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.

Absa refocuses sponsorship strategy

Absa continually reviews its sponsorship portfolio to ensure that our investments meet the needs of our business and are aligned to our strategy. Based on this review, we are consolidating our sponsorship portfolio to enhance the strategic focus thereof.

“One of the outcomes of Absa’s portfolio rationalisation is a change in our approach to stadium exposure. Thus, over the past few years, the decision was taken not to renew stadium naming rights, as evidenced by the discontinuation of naming rights of the stadia in Kimberley and East London. The decision regarding the Absa Stadium Durban is a continuation of this strategy,” said Happy Ntshingila, Absa Chief Marketing and Communication Officer.

Absa is a strong supporter of rugby in South Africa, and remains committed to the promotion of the sport, inter alia, through our involvement in the Absa Currie Cup. The bank also supports, among others, the Eastern Province Kings, three provincial rugby academies, including the Sharks Academy.

“In addition, we are in the final stages of negotiations to conclude a contract which will see Absa becoming the Official Team Sponsor of the Springboks,” stated Ntshingila.

He added: “This latest development will solidify Absa’s strategy of sponsoring leading teams and tournaments in two of the top sporting codes in the country, namely soccer and rugby.”

“Our strategy around our sports sponsorships has changed, and we are in the process of consolidating our properties so that we can focus on the league, national teams and development,” emphasised Ntshingila.

Regarding the Absa Stadium Durban naming rights, Ntshingila clarified that Absa was not the sponsor of the Sharks rugby team but had held naming rights over the Absa Stadium for the past 11 years. “It is this sponsorship that we are not extending. Our sponsorship of the Sharks Academy continues. We were never sponsors of any of the provincial rugby outfits,” concluded Ntshingila.

------------------------------------------------
Support an entrepreneurial South African business: Buy designer T-Shirts Online Click Here

SA rugby looks bright...

For all the faults of the national team at the moment, there is some incredible young rugby talent in South Africa which has to set us up very nicely in the coming years.

This weekends games proved it with some cracking performances from the Sharks, the Lions, Western Province and the Bulls.

I have no idea how Gerhard Van den Heever is not in the Bok squad at the moment. He has got to be the best wing in the country right now.

In the Lions squad, Elton Jantjies has got to be one of the finds of the season. Cool under pressure, good runner, good kicker and good passer of the ball. His composure in the dying minutes of the game today was one of the highlights of the weekend and a contributing factor toward them beating Free State today.

In the Sharks side there is Pat Lambie who has excelled as a centre, flyhalf and fullback this year and with Mvovo on the wing, the team have got some nice options!

Rugby picks

What is it with our infatuation to make players into something they are not?!

Jean DeVilliers is one of the best centres in the world and when he is playing alongside Jaque Fourie (Probably THE best in the world) you have a potentially awesome combination. And yet we would rather play De Villiers on the wing so that we can accommodate Wynand Olivier at centre in a partnership that has yet to deliver anything?

It's the same with Ruan Pienaar. The guy wants to play scrumhalf - and he is actually quite good at it - but we keep him as a flyhalf / fullback / wing and maybe sometimes scrumhalf cover. It's bizarre.

John Smit - a faboulus hooker and a great captain to literally lead from the front, we insist that we must play him as a prop?

I dunno - a little bizarre and it does us no real favours...

Super 14 predictions

After an absolutely intriguing Super 14 season, we are down to the final today and it is fitting that two great South African teams are going head to head.

From the word go, we backed the Stormers pre-season to win the tournament (12/1) and it is great to see them finally realise some of their potential.

As far as today's markets go, we're still heavily in favour of the Stormers. The Bulls don't have home ground advantage, their defence was leaky against the Crusaders whose attack has been described as "one dimensional" and the Stormers defensively are without question one of the best drilled sides in the history of the tournament.

With that in mind we've taken the following spread of bets:

First points via a Stormers try - 5/1
First try scorers:

Bryan Habana - 10/1
Gerhard VD Heever - 12/1
Pierre Spies - 14/1
Jaque Fourie - 14/1
Fourie Du Preez - 18/1
Joe Pietersen - 18/1

C'mon the Stormers!

--------------------------------------------------------------

Buy your winning lotto tickets. Play Now! - UK and EuroMillions at Lottery24.com Click Here

Supporters get screwed

I have just watched the Lions rugby team get drubbed 59-10 by the Cheetahs and I re-affirm my view from last week that the Lions supporters get screwed.This is important - the supporters make the franchise - not the other way around.

Dick Muir can talk as much as he likes about rebuilding the Lions like he did with the Sharks but there is a fundamental difference; the Sharks had a strong brand and franchise.

