Category Archives: Sports News

Baxter names strong‚ balanced starting XI to face Nigeria

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Marc Strydom | 2017-06-10 10:20:45.0

Bafana Bafana head coach Stuart Baxter during the South African national men’s soccer team training session at FNB Stadium on June 07, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image by: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter named a strong‚ balanced starting XI for his first match on Saturday against Nigeria in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Uyo.

Itumeleng Khune is the goalkeeper‚ behind a back four of right-back Ramahlwe Mphahlele‚ centrebacks Thulani Hlatshwayo (the captain) and Mulomowandau Mathoho‚ and left-back Tebogo Langerman.

In midfield‚ Dean Furman and Bongani Zungu are the central pairing‚ with Themba Zwane out on the right‚ and Keagan Dolly on the left.

Sibusiso Vilakazi as at playmaker or deep striker in a formation that Baxter called a system between 4-2-3-1 and a 4-4-1-1.

Tokelo Rantie‚ two-goal tormentor of Nigeria in a 2-2 Afcon 2015 qualifying draw in 2014‚ is the striker.

Lens forward Kermit Erasmus is the only player from the 25-man squad ruled out throyugh injury‚ with a hamstring strain.

Bafana XI: Khune – Mphahlele‚ Hlatshwayo (capt.)‚ Mathoho‚ Langerman – Zwane‚ Furman‚ Zungu‚ Dolly – Vilakazi‚ Rantie

Bench: Keet‚ Gordinho‚ Mobara‚ Mabunda‚ Jali‚ Tau‚ Manyama.

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport

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Friend’s death hangs over Bolt’s final run

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Reuters | 2017-06-09 08:33:07.0

Jamaica’s Olympic champion Usain Bolt, right, helps carry the coffin of high jump star Germaine Mason, who died in a motorbike crash, to the cemetery in Grange Hill, Jamaica, on Sunday.
Image by: REUTERS

Sprint king Usain Bolt is determined to go out in a blaze of glory when he runs his final race in Jamaica this weekend, even though his preparations have been disrupted by the death of his close friend, Germaine Mason.

Mason, who was born on the Caribbean island and won Olympic silver in the high jump for Britain in 2008, died in a motorcycle accident on April 20 and an emotional Bolt served as a pallbearer at his funeral in Kingston last month.

There is likely to be plenty of feeling on display when Bolt steps onto the track at the city’s National Stadium tomorrow for his last race on home soil – the 100m at the Racers Grand Prix – before his retirement later this year.

“I know it’s going to be a lot of emotions on the day because it’s my last time,” the 30-year-old multiple Olympic and world champion said in a recent interview.

“I know the fans are going to miss it and I will miss it also because I know the energy is going to be good in the stadium.

“I’m just trying to work and get into shape … just trying to get fit and ready for the meet.” Bolt’s place in the pantheon of track and field has attracted a stellar field to the National Stadium, where, a month shy of 15 years ago, he first signalled his talent by winning world junior gold in the 200m.

Bolt has risen to an unprecedented dominance of sprinting with eight Olympic titles and another 11 gold medals.

The Bolt phenomenon has always been as much about hard work as about raw talent and charisma. However, he admits that the impact of Mason’s death cut into preparations for his final season.

“It was rough for me, you know. At the start it really took us by surprise and it kind of set me back a bit training-wise, because mentally I wasn’t ready to even train for two weeks or two-and-a-half weeks.

“I had to take off and just try to collect myself. So I’m just actually working hard now to try to get back to where I was, but I’m confident in myself and in my coach that we can get it done.

“I have to focus on what I need to do and I know my friend would want me to go out there and do my best as always and to be strong and focused on what needs to be done.”

As the reigning world 100m and 200m champion from Beijing two years ago, Bolt will skip the Jamaica trials this month for the August 5-13 world championships in London, where he will bring down the curtain on his career. 

Sport24.co.za | Springbok horror slump over, vows Coetzee

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Johannesburg – Under-pressure South Africa coach Allister Coetzee believes he has found the keys to success after a disastrous first season in charge, but some critics remain sceptical. 

The diminutive 54-year-old former provincial scrum-half and Western Stormers coach says better preparations, coaching changes and a new team spirit will have a profound influence on results. 

South Africa had three pre-season training camps, Brendan Venter (defence) and Franco Smith (attack) are new assistants, and the mood among the players has improved noticeably. 

His boasts will be put to the test for the first time in Pretoria this Saturday when the Springboks tackle France in the first of three internationals. 

Media reports claim a series loss to Les Bleus could spell the end for the coach given a four-year contract that ends after the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. 

Coetzee disagrees: “I signed last year until the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the contract has not changed.”

