Category Archives: Sports News

News24.com | Bad news for jaded SA fans: More derbies only way for Rainbow Cup to work, says Jake

You Need Posted on by

Jake White during the Currie Cup final between Bulls and Sharks.

Jake White during the Currie Cup final between Bulls and Sharks.

(Lee Warren/Gallo Images)

  • Jaded local rugby supporters might have to stomach another month of derbies before the Rainbow Cup provides some different opposition for local franchises.
  • Bulls mentor Jake White raised that possibility, predominantly because international travel restrictions would make the planned format virtually impossible. 
  • Should the four SA franchises be based in a bio-bubble in order to fulfil their overseas fixtures, it would suit the Springboks’ planning if the Lions tour takes place in the UK.

Local rugby supporters who were hoping for the Rainbow Cup to provide some variety to the South African calendar will possibly have to wait another two months for that to happen.

Jake White, the Bulls’ director of rugby, provided that stark reminder following a question over whether local franchises have been given further clarity over details of the competition.

Developed as an appetiser for next season’s inaugural PRO16 and announced back in December, the Rainbow Cup has no itinerary yet though SA Rugby previously announced that it would run between 17 April and 19 June, with South African team travelling for three-match tours and the existing PRO14 teams jetting to Africa too.

But the picture has changed dramatically since then, with both regions hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic and it’s dramatic disruption of international travel.

READ | Blow for SA as UK govt backs home series for Lions vs Springboks – report

As a result, White believes the Bulls and their counterparts would have to first play against each other again before travelling together and basing themselves in a bio-secure environment, reportedly the British island of Jersey, to face their overseas opponents.

However, that would mean jaded fans would’ve been exposed to six months of rugby that’s just featured local teams.

“Of course, nothing’s been finalised yet,” said White.

“Personally, we’re working back from the British & Irish Lions series. If you assume that the tour will take place in the UK, you must base your planning on that series starting in July.

“If you consult the English Premiership’s fixtures, you can work out when their play-offs are going to commence and only after that can the Lions actually start training.”

Indeed, England’s domestic league’s round-robin fixtures only conclude on 12 June, suggesting Lions mentor, Warren Gatland, can only bank on those players being available at the end of that month.

“That means something must happen between now and July, particularly if the Springboks are going to be prepared for the series,” said White.

“The only way (the Rainbow Cup) can work is that we will have to play against each other here, and then we must go overseas and play against a few teams there to get some game time.

“Then, after that tournament – maybe three, four, five weeks – maybe there will be a semi-final and final. That takes us to the end of May or early June, and by that time, it’s finished.

“Then it’s two or three weeks of preparation for the Boks, and then the Lions tour starts.”

Such an arrangement would fit in well with the Springboks’ plans, who would already have completed the necessary safety regulations to play in the UK should the Lions battle be shifted to the region.

There has been no indication of when the fixtures for the Rainbow Cup would be announced, but a decision on the Lions tour is expected at the end of the month.

News24.com | Boland, North-West break into the top 8 of new domestic cricket system

You Need Posted on by

Cricket South Africa (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

Cricket South Africa (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

  • Boland and North-West will be taking part in the top eight division of South Africa’s new domestic cricket system.
  • They will be joined by Free State, Western Province, Eastern Province, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal, Gauteng and Northerns.
  • The teams will stay in their respective positions for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, from where promotion/relegation will be in force.

Boland and North-West are the two fortunate unions who have broken into the top eight of the reconstructed domestic cricket system that will be in place from next season. 

Boland and North West are joined by Eastern Province, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal Coastal, Northerns and Western Province. 

The second division will consist of South Western Districts, Easterns, Border, KwaZulu-Natal Inland, Northern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga. 

These divisions will be in place for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, from where there will be automatic promotion and relegation.  

More to follow …

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can
trust. For only R75 per month, you have access to
a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism,
top opinions and a range of features. Journalism
strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today.