Over the last decade, the Sharks had won trophies and consistently been able to attract thousands of fans to their stadium. The Lions have been consistently shocking for the last eight to ten years and Ellis Park has really battled to attract decent crowds to many of their fixtures.

That in turn has meant that the franchise hasn't been able to attract quality players. You only need to look at how Jaque Fourie has flourished at the Stormers to appreciate what the Lions have missed out on.

How do people like Killian and Baywatch come out every week and give it their absolute everything and have to leave the field with 50 points against their names? Their careers are only so long. Professionally they don't get the luxury of sitting back and waiting while different coaches "rebuild" their squads.

If there was enough money to entice Carlos Spencer to come and play then there was enough money to hire coaching staff with a plan!

Don't get me wrong - I have no issue with a side that goes through a slump. It happens to the best of the teams at some point in a cycle. I however have an issue when the administrators forget that it is the fans who they play for. The fans generate the sponsor and TV interest (read revenue).

It might be great for Lions administrators to entertain in their corporate boxes at Ellis Park, but they are killing the golden goose - their fan base.

You might argue that it is the TV revenue which drives these Super 14 franchises (I agree) but not so long ago when the Lions were a force in rugby they attracted decent TV viewing. Today I barely glanced at the game.

If fans aren't going to both coming out to watch the games then sponsors are also going to start asking questions about where to put their money. At the moment if you are having to weigh up sponsoring the Cheetahs - with a number of potential Boks in their lineups and a moderately successful Super 14 team and the disastrous Lions, it has to be a toss-up.

What sponsors wants to put their money behind a team that has no real big name players?

I don't have any numbers to back this up, but from a merchandising perspective I'd assume that the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers are far more successful "brands" than the Lions. At some point this has to become very apparent to sponsors.... who do you want your branch attached to?

Anyway I am having a heated debate with a Lions supporter who argues that Muir has done enough to stay and more money should just be thrown at him to resolve the problem...

... I am not so sure.

Without being too facetious does anybody want to bet that Andy Goode is busy penning a deal with Dick Muir to be their "inspirational flyhalf" for the Currie Cup and 2011 Super 15?

------------------------------------------------
Have a website and want to make some money from it? Join OfferForge and become a super-affiliate

Great chirp

Hahahahah a brilliant chirp from Bobby Skinstad!

He is talking about Bakkies Botha and he said: "If you look on his business card you would probably see it says 'senior vice president of the offensive defence'"

Loving the way the Stormers are giving the Bulls a snot klap!

And yes the Lions are officially the worst side in the Super 14. They are really kak!

-------------------------------

GiftDay. Buy floral gifts, Carrol Boyes and experience gifts online! Click Here

Rugby sports betting selections

It is the last round of the Super 14 and it looks like it is going to go down to the wire this year. There has been some grumbling about the Bulls sending their "second stringers" to take on the Stormers in Cape Town this weekend, but the reality is that the sides grumbling the most are those who need the Bulls to beat the Cape side.

So here are our selections for this week:

Crusaders vs Brumbies:
This should be an absolutely cracking game of rugby. Picking a winner here is incredibly difficult so we've decided to stick with the home side sneaking in. Prediction - Crusaders win

Waratahs vs Hurricanes
Excuse the pun for the moment but the Hurricanes blow very hot and cold. Hopefully they are on form and deal with the whinging Aussie side tomorrow. Prediction - Hurricanes to surprise

Sharks vs Western Force
Can't see the Sharks losing in front of their home crowd. Last weekend they showed they were a much better side than the results they had dished up. Sharks to win comfortably.

Blues vs Chiefs
Another tricky fixture. Every time I have backed the Blues they've dropped the ball. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, but wouldn't be surprised if I call it wrong. Blues to win

Reds vs Highlanders
The Reds have it all to play for. The Highlanders have blown a fuse and I can't see them winning this one. Reds to win.

Cheetahs vs Lions
Touched on the Cheetahs spirit in one of the previous blog posts. These guys deserve to go out on a high and the Lions should be buried without Baywatch there to throw his heart around

Stormers vs Bulls
It might be a contentious fixture but the Stormers will be going all out for a win. Losing in front of a packed Newlands is not an option so expect the Stormers to win.

-----------------------------------------------------

GiftDay. Buy floral gifts, Carrol Boyes and experience gifts online! Click Here

Imports - worth the money?

Watching Sireli Naqlevuki fluff another critical Stormers ball on the line and gift the Sharks a try, it got me thinking about the various imports that South African rugby sides have called on this year and whether or not they have actually added any value.

There are not too many who have made positive contributions this season, and you have to wonder what message sends to young South African players trying to make a break into the big time.

Sireli Naqlevuki - He has had one or two decent games but he is one of those guys who looks good when things are good but when you need a good solid performer you tend to get a very lazy professional.

