It’s world cup time and seeing as everything is all about New Zealand etc. I thought this was a gem. There was a time when the Haka was just a bunch of white okes who can’t dance looking like a bunch of dicks.

Check it out.

So what’s this about? It’s a tournament that pits the best Old Boys from various schools against each other for bragging rights to show which school boasts the best old boys team.

The inaugaural event was held last year and was fittingly won by the hosts Milnerton High School Old Boys, commonly known as the MOB. The event takes place from the 30th of September 2011 to the 1st of October 2011.

The jersey has gold detailing and historic victory dates on the right arm, while its construction and fabric positioning “improve player’s ability to evade tackles and provide position support to enhance movement”, says sportswear specialist Canterbury.

The Loop 21 neckline has been tested to destruction at Loughborough University’s Progressive Sports Technologies institute, while temex and Lycra Sport fabric are combined to improve sweat evaporation and help the jersey keep its shape under tension.

via Hi-tech Springbok jersey for World Cup – World Rugby | IOL.co.za.

“Ricky has been a great servant to the Springboks and to all the teams he has represented over a long and successful career,” said De Villiers. “He is a combative and fearless player and has been a part of some memorable Springbok performances. I wish him all the best for the new chapter in his playing career.”

Januarie has been released from his contract by Western Province and will join French club Lyon in time for the start of the new European season.

“I’ve had a great run in South African rugby and have some fantastic memories but the time has come to move on,” said Januarie. “Lyon have offered me a new beginning and I want to concentrate all my efforts on helping them in their first season in the French Top 14.”

De Villiers said that he was comfortable to release Januarie as his inclusion in the preliminary Rugby World Cup squad was to offer experienced cover should other senior scrumhalves suffer injury.

via Januarie quits Springboks: Sport: Rugby: Rugby World Cup 2011.

Well, the news doing the rounds on the interwebbings is that Mickey Blue Eyes has been suspended indefinitely from the Welsh Rugby team after an early morning altercation outside a McDonalds in Cardiff. There’s no mention of what caused Phillips to go off, but I’d like to think it was because somebody at that McDonalds “restaurant” mentioned his pearlescent peepers, thereby sending him into a burger-induced rage. Ok, it was probably nothing like that, but no matter the reason, the result is that the whole word can enjoy the pictures of what happened next.

My particular favourite is the last picture. Check how that dude munches merrily away on his burger as he watches it go down. Nothing is as exciting as McDonalds at 3am.

Bakkies, what have you done.

Speaking of Bakkies Botha. A massive congrats to the big man on his 100th Super Rugby cap when he runs out against the Sharks tomorrow at Loftus!

According to Sport24, the 23-year-old Bulls star may be on Western Province’s shopping list for next year’s Super Rugby season.

Hougaard, 23, is a product of WP – he attended Paul Roos Gymnasium and made his senior debut for the Cape provincial side at 18.

He left for Pretoria at the end of 2007.

via Hougaard to replace Januarie?

Being a Bulls supporter in the Western Cape is really difficult, I must say this year has been the worst. For some reason the Stormers are just rubbing every one of our losses in our faces but they also seem to disappear and go very quiet when they lose. Although my number 1 pook, Joe Social is very good at supporting my team and I also support the Stormers on odd occasions. My house is constantly full of Stormer supporters.

Anyway, let’s reflect on some great times in rugby.

I enjoyed that a second time. Didn’t you?

Tomorrow ( Saturday 11/06/2011) it’s the Vodacom Blue Bulls  Vs The DHL Stormers again and it’s gonna be a cracker of a game. I’m so excited, I might just start the braai now already. The game tomorrow is going to be huge and the Stormers are the favourite at this stage.

My problem is that both teams are making a big mistake in their selection, so it might be even more difficult to predict the outcome of the game. Fourie du Preezs’ absence just means that the Stormers have a slight edge. I know I will be supporting my team with the hopes that they  win win win!

I’m sure Joe Social and The French Connection would like to have their say too.  Who will you be supporting  in tomorrow’s Super 15 game?

This man is a machine.