News24.com | Gavin Hunt on Chiefs’ Champions League playoff chances: ‘We’ll take it one game at a time’

You Need Posted on by

Chiefs snapped an eight-match winless streak when they beat Angolan side Petro de Luanda 2-0 at the FNB Stadium in their Group C clash. 

The win, Chiefs’ first home Champions League success this season and their maiden group stage triumph, moved Hunt’s charges level on four points with AC Horoya, but they trail on goal difference. Horoya were away to Wydad Casablanca on Saturday night. 

“If you look at the Champions League knockout stages, 10 or 12 points gets you in. We have to go away twice now and it’s going to be difficult. We drew our first home game, which was a blow,” Hunt said. 

“Were we going to beat Wydad? It was going to be a tough ask because they’re one of the most experienced sides and the best one in this group. Horoya is a difficult side, so we’ll take it one game at a time.” 

Before Kaizer Chiefs can worry about the March 16 trip to the Angolan capital for the return fixture, they still have to travel to Pietermaritzburg for a league date against Maritzburg United on Wednesday. 

While Hunt is keen on converting this small bit of momentum, the difference between continental and domestic football isn’t lost on him. 

There’s also the worry of Chiefs having not won a league game since January 19 when they beat Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila 3-0.  

Chiefs, 10th in the league standings,  also have the benefit of a game in hand ahead of ninth-placed Baroka FC, but Hunt isn’t sold on that advantage.  

Relegation threatened Maritzburg United are one of six teams to have bested Hunt this season. 

“The Champions League is a totally different kettle of fish to the league. It’s different football. The league is quicker and much harder in terms of the running. We’ve got a big game on Wednesday and we’re missing a lot of games. We’re two or three behind, so we need to catch up,” Hunt said. 

“As much as people say you need to do well on this front, I hate playing catch-up. I’d rather be three games ahead at this point.”

News24.com | Bafana coach Ntseki on qualification chances: I believe we can qualify

You Need Posted on by

Molefi Ntseki (Gallo Images)

Molefi Ntseki (Gallo Images)

  • Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki is confident that qualification is still within their grasp.
  • They are currently second in their group where they trail leaders Ghana by goal difference
  • Ntseki understands that as a coach, he is always under pressure.

Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki believes his team will still qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, even though he remains under pressure to produce positive results. 

With Bafana Bafana hosting Ghana in their Afcon Group C qualifier at the FNB Stadium on 25 March, defeat in that particular match could have a serious impact on SA’s qualification chances.  

SA’s performances, especially in the Sao Tome and Principe matches, left a lot to be desired even though they won.

What remained important for SA is that they collected a maximum six points from those games, along with the three points accrued from the 1-0 win against Sudan on November 17, 2019. 

Three days earlier, they were easily dispatched by Ghana in Cape Coast, a start that set them back at the time. 

Ntseki said the pressure always remained for him to produce positive performances.  

“Anybody who works at any company where there are mandates, will be under pressure. I’m no different. When you lead the national team, the mandate is simple and not just from the chief executive officer, the national executive committee, the president, this table or this house. It’s for me to do well as an individual. It’s for me to do well and to carry my abilities and confidence to the next level,” Ntseki said. 

“Representing your country is an honour and I can’t run away from my responsibilities. My responsibility is to lead the team, get the best out of the players and to qualify and we will because I believe.” 

Ntseki, who announced a 26-man squad on Thursday that included a number of his key players and the goal scorers from the Sao Tome matches in Themba Zwane and Percy Tau, said they’re well equipped to deal with a dangerous Ghana side.  

“We’re playing a Ghana side that lost their last game against Sudan. They’ll come here to get a result and they’re a possession type of team and for them to get into your half, they need to do so with numbers. When they do send up numbers, they’ll create spaces where we could hurt them when we regain possession,” Ntseki said. 

“When you look at our attacking players, we’ve added a lot of speed because in defence, they tend to stay deep because of them being aware of not having the speed to recover. We are playing to get a result.” 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can
trust. For only R75 per month, you have access to
a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism,
top opinions and a range of features. Journalism
strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today.