Andy Goode - SURELY Durban could find a better player than Goode to fill the flyhalf role. It doesn't send a very good message to aspirant flyhalves that you can pay decent money to an average performer.

Todd Cleaver - Actually the American hasn't been too bad a performer for the Lions before he got injured. But in a country which literally breeds world class loose forwards, what does it say about the long-term sustainability of the Lions if they want to find stop-gap players like this for their franchise?

Carlos Spencer - On the field, the New Zealander has been brilliant at times and at others he has overcomplicated an inexperienced Lions setup. Supposedly Spencer is going to be contributing off the field in a coaching role. It's hard to call his appointment / recruiting as a "success" when the side has conceded 530+ points and broken all the wrong records this year.

Not really too many of these "imports" have done much to add value to their franchises.

------------------------------------------
GiftDay. Buy floral gifts, Carrol Boyes and experience gifts online! Click Here

Just women, no pride

The Lions rugby team just has no pride. I’m watching the Cheetahs take on the Western Force in Bloem and you can see that they actually want to be there and want to win.

Neither the Cheetahs nor the Force has anything but pride to play for and yet they are going out there to entertain.

The Cheetahs don’t have money and every year they are pillaged by bigger unions taking their players… and yet they are still able to do the basics right, put on a decent performance and if they win today they will at least take 4 wins out of the competition.

The Lions, one of the richest unions around can go (rightly or wrongly) and hire overseas players like Todd Cleaver and Carlos Spencer and Springbok coaches like Dick Muir but can’t buy a win.

I feel sorry for guys like Michael Killian and Cobus Grobelaar who try week in and week out for the Lions and put their bodies and hearts on the line only to see 50 points a match being run up against them.

If there are any Lions fans left in South Africa, maybe they should look at switching allegiances to the Free state guys – at least you get some value for money!

Incredible game of rugby

What an absolutely awesome display of rugby by the Crusaders and the Bulls at Loftus this evening... there didn't deserve to be a loser!

One could have been forgiven for thinking that they were watching a Super 14 final the way the two sides went at it. One positive as a Stormers fan - maybe they have taken some of the stuffing out of one of the sides we might have to face in the semis.

For me, one of the absolute highlights of that matchup was the way both sides literally played until the last whistle with no niggle or negative play. For sure you can understand Richie Mccaws frustrations at the end but on the whole you had two teams who literally gave it their all.

Congrats to both sides - you did the game of rugby proud!

Super 14 predictions

Well the Super 14 is really down to the business end of the tournament now and no less than 7 teams would appear to be in with a shout for the knock out stages.

As a reminder here is how the log stands at the moment:

1. Bulls - 43
2. Stormers - 38
3. Crusaders - 34
4. Reds - 34
5. Waratahs - 33
6. Brumies - 32
7. Hurricanes - 32
8. Blues - 27
9. Chiefs - 26
10. Sharks - 25
11. Western Force - 18
12. Highlanders - 17
13. Cheetahs - 16
14. Lions - a real thanks for coming 5 points
    

Our predictions for this weeks fixtures

• Hurricanes vs Reds - Hurricanes should win at home
• Bulls vs Crusaders - It is hard to look beyond the Bulls at Loftus
• Chiefs vs Waratahs - Chiefs have a lot to do in this fixture but I'd expect them to be quite fired up
• Brumbies vs Highlanders - Brumbies are tantalisingly close to a playoff spot - they should put the Highlanders away
• Lions vs Blues - I point blank refuse to give the Lions even a hint of being competitive
• Cheetahs vs Force - The Cheetahs are walking wounded but we still think they will do the business against the Force
  
• Sharks vs Stormers - Last week finally knocked the stuffing out of the Sharks and their playoff aspirations. Home ground advantage shouldn't be enough for them to stop the Stormers machine.
  

Happy punting

-------------------------------------------------------------
Want to take a punt on local and international rugby? BWIN Sports Betting & Gaming Click Here

More disappointment for Sharks fans

The Sharks are over-rated this season and the Lions are kak... that's my final conclusion for this 2010 Super 14 season.

I don't know if the Sharks supporters are just super optimists or they get too much fresh air down by the beach but these guys genuinely thought:

A) They would beat the Bulls at Loftus (say what?!)
B) They were in contention for a semi-final spot (huh?! They were 9th on the friggin log before the weekend started!)

The Sharks fans were deluding themselves if they thought that the Bulls and Stormers were going to toss away points in the run in to the semi-finals in front of their home crowds.

As for the Lions - geez they've just been atrocious! Apart from the spirited performance against the Sharks two weeks back the Lions have been absolutely nowhere. The Cheetahs - who have far less resources - at least have shown a bit of "gees" or spirit even when they have lost key players and been outgunned.