He oversaw the worst calendar-year record in Springbok history with eight losses in 12 Tests, including a 57-15 drubbing by greatest rivals New Zealand in Durban. 

The country that were crowned world champions in 1995 and 2007 lost for the first time at home to Ireland, away to Argentina, and to traditional whipping boys Italy. 

After winning three of the first four Tests in 2016, South Africa lost seven of the remaining eight, leading to persistent public and media calls for Coetzee to be fired. 

As the Springboks plummeted from second to seventh in the world rankings, SuperSport TV analyst and former national coach Nick Mallett called the performances “heartbreaking”. 

“You have to see a Springbok team giving its best on the field, not lying around on the ground and taking 10 seconds to get up after each tackle,” was his damning verdict. 

“Just getting the effort right will definitely improve the wins record to 50 percent,” insisted Mallett. 

“And if the players manage to get coached properly, that figure can rise to an average of 65 percent. The Springboks cannot be worse than last year. 

“Many Springbok coaches have lost their jobs with better results than those achieved by Coetzee.” 

After three-day training camps in Stellenbosch, Johannesburg and Plettenburg Bay, Coetzee says he is satisfied that France will confront well-prepared Springboks. 

“You cannot just see the players a week or two before the international season kicks off and expect them to perform,” he stressed. 

But Times Media group writer Craig Ray is unconvinced. 

“The entire set-up and planning in 2016 was a shambles and the late appointment of Coetzee has been used as an excuse,” he wrote. 

“South Africa should have been worse at the beginning of the season and gradually improved as Coetzee put his plan into action, but the opposite happened. 

“The excuse that there was no time to prepare does not hold up when matters became worse the more time the squad spent together.” 

The late appointment of Coetzee last year meant there were no pre-season camps and inexperienced assistant coaches were chosen by the national rugby body, SAR. 

A lack of team spirit was glaringly evident with Coetzee-appointed skipper and hooker Adriaan Strauss failing to inspire a struggling side. 

As the media set their sights almost exclusively on Coetzee, Strauss got off lightly until retiring from international rugby at the end of the horror season. 

Traditionally a kick-and-chase team, the Springboks sometimes switched to a more ball-in-hand approach without making any impact. 

New skipper Warren Whiteley, a No 8 and key figure in the continuing Super Rugby success of the Johannesburg-based Golden Lions, is a popular public and media choice. 

But columnist Mark Keohane cautioned against pre-judging the leadership skills of the 29-year-old. 

“For now it is smiles all round. Warren is being feted because of his achievements with the Lions. In a few months he will be assessed on what he has done with the Springboks.” 

Judgment day for Coetzee could come much sooner if they lose the France series.

Teams:

South Africa

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Dillyn Leyds

France

TBA

Sport24.co.za | Pakistan stun Proteas in rain affected encounter

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Cape Town – Pakistan threw Pool B of the ICC Champions Trophy wide open when they beat the Proteas by 19 runs on the DLS method in a rain-shortened match at Edgbaston on Wednesday evening.

As it happened: Proteas v Pakistan

The Proteas and Pakistan now have two points each after two matches and there is the possibility of all four teams being locked on two points if Sri Lanka beat India in their next match.

The Proteas, who won the toss, struggled in their innings to post a total of 219 thanks largely to an unbeaten knock of 75 (104 balls, 1 four and 3 sixes) by David Miller and the support he received down the order from Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada that resulted in stands of 47 and 48 for the seventh and eighth wicket respectively.

The only other stand of note was the 40 that Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock posted in their opening stand.

Hasan Ali took 3/24 in 8 overs, including only 6 runs in the final over, for Pakistan while the left-arm spinner, Imad Wasim, took 2/20 in 8 with his victims being the key wickets of Amla and AB de Villiers, who was dismissed first ball.

Pakistan made a comfortable reply and had reached 119/3 in their response before rain stopped play in spite of Morne Morkel taking a superb 3/18 in seven overs. It was enough to keep Pakistan comfortably ahead on the DLS method when the match was called off.

Disciplined Miller rescues SA’s innings

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Telford Vice In Birmingham | 2017-06-07 18:40:12.0

David Miller.
Image by: Marty MELVILLE / AFP

South Africa’s hopes of nailing down a place in the Champions Trophy semi-finals took a dive in their match against Pakistan at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Wednesday.

AB de Villiers’ team crashed to a total of 219/8 and will now have to depend on their bowling and fielding to avoid their last group game‚ against India at The Oval in London on Saturday‚ becoming a crunch clash.

South Africa’s score was rescued from a fate worse than its eventual mediocrity by David Miller‚ who took guard in the 15th over at 61/3 and batted through six partnerships for his unbeaten 75.

