Hi all. What a great rugby weekend we had yet again. The Boks, Kiwi’s & Wallabies all secured vital wins in three absolutely fantastic test matches. Hats off to Ireland and Wales for nearly (painful near it was) winning both their games. England did well to come back after the Boks took their foot of the pedal somewhat. But all in all it was 3 wins for the Southern Hemisphere yet again. And let’s not forget the absolute brilliant character from the Pumas to down the spirited French in another nailniting encounter. So that made it 4 in 4 this weekend for the SH…sorry Kitch…;) The Baby Boks…well need I say more from this talented bunch of youngsters! I think I speak for all when I wish them all the best for the Final Encounter vs the Mighty Baby Blacks. Can’t wait for Friday!

But I couldn’t help but scroll through the comments yet again. Some magnificent one liners, great critic, unfortunately some pure attention and reaction seeking racism and also some pure biased views from the classic Bulls & Stormers fanatics…nonetheless there were some great comments and I couldn’t pick a winner today. So, I decided that today will be a tie.

Morne Steyn came under some scrutiny following his shocking display with the boot again. Steyn actually had a good game despite the damn pink boots not finding the target. Sport24 decided to put an article on their site which consists basically only out of comments from readers.

Morné   under   the   microscope

Of course Morne was halfway stoned to death considering our true passion for the game and the Boks (I am a little sarcastic). But nonetheless the actual comments left on the article left some interesting reading, but it was the first one from Jason that had me chuckling quite a bit:

“we need to start charging Sport24 for using our comments to create articles!!! LOL”

Like I said in my previous post that S24 seem to run out of ideas and will basically post anything, whether it’s using the same article twice and just adjusting the words somewhat OR using reader’s comments to create a little bit of reaction from unoriginal scoops!

The second comment came from the article about former Springbok flank Rob Louw (yes the father of Roxy “OMG” Louw) apparently dropping a tweet concerning the calling of Joe Pietersen up to the Bok squad.

Louw   lets   slip   Pietersen   pick

Now here was the basic Morne Steyn vs Peter Grant battle (actually Bulls v Stormers fans) more of an issue than Joe Pietersen’s apparent great news. The guys were throwing all the stops regarding Morne’s questionable goal kicking against that of Grant’s and how great a defender Grant is etc (now I am a Peter Grant fan, but even I must question the man’s defence). But anyway these guys were having a good go at each other and then RandomDude placed a comment which stopped the whole thing then and there: PS. this is just a small portion of his comment, because frankly I was too damn tired to read the whole thing but anyway…

“The Stomers defense is a SYSTEM not Grant running around making more tackles than anyone else..”

This was a absolutely finely placed and timed comment, becasue like I said, it stopped the argument right then and there. Imagine Peter Grant running around making all the tackles…hahaha…Well done RandomDude, you will from now be known as the Peacekeeper (yes like the song)…

I want to finish by saying please keep the comments coming, I’m having a absolutely great time looking through them and could we please for the love of vetkoek leave the damn racial comments…it’s a prickly point for all of us and there’s no need to make things personal.

Good luck Baby Boks and may the Southern Hemisphere finish off on a high this coming weekend!

Cheers…

So, everyone loves the Sport24 website and most of us want to leave a comment to make our opinion noted.

Must say, sometimes some of the guys go too far and it becomes an all-out-free-for-all-battle-to-death with yes you’ve guessed it, letters. I will sometimes also speak my mind on the comments area if I feel the need to, but mostly I love to see this word bashing going up and down. When the “fight” becomes a little bit personal, people like to utter the infamous “jou ma” preceded or followed by some nasty thing about the okes poor mother.

“Kill”, “moer” and “shit” are also some of the wonderful vocabulary used by very enthusiastic and die-hard supporters. I think SA has some of the most colorful people when it comes to the comments section on any webpage. The racial cards get thrown around many times too often, but I noticed that more on the News24 section. I am more on about S24.

Unfortunately Sport24 has too many stories surrounding the “England in SA” series which is obviously taking place. Too many of them has a familiarity with the previous one. Like Bismarck’s homework story.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/EnglandinSA/More-studying-for-Meyers-Boks-20120614

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/EnglandinSA/Different-feel-to-Bok-camp-20120613

Two articles basically explaining the same thing one just a little more in detail. I honestly think someone was bored and really wanted to write something. This is just one mere example out of, I think, 4 or 5 other stories as well. I thought no-one realized this until I read some of the previous articles’ comments section. I was happy to realize that I wasn’t going crazy and that it was also starting to get irritating! Please S24, stop bloody doing this, why for the love of vetkoek do you do this.

But enough moaning, the real reason I wanted to write this post was to put down my Comment Of The Day. Reading through all these interesting, yet some boring articles, I found one comment that made me laugh. Especially in the moment and on which story it was based. The article concerning Tuilagi at inside centre.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/EnglandinSA/Tuilagi-targets-new-Bok-angst-20120614

People were bashing Morne Steyn and JdV and talking about fishing and babalas (why I don’t really know). Then one guy came out and said the following:

“Frans het hom laas week in elk geval die heeltyd geduik so sal nie n probleem wees nie.”

