In what can only be described as good news, Western Province senior professional coach and former Springbok, Rassie Erasmus, will be part of the Bok management team at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand later this year.
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.
The Bok World Cup Jersey has been unveiled, and not only has the Bok emblem moved to the left sleeve but it is half the size of the Protea emblem.
The IRB Rugby World Cup logo has to appear on the right-hand side of all teams’ jerseys at the tournament.
It was reported that Saru asked the IRB to make an exception for the Boks, but the world governing body refused to budge, which means the Protea (the official emblem of all South African national sports teams) is on the left-hand side of the jersey and the Bok emblem on the left sleeve.
The fact that the Springbok logo is barely noticeable on the sleave is a bit rough. Imagine Englands Rose being chucked to the side of their jersey?
I’m sure everyone has heard the addage ‘White Men Can’t Jump’.
This obviously comes from the movie of the same name, with Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson, from way back in 1992.
You see Billy it's like this, you either smoke or you get smoked. And you got smoked.
Well after this weekends Springboks v All Blacks Game in Bloem to open the Tri Nations for SA, I have to beg to differ. Matfield is a kingpin among men, to use a term I coined myself, he is a ‘Tower Of Strength’ or my other term I have just amde up, a ‘Vertible Collossus’
As Wesley Snipes Character Sidney Deane says in the movie, I don’t mean to brag… but I’m the greatest!
That certainly applies to our Vic.
Victor Matfield, One Jumping Mofo
I was very impressed with the performance of Victor Matfield on Saterday.
This dude brings fear to the opposition with his ability to work out lineout calls. It’s quite often you’ll hear a commentator say… “Matfield has worked out the their lineout calls”
Why? Cos he is the man. We are truly privileged to have him around and Im super thrilled to have him currently playing with Andries Bekker, his obvious heir apparent. It’s a no brainer that he will move on to coach our lineout forwards.
Cos that’s what I would have done… and I’m almost as main as him, cos I can fly.
When I’m dreaming.
Here’s a little diatribe from the movie, between Wesley Snipes Character and Billy Hoyle, played by Woody Harrelson.
Sidney Deane: Can anybody step in for this guy? Anybody? For Mr. Mofo March of Dimes?
Sidney Deane: Billy, listen to me. White men can’t jump.
Sidney Deane: I don’t mean to brag… but I’m the greatest!
Billy Hoyle: You are so stupid. It would take your mother 1, no. 2 hours to watch 60 MINUTES.
SA Rugby has announced the Squads for the upcoming Lions Tours games.
No player who has played for SA is selected for the emerging Boks. Looks pretty decent to me. This is a very strong position we find ourselves in when we can select two such sides. Obviously we can only select a certain amount of players and this is a well balanced selection.
There will be a few knobs who will bemoan a few selections, but in my HUMBLE opinion, well done selectors.
SPRINGBOKS
Forwards (14):
John Smit – Sharks (81) – Captain
Victor Matfield – Vodacom Blue Bulls (80) – Vice-Captain
Andries Bekker – Vodacom Western Province (13)
Bakkies Botha – Vodacom Blue Bulls (55)
Schalk Burger – Vodacom Western Province (49)
Deon Carstens – Sharks (7)
Bismarck du Plessis – Sharks (21)
Ryan Kankowski – Sharks (7)
Tendai Mtawarira – Sharks (10)
Chiliboy Ralepelle – Vodacom Blue Bulls (3)
Danie Rossouw – Vodacom Blue Bulls (36)
Juan Smith – Vodacom Cheetahs (54)
Pierre Spies – Vodacom Blue Bulls (19)
Gurthrö Steenkamp – Vodacom Blue Bulls (20)
Backs (14):
Jean de Villiers – Vodacom Western Province (46)
Fourie du Preez – Vodacom Blue Bulls (43)
Jaque Fourie – Xerox Lions (42)
Bryan Habana – Vodacom Blue Bulls (46)
Adi Jacobs – Sharks (21)
Ricky Januarie – Vodacom Western Province (34)
Odwa Ndungane – Sharks (3)
Jongi Nokwe – Vodacom Cheetahs (3)
Wynand Olivier – Vodacom Blue Bulls (21)
Ruan Pienaar – Sharks (27)
