A 23-man squad have been named to take on New Zealand on the 25th July 2009  in the Vodacom Tri-Nations.

The group includes 22 players that took part in the recently completed 2-1 Test Series victory over the British & Irish Lions. The only newcomer is Sharks prop Jannie du Plessis, who returns to the national set-up after last playing for the Springboks against England at the end of 2008.

Fourteen of the 23 players selected were amongst the match 22 in the third Test against the Lions on July 4.

The group includes lock Bakkies Botha, whose two-week suspension ends this week. The Bok squad assembles in Bloemfontein on Thursday afternoon.

Players in the broader Springbok squad, who played against the Lions but have not been selected for the first Vodacom Tri-Nations Test, have been released to play for their provinces in the Absa Currie Cup.

(more…)

The citing farce of the Super 14 tournament will be held up for ridicule again following the suspension of Tewis de Bruyn for a dangerous tackle this weekend in the game against the Bulls at Loftus.

Coming hard on the heels of Waratahs scrumhalf Brett Sheehan being let off scot-free for a shoulder charge on Brad Barritt which, to most viewers, seemed to have been committed with an element of intent the verdict on De Bruyn is going to convince local followers that when it comes to the citing procedure there is something rotten in the process.

De Bruyn, who up-ended Akona Ndungane as he bent low for, and then straightened up, in a tackle came before SANZAR Judicial Officer advocate Jannie Lubbe in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.

The player had been contrite immediately after one of those unavoidable incidents but was nevertheless handed a three-week suspension. In spite of being yellow-carded by referee Stuart Dickinson he was cited for a dangerous tackle after the match

According to a statement from SA Rugby, “the Judicial Officer reviewed the available video evidence and the reports by the referee and assistant referee.

“Lubbe also heard evidence from the player, the head coach and a referee – Jaco Peyper. (He) concluded that the incident should be categorised as a dangerous tackle at mid entry level which carries a sanction of six weeks suspension.

“After taking into account the relevant mitigating circumstances, De Bruyn was suspended from all rugby for a period of three weeks from 9 May 2009 until and including 30 May 2009.”

The statement added that “De Bruyn has the right to appeal the suspension.”

Source: supersport.co.za

Oregan Hoskins, South African Rugby Union (SARU) president and SANZAR chairperson has set 2012 as the year for Argentina to join the Tri-Nations.

““The sooner we can get Argentina in the Tri-Nations the better,” said Hoskins.

“I’m meeting with them in Buenos Aires on January 16. Rugby in Argentina needs a professional arm. The International Rugby Board is very eager to see Argentina playing in the Tri-Nations.

“Apart from the professional arm that needs to be established, rugby in Argentina also requires a culture of professionalism

“Their top players are based in Europe and a plan has to be made to get them back to Argentina.”

Hoskins will provide feedback to the Sanzar board after his meeting.

He hopes Argentina will be able to contract their players when their deals run out in Europe.

“There is so much potential for rugby in Argentina. They view South Africa as an older brother. Danie Craven and Izak van Heerden did a lot to promote rugby there,” said Hoskins.

“If we help them now, we are continuing the work of our predecessors.”

(more…)

Jongi Nokwe scored four tries as the Springboks powered to a record 53-8 victory over the Wallabies in their Tri-Nations rugby test played at Coca-Cola Park on Saturday. Blow-by-blow scoring:

The Wallabies hadn’t won at the venue for 45 years but they certainly wouldn’t have expected to instead concede a 45-point victory margin while left-wing Nokwe became the first Springbok to score four tries against Australia.

Nokwe registered his hat-trick within 23 minutes with three tries in a row from the 12th to the 35th minute but disappointingly damaged his ankle and had to be replaced as he supported fellow winger Odwa Ndungane on the inside in the act of scoring his fourth in the 49th minute.

After going down 15-27 a week ago in Durban the Boks surprised friend and foe alike with a massive turnaround as they raced in eight tries to run up a victory that surpassed their previous best win against the Wallabies – 61-22 at Loftus in 1997.

And the key to the transformation was the manner in which they controlled possession, strung the phases together and contested the breakdown.

(more…)

The Springbok team versus the Wallabies on Saturday in Johannesburg:

15. Conrad Jantjes
14. Odwa Ndungane
13. Adrian Jacobs
12. Jean de Villiers
11. Jongi Nokwe
10. Butch James
9. Fourie du Preez
8. Pierre Spies
7. Juan Smith
6. Schalk Burger
5. Victor Matfield (captain)
4. Andries Bekker
3. Brian Mujati
2. Bismarck Du Plessis
1. Beast Mtawarira

Reserves

16. Adriaan Strauss
17. Jannie du Plessis
18. Danie Rossouw
19. Luke Watson
20. Ricky Januarie
21. Ruan Pienaar
22 Percy Montgomery

Australia beat South Africa 27-15 at the Absa Stadium in Durban on Saturday to end the world champions’ hopes of winning the Vodacom Tri-Nations title.
Blow-by-blow scoring:

The victory was Australia’s first in South Africa since 2000.

Captain Stirling Mortlock and winger Lote Tuqiri scored second-half tries to seal the Australian victory although South Africa closed the gap in the final quarter with two tries by centre Adrian Jacobs.

Australia flyhalf Matt Giteau gave a masterful display with the boot, kicking three conversions and two penalties.

Loosehead prop Benn Robinson scored a 27th-minute try as Australia seized a 10-0 halftime lead which they never relinquished.

Robinson plunged over the line from close range after he picked up the ball from a ruck, which followed kicks behind the Springbok defence by Giteau and replacement centre Ryan Cross. Wing Jongikhaya Nokwe conceded a free kick after he was caught in possession.

Giteau converted to add to his eighth-minute penalty.

(more…)

15. Conrad Jantjes

14. JP Pietersen

13. Adrian Jacobs

12. Jean de Villiers

11. Jongo Nokwe

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 Mtwarira

Replacements:

Adriaan Strauss; Brian Mujati; Joe van Niekerk; Luke Watson; Ricky Januarie; Frans Steyn; Percy Montgomery

Venue: ABSA Stadium Durban

Gates Open: 11:00

Kick-off: 15:00

Ticket Prices:

Adult – R425

Scholar – R125

Phone: 031-308 8400