Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2022 i SA RUGBY

Just like that, we’ve reached the sharp end of the inaugural United Rugby Championship and there’s a strong South African presence in the playoffs. Without doubt, no other nation can match rugby in the Republic for its ability to absorb the loss of elite talent and remain competitive in top-tier competition – just seven of the Springbok 23 who did duty in the 2019 World Cup final are contracted to one of SA’s URC teams. Despite the many challenges posed by a new competition, the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers charged into the URC with gusto, took a few knocks on the chin on debut in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy, and then bounced back to power up the standings. It is a deed that was made possible only by…

Robert Dunienville Condolences to his dear family and friends. I did not know Pedrie although we live in the same city, Houston. RIP to a great rugby legend. Gauche Gouws RIP you legend. It’s an awful way to leave this world. Prayers to your family! Daniel Ribeiro Oh no! What a tragedy! A great player gone. RIP. Stefan van der Merwe One of my heroes alongside Danie Rossouw and Derick Kuun of those years. Craig Lubbe Rus in vrede. Ons Vader sal kyk na jou familie tot jul een dag weer bymekaar is. Gareth Hisc Sad, that was an awful accident. I hope the Bulls win their game today in honour of his memory. Thinus Botha Absolutely pathetic behaviour from a parent! Janice Forbes His poor son, how embarrassing for him.…

vs ENGLAND, YOKOHAMA, 2019 The Springboks produced one of their greatest performances in the 2019 World Cup final against England. Am was at the heart of that clinical all-round display, and was heavily involved in the lead-up to Makazole Mapimpi’s try. In the second half, the centre unleashed the winger down the blindside, and then chased his teammate’s kick. Instead of diving for the line, Am threw a no-look pass to Mapimpi, who dotted down for South Africa’s first try in a World Cup final. vs LIONS, CAPE TOWN, 2021 It’s been nearly a year since the Boks beat the British & Irish Lions in a fiercely contested series, and fans are still talking about Am’s impeccably timed spot-tackle on opposite number Elliot Daly. While the Boks lost the first…

CAREER BACKGROUND ‘I started as an entrepreneur and in my 20s sold my interests in a financial services business and joined Old Mutual where I stayed for 11 years. I’m a partner and shareholder in Gamiro Investments and I’m on the board of advisers for the Western Cape provincial advisory board for safety and security. I also serve as chairman of the Klein Karoo Kunstefees and served as the chairman of Foodforward SA for the past 11 years/ RUBBY ROOTS ‘I’ve always been a Stormers fan but the best I did was play 1st XV for St Joseph’s Marist College. I played lock, was a jumper in the lineout and battled with cauliflower ears. I’m sure if you asked my teammates to sum up my playing career, they’d do it…

Your philosophy provides you with a ‘gut instinct’ and ability to know which path you are taking and why. Coaching requires the ability to think quickly. Without this clarity, decision-making becomes inconsistent and your credibility plummets. As coaches develop, there are two areas they need to be clear on. 1. WHAT IS MY PLAYING PHILOSOPHY? • How do we want to attack and defend? • What is our kicking strategy? • Are we a running side? 2. WHAT IS MY COACHING PHILOSOPHY? • What type of coach am I? • What type of environment do I want to create? • What are my beliefs on creating a positive culture? A head coach needs to be strong, constantly driving towards his goal and be prepared to make tough decisions. This is…

Rassie Erasmus is good for a laugh or two on Twitter – the posts of him dancing and rapping show the lighter side of a man tasked with helping Jacques Nienaber plot the Springboks’ World Cup defence in 2023. However, trolling World Rugby while wrestling with his dog, or poking holes in Wales’ performances in the Six Nations before the July tour are the actions of a master manipulator masquerading as a jester. From masterminding the Boks’ 2019 World Cup rags-to-riches story, to copping a ban for courting the ire of World Rugby, South Africa’s director of rugby now has a column in the Daily Mail and he has been talking exclusively to UK journalists. Some see it as a sign that he’s campaigning for the England job, which falls…

Founded on the world-famous Grafton Street, Leinster Rugby has been inextricably linked with Dublin for well over a century. Its crest features a harp (a symbol synonymous with the ancient province of Leinster) within a rugby ball. Leinster are quintessentially Irish and, as the most successful team in Pro Rugby history, are flag-bearers for the country. The Leinster Branch (as the rugby club was first named) was tasked in 1879 with organising the sport of rugby football across Leinster. Along with the Northern Irish province of Ulster, and later Munster and Connacht, they would become a constituent member of the Irish Rugby Football Union – together the ‘four proud provinces of Ireland’. Interprovincial rivalry has been fierce since the first matches were played in 1885 and continues to shape Irish…

‘It’s the Everest of rugby to beat the New Zealanders away from home,’ Nick Mallett said in a SuperSport clip, as he recalled the Springboks’ 13-3 victory against the All Blacks at Athletic Park In the 1998 Tri- Nations tournament. The Springboks arrived in Wellington on an 11-match winning streak. 10 of those under Mallett who had succeeded Carel du Plessis in 1997. ‘It was the first time I coached the Springboks against the All Blacks and it was away from home. It’s a big challenge to go over there and say, “We’re going to beat these blokes’… ‘I have a tremendous amount of respect for Henry Honiball: he was one of the greatest defensive flyhalves the world has ever seen. I said to him. “Listen, try to think up…