JP Pietersen – Sharks (24)
Earl Rose – Xerox Lions (uncapped)
Frans Steyn – Sharks (27)
Morné Steyn – Vodacom Blue Bulls (uncapped)
EMERGING SPRINGBOKS
Forwards (12):
Jacques Botes – Sharks
Jean Deysel – Sharks
Wian du Preez – Vodacom Cheetahs
Werner Kruger – Vodacom Blue Bullsv Patrick Cilliers – Sharks
Tiaan Liebenberg – Vodacom Western Province
Bandisa Maku – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Dewald Potgieter – Vodacom Blue Bulls – Captain
Wilhelm Steenkamp – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Steven Sykes – Sharks
Franco van der Merwe – Xerox Lions
Duane Vermeulen – Vodacom Western Province
Backs (10):
Heini Adams – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Bjorn Basson – GWK Griquas
Burton Francis – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Zane Kirchner – Vodacom Blue Bulls
Louis Ludik – Xerox Lions
Morgan Newman – Vodacom Western Province
Earl Rose – Xerox Lions
Deon van Rensburg – Platinum Leopards
Jano Vermaak – Xerox Lions
Luzuko Vulindlu – Sharks
As Tom Cruises character Frank Mackey says in Magnolia when asked what he is doing…
“Im quietly judging you.”
Now rugby writers covering the Lions tour to SA need be scared and quake in their boots as I quietly judge them. Just like Frank Mackey does.
Well not so quietly.
Those of you that know me know that I generally know a lot about a lot of things. Therefore, nothing grates me more than someone who is writing specifically about one subject and can’t even get their basic info right. Now I don’t actually CARE if I get any of this wrong, as I’m not that kinda writer.
Don’t judge me.
I have for you exhibit A.
In an article for the Independant regarding the British and Irish Lions Tour to South Africa (which is now showing at a stadium near you BTW), reference is made of the matches that will be played on tour.
ROYAL XV, Saturday, May 30 Venue: Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace), Capacity: 38,000 Coach: Chaka Willemse. Key players (possible): Michael Bondesio, Dennis Brits, Hannes Franklin. History: An invitational team likely to comprise players from sides like Valke, the Leopards and Pumas as the Lions open their tour at altitude. Verdict: Should prove a comfortable opening victory for the tourists.
Umm ok! Firstly the Stadium is actually seats 42 000 [wiki wiki] but that’s just nitpicking. I have never heard of any of those okes mentioned. The team was made up largely of Griquas players. 11 in fact. The verdict what with the benefit of hindsight, was that the Lions almost got fucked up.
Highly uncomfortable.
Exhibit B.
SHARKS, Wednesday, June 10 Venue: Durban (ABSA Stadium) Capacity: 52,000 Coach: John Plumtree. Key players: John Smit, Ruan Pienaar, Ryan Kankowski. History: Finished third in Super 12 or 14 rugby on three occasions. On their day, a devastating unit under the direction of former Swansea coach John Plumtree. Verdict: Comfortably the strongest of South Africa’s Super 14 sides, they could make life tough for the Lions.
There’s that word again. Comfortably the strongest? You clearly haven’t heard of the Bulls. You won’t read any Shark bashing on this site…. well not now anyway, simply because my team are so KAK! [The Stoners Stormers]
Then follows an arb game against the Southern Kings, who incidentally don’t even have a coach a team or ANYTHING yet, other than a vociferous leader in Cheeky Watson. Just what they need methinks.
I’m getting sidetracked here.
Exhibit C.
SOUTH AFRICA, June 20, June 27 and July 4. Venues: Durban (June 20), Pretoria (Loftus Versfeld, June 27) and Johannesburg (July 4) Capacities: 52,000 (Durban), 45,000 (Pretoria), 60,000 (Johannesburg) Coach: Peter de Villiers. Captain: John Smit. Key players: Victor Matfield, Schalk Burger, Bryan Habana. History: Current world champions, as they were in 1997 when the Lions last toured South Africa. Notoriously physical and powerful, history is on their side, having won seven Test series against their British and Irish visitors. Verdict: Test series might be closer than many people think, but South Africa to take it 2-1.