Why is it that the Lions just can't seem to get it right? Money is not a problem, decent players are not even a problem... and yet they can't even burgle a win against the Force in front of the Ellis Park / Coca-Cola Park faithful...

... Will be interesting to see if Dick Muir survives another season here. Muir might have rebuilt the Sharks after a bad first year in charge, but this has been really disappointing and only he seems to see a plan.

C'mon the Stormers!

Rugby betting - Super 14

There is an interesting weekend of Super 14 rugby ahead of us and we have made some controversial picks for this weekends fixtures.

We're backing all the home teams to come in:

• Highlanders vs Waratahs - it is hard work to come to the House of Pain at this point in the season


• Stormers vs Crusaders - Mouthwatering fixture but its hard to look beyond the Stormers at Newlands


• Hurricanes vs Chiefs - Another interesting fixture but the bumps and bruises will add up for the Chiefs?


• Brumbies vs Reds - From a South African perspective the Brumbies would do us all a favour and knock the Reds back


• Cheetahs vs Blues - The Cheetahs can take heart from their last fixture of a hard tour. They might surprise here


• Lions vs Force - The Lions have to come good at some point this season and the Force look like they're going to be the team they do it against


• Bulls vs Sharks -.... Sharks = FISH PASTE... that's all I am saying on the subject!

Happy punting!

For rugby fans in SA - Backpacker hop on and off travel in South Africa Click Here

------------------------------------------------
Have a website and want to make some money? Join OfferForge and become a super-affiliate

Reds on a roll

Wow the Reds are on something of a Tottenham Hotspur streak at the moment. They beat the Bulls last week and now the Stormers this morning, and are genuine contenders for a semi-final berth.

Quade Cooper has been an absolute machine for the Reds and even if he a pain in the arse, it is hard to dispute his talent.

Cooper is now in third place with 129 points in this season. He's scored tries (4), converted 23 tries, kicked 20 penalties and scored a drop goal. Not a bad tally and considering the next highest Reds scorers are on 20 points he's proving to be a machine for them.

If you're a stormers supporter - like me - then you will be super disappointed by the performance today. There is quite a lot of work to do to ensure a home semi-final. We've gotta secure points against the Crusaders (who got a surprise from the Force today), Sharks (who are going to get smashed this weekend by the Blues) and then a tricky fixture against the Bulls.

Bring it on!

Super 14 picks

Wow - it is going to be another exciting weekend in the Super 14 and we're expecting the Sharks to stumble against the Blues this weekend - even in front of their home crowd

There are some tough fixtures to call but here are out picks:

• Chiefs vs Cheetahs - Chiefs to win comfortably
• Reds vs Stormers: Stormers to win but it will be tight
• Force vs Crusaders: Even if they are blowing hot and cold Crusaders should make it
• Highlanders vs Hurricanes: This is a tough fixture to call but its about time for the Hurricanes to fade.
• Waratahs vs Brumbies: Waratahs should do well with the homeground advantage
• Bulls vs Lions: Bulls shouldn't break a sweat here, the Sharks will have taken the stuffing out of the Lions
• Sharks vs Blues: We think the Blues are going to surprise here
  

The Sharks had to work hard last week and they haven't looked like the most cohesive unit this season. We've lost money backing the Blues who have been the masters of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory but this might be the game they come right.

Planning to take a punt on the Super 14?
BWIN Sports Betting & Gaming Click Here

Super 14 selections

A colourful weekend in the Super 14 with three tough games to call.

Game 1
The Chiefs take on the Stormers in the first match. We're backing the Stormers to deliver the goods here. Chiefs are unpredictable and if the Stormers shift from the tried and tested game plan there could be some serious heartache

Game 2
The Brumbies take on the Hurricanes. I'm backing the Brumbies with a combination of home-ground advantage and perhaps a little less flamboyant play-making which will hopefully see them home. With Giteau at 10 it is hard to bet against them.

Maybe back Giteau for a try or points as well.

Game 3
The Blues versus the Force is one the first of the really tricky fixtures to call. We backed the Blues early on for a crack at the play-offs and they've pretty much (literally) dropped the ball in the big fixtures. The Force blow super hot and cold and nobody quite knows which side is going to rock up - go high on points here.

Game 4
It doesn't matter whether Dan Carter arrives for the Crusaders to take on the Cheetahs it's going to be one way traffic....in fact it probably doesn't matter whether the subs bench for the Crusaders arrive - they probably won't be needed. Cheetahshave lost before they've begun.

Game 5
THIS is a super tricky game. The Bulls may be the pace-setters but the Reds are a team that most would rather not play thisseason. Quade Cooper is looking dangerous and home ground advantage coupled with a sense that the Bulls are beatable, I'm backing the Reds to spring a surprise here.

