If I had a Rand for every promising rugby talent that left Cape Town to pursue a career elsewhere in SA, I would certainly not be blogging on a cramped economy class flight to Jozi. No Siree Bob, I would have bought that property on the beachfront in De Kelders, the missus has had her eye on since who knows when. If for some reason this comparison escapes you, I’m attempting to explain that a huge amount of players leave Western Province and excel at other unions! I’m well aware that this scenario has been flogged to death on social media platforms, in rugby circles and around braais for ages, but I don’t care, I’m a staunch Province supporter and I want to rant and rave some more. So now you know what I’m about to ramble on about and I know that navigating away from this blog becomes an option, but I would urge you not to, as you might read something interesting after all.

If we allow ourselves to think back to 1995 when we secured our first RWC trophy, we are filled with elation, but this is not the case for Dr Louis Luyt, unfortunately. He might have been as exuberant immediately after the Stransky drop-goal, but nothing prepared him for what Francois Pienaar and Hennie Le Roux (amongst others) were cooking up for him and the entire amateur rugby world. That’s right folks rugga was an amateur sport, with players still largely holding down 9am-5pm jobs to bring home the bacon. (more…)

Since Western Province are lining up the Leopards at Newlands this week I thought I’d go scratching through the highlights of the corresponding fixture between these 2 teams in the first round of the Currie Cup Premier Division in the hope of finding something redeeming to say about the Leppids in my weekly Currie Cup review. And I found this gem:

In what is probably their best passage of play in the whole match, watch in slomo horror as Leppids number 8 Morné Hanekom pins WP flanker Siya Kolisi with a casual lob of the rugby ball for an eye-watering bull’s-eye.

Even better is the quality work from commentator Andy Capastagno right at the end of the video, who nails this one on the, erm, head with his memorable “land owner” quip. If he wasn’t such a biased Sharks supporter I might actually start liking him.

My wife and I acquired a slightly unfortunate label from almost everyone that knows us. We belong to a distinguished group commonly referred to as the “unfashionably late”. This (to my utter disgust) transcends everyday meetings, business lunches, parties and in fact most gatherings (social and otherwise). Nobody enjoys missing a kick-off, first pitch or the first ball bowled and I’m certainly no exception, but I have also found myself on the business end of a ticking clock come game day. Mostly because of last minute logistical nightmares that include forgetting to buy alcoholic beverages before hand, finding your proposed attire (read Province, Stormers or Bok jersey) for the outing amongst the dirty washing and my all time favourite – not being able to find the keys, which you know for a fact you saw not five minutes earlier.

It would be the understatement of the century to say that these things annoy me, but I’ve learnt to deal with them in my own way. During such times of mad rushing to avoid missing the start of a game, I do find it extremely interesting to look at the people that we pass on the way to our destination. These individuals who are clearly as late for the game as I am, but who do not seem to be in any hurry. Morne Steyn can have the ball in his hands and be signaling his forwards for the kick-off and these okes could not be less fazed. (more…)

Some people say you are what you eat (which means I’m in bigger trouble than I thought!) Others feel that it is your religion, sexual preference or even political affiliation that defines you. Then there’s a school of thought that maintain the colours you wear, determine your being. This might sound a touch superficial, but only if misunderstood and viewed in the wrong context. If you assume that they’re referring to expensive attire, the latest trendy gear or high-end fashion apparel, you’d be sorely mistaken. C’mon people, this is not and never will be Sex And The City, that’s just not how we roll…

This sentiment is rooted in something much more substantial and far less trivial, namely supporters’ colours. The very fabric that distinguishes binds and endears you to a select group. These matters that appears so fundamental to the tools inherent to making an on the spot, split second family differential. Imagine a staunch Manchester United supporter (I’m feeling nauseous already) sporting the famous Red Devil shirt, tucking into a Cornish pasty, washing it down with a luke-warm “widow-maker” ale. Have you got the mental picture? Scary isn’t it?! Now imagine this lout taking a seat slap-bang in the middle of the Kop section at Anfield.

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The men from Cape Town dished out a shockingly amateurish performance against a well below par GWK Griquas side this past Saturday in their Currie Cup encounter and in the end had to be content with a draw. True to form, Allister Coetzee dished out the same excuses that have become his trademark response after failing to win games. Coetzee was quoted in an Afrikaans newspaper as saying that they learnt a lot from the Griquas game and would take that forward into the next encounter. This sequence of events is as common as a winter cold and the supporters would like someone to flip the vinyl and change the record. The brain trust at this union has to understand that their loyal fan base is fed-up with the team losing, claiming they’ve seen the error of their ways and repeating the same mistakes the next week.

The player intrusted with the captain’s armband, Deon Fourie had a shocker of a game and lost five lineouts on his own throw. In his defence, his task was made considerably tougher by Hilton Lobberts and De Kock Steenkamp’s inability to time their jumps. (more…)

WPRFU held its annual awards evening last night at the Kelvin Grove Club. The event, held in conjunction with Die Burger, recognizes clubs in the Western Cape and professional players who have performed well in 2010.

Flanker Duane Vermeulen was the star of the evening, walking away with the award for Best Forward for 2010, as well as the prestigious Players Player of the Year Award, an award voted for by his peers. The award for Best Backline player went to Gio Aplon who has enjoyed a remarkable season, with speedster Juan De Jongh, in a breakthrough season, being awarded the Most Promising Senior player trophy.

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Newlands will host three semi-final clashes on Saturday 16 October. The rugby action kicks off at 12h30, when Vodacom WP u19 take on the Leopards u19. The u21 semifinal between Vodacom WP and the Vodacom Cheetahs follows at 14h25.

The main game of the afternoon, the second Absa Currie Cup semi-final of the day, kicks off at 17h00 between Vodacom WP and the Vodacom Cheetahs.

Vodacom WP coach Allister Coetzee, today announced his team as follows:

15. Conrad Jantjes
14. Gio Aplon
13. Juan De Jongh
12. Jean De Villiers
11. Bryan Habana
10. Willem De Waal
9. Ricky Januarie
8. Duane Vermeulen
7. Francois Louw
6. Schalk Burger (C)
5. Anton van Zyl
4. Adriaan Fondse
3. Brok Harris
2. Deon Fourie
1. JD Moller

Reserves:
16. Hanyani Shimange
17. JC Kritzinger
18. De Kock Steenkamp
19. Pieter Louw
20. Dewaldt Duvenage
21. Lionel Cronje
22. Paul Bosch

Source: wprugby.com