Notorious eh? How about key players “The Whole Team”… seriously though, Key player should really be Fourie du Preez. Unless of course you’ve been under a rock.
I also love the way this unnamed writer says currently Worls Champs, like they were last time. Very sneaky.
He then goes on to suggest it’s going on to be closer than we all think. Is it? I think the Boks should kill the Lions.
As for notorious this is what it ACTUALLY means, so we are powerful for bad reasons…?
Adj. 1. notorious – known widely and usually unfavorably; “a notorious gangster”; “the tenderloin district was notorious for vice”; “the infamous Benedict Arnold”;
Furthermore after the last few weeks, Morne Steyn must be the starting flyhalf. So roll on the rhetoric, I can’t wait for all this to be well and truly underway so we can actually see who is who. They’re playing the Lions this Wednesday and THAT should be the first real form indicator.
I back the Lions to win that one, geddit?
My money is on the the new look boks, in their new looks Jerseys, and this time by a long way.
It’s sleek, doesn’t stray too much from the design from the last few years, other than the Springbok being shafted (I did it AGAIN) shifted to the right.
Skipper John Smit and other leading Boks tried on the new shirt for an advertising campaign promoting the three-match series between Ian McGeechan’s tourists and the reigning world champions.
The biggest change to the jersey comes in the shape of the King Protea emblem.
South Africa’s national flower takes pride of place on the left-hand-side of the jersey, with the Springbok emblem moving to the right-hand side and the Canterbury logo appearing in the middle.
“We decided to be proactive rather than reactive and not wait for the promulgation of the pending National Colours act,” said Andy Marinos, acting managing director of SA Rugby.
“Our leaders met with government as we were fully aware that the King Protea is the national symbol and that it had to be properly incorporated into the Springbok jersey.
“Obviously modifying something that has such strong emotional symbolism as the Springbok jersey generates a lot of emotion, but the team will still be known as the Springboks as we realise the importance and strength of the brand, both locally and abroad.
“Having seen the new jersey, we’re actually very excited as it underlines the fact that we are the team of all the people of South Africa.”
I’ve been following the developments surrounding the latest Clint Eastwood directed project, The Human Factor (or ‘Untitled Mandela Project’ as it’s also known) for some time. As a huge rugby fan and one who remembers the events of ‘that day’ very well, this is a film I have to see. The movie has been shot at various locations across SA, but was based out of Cape Town. If this movie performs as well as previous Clint Eastwood movies it could be yet another feather in the cape, err cap for SA.
Then South African President Nelson Mandela handing over the William Webb Ellis trophy to Springbok skipper Francois Pienaar at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on June 24, 1995.
It’s also recently become a little more interesting to me when my mate, cape town karaoke / general entertainer extraordinaire, Larger [read more here] did the wrap party for the movie in Cape Town this last weekend. The lucky fucker got to sing Mack The Knife on stage with none other than Morgan Freeman and he is super stoked about it. Good on you Larger. Incidentally if anyone needs a good cape town karaoke vibe going down drop me a mail at joe@socialyz.com. (he gives me free booze)
Anyway, I’ve done some digging to see who stars as whom and who does what and all that and this is what I’ve come up with. I thought I’d put together a little post with some more info all in one spot than what I had to go through to find this.
Everyone knows that Morgan Freeman is playing Mandela. I absolutely love Morgan Freeman movies, and this is a big highlight for me to finally see him playing the role he was born to play. Oscar time methinks. Well this is what it looks like…
Morgan Mandela trying to steal some chicks watch.
Our man Matt Damon does his best Francois Pienaar mini me impression and might just be able to pull it off. Incidentally, he was coached by none other than Chester Williams in the finer arts of the game (Williams being the ‘rugby coach’ to the movie). He got a real taste of what rugby is all about when he injured himself in training. He tried to kick the ball, but aimed low and sprained his ankle. In other words he fucked his foot up kicking the ground.
This is how he got on in his bok kit…
The days before shoulder pads
I’d love to see how he gets the accent on in the movie.
Talking of Chester Williams, the hero of the show for non whites (and whites) all over South Africa at the time for being the first black player selected after apartheid is being played in the movie by the SECOND black Springbok selected after apartheid, McNeil Hendricks.