Game 6
Sharks fans aren't going to like it, but the local derby is going to throw up the biggest surprise of the weekend when the Lions turn them into Fish Paste. It is a mistake to think this Lions side is short of talent - when their backs are up against the wall they will let pure adrenaline take them on.

Don't hate the player - hate the game!


Buy your winning lotto tickets. Play Now! - UK and EuroMillions at Lottery24.com Click Here

Thumbs up or thumbs down for Spencer?

I heard an interesting thing the other day from one of my mates who is one of the more knowledgable and sensible armchair rugby fans I know.

As he is one of the last six remaining Lions supporters in South Africa I never miss an opportunity to put the boot in and remind him how his team has done and how poorly they have done in the transfer market.

I never miss a chance to remind him how the Stormers unloaded Earl Rose to them and more recently I’ve been pointing out what a kak season Carlos Spencer has been having.

Spencer (in my opinion) has been indifferent and in fact has probably cost the Lions more than he has added. When Burton Francis or even Herkie Kruger has played the Lions seemed to have benefited from their “keep it simple stupid” flyhalf play.

I said Spencer was passed his prime and his tricks are creating havoc for an unsettled backline and it would make far more sense for the ball to simply travel 9-10-12 and off to the wings.

My mate argued that Spencer was still a quality rugby player but was “too advanced” for the Lions team but was still a good acquisition.

So what’s the verdict – Spencer added value or been a costly blunder for the Lions this year?

———

Buy your winning lotto tickets. Play Now! – UK and EuroMillions at Lottery24.com Click Here

Rugby value bet?

One of the best markets of the day appears to be in the Lions vs Red Super 14 Rugby match this afternoon.

The Lions are at home, backs against the wall and nobody is vaguely interested in them at the moment. 3/1 odds on a home win with guys like Jano Vermaak, Wikus Van Heerden and the very talented Wandile Mjekevu in their line-up… maybe a chance at a surprise?

Irrespective of that, there appear to be some really nice odds in the first-try scored market offered by World Sports Betting.

I’ve taken:

• Wandile Mjekevu (Lions) 12 -1
• Peter Hynes (Reds) 14-1
• Quade Cooper (Reds) 16-1
• Carolos Spencer (Lions) 20-1

and what I think is probably the best value bet of the weekend – Jano Vermaak 22-1.

Maybe the Lions surprise here….

———-

Planning to take a punt on the Super 14?
BWIN Sports Betting & Gaming Click Here

Super 14 - weekend picks

Exciting times in the Super 14 with the two premier South African sides - the Stormers and the Bulls - losing their first games on tour last weekend.

We were delayed in posting this week and the Bulls have already come in for us.

We've taken the points on offer from SportsPicks.co.za... note that as far as the Stormers punt goes its betting with heart not head so bear that in mind.

Chiefs vs Bulls +3.5: Bulls
Highlanders vs Force +5.5: Highlanders
Blues vs Stormers +7.5: Stormers
Crusaders vs Waratahs +8.5: Crusaders
Brumbies vs Cheetahs +20.5: Brumbies
Lions +7.5 vs Reds: Reds

Planning to bet on the Super 14 this weekend?
BWIN Sports Betting & Gaming Click Here

Easter Super 14 picks

Hopefully the Easter weekend will be good to you. There don't look like too many surprises this weekend in the Super 14 rugby ...

... which normally means there is going to be an almighty upset somewhere along the lines.

The two potential upsets which I see are the Blues against the Bulls and the Sharks taking on the Reds.

The Bulls have had some defensive issues and the Blues in front of a home crowd have the ability to get some momentum going. The Bulls are going to need to haul in some of their attacking instincts and get the points when they are on offer.

As for the Sharks versus Reds game. I read somewhere that the Sharks have never beaten the Reds at Kings Park. I can't verify that and I am too lazy too Google it but I wouldn't be totally surprised. The Reds have been very hot and cold this season and the Sharks are desperate for points. It doesn't look like the most inspired Sharks backline with Goode at 10 and Tereblanche suddenly becoming a centre but home ground advantage should count in this instance.
Here are my picks

• Hurricanes to beat the Crusaders
• Stormers to beat the Force
• The Blues to beat the Bulls
• Chiefs to beat the Highlanders
• Waratahs will thump the Cheetahs
• Sharks will beat the Reds

Happy punting!

Planning to bet on the Super 14 fixtures?

BWIN Sports Betting & Gaming Click Here

10 and 15 for the Boks explored

After 7 rounds of the Super 14 we’ve had quite a lot of time to look at some of the form players in the South African contingent.

The key area for most people are around flyhalf and full-back which are two positions likely to be up for consideration in the Bok setup later this year.

Flyhalf
Morne Steyn (Bulls) – No question he has been the best South African flyhalf on display and barring an injury he will be the one who wears the Number 10 jersey. The big question is who will be his backup.

