a major hospital pass just a couple of years ago when everyone thought that the Mother City would be the hub of international tourism during this World Cup month. People were dreaming about renting their maid's room, which has a "lovely view of Table View's main road" for R20 000 a day, businesses thought they could sit out some lean months because thousands of tourists would be flocking to their restaurants - and none of this has materialised.

The cold, harsh fact of the matter is that the business side of this World Cup is all on the Highveld. None of the World Cup teams are staying in Cape Town (Knysna doesn't count in my eyes) preffering to train at altitude. I haven't seen one dodgy German tourist and the only restaurant I have seen full is KFC at lunch time.

It also struck me that I was only really hearing about Cape Town fan parks, even though there are other ones around the country and I asked myself why this was the case? I'll tell you why, because Cape Town has been shafted and we're given fan parks as compensation.

I'd like to place the blame at someone here, because that's how I roll. I'd like to blame SAFA because how in the world do they expect to get Capetonians involved in the World Cup, supporting Bafana Bafana when they haven't brought our national team down to play in the Mother City for years.

Don't forget about Cape Town and maybe Cape Town won't forget about you...

Am I over reacting?

I was at the Akon concert at Grand West in Cape Town on Saturday and contrary to reports, Benni McCarthy is not in Spain, here he is posing for a picture with a friend of mine's fiance at the concert.

So, as I settle back in to normality in Cape Town, I will conclude my blog around my trip to Brazil for the Heineken Star Final with a summary by means of gallery of events throughout my entire trip. I just personally want to thank Heineken and Brandhouse's Jongamazizi Sibaca for taking me along on this trip - it was truly a memory that will last my whole life.

I left Cape Town for Rio de Janeiro on Thursday May 20

200 Heineken Star Final winners stayed at the Sheraton Hotel

I received my very first pair of Havaianas - those pins need a serious tan

One of the South African winners Nino and his girlfriend Jennifer

The other South African winner, Michael Katzenellenbogen and his wife Linda

Our first visit was to the famous Rio Botanical Gardens

We had dinner on the first night at Restaurante Aprazivel where we were treated to a Capoeira display.

Rio is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever seen

The SA contigent representing at the Maracana Stadium

The Forte de Copacabana, the venue for the 2010 Heineken Star Final

South Africans taking the Bafana message to Brazil

One of the bars inside the function venue

Brazilian legend Denilson begged me to have a photo with him - I obliged

We were all there to watch the UEFA Champions League Final

The vibe inside was electric with 200 people from around the world

The Samba dancers rounded off a pretty special evening

After 13 hours of flying via Rio, Sao Paulo, JHB and Cape Town, I am back home and gearing up for the 2010 World Cup.

Remember to Enjoy Heineken Responsibly (Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.)

Sitting at OR Tambo International airport after an 8 hour flight from Sao Paulo, no sleep to talk of but at least SAA provided some good entertainment. It's back to Cape Town in an hour.

Here's the pic I promised I would upload, these were 2 of the Samba dancers that entertained us. Good bodies but they have nothing on South African women if you ask me...

I have just got back to my hotel room from the Heineken Star Final celebrations in Rio de Janeiro and all I can say is ‘Oh my word, what an amazing, amazing experience I just had.

We arrived at the Fort de Copacabana – the venue for the Star Final and when I walked into the function hall I couldn’t believe what was in front of me. The area was kitted out with football bean bags and just buckets of Heineken everywhere.

We all settled in to watch the match and it truly was an extraordinary experience to watch such a game with so many different people from so many different backgrounds. There were Indonesian teams supporting Inter Milan, there were Canadians supporting Bayern Munich.

Inter Milan never looked in too much trouble to be honest and Diego Milito proved to be the difference as my favourite coach Jose Mourinho won another Champions League title and stuck it to Arjen Robben and his Bayern Munich team.

One of the other highlights of the evening for me was getting to meet the Brazilian legend Denilson.

Here’s a few pictures from what was a most memorable evening. I’m pretty tired now, so will put up some more pics tomorrow before we all head back to South Africa. Check in tomorrow, where I will grant some of your wishes to show pics of some Brazilian women...

The awesome venue

What we were all there for - to watch the UEFA Champions League Final

One of the Heineken bars (Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.)

I was totally shocked to meet Brazilian legend Denilson

Inter Milan fans celebrate their team's victory

WOW, that pretty much covers my experience today at the famous Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.

Here's some pics...

Tickets please

Looks a bit like Loftus doesn't it?

South Africans representing

The Maracana will be hosting the 2014 Soccer World Cup Final

Former SA Rugby Ref Michael Katzenellenbogen and his wife Linda - one of the winners

Myself on the far right with winner Nino and his girlfriend Jennifer

The view from my room at the Sheraton Hotel Rio de Janeiro

The reason why we are all in Rio de Janeiro in the first place (Drink Responsibly)

I’ve been speaking to a few of the people who are on the Heineken Star Final trip with me in Brazil about who they think will win the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday. And one thing is quite clear – there is overwhelming support for Inter Milan.

One guy from Cameroon walked around the whole day in his Samuel Eto’o shirt, professing to me that he “knows” that Eto’o is the best player in the world. I disagreed slightly but did allay his disgust with my comment with “he was the best player in the world a couple of years ago.”

What I noticed with this gentleman was that he wasn’t necessarily supporting Inter in the final but he was supporting the team his hero Samuel Eto’o played for. He could have been playing for Orlando Pirates and he would become a staunch Pirates supporter, vuvuzela and all… One cannot underestimate the impact that African stars like Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o have made on international football, drawing more attention than ever before onto African football.

Anyways, seeing that this guy from Cameroon has made his allegiance known, I am going to put my marker on the side of Inter Milan because I bloody love Mourinho and his arrogance and I want him to win another Champions League with another club and also because I can’t stand Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben. My feelings towards him began during his stint at Chelsea – I just couldn’t stand his constant moaning and whinging. There’s no doubt he is a great player but I wouldn’t mind seeing him miss a penalty to give the title to Inter.

In closing this post, let’s see if anyone can tell me what this means in English?

“Uma rodada de Heineken, por favor!”

Samuel Eto'o fan by any chance?

Here’s a picture of Inter’s Diego Milito and my friend Arjen Robben with the official Champions League final ball. (pic supplied by adidas)