Jacques, this was quite a great comment and in the typical dry SA humor that we all love. Well done, I had a lekker laugh and thanks for that mate.Sorry there is no actual prize for you buddy, but please keep the humor coming. We really need it in SA!

In a close second place was another comment on the same story:

“Ag man, we all know JDV was just a bit off balance, could’ve happened to anybody. ” Haha…Dirk came to the defense (no pun intended) of JdV.

I would love to see a lot more of these sort of comments more often…

Cheers…

So, the English managed a to win quite an entertaining game against the Southern based Baabaas. Although it seemed that the English got quite a scare in the second half they managed to keep somewhat calm and see the game through. It was a very heroic effort from a bunch of First Division players who didn’t really have time to practice together. Also keep in mind that this was a relatively shitty England side.

Although the English “B’ in the end got a comprehensive victory, I really don’t think the “A” team will be so lucky. The Boks seem like they are getting more in the groove of what it is that Heyneke has envisioned for them. Also, the fact that Lambie got the nod to show off the skills that made people want to nearly crucify HM for playing Kirchner ahead of him, shows that the Bok coaching staff are really serious about utilizing players as effectively as possible.

The players also feel that there’s a different feel to the Bok camp and I think they mean this as a very good thing. Times have changed and so to the Boks will have to…Hougie got a lekker set of wheels which should, I think, inspire him to play the kind of game that got him this wonderful sponsorship in the first place. As long as the forwards put in a bigger effort to protect their halfback, the man could give the Poms a very hard time from the base.

I also think that “Bone Collector” Alberts will be raring to go against the Roses seeing that he made it look relatively easy to run over or through them. He would want to show them that this wasn’t just a once of thing and why is considered in SA as one the strongest runners. “Generaal” Steyn will also want to improve on his kicking seeing that this is the main reason why HM will want him there. I think every kicker is entitled to a poor game and after the last test he has had his baddie. We all know that Morras will kick the living daylights out of the Poms if they give him the slightest chance. Might even pull a Jannie de Beer…5 DG’s…English must remember that!

The “other” Steyn also impressed in the first test and will definitely keep the English occupied in the midfield. He’s a clever player with so much potential that I think he himself doesn’t even realize it! Jean might have had an unfortunate moment against the English Samoan (hope I say it correctly), but everyone might forget the first moments of the test when De Villiers slipped a tackle from the big SAMOAN “machine”. And let us AND the English not forget the wonderful try the man with “no pace and power”(aimed at a very specific blogger) scored.

Although the English played very well at the breakdowns I don’t think they have enough fuel in the tank to take on the Boks on the physical front. This ultimately means that they will need to play a quicker game, which will suit some of our backs perfectly, considering SupeRugby is quite a pacy game. Lambie is very good under the high ball and good on counter attacks. Add Habana on current form and these attacks might lead to more than just momentum builders. Maybe even an intercept from the winger or our Cappie for that matter…

All in all, this was the best the Boks looked at the start of a season for a long time. I honestly (I mean that) think that the Boks will get better and better and that the English might just be in for ‘n good old fashioned “pakslae”!

Cheers…

Looking back on this past weekend’s results, I must honestly say that just as Ireland, I think England’s one hope of victory is as my English teacher always said: Past Tense. If they were to beat the Boks it would’ve been the first test. I mean, the Boks had only five days of practice and prep together. With the new squad and coach everyone was a little nervous and then the damn weather played well into English hands.

Now, I think even the dearest English fan will admit that the Boks dominated this game. They never looked like losing and although things were still a little rough around the edges, Heyneke can feel very positive about things going forward from here. The Boks had most of the possesion and although a little reluctant here and there (maybe due to nerves, or bad weather), they were always in control.

WILLEM “THE BONE COLECTOR” ALBERTS – The Sweet Chariot is swinging high and far from this oke…

It won’t be soon before any Englishman forgets the name Willem Alberts. What an awesome display of hunger and pure f*cking power. This guy played as if there was no tomorrow. Whoever wants to play no.7 in a Springbok jumper ever again, I dare you to try and take it from the big Sharks loose forward!

“BONE COLLECTOR” VICTIM – MIKE BROWN

I think one of the main problems for England was (although they were quite good at the breakdowns), they tried to take the Boks on up front. Big mistake! They eventually realised this and started to rely on the backline. Tuilagi managed to carry the ball 13 times with only 45 metres gained! I mean, it’s like he ran from his own goal area and never made it to the halfway line (for the entire game!). I think his total metres gained, was as much as Willem Alberts’ first carry alone. The Boks’ just did a usual, but still different, breaking down of an opponent, forcing an error and cashing in on mistakes. But it was a very controlled and patient effort, considering the absolutely wonderful weather.

Tuilagi had a very average game – 45 metres only…I meant to say poor game…

Now there’s one thing I don’t understand.