News24.com | Duane would prefer to play Lions in SA, but admits ‘difficult’ decision

You Need Posted on by

Duane Vermeulen. (Gallo Images)

Duane Vermeulen. (Gallo Images)

  • Springbok star Duane Vermeulen appreciates the difficult decision that awaits SA Rugby on this year’s British & Irish Lions tour.
  • While he’d prefer the series to happen in South Africa, SA Rugby’s Player of the Year says the Springboks would be willing to play anywhere.
  • Vermeulen also believes the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic has made local players adaptable to any quick changes in planning.

Duane Vermeulen, SA Rugby’s Player of the Year, admits that the decision on this year’s British & Irish Lions tour will be a “difficult one”.

The local governing body and its Lions counterparts are currently scrambling to find a solution to make the series commercially viable, with the United Kingdom currently a favoured contingency plan due to its proximity and the prospect of fans being allowed back into stadiums.

Australia, which has reportedly provided a financial guarantee, and the UAE have also been touted as potential hosts.

A final decision on the status of the tour is only expected at the end of the month. 

First prize for the Springbok stalwart and prolific Bulls skipper though would be a fully-fledged tour on African soil, though the spectre of a third wave of Covid-19 infections and government lockdown regulations would prevent live attendance of matches.

“It’s a difficult one,” Vermeulen told a media briefing on Thursday following his accolade.

“Obviously, we would love to have the British and Irish Lions in South Africa. You only get them every 12 years.

“For our economy, the masses of people that could be coming into South Africa, spending some pounds in the country on the wine farms and tourism, it would be a pity if it doesn’t happen in South Africa.”

Rassie Erasmus, the national director of rugby, in January insisted that – at least from a player and coach perspective – that the Springboks would even accept “Option Z” if it meant they could fulfil the series.

“Any option we can get not to lose the series, we’d take,” he said.

“From a rugby perspective, I can tell you we’re willing to do anything.”

Vermeulen reiterated that view, noting that all of South Africa’s players have dealt with enough disruption over the past year to be able to change circumstances in a short space of time.

That would include sacrificing home-ground advantage to face the Lions in Cardiff, Dublin and London.

“Obviously, we need to adapt. In the past two years we have tried to adapt to all the different scenarios the pandemic has thrown at us,” said Vermeulen.

“If it happens and we have to go play there, then we can’t really do anything about it.”

Interestingly, the 33-year-old No 8 also intimated a growing sense that the series simply must happen, regardless of its form.

“We haven’t played any Springbok rugby for the past couple of years. If we can play, it doesn’t matter where we can play, as long as we are playing, that would be a positive for SA Rugby.”

News24.com | Peter de Villiers ‘won’t lie’ to his EP players: ‘Kill or be killed’

You Need Posted on by

EP Elephants coach Peter de Villiers. (Photo by Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)

EP Elephants coach Peter de Villiers. (Photo by Gordon Arons/Gallo Images)

EP Elephants coach Peter de Villiers admits their 87-10 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria was a rude awakening for the team.

The EP players were clearly out of their depth in a 12-try romp and De Villiers knows there’s hard work lying in wait.

“It was the first time I saw most of the players in action in a match. Even though it was our first match in a long time, it was unfortunately also clear that some of the players don’t have the character to play at that level,” De Villiers told Netwerk24.

“Rugby is war, if you don’t kill people, then they’ll kill you.”

The coach said while he didn’t literally mean to “kill’, he used a metaphor to explain how tough it is at the top of the professional game.

“I won’t be pulling any punches. I’m not going to lie to them. I may have to tell a few of them to find a job and play rugby part-time.”

Meanwhile, with captain and flyhalf Inny Radebe out with a broken hand, De Villiers could call on the services of former provincial flyhalf Karlo Aspeling.

Aspeling, 33, is nowadays a primary school teacher and would only be able to train in the afternoons but his experience could come in handy.

He previously represented teams like the EP Kings, the Valke, Border Bulldogs, SWD Eagles, Torino (Italy) and CSM Bucuresti (Romania).