Lionel Cronje, the third choice flyhalf who started against the Blues in the absence of Grant and Gary van Aswegen, pulled up in the first half in Auckland with a medial ligament tear on his left knee. Coach Allister Coetzee confirmed afterwards that Cronje would play no further part in the Stormers’ campaign, and of course Van Aswegen will only be back from his injury after the competition.

“We have called Kurt Coleman over to join the squad but we are also looking at options from outside of the squad,” said Coetzee in a telephone interview with SuperSport.com from Auckland.It is no secret that Springbok utility back Ruan Pienaar was the first choice for the Stormers and it is understood they are interested in getting Pienaar’s services for next year, but the man now most likely to come in to help the Stormers as a stop-gap measure is Derick Hougaard, the former Bulls pivot now playing for Saracens.

via Hougaard could help out Stormers – SuperSport – Rugby.

But while scrumhalf great Gregan will reunite with Stephen Larkham and tutor the next generation of playmakers, the Brumbies have conceded it is highly unlikely Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom will be in Canberra next year. New coach White is in Australia to start finalising his coaching staff and player recruitment and retention before he takes over from Tony Rea in July.

According to Rugby Heaven correspondent Chris Dutton, after White’s meeting with Gregan, the coaching structure is now finalised. Gregan and Eddie Jones will act as consultant coaches with Larkham (backs) and Laurie Fisher (forwards) as White’s full-time assistants.

via Gregan joins Jake at Brumbies: Sport: Rugby: Vodacom Super Rugby.

Stormers New Rugby Jersey

An Old Pick n Pay Shopping packet

Chabal, 33, the highest profile omission from France’s World Cup squad announced on Wednesday, was provisionally suspended by his Racing Metro 92 team last month after an outburst against “hopeless” referees.

The long-haired back-rower now faces a 60-day ban unless he agrees to the unusual requests from the union, in which case he will be suspended for only 30 days.

Media reports have speculated that Chabal could announce his international retirement after Wednesday’s snub for the September 9-October 23 tournament in New Zealand.

via Chabal to undergo refereeing course – SuperSport – Rugby.

Bridget van Oerle said in a statement that former South Africa scrumhalf Van der Westhuizen began immediate treatment after being diagnosed by his doctor.

“Van der Westhuizen’s doctor, Dr. (Henry) Kelbrick, who is also a close family friend, noticed that Joost was having problems with his right arm and ran a series of tests,” Van Oerle said.

“Van der Westhuizen also consulted two neurologists … The symptoms are serious and vary from person to person.”

via Joost diagnosed with muscle disease – Times LIVE.

The “AN Other” that the Stormers listed at the end of their touring squad that was announced on Saturday night may well be a spot being kept open for Ruan Pienaar.

Gerrie Swart, Pienaars agent, confirmed to Sport24 that there have been talks with the Stormers.

“The Stormers made contact and we are now discussing it with Ulster,” said Swart.

Pienaar is still playing in a Magners League semifinal for Ulster against Leinster on Friday night. If Ulster win that game, he might still be involved in the final on 28 May against the winner of the other play-off between Munster and the Ospreys.

Pienaar is contracted with Ulster until the end of June 2012 and his employers will have to agree to a loan if he’s going to play for the Stormers.

via Pienaar to join Stormers on loan? – SuperSport – Rugby.

The Herald reports today that his appointment is confirmed after he impressed in his interview.

White will take up the job from next year and the expectation is for him to end the Brumbies’ barren run in the tournament immediately.

Good luck to him! I guess after the pressure of his last coaching job this might be a nice walk in the park for him.

This was confirmed today at Newlands where outgoing WP Rugby chairperson Pat Kuhn confirmed that Erasmus will assist the Boks in their World Cup title defence, but will return to his WP role in 2012.

This is the first step that indicates there is actuially a plan in place for the Boks at this year’s event.

Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is set to confirm Erasmus’s appointment at his announcement of his 49-man provisional squad in Wellington on Wednesday.

“Letting Rassie join the Bok management is something that was asked of us, so we are doing it for the country,’ said Kuhn, who is now part of SARU’s executive council.

via Bok RWC role for Rassie: Sport: Rugby.