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by powa

Joost’s battle with paralysis

March 19, 2013 in re-blogs, rugby, sport, springboks

1 Comment »

Tags: disability, problems, rugby, south africa, sport, springbok, springboks, super15, the rolling maul

Joost’s battle with paralysis

March 17 2013 at 01:01pm
By Michael Calvin

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AFP

Former Springbok captain Joost van der Westhuizen suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a terminal motor-neurone disease characterised by slurred speech and creeping paralysis.

Joost van der Westhuizen is barely intelligible but extraordinarily expressive. He is physically diminished yet spiritually enriched. On this, rugby union’s showpiece weekend in the northern hemisphere, he redefines notions of heroism and encourages his successors to pause and recalibrate.

The former Springbok captain suffers from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a terminal motor-neurone disease characterised by slurred speech, breathing problems and creeping paralysis. Victims rarely live longer than five years beyond diagnosis.

In the two years since Van der Westhuizen was diagnosed he has revealed the courage enshrined in the definitive moment of a storied career, the tackle which stopped Jonah Lomu in his tracks during Nelson Mandela’s World Cup final in 1995.Joost’s battle with paralysis | Living With Myositis.

by powa

Smith: It feels like death

February 12, 2013 in rugby, sport, springboks, super 15

1 Comment »

Tags: problems, rugby, south africa, sport, springbok, springboks, super15, the rolling maul

It is so sad that Juan had to hang up his boots even though he still wants to play. Severe injury is a real downer.

Even if he carried on trying I have my doubts that he would ever wear the Bok jersey again. It would be too difficult for him to regain his top form after such a long layoff. I have similar thoughts about Rathbone at the Brumbies. I somehow don’t think he will see the season out. What a pity that such great players are sidelined.

Smith: It feels like death | Sport24.

by powa

Racing after Bulls’ Bok

December 7, 2012 in rugby, sport, springboks, super 15

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Tags: bulls, currie cup, rugby, south africa, sport, springbok, the rolling maul

Struggling French outfit Racing Métro is chasing the signature of the Bulls’ Springbok lock Juandré Kruger.

French media reports suggested Racing coach Gonzalo Quesada is attempting to “reinforce” his resources by luring the 27-year-old Kruger to Paris.

Barend van Graan, CEO of the Blue Bulls Company, confirmed to this website that he is “aware” of interest in Kruger from abroad, but added that nothing is finalised yet.

via iafrica.com | sport | rugby | news | Racing after Bulls’ Bok.

by powa

Back-to-back Scots tours of South Africa – Top Rugby Stories – Scotsman.com « THE ROLLING MAUL

December 7, 2012 in rugby, sport, springboks

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Tags: rugby, south africa, sport, springbok, springboks, the rolling maul

Published on Friday 7 December 2012 00:00

SCOTLAND are poised for back-to-back summer rugby tours of South Africa in 2013 and 2014, ahead of their scheduled meeting with the Springboks at the 2015 World Cup.

South Africa will host Scotland, Samoa and Italy in a four-team tournament next year that will see two Tests on the same day at the same stadium, while Wales and Scotland – again – will tour the country for mid-year internationals in 2014, according to details released last night by the the South African Rugby Union.

via Back-to-back Scots tours of South Africa – Top Rugby Stories – Scotsman.com « THE ROLLING MAUL.

by powa

You can’t fix stupid

November 26, 2012 in rugby, sport, springboks

5 Comments »

by powa

Nine or the bench – Hougaard

November 22, 2012 in rugby, sport, springboks

3 Comments »

Tags: blogs, bulls, rugby, south africa, sport, springbok, springboks, the rolling maul

Springbok utility back Francois Hougaard wants to play only scrumhalf next season and admits that he would rather play off the bench for the Boks if it meant he could put all his focus into improving in the number nine jersey.

In a refreshingly open interview with the Keo.co.za website, Hougaard admitted to feeling frustrated by his move to the wing this season for the Boks, after starting the season in his preferred position of scrumhalf.

via iafrica.com | sport | today | Nine or the bench – Hougaard.

He better improve on his box kicking or he won’t even be on the bench. Why do coaches persist in playing players in positions that they don’t want to play. If he is not wanted at 9 leave him out!

by powa

Is this it for Bok skipper De Villiers?

November 21, 2012 in rugby, sport, springboks

15 Comments »

Tags: rugby, south africa, sport, springbok, springboks, the rolling maul

Who is the Bok captain next year? I don’t think Jean will make it to the next world cup.

De Villiers played in his 83rd Test on Saturday, a mainstay of the Springboks for the last 10 years. But with a younger, stronger and possibly quicker crop of centres coming through, and available to Meyer in 2013, the sands of time may just be running out for one of the nicest guys to have worn the Bok jersey … and captain the team.

Ultimately it will be form, and not age, that decides De Villiers’ fate, with Meyer having to decide whether he’s done enough on the playing field in 2012 to warrant consideration next year.

Could Saturday have been the last we see of De Villiers the Bok? Possibly

via Is this it for Bok skipper De Villiers? – Springboks | IOL.co.za.

by powa

‘Lambie must stick to flyhalf’

November 20, 2012 in rugby, sport, springboks

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Tags: problems, rugby, south africa, sport, springbok, springboks, the rolling maul

OR NOT

Koen feels the match against Scotland saw the Boks deliver their finest out of hand kicking performance of the year so far.

“In that first half we kicked 14 times and 12 of the kicks had successful outcomes. That is the best stat of the year so far. Of course in the second half it went the other way, and we had only two successful kicks in 10. I believe that the guys are now starting to understand better when we should kick and when we should play the ball. There is much greater accuracy in that regard.”

via ‘Lambie must stick to flyhalf’ – SuperSport – Rugby.

SO having 14 successful kicks from 24 “IS MUCH GREATER ACCURACY IN THAT REGARD” and ‘ their finest out of hand kicking performance of the year so far.’
EISH !!!! We must have been really shit before. C’mon Louis think of something better to say.

by powa

TALK ABOUT ROSE (Or green) TINTED GLASSES

November 19, 2012 in rugby, sport, springboks

3 Comments »

Tags: problems, rugby, south africa, sport, springbok, springboks, the rolling maul

TALK ABOUT ROSE (Or green) TINTED GLASSES

It wasn’t the prettiest of victories but who cares when the last time the Springboks were at Murrayfield, in 2010, they lost, and let’s not forget the Boks are currently missing several first choice players.

Sure, there is plenty of work still to be done by this Bok team, but when, with half a first choice team, you’re able to win in Dublin and follow that up with a win in Edinburgh things can’t be too bad. It is now two out of two for Meyer and his Boks – and a third straight win against England at Twickenham on Saturday would make this European tour a very successful one indeed.

After what has been a very trying year for Meyer, with so little time to work with a bunch of players he is now only starting to really know and understand, and considering how many men he’s lost to injury, Saturday’s victory at Murrayfield was huge – and mightily satisfying for all concerned.

via Boks stand up to the challenge – Springboks | IOL.co.za.

by powa