The Elephants are also looking for a new captain and the armband could fall to flank CJ Velleman or utility back Courtney Winnaar. Velleman, 26, captained the Southern Kings before when they participated in the PRO14.

EP’s next match in the preparation series is against the Lions in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) on Wednesday, 10 March.

News24.com | FIFA favours Patrice Motsepe for CAF presidency

You Need Posted on by

Patrice Motsepe (Gallo Images)

Patrice Motsepe (Gallo Images)

FIFA have asked three candidates to back South Africa’s Patrice Motsepe in the up-coming Confederation of African Football (CAF) presidential election, a source close to one of the candidates told AFP.

The previous incumbent Ahmad Ahmad was banned for breaches of FIFA’s ethical code, but has had the ban suspended by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

World body FIFA are keen for a fresh start in Africa, the source said.

Motsepe is a South African mining billionaire and owner of reigning domestic champions Mamelodi Sundowns.

According to the source, Augustin Senghor of Senegal and Ahmed Yahya of Mauritania are open to the idea of backing Motsepe and becoming vice-presidents themselves.

Jacques Anouma of Ivory Coast would be offered a roll as advisor to Motsepe.

“Motsepe is FIFA’s preferred candidate, they want someone new and not implicated in the former presidency,” the source said.

“They want a better image so they can attract investors and sponsors.”

FIFA have yet to reply to AFP’s request for comments.

The CAF Presidential election is scheduled to be held in Rabat, Morocco on 12 March..

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can
trust. For only R75 per month, you have access to
a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism,
top opinions and a range of features. Journalism
strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today.

News24.com | Mamelodi Sundowns cruise, Kaizer Chiefs crushed in CAF Champions League

You Need Posted on by

Gavin Hunt (Head Coach) of Kaizer Chiefs during the DStv Premiership match between AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium on January 13, 2021 in Durban, South Africa.

Gavin Hunt (Head Coach) of Kaizer Chiefs during the DStv Premiership match between AmaZulu and Kaizer Chiefs at Jonsson Kings Park Stadium on January 13, 2021 in Durban, South Africa.

Steve Haag

PSL clubs had vastly contrasting fortunes in the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns romping to a four-goal victory and Kaizer Chiefs suffering a four-goal hiding.

Themba Zwane scored twice as Sundowns took advantage of Algerian opponents CR Belouizdad having Chouaib Keddad sent off after only three minutes to win 5-1 in Dar es Salaam.

Slack defending contributed to Chiefs crashing 4-0 against Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in Ouagadougou and they finished with 10 men after Ramahlwe Mphahlele was red-carded.

The home matches of Belouizdad and Wydad were played in Tanzania and Burkina Faso respectively because Moroccan and Algerian coronavirus regulations forbid entry to South Africans.

Victory for Sundowns lifted them to six points in Group B after two matchdays, four more than five-time African champions TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Al Hilal of Sudan and Belouizdad, who conceded only once in five previous Champions League matches this season, share third place with one point each.

Wydad, who have been champions, runners-up, and semi-finalists twice in the past five seasons, top Group C with six points, followed by Horoya of Guinea with four.

Chiefs, who have reached the group stage for the first time after five failed attempts, have one point and Petro Luanda of Angola none.

In an empty Dar es Salaam stadium due to Covid-19 protocols, Sundowns punished a hand-ball by Keddad, which resulted in his expulsion, when Zwane converted the resulting penalty.

Onyango injured

Amir Sayoud levelled just before half-time with his fifth goal of the campaign and Sundowns goalkeeper Denis Onyango retired after being injured trying to prevent the goal.

Namibian Peter Shalulile headed Sundowns into the lead again just after the break and Zwane finished a brilliant chip from Uruguayan Gaston Sirino with 55 minutes gone.

A superb multi-pass movement ended with Lebohang Maboe rifling a low shot past Gaya Merbah to make it 4-1 and substitute Kermit Erasmus completed the rout with a tap-in.

Playing in Ouagadougou was a challenge for Wydad and Chiefs as the temperature soared to 38 degrees celsius (100 fahrenheit) in the west African city.