Pretty good likeness I must say…
Chester Williams
MacNeil Hendricks
It’s a real shame that I could find only ONE picture of MacNeil Hendricks on the net. Well at least he will portray a Bok well, having actually been one, and a pretty decent player too.
Cant’ say I’m too excited about the actor rumoured to be playing Joel Stransky, Scott Eastwood.
Scott Eastwood
Joel Stransky
Theyre both wearing a collar and tie I guess. There’s a start. Well Scott best of luck, Stransky is pretty well liked ’round these parts, for THAT kick. Im guessing Clint would give his offspring some word time so I’m assuming this isn’t a bit part.
Talking of bit parts, one person who most certainly wouldn’t be a bit part in any story where the Rugby World Cup 1995 is mentioned, is Jonah Lomu, being played in this movie by former Samoan 8th man Isaac Feaunati. At 1.88m and 117kg he has similar stats to Lomu’s playing figures of 1.96m and 119kg.
Isaac Feaunati
Jonah Lomu
That all I could find out for now but I’m sure looking forward to this movie. I have heard various rumours of other people playing other players. I’ll update that as I hear more.
Heyneke Meyer is being lined up as the coach for the new Eastern Cape based South African rugby franchise, the Southern Kings.
Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus had been been linked to the job in however, Meyer’s better coaching record puts him in pole position for the role. The Southern Kings will play their first game on 16 June against the British and Irish Lions.
The Kings will play the tourists in the new Nelson Mandela Bay stadium.
“We hope it will be a strong side that is selected, says Cheeky Watson who heads up the franchise. That is why I asked that Davids(convenor of selectors) should work with Peter de Villiers (Springbok coach).
“If there are players Peter would like to see in action (with an eye towards the Lions series), they can be picked.”
Watson would like to see players with their roots in the Eastern Cape in the side.
“We have to be realistic. Not many of the current players (at SWD, EP and Border) will be picked,” he said.
IOL sport is reporting that former Springbok Rugby Coach Jake White may be in line to coach the Stormers from next season.
That would rock. First move if he took over would to actually get a decent kicker in the team one would hope. Then maybe get some decent props in. I’d first try get Daan Human back from France, apparently he is kicking some arse there.
Anyway I guess its all conjecture until it actually happens. I must admit I think Rassie Erasmus has been a let down this season. The team don’t seem to have any plan and surprisingly, cos I fucken LOVE RUGBY and I’m a Stormers supporter, I’ve actually missed a few of their games this season and NOT CARED. Before you label me a fair weather supporter, I must tell you I’ve supported this team through thick and thin, and now it’s just become a joke.
I love rugby. It kicks ass. I love it even more when we win. I support the Springboks.
I love it when we have big tours like in the Good Old Days. There nothing that excites the fuck outa me more than a chance to give the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa some eyeball time. I’d like nothing more than to see sweet kickass revenge for the 1997 tour we didn’t do so well in. Even then though, we gave them a run for their money, so to expect the Rugby World Cup 2007 Springbok Team to have troubles this time round is a big ask.
Our okes are bigger, faster, stronger, and fuck me, we are playing at home. Well don’t really fuck me but you know what I mean. Last time this happened we witnessed the burgeoning LEGEND Percy Montgomery ‘skopping wange’ (Thats kicking arse cheeks forthe unitiated)
So I’m reading an article about Mark Cueto on iafrica.com and something strikes me. In it Mark Cueto is talking up his teams chances saying ‘if’ that and ‘if’ this etc etc. Bru I’d be a little quieter with the banter ‘if’ I were you.
I thought I’d put together some pics here to illustrate what I’m talking about.
England goes mal
‘If’ only the field was just a teeny little wee bit wider.
Sorry for you - foot in touch disease
Incidentally I heard a rumour that a few months back Cueto, who I must say by all accounts is playing some hot shit rugby right now, was looking to speak to Joost about how to handle the inevitable ‘white line fever’ questions he would get before the Lions tour to South Africa.
Joost was doing an underwear undercover expose at the time and couldn’t be reached. Next time buddy, apparently Joost ain’t allowed to talk to anyone now, something about being set up in a sex tape??
Oh and for fuck sakes PDV, move Steyn to fullback already.
