Bulls go down to the Stormers

Wow the Stormers dominated the Bulls last night at Loftus! I'm a staunch Stormers fan and even I was expecting something of a hiding playing a Super 15 game in Pretoria.

Was fortunate to be able to watch the game live in one of the corporate boxes and I couldn't believe how much Stormers support there was. At times it didn't sound like the Bulls were playing a home game! Maybe the audience just appreciated what a great game of rugby the two teams dished up...

One thing I can say about Pretoria is that irrespective of the weather, they know how to throw a party. Most of the evening was dominated with a steady drizzle and yet the braais were going in the street, fan parks and pubs were doing booming business and the mood in the street was fantastic both pre and post the game.

I will admit that 30 seconds before Bryan Habana scored that try which sealed the game, I had just SMS'd a friend asking which side he was playing on - couldn't believe how many mistakes he was making. Oh well - at least he bounced back.

I can't wait for the Pretoria to Sandton line of the Gautrain to be sorted out because I will be far more willing to watch games at Loftus. Our choice last night was a designated driver or to pay SA Cab - R1200 for 2 of us to go through. The Gautrain eliminates a lot of that driving risk.

Ironically we didn't pass a single road block coming back having gone the designated driver option but still better to be safer than sorry.

Well done Pretoria - it was fantastic having you!

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MTN gets in on rugby sponsorship

An exciting new sponsorship deal that promises to inject a renewed sense of energy, excitement and fans into the national sport of rugby, was officially announced at the MTN head office in Johannesburg today (20 January).

MTN South Africa is partnering with the Golden Lions as the team’s main sponsor in what is believed to be one of the country’s most exciting sponsorship deals in years. The sponsorship will rejuvenate the game of rugby, drive involvement from the Lions supporters’ base and focus on player development. The initial deal is for a three-year period with the option to renew.

Speaking at the launch, MTN chief marketing officer Serame Taukobong stated that MTN had been waiting for the right partner with the right vision and shared objectives before stepping into the unchartered territory of rugby sponsorship.

“Both the sport of rugby and the Golden Lions are going through an exciting metamorphosis and as MTN, we are delighted to be integrally involved in this positive change,” said Taukobong.

SA Rugby annual 2011: The official yearbook of the South African Rugby Union

Are you a rugby fan? Then you won't want to miss this!

Available from Kalahari for R165.75 (CLICK HERE), the 2011 SA Rugby Annual is the official and definitive record of the South African rugby season. Now in its 40th year, the SA Rugby Annual is widely considered to be one of the finest yearbooks in world rugby and the unrivalled ‘bible’ of the game in South Africa. This special 40th Edition of the SA Rugby Annual includes a definitive 2011 Rugby World Cup section, which chronicles, in unprecedented detail, the Springboks’ impact on the tournament from 1995 to 2007, and leading up to their title defence in New Zealand in 2011.

Not only does the 2011 SA Rugby Annual record the more than 200 first-class matches involving South African teams in 2010, but it also contains the detailed biographies of each and every one of the more than 700 players who appeared in those games – for whom the book therefore doubles as an invaluable keepsake to be passed down to children and grandchildren. The 2011 SA Rugby Annual paints an unbeatable picture of a watershed year in South African rugby, which saw the sport embrace a changing South Africa by taking the 2010 Vodacom Super 14 final to the previously uncharted rugby waters of Soweto.

This unique chapter in SA rugby history is covered in detail, while an updated records section, which includes the career details of all 825 Springboks since 1896, will settle any pub or braaiside argument. Over the past four decades, the SA Rugby Annual has become essential reading for every player, coach, administrator, sponsor and fan. Now, with its earlier, pre-Christmas release date, it has also become the perfect gift or stocking-filler for any rugby-mad son, brother, father, uncle, grandfather, nephew – practically any sports lover who wants to know anything about South African rugby but who didn’t know where to go looking for the answer.

R1500 risk free first rugby bet!

Sports betting is growing in popularity in South Africa with a number of new players coming into the market. One of the big challenges we have noted is that many would-be punters are reluctant to make that first step and actually open an account and make their first bet.

The team from Sportingbet have an interesting promotion on the go at the moment. If you open an account with them and make a losing first bet, they will refund you up to R1500 of your first bet. That's not a bad deal, especially if you can land a really good call at your first attempt.

You can punt from as little as R8 a bet and the interface is very user friendly.

You can sign up by clicking HERE or on the banner link below:

Voices from the Back of the Bus: Tall Tales and Hoary Stories from Rugby's Real Heroes

Voices from the Back of the Bus provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at international rugby at the height of a golden period. Recounted with genuine warmth and much humour, over a hundred players recall the scrapes, the games,the laughs, the glory and the gritty reality of the pre-professional game.

Packed with true rugby tales from the days when men played purely for the love of the game and of their nation, and multimillion-pound contracts and sponsorship deals were unheard of, this refreshing, revealing and often hilarious collection will inspire sports fans of all generations.

You can buy the book online for R107 by clicking HERE or on the book cover

Punting on the Boks

I don't think that there is any doubt that the Boks will beat Scotland this afternoon - I guess the only real issue is by how far.

It is not even worth putting money down on the Boks to win.

The Boks are minus a couple of key players and one of the most interesting markets is around the first try-scorer.

I like Lwazi Mvovo (8/1) to score on debut, Juan Smith (20/1) and Francois Hougaard (18/1) to get the first points 5 pointer on the board.

(Odds supplied by World Sports Betting)

C'mon the Boks!

Great Moments in Currie Cup History

Steeped in history and tradition, the Currie Cup dates back to 1891 and is one of the oldest rugby competitions in the world. The tournament is regarded as the cornerstone of South Africa's rugby heritage and the coveted gold trophy remains the most prestigious prize in South African rugby.

Great Moments in Currie Cup History traces the history of this competition from its very beginnings up to the end of the 2009 tournament, from the early domination by Western Province, the legendary Transvaal side of 1922, right up to the current domination by the Blue Bulls and Free State Cheetahs. Also included are fact and stat boxes, listing match records, the top try and points scorers, the winners of the Currie Cup since its inception and many other statistics that will excite all rugby fans.

Order the book from Kalahari now for R200 by clicking HERE or on the book cover.