Dylan Hartley went on to say after the game that England could’ve snatched a draw and that they managed to take the Boks’ big runners head on. I don’t know if Hartley is smoking something or maybe suffering from a concussion, courtesy of Alberts, but he clearly didn’t play or watch the same game as all other rugby enthusiasts!

The Boks welcomed and also disposed of Brad Barritt, who had an awfully average game not to mention him not featuring anywhere, once. I remembered he was on the field when he came off with that horrible shiner! Bad luck Brad, but it was quite good to see the man back on SA soil (although he didn’t feature).

Luckily Schalk wasn’t playing – otherwise we would have never heard the end of this one…

Many SA fans would probably be happy to have heard of Kirchner’s injury and that Gio Aplon has been called up. Unfortunately Coenie Oosthuizen is also been undergoing scans due to his neck and might be replaced by yet another nightmare for the English, Dean Greyling. Willem Alberts has been nicknamed the “Bone Collector”. Greyling is that guy that softens up the bones for the “Bone Collector”. But on a more serious note, I hope Coenie recovers so that he can show off his skills. The guy is a fantastic prop and has a great future! The hair of Coenie vs the hair of Marler will be an interesting affair if the scrums turns out to be a shambles (which the Boks also dominated in this first test).

What it just boils down to is that I believe this was unfortunately for England the best chance they had at winning. They Boks I honestly feel will only grow from strength to strength from here on. And playing in Joburg might prove to be a dryer (please no rain) game…might be in for a cracker!

Cheers…

To be the Springbok coach must be the same as being bloody president. Everyone knows better and you can never satisfy all of them.

Heyneke Meyer’s appointment as Bok coach was a big relief to all Springbok supporters. We all know his stats and his history. I mean, the man’s track record speaks for itself. Four Currie Cup titles (1 was shared) and a Super 14 title locally. He also put systems in place which saw the Leicester Tigers win the 2009 English Premiership. So, when it comes to coaching, the man absolutely knows what he is doing. I’m sure any proper rugby supporter would agree with that. He has always had an eye for young talent and can analyse and dictate a game quite well, and I mean quite well!

Now, to the main topic. Players get snubbed and the public crucifies(as usual), the man at the helm. We always know best and the man with all the experience and knowledge all of a sudden has no clue what he is doing. He is all of a sudden the biggest fool on God’s green earth. I think we can do this when the Boks don’t win, SIMPLE. TYPICAL SA RUGBY PUBLIC!

Yes, certain players on form obviously doesn’t deserve to be in the squad. They haven’t been performing as well as they could have. But, Heyneke has always found a way to bring the best out of certain players. Yes, we can all quickly assemble on paper an amazing Springbok squad which could probably annihilate anything in it’s path. But unfortunately we don’t have that tremendous honor. Heyneke has got an idea of what he wants his Bok squad to do, and certain players fulfills his needs. He’s already got his gameplan and these players, he feels, might just be the ones to execute them the way he wants.

In the end people it comes down to more than just the Bulls, Stormers, Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions. There’s currently bigger problems to worry about, like injuries to key players (quite a few Stormers as Heyneke mentioned), certain unions getting a hall pass for Super Rugby and of course the 4 Nations (Aussie rematch). This is about the Springbok jumper and the Springbok jumper alone. We all need to get behind the team and start supporting. The public has already crucified him, and not even a minute of rugby has been played yet.

We play a highly motivated and good English side this weekend. We have a good squad of players and a terrific coach and we need to get behind them.

Cheers…

Good morning my fellow bloggers.

I’ve been watching most of the S15 games or lets just say as many as I could. There is one aspect that was bothering me. In all our teams I think there is a lot of talent in all positions for Heyneke to choose from. My one concern is at centre (12 & 13). We’ve got the players but who do we send in to do the job in the upcoming Castle Championship, never mind the English (no discredit towards England intended), but we all want to beat the Kiwi’s and Wallabies.

First of all, the Australians has a lot of good talent but not enough, I think, to do the same job they did in the RWC. Our problem comes from, yes you’ve guessed it, the All Blacks. We can field a great team that could beat them any day, but they have something which plays fantastically in their favour. Their two best centres ( and they are on form), plays for the same team. Sonny Bill Williams and Richard Kahui both play for the Chiefs, and week after week they cause chaos for everyone playing against them. Week after week they get a better and better feel for each other. This isn’t very good news considering that our best centres aren’t playing together every week(not to mention all the bloody injuries we are facing).

Francois Hougaard and Morne Steyn play great together and that helps the Boks’ setup a little bit. But after the 9/10 combination we might run in to trouble. Johann Sadie curently not on form (after injury problems), Olivier and JJ Engelbrecht playing well but perhaps not good enough. De Villiers injured, Sharks and Cheetahs combinations not always finding each other. I would like to know what many of our fellow readers/bloggers think, because I really feel this is or could be a serious problem (considering the AB’s get to field some of the best combinations)!

Cheers