Friday – 27 June:

19:00 – Currie Cup: Sharks vs Boland

Saturday – 28 June:

11:45 – Australia vs France

15:00 - Currie Cup: Cheetahs vs Lions

17:00 – Currie Cup: Western Province vs Bulls

19:50 – Argentina vs Italy

20:30 – French Top 14 Final

It was a wet day at Newlands and perhaps that was why South Africa’s 26-0 win over Italy in this one-off test match will be recalled as one of the least memorable matches to be played at this famous ground.
The Boks scored four tries to nil and were full value for their victory in that, unlike last week, they set about the task of winning this game in the time honoured way that you do test matches — by suffocating their opponent with an approach that emphasised basics and forward control. In this way, it was much more like the first test win against Wales in Bloemfontein than last week’s clash at Loftus.
However, while their driving maul, which netted two of the tries, was a big positive for them to take onto the field in the event they face New Zealand or Australia in the wet in the Tri-Nations, there was not too much else to enthuse over in a turgid game which only briefly brought out any semblance of a test match atmosphere in the 36 000-strong crowd. (more…)

Friday – 20 June:

19:00 – Currie Cup: Sharks vs Western Province

Saturday – 21 June:

09:35 – Second Test: New Zealand vs England

15:00 -  South Africa vs Italy

17:10 – Currie Cup: Lions vs Bulls

Scotland ended an 18-year losing streak against Argentina when they beat the Pumas 26-14 in a dour and cumbersome Test at Estadio José Amalfitani (Vélez Sarsfield), Buenos Aires, on Saturday.

Although the teams scored two tries each, it was the unerring boot of Chris Paterson that gave Scotland their first win against Argentina since November 1990.

Paterson celebrated becoming Scotland’s most-capped player by scoring 16 points of his team’s 26 points – four penalties and two conversions.

The result, which squared the two-Test series at one-all, following the Pumas’ 21-15 victory last week, also gave the Scots their first away win against Argentina – who finished third at the World Cup last year.

Scotland had lost to Argentina in the quarterfinals in France, so this win would have been particularly sweet.

Paterson, making his 88th international appearance and overtaking Scott Murray’s tally, kicked two penalties for a 6-0 lead, before Frank Hadden’s side grabbed the opening try at a packed stadium.

Ross Ford crossed the line after being set-up by Iain Morrison and Mike Blair, with Paterson adding the extras for a 13-0 lead, which became 16-0 at the break thanks to another penalty.

(more…)

New Wallaby head coach Robbie Deans pronounced himself “pretty pleased” with his team’s character-filled 18-12 win over a plucky Irish side in Melbourne at the weekend, but said he will be looking for a “huge improvement” in their next Test.

Deans now has two weeks to work on his team’s shortcoming, before the Wallabies meet France in Brisbane.

Reflecting on Australia’s narrow victory over Ireland, Deans said: “[I'm] happy with the win.

“Obviously it wasn’t flawless and clearly the guys’ legs were heavy at the end, the Irish played well, they asked a lot of us.

“Ireland rocked us. They profited a couple of times pretty easily which put us under pressure but the guys hung in there well. It was never going to be perfect first up.

“I was essentially [I'm] pretty pleased off a short background and [with] some of the character that was shown to close it off. As it was our first game, it was never going to be perfect. (more…)

Pieter de Villiers will name his first training squad since taking over as Springbok coach on Saturday 17 May. There is lots of speculation of who will be in and who not, so SARB has decided to add their two cents worth by putting together a 45 player squad we think should be there.

Forwards: Props: Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Jannie du Plessis, BJ Botha, Brian Mujati(if qualifies), Beast Mtawarira(if qualifies). Hookers : John Smit(captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Schalk Brits. Locks : Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Andries Bekker, Johan Muller, Barend Pieterse, Adriaan Fondse. Loose Forwards: Schalk Burger, Juan Smith, Ryan Kankowski, Pierre Spies, Wikus van Heerden, Duanne Vermeulen, Luke Watson, Joe van Niekerk.

Backs: Scrumhalves: Fourie du Preez, Ricky Januarie, Rory Kockett. Flyhalves: Butch James, Pieter Grant, Morne Steyn. Centres: Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Waylon Murray, Wynand Olivier, Brad Barrit. Wings: Bryan Habana, Tonderai Chavanga, Akona Ndugane, Odwa Ndugane, Jongi Nokwe. Fullbacks: Conrad Jantjes, Pery Montgomery, Zane Kirchner. Utility backs: Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Meyer Bosman.

This is just an opinion, more that likely our new coach will have a few surprises up his sleeve when he announces his squad, and we are all waiting with eager anticipation for Saturday. The announcement will be broadcast on Supersport after the Sharks game, so around 21h00.

Sat 07 Jun 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa Wales Bloemfontein, South Africa –
Sat 14 Jun 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa Wales Pretoria, South Africa –
Sat 21 Jun 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa Italy Kimberley, South Africa –
Sat 05 Jul 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
09:35 New Zealand South Africa Wellington, New Zealand –
Sat 12 Jul 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
09:35 New Zealand South Africa Dunedin, New Zealand –
Sat 19 Jul 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
11:00 Australia South Africa Perth, Australia –
Sat 16 Aug 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa New Zealand Cape Town, South Africa –
Sat 23 Aug 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa Australia Durban, South Africa –
Sat 30 Aug 08
Kickoff Home Away Venue
15:00 South Africa Australia Johannesburg, South Africa –