Peter Grant (Stormers) – Grant has been solid, consistent and importantly he has shown a desire to attack the gain line. He’s striking up a good relationship with Juan de Jongh and Jaque Fourie. Personally I think he is a little underrated as a goalkicker but I’m in the minority.

Burton Francis (Lions) – Don’t underestimate the performance of Francis who is quickly showing up Carlos Spencer in the Lions number 10 jersey. Nothing has gone right for the Lions this season and yet commentators have remarked about the performance of Francis. I wouldn’t be surprised if he makes a surprise inclusion in some of the Bok training squads this year.

Naas Olivier (Cheetahs) – The Cheetahs haven’t had it easy and have been on the backfoot for a lot of the tournament. Olivier has actually surprised this year and put in a pretty handy performance. I actually thought that Olivier and Meyer Bosman have been a good combination at 10 / 12 but while the latter might be in with a shout for the Boks, Olivier will not likely to step up beyond the Super 14.

Ruan Pienaar (Sharks) – The reluctant flyhalf. He does it because he and the Sharks are desperate for a decent number 10. Pienaar will always be there or there-abouts for the Boks because of his versatility but he just doesn’t seem to have “clicked” as the number 10.

Fullback
Zane Kirchner (Bulls) – We know Kirchner is good and must be the favourite to wear the number 15 jersey this year. However the Bulls defence has been leaky at times and not always the best organised. They’ve had no problems on attack but it doesn’t help if you’re letting in opposition runners.

Joe Pietersen (Stormers) – Having a golden season this year. Good with the boot, fantastic on attack. Kirchener may have the inside track but Pietersen has shown he can mix it with the best of them.

No representative (Lions) – there has been a bit of a revolving door at the Lions and nobody can seriously be considered in the running here.

Hennie Daniller (Cheetahs) – With that square jaw, Daniller is the poster boy of Free State rugby. Another under-rated player but one can’t see him fitting the mould of a Bok this year.

Patrick Lambie (Sharks) – While Stefan Terblanche would probably be the first choice fullback, Lambie appears to be an interesting prospect… earlier days yet.

Exciting weekend of Super 14

A couple of exciting games in the Super 14 this weekend. The Brumbies vs. Chiefs game should be a cracker. We’re backing the Brumbies to pip the Chiefs with homeground advantage.

The Hurricanes are also taking on the Sharks and with the tour being largely unproductive for the Sharks, we’re betting that the Hurricanes will run out comfortable winners.

It will also be interesting to see how the Bulls do in their first game on the road. They take on the Force so its a relatively easy start for them.

On the local front, we are bullish about the Cheetahs prospects against the Reds. The Australian side have been handy but Meyer Bosman and the guys from the Free State have actually put up quite a good account of themselves at home and this will be one of the last opportunities for them to rack up some points at home!

Our predictions:

• Highlanders to beat the Lions
• Brumbies to beat the Chiefs
• Cheetahs to beat the Reds
• Hurricanes to beat the Sharks
• Blues to beat the Waratahs
• Bulls to beat the Force

Definately an interesting weekend of rugby!

Planning to bet on the rugby this weekend?

BWIN Sports Betting & Gaming Click Here

Another round of Super14 is here

It’s Super 14 rugby action again this week this week.

The Blues vs the Brumbies is the trickiest of the games to call. We’ve been backing the Blues from the start of the tournament and they have failed to deliver, while the Brumbies have also blown very hot and cold.

Our picks:

• Brumbies to beat the Blues
• Bulls to beat the Hurricanes
• Crusaders to thump the Lions
• Highlanders to beat the Sharks
• Stormers to beat the Cheetahs
• Waratahs to beat the Western Force

Happy punting!

Betting on Varsity Cup?

Earlier today I received an e-mail from Brent Graham who runs the Good For The Game and SportsPicks.co.za websites.

The mail was giving some tips on betting on the FNB Varsity Cup fixtures.

Now those who know me will know I am no shrinking violet when it comes to betting. I will take a plug on what colour tie somebody is wearing or whether Gill Marcus is going to be wearing a red tent or a brown tent when she delivers her MPC decision for the Reserve Bank.

I don’t know why, but betting on the Varsity Cup doesn’t sit well with me. There is something pure (untainted?) about this form of rugby that doesn’t need the influence of sports betting attached to it.

Of course the alternative argument there is that college American football and college basketball are big money in the US. This drives interest, sponsorship and TV revenue over there. This in turn has led to really well developed systems over there which means you have really cracking quality athletes moving into the professional ranks.

Dunno? Thoughts on whether betting on the Varsity Cup should be promoted?

Super 14 looking interesting this week

The Super 14 is getting interesting. Just when you think a form team has been identified then one of the ” no-hopers” like the Cheetahs suddenly spring a surprise on the Hurricanes.