The fixture had been postponed three times, first when Morocco barred Chiefs, then the South Africans could not obtain visas in time to visit Egypt, and finally after the Cairo match venue became unavailable.

After keeping five consecutive clean sheets in Africa this season, Chiefs fell behind after just seven minutes as Mohamed Ounajem sneaked in at the far post to poke the ball into the net.

Star forward Ayoub el Kaabi doubled the advantage before half-time and late goals from Tanzanian Simon Msuva and Yahya Jabrane, from a penalty, completed the humiliation of the Soweto outfit.

News24.com | Bok coach: Now the serious planning for RWC 2023 begins

You Need Posted on by

  • The draw for the Rugby World Cup 2023 took place on Friday.
  • The Springboks will play Scotland in their opening match of the tournament.
  • Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber says that now that the fixtures are known, the real planning for the tournament can begin.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber says knowing the fixtures for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France helps with the planning process that he and his team will put in place in the lead-up to the tournament.

The Boks will open the defence of their title on Sunday, 10 September 2023 when they face Scotland at Stade Velodrome after all fixtures for the event were released on Friday.

“Friday’s announcement is a very important milestone in our planning phase for the 2023 Rugby World Cup,” Nienaber said in a press statement.

Nienaber said knowing the fixtures helps his management team identify critical information such as where to locate team base camps, determine the turnaround time between games and also help to figure out other critical logistic questions.

“With the match dates and venues now confirmed, the coaching and management staff have a very clear idea of the overall squad preparations and logistics. For instance, the schedule gives clarity on the number of turnaround days between matches, which in turn will influence our player welfare strategy for the squad.

“And because the game venues have been allocated, it means we can kick on with more intense planning around our logistic operations for items such as team base camps.” 

While the Springboks face Scotland and Ireland in the space of 13 days, Nienaber was quick to point out that all pool fixtures would be equally important.

“Like I said at the time of the draw, to be in the same pool as Ireland and Scotland will be a massive challenge, but to win the tournament, you have to be able to beat all the teams and we will be properly tested in the pool phases,” added the Springbok coach.

“The margin for error at any stage of the RWC is very small, so we will plan for every scenario, including a very tough last pool game against an Asian-Pacific qualifier which might be one of Samoa or Tonga.”

The 2023 World Cup starts on Friday, 8 September and the final is scheduled for Saturday, 28 October 2023 in the French capital of Paris.

Match schedule for the 2023 Rugby World Cup to be staged in France which was released on Friday:

Pool A

New Zealand, France, Italy, America 1 zone qualifier, Africa 1 zone qualifier:

Sept 8: Stade de France – France v New Zealand

Sept 9: Saint-Etienne – Italy v Africa 1

Sept 14: Lille – France v America 1

Sept 15: Toulouse – New Zealand v Africa 1

Sept 20: Nice – Italy v America 1

Sept 21: Marseille – France v Africa 1

Sept 27: Lyon – America 1 v Africa 1

Sept 29: Lyon – New Zealand v Italy

Oct 05: Lyon – New Zealand v America 1

Oct 06: Lyon – France v Italy

Pool B

South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Asia/Pacific 1 zone qualifier, Europe 2 zone qualifier