The Fort Hare Blues gave Eastern Cape rugby a much-needed boost when they won the Varsity Shield for the first time. Fort Hare finished fifth in last year’s tournament and their only previous final appearance had been a big defeat to the University of the Western Cape in 2017. But in 2022 the Blues won all six of their league-stage matches before defeating last year’s runners-up, Walter Sisulu University, in the semi-finals. That set up a final against two-time defending champions Cape Peninsula University of Technology in Alice that was decided only in the 83rd minute. In what should have been the last play of the game, CPUT – leading 27-21 – knocked on when all they had to do was kick the ball out, gifting Fort Hare a 5m…

Which team is the greatest in the history of Super Rugby? Was it the 2009 Bulls powered by Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez, the all-star Stormers side that contested the 2010 final, the Sharks outfit that coasted into the 2007 decider or the 2017 Lions who tripped at the final hurdle? Or how about Joeli Vidiri’s Auckland Blues of the mid-1990s, Sam Whitelock’s 2018 Crusaders or the masterful 2011 Reds steered by halfbacks Will Genia and Quade Cooper? The envy of northern hemsiphere rugby for the better part of two decades after the game turned professional, Super Rugby produced most of the talent that went on to win a World Cup between 1996 and 2019. SARugbymag.co.za readers have tackled the opportunity to participate in a unique 32-team knockout tournament…

SUPERSET 1 WHAT YOU NEED 1 x kettlebell HOW? 4-6 sets, with no rest in between the sets! 1. ROMANIAN DEADLIFT WEIGHT: Heavy (16kg for ladies; 24kg for men) REPS: 15 This is meant to be a heavy, challenging deadlift, so use a weight that will challenge you. Start with the kettlebell between your feet. Bend your knees slightly and pick up the weight, keeping your back straight and your torso parallel to the ground (Tip: look ahead to keep your body in this position). You should feel the tension in your hamstrings. Lift the kettlebell upwards by driving your heels into the ground. Once you’re standing up straight, squeeze your glutes, then lower the weights back down. 2. SWINGS WEIGHT: Moderate (12kg for ladies; 16kg for men) REPS: 10…

Finn Russell is one of those players who divides opinion. Take the views of two elite-level coaches. Northampton Saints’ Chris Boyd describes the Racing 92 and Scotland flyhalf as a ‘magician’, adding: ‘When he is on his game he can cast a pretty wicked spell.’ In contrast, South Africa’s director of rugby Rassie Erasmus favours a more pragmatic player at 10. ‘If people want to talk about our style of rugby, great, because it shows they’re interested, ’ he said. ‘If they want to say it’s boring, great, but I will take it on the chin and say, “Yes, you’re right, but I don’t give a s**t and I’ll still pick Handre Pollard over Finn Russell because I want to win.’” And opinions can change quickly. After the first round…

I would pick Deon Fourie for the Springboks this season and view him as an insurance policy for the 2023 World Cup in France. Fourie will be 37 years old when South Africa arrive in France next September to defend the title won in Japan in 2019. Each week on social media I applaud the qualities of the Stormers and Western Province veteran, and each week I cop abuse from the same ignorant mob who mocked me when I suggested Schalk Brits could add value to the Springboks in the buildup to the 2019 World Cup. That same mob was out in full force when I made a case for Morne Steyn to be part of the Springbok squad for the three-Test series against the British & Irish Lions. ‘What?’…

ELRIGH LOUW ‘The memories are worth more than any trophy or win! Was lekker om jou weer te sien my friend [was nice to see you again my friend].’ – The Bulls No 8 caught up with Duane Vermeulen after Ulster’s defeat at Loftus Versfeld. DAMIAN WILLEMSE ‘Big 4 points! FaithfuI supporters were classy as always.’ – The Stormers fullback (alongside teammate Herschel Jantjies) was elated after a tense victory over the Bulls in Cape Town. ZAK BURGER ‘Hou by die blou.’ – The Bulls scrumhalf and teammates Walt Steenkamp and Morne Steyn celebrated a URC victory over the Dragons. HUW JONES ‘Great week in Cape Town catching up with friends.’ – The Harlequins and Scotland utility back visited former Stormers teammate Scarra Ntubeni during a trip to South Africa.…

Rugby is renowned for producing giants with an appetite for big collisions and this often overshadows the incredible handling skills in the game. Leading players went head-to-head in this series of polls to determine which of them floated the most impressive try assist! ROUND 1 LUKHANYO AM VS DUANE VERMEULEN In the 101st dash between the Springboks and All Blacks, held on the Gold Coast in Australia, Siya Kolisi’s men came from behind to claim a memorable 31-29 victory through a penalty after the full-time hooter. The Springboks got off to an electric start in the first half, as inside centre Damian de Allende scored the opening try in the fifth minute of the match. After forcing the All Blacks to fumble the ball inside their own 22, Lukhanyo Am…

Lukhanyo Am prefers to speak through his actions. His coaches and teammates, however, often reach for the superlatives when asked to comment about the No 13’s value to the Sharks and Springboks. After taking the Bok coaching reins in early 2018, Rassie Erasmus told anyone who would listen that Am had the potential to be the best player in the world. Bok assistant coaches Mzwandile Stick and Jacques Nienaber often highlighted the centre’s vision and decision-making skills. Am lived up to the hype when he starred for the Boks in their successful 2019 World Cup campaign and subsequently – after a Covid-19 enforced hiatus – a monumental series victory against the British & Irish Lions. Such was his consistency that fans began to expect those influential attacking touches and defensive…