Here are our predictions for the week:

• Chiefs to beat the Crusaders (but narrowly)
• Waratahs to thump the Lions
• Brumbies to beat the Sharks
• Bulls to beath the Highlanders (although not by the 16.5 points on offer at Sportspicks.co.za)
• Stormers to beat the Hurricanes
• Reds to beat the Force

I would be high on points on the Reds game and probably look at first points via a try to the Reds. Would also go each way on points coming from a try in the Stormers vs Hurricanes match up.

Good SA rugby on Saturday

There were important wins for both the Stormers and the Cheetahs yesterday as they put in credible performances against the Highlanders and the Hurricanes respectively.

I’m a Stormers fan so I am probably going to gush too much if I start with them so let’s take a look at the Cheetahs who were playing against a side which was tipped to thump them.

In Super 14 you have to win your home games – drop points when you have your fans behind you and it makes for a miserable trip on the road. The Cheetahs have dropped points – although impressively beaten the Sharks in the Tuna Tank – and then picked up the points against the Hurricanes last night in Bloem. While the rest of the season will probably be quite tough they can say they have beaten two “big name” teams and still have the chances for points against the Force and against the Lions.

The Stormers got the “bonus point monkey” off their backs with that late try from Bryan Habana but for me the critical point was that they did not concede a single point against the Highlanders. Everybody knows the Stormers can attack but it appears that they’ve now stepped up their defensive game as well and showing a lot more composure at the back – maybe the influence of Jaque Fourie?

It was also very noticeable that the team spirit is really high at the moment – smiles all round from Wicus Blaauw, Fourie and Schalk Burger just highlighted the upbeat attitude in the team.

It was also good that the youngsters such as Deon Fourie, Juan De Jongh could put in such measured performnaces and that Lionel Cronje was given some gametime as well.

One person who does deserve a mention is our big Fijian wing Sireli Naqweluviki. I had pretty much written him off as a contributor and couldn’t understand why they kept him around. He was potent yesterday and he went looking for work which was very pleasing to see.

It is still early days in the Super 14 but its good to see two SA sides wracking up wins after the less than thrilling performances last week…

Super 14 week 3 picks

Wow – after an exciting week two of the Super 14 which blew a number of my predictions out of the water, I eagerly await the arrival of week 3.

Big scoreline being tipped on the Lions and Sharks games which are going to be interesting to watch.

My picks for the week on Sportspicks.co.za

* Crusaders to beat the Sharks (+12.5)
* Stormers to beat the Brumbies (+8.5)
* Hurricanes to beat the Lions (+22.5)
* Blues to beat the Reds (+4.5)
* Chiefs to beat the Force (+8.5)
* Cheetahs to beat the Highlanders (+8.5)
* Bulls to beat the Waratahs (+15.5)

Bullish on the Chiefs but I have a big question mark around the Waratahs conceding 15.5 points against the Bulls. Gonna be an interesting one

Awesome performance from the Stormers...

… and the Bulls weren’t too bad either.

This Stormers side looks seriously classy. Obviously it is still early days in the competition but they now have 2 out of 2 in South Africa and to drop the Waratahs takes some doing. For me there were a couple of key performance points:

• Stormers defence was top quality against some physically big opponents
• They stayed on the boil for an extended periods in the game and were less hot and cold than last week
• Juan de Jongh looks like a superstar in the making – mark my words he will be a Bok centre
• Jaque Fourie has brought lots of composure to the backline and Habana has brought some good quality finishing to the side
• How was that hit from Ricky Januarie on Phil Waugh?! He’s coming back to form nicely!
• There was a moment in the first half where Gio Aplon was defending against that big Waratahs full back and he showed no fear making a great tackle – I don’t rate him as the ideal for the position but wow he showed guts!

The Bulls also showed their class today. The Brumbies made them sweat a bit but in the end the quality came through. Maybe the Brumbies have been softened up a bit for their clash next week against the Stormers… hope so!

Speaking of next Boks… Francois Hougaard and Gerhard van den Heever must be right up there. Van den Heever in particular is a potent finisher for such a young kid. Cracking player!

At least the Stormers and Bulls restored some pride to the home sides early in the competition!

Super 14 round 2 predictions

So another week of Super 14 rugby is here and there are some interesting match-ups on the cards. Again it is hard to look beyond the home-teams but there are a couple of fixtures where I believe there could be the prospects of an upset.

A quick look at the fixtures

• Highlanders vs. Blues
• Reds vs Crusaders
• Sharks vs Cheetahs
• Lions vs Chiefs
• Hurricanes vs Force
• Bulls vs Brumbies
• Stormers vs Waratahs

In most of the cases I have backed the home teams to win. The exceptions are the Reds versus the Crusaders and the Bulls versus the Brumbies.