Sept 9: Bordeaux – Ireland v Europe 2

Sept 10: Marseille – South Africa v Scotland

Sept 16: Nantes – Ireland v Asia/Pacific 1

Sept 17: Bordeaux – South Africa v Europe 2

Sept 23: Stade de France – South Africa v Ireland

Sept 24: Nice – Scotland v Asia/Pacific 1

Sept 30: Lille – Scotland v Europe 2

Oct 01: Marseille – South Africa v Asia/Pacific 1

Oct 07: Stade de France – Ireland v Scotland

Oct 08: Lille – Asia/Pacific 1 v Europe 2

Pool C

Wales, Australia, Fiji, Europe 1 zone qualifier, Winner final qualifying round

Sept 09: Saint-Denis – Australia – Europe 1

Sept 10: Bordeaux – Wales v Fiji

Sept 16: Nice – Wales v Winner final qualifying round

Sept 17: Saint-Etienne – Australia v Fiji

Sept 23: Toulouse – Europe 1 v Winner final qualifying round

Sept 24: Lyon – Wales v Australia

Sept 30: Bordeaux – Fiji v Europe 1

Oct 01: Saint-Etienne – Australia v – Winner final qualifying round

Oct 07: Nantes – Wales v Europe 1

Oct 08: Toulouse – Fiji v Winner final qualifying round

Pool D

England, Japan, Argentina, Oceania zone 1 qualifier, America zone 2 qualifier

Sept 09: Marseille – England v Argentina

Sept 10: Toulouse – Japan v America 2

Sept 16: Bordeaux – Oceania 1 v America 2

Sept 17: Nice – England v Japan

Sept 22: Saint-Etienne – Argentina v Oceania 1

Sept 23: Lille – England v America 2

Sept 28: Toulouse – Japan v Oceania 1

Sept 30: Nantes – Argentina v America 2

Oct 07: Lille – England v Oceania 1

Oct 08: Nantes – Japan v Argentina

Quarter-finals

Oct 14: Marseille – Pool C winner v Pool D runner-up

Oct 14: Stade de France – Pool B winner v Pool A runner-up

Oct 15: Marseille – Pool D v Pool C runner-up

Oct 15: Stade de France – Pool A winner v Pool B runner-up

Semi-finals

Oct 20: Stade de France – Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 2

Oct 21: Stade de France – Winner QF 3 v Winner QF 4

3rd place play-off

Oct 27: Stade de France

Final

Oct 28: Stade de France

News24.com | Bulls unveil new kit, inspired by 1997 win over British Lions

You Need Posted on by

Nizaam Carr sporting the new Bulls jersey. (Photo supplied)

Nizaam Carr sporting the new Bulls jersey. (Photo supplied)

The Bulls on Friday unveiled their new kit for the 2021 rugby season.

The team’s sponsors, PUMA, opted for a blue coloured home jersey resembling the one the Blue Bulls played in when they famously upset the British & Irish Lions 35-30 at Loftus Versfeld in 1997.

The Bulls’ will play in this kit until May 2022, including in the preparation series which kicks off this weekend.

The men from Pretoria will also sport the jersey when they compete in the inaugural PRO16 Rainbow Cup in Europe, as well as the Currie Cup later in the year.

“We decided on a jersey in a blue which matches that from the historic win and which will serve to reignite the same ’97 passion,” Brett Bellinger, marketing director of PUMA South Africa, said in a statement.

“The #TrueToTheBlue jersey will be sported by the team in their first foray into Europe and during local competitions. It will also be worn for the repeat match if the Bulls versus the British & Irish Lions goes ahead this year. It’s time to let the competitors know what it really means to have blue blood.”

Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone commented: “PUMA have once again outdone themselves with an amazing jersey design, one that will resonate with all of our fans both from a historic perspective and with our newer audience. This also makes a bold statement as we venture into the northern hemisphere that no matter where we go or what we become the true essence of the Bulls will always remain blue.”

Bulls director of rugby Jake White added: “It will be our jersey for the next few years. It’s about going back to our roots. The history of this union is something that’s become very important for us. Hopefully, even though we’re going to start playing in this jersey only in a preparation series, it’s an opportunity to expose our youngsters to the culture and history of this team.

“We’re hoping that it’s a jersey that shows all the players what a privilege it is to play for this team. There’s a long history of brilliant Springboks who pulled the Bulls jersey over their head.

“The jersey for me is incredibly important. A lot of thought and work went into it in terms of design. As everyone knows, I’m a traditionalist. Even the pants and socks are important. I’m hoping the youngsters appreciate the fact that they’ll be the first to wear this new jersey.

“It’s not going to the Springboks who played in the Currie Cup final, it’s given to the next generation. Hopefully that bodes well for us going forward.”

The kit will be available from May 2021 and recommended prices are R899 (men) and R799 (women and children).

Bulls jersey