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.

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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.

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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!

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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?

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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

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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!

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