Probably a bit of a brave decision to back the Lions against the Chiefs but they showed heart last week and might be trickier than some people are thinking they will be.

As for the Bulls versus the Brumbies - dunno I just get a funny feeling that the Brumbies could be the side which trips up the Bulls in front of their home crowd.

My thoughts on Super 14 round 1

An interesting opening to the Super 14 with the Sharks being stunned at home by the Chiefs... there is going to be a lot of soul searching after THAT result!

Of the SA teams:

Bulls:
Played well against the Cheetahs but perhaps some question marks asked about their defence. The Cheetahs are not easy to play at home, especially when the play gets loose but to concede 30+ points against one of the "weaker" Super 14 outfits means that the Bulls need to sharpen up. Still look like a dangerous side.

Cheetahs
I actually thought they played quite well. They certainly were not over-awed by the far more fancied Bulls and they gave as good as they got. They're lacking punch and experience in one or two places but they showed heart. I suspect they are going to get caned when they go on the road but at least they look like they might be a handful at home

Lions
The Lions put in a really two-sided performance against the Stormers. They were nowhere in the first-half - despite having Carlos Spencer at flyhalf. When he was subbed at half time and that new scrumhalf and Earl Rose partnered at 9 and 10, the whole side seemed to change its attitude. Don't write them off after this first performance. I don't expect them to put up too much resistance away from home, but expect them to trouble a few sides when they play at home.

Sharks
Pah! They were munched at home by the Chiefs. I didn't watch the game but it left me smiling that the Tuna Tank was not that much of a fortress for them

Stormers
A very mixed performance from the Stormers. In the first half they looked like an awesome unit full of running. Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana and Juan De Jongh looked like they would trouble any backline. The second half it looked liked the side had, had enough and were already thinking about some beers after the game.

For the rest
I was disappointed with the Blues - I had money on them to beat the Hurricanes and they started off well enough. Unfortuanately they couldn't polish them off and next they knew the Hurricanes racked up 20+ points to knock them over.

Apart from the Chiefs who surprised, the Brumbies and Crusaders looked the pick of the rest with some powerful performances.

Bring on the second round! And if you haven't registered for Sportspicks.co.za then get yourself online and make your predictions for next week! Should be fun!

Super 14 Round 1

Yes the premier rugby tournament in the Southern Hemisphere is finally here – can you feel the excitement?!

I’m super excited.

Below are our picks for the first round which kicks off early tomorrow morning. We think there is going to be a big upset on the cards with the Cheetahs stunning the Bulls. That’s probably not going to win us too many fans but I’ve just got a sneaky suspicion that the Bulls are gonna come a cropper.

There is still time to get your predictions in on Sportspicks.co.za

Here we go:

• Blues to beat the Hurricanes
• Brumbies to beat the Force
• Cheetahs to beat the Bulls
• Crusaders to beat the Highlanders
• Waratahs to beat the Reds
• Stormers to beat the Lions
• Sharks to beat the Chiefs

For those who are playing the Super 14 Dream Team competition below is my team for Round 1. Would love to hear your selections:

1. Wicus Blaau
2. John Afoa
3. Keven Mealamu
4. Anthony Boric
5. Bakkies Botha
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Derick Kuun
8. Richie McCaw
9. Rory Kockott
10. Peter Grant
11. Gerhard VD Heever
12. Jaque Fourie
13. Waylon Murray
14. Bryan Habana
15. Hosea Gear

Happy punting!

Super 14 betting and predictions

7 days until the kickoff of the 2010 Super 14 competition and it looks like the bookies are expecting a pretty open contest this year.

Here is the betting at the moment:

Crusaders – 3/1
Bulls – 5/1
Brumbies – 5/1
Hurricanes – 8/1
Sharks – 9/1
Chiefs – 10/1
Blues – 12/
Stormers – 12/1
Waratahs – 12/1
Western Force – 50/1
Highlanders – 80/1
Cheetahs – 100/1
Lions – 125/1
Reds – 125/1

I have put money down on the Stormers (My team) as well as the blue boys from Auckland – I think that those odds look really good and both sides are in with a shout this year.

Roll on the Super 14!

Wow!

It has been ages since I posted on this blog but with the Super 14 now getting nearer and some interesting announcements coming out, I've decided to up my contributions again.

I was very impressed with the news out of the Lions camp that it had secured the services of Carlos Spencer for the 2010 and 2011 seasons. Spencer is a hard player and probably the right kind of guy that is needed in the Lions setup at the moment.

A young player like Burton Francis needs to be mentored by somebody who has been through a lot of the scraps that Spencer has been through and I think he could have a very positive influence on a Lions side which was just starting to show some fire toward the end of last year.

Roll on Super 14!