Miller curbed his trademark aggression impressively and grafted hard for his runs‚ facing 104 balls and hitting a solitary four and three sixes.

De Villiers won the toss and chose to bat despite a forecast for showers from 8pm (UK time)‚ and Quinton de Kock and Hashim Amla made a slow but steady start to the innings.

But‚ with 40 runs on the board in the ninth over‚ Amla walked across his stumps to slow left-armer Imad Wasim and was trapped in front for 16.

That was the start of a slide that claimed six wickets for 78 runs in 20.4 overs.

Graeme Smith‚ the former South Africa captain who is commentating on the tournament on television‚ was due to give a batting masterclass for spectators during the supper break.

Perhaps some of South Africa’s current players should attend.

De Villiers‚ who got out for four to a splayed-footed hoik to cover against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Saturday‚ failed again.

This time he reached for a wide delivery‚ which was bowled by Imad‚ and spooned a catch to point to suffer the only first-ball dismissal in his 212 innings in this format.

Hasan Ali‚ who took 3/24‚ began a raid of 3/10 in his first four overs when South Africa’s bolthole batsman‚ Faf du Plessis‚ dragged the fast bowler’s second delivery onto his stumps.

Hasan then removed JP Duminy‚ who drove footlessly and edged to slip‚ and Wayne Parnell‚ whose off stump was set askew by an away swinger‚ with consecutive deliveries. Miller and Chris Morris kept the Pakistanis at bay in a stand of 47 that survived Miller being poleaxed by a yorker from Mohammad Amir and being given out leg-before for 47 — Miller referred the decision and the ball was shown to be missing leg — and Morris being cleanbowled for 22 by Junaid Khan with what was correctly called a no-ball.

Junaid ended the partnership legitimately in the 43rd over when he had caught Morris caught in the deep for 28.

That brought Kagiso Rabada to the crease to share a stand of 48‚ the biggest of the innings.

It was snuffed out by a fine running‚ diving catch by Hasan deep in the covers to dismiss Rabada for 26‚ his highest score in his 14 one-day innings.

TMG Digital/TMG Sport

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Sport24.co.za | Wolff: Mercedes are no longer the favourites

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Cape Town – Toto Wolff has reiterated his belief that Mercedes are no longer the team to beat in Formula 1, that title belongs to Ferrari.

Although Mercedes have dominated the sport since the introduction for the V6 engines in 2014, it is Ferrari who have emerged as the strongest team in the wake of F1’s latest round of aerodynamic regulation changes.

Sebastian Vettel has claimed three wins to lead the Drivers’ standings by 25 points over Lewis Hamilton while Ferrari are 17 ahead of Mercedes in the Constructors’ standings.

It is “painful” realisation for Wolff, who firmly believes Ferrari now carry the ‘favourites’ tag.

He said: “Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games, so said Babe Ruth and he was right. Every season the points reset to zero and, with new regulations like we had this year, historic success doesn’t translate into current performance. 

“We’ve come into this season with a strong car that has allowed us to win three of the first six races. But it has also caused us more complications than we have seen in previous years.

“I had an encounter on Sunday afternoon in Monaco with someone I really respect who asked how I felt after the defeat. I told them how much it hurt and their response was “that’s motor racing”. This is the reality of the situation now. 

“We have to fight with all that we are worth for every single win, pole position, podium finish and every point. You can no longer expect that when you look at a timesheet the two Mercedes will be right at the top.”

He added: “It’s painful, but we are not the favourites for this year’s Championship. At the moment it’s Ferrari. They have a very strong package and we need to rise to the challenge to prove once again that we are the team to beat. 

“There are still 14 races left and everything is completely open. We’re looking forward to Montréal and the chance to bounce back with a strong result – hopefully producing valuable answers to some tough questions in the process.”

Mercedes struggled for form at the last race in Monaco where Lewis Hamilton’s weekend was blighted by set-up and tyre issues.

Wolff, though, believes Mercedes can bounce back as they have shown in the past.

“Everybody at the factories is working absolutely flat out to assess the current difficulties we are facing – to define our objectives, work with the data we have and then come up with the right solutions. Some of these fixes will be short term, others may take longer. 

“We’ve had bruising weekends before and it’s about showing resilience and getting up after falling. I remember the troubles we had in Singapore in 2015, which hurt badly. We gave ourselves a deadline to address that setback before switching our focus to the next race in Suzuka, which we won. 

“We’ve done exactly the same thing after Monaco – addressing the problems before turning our attention to Montréal. We know that this season is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Looking ahead to the Canadian GP, the motorsport boss added: “I’m expecting an interesting weekend in Canada. It could be a tricky race for us in terms of the layout of the track. But, equally, it’s a circuit that suits both of our drivers. Lewis has won a number of times in the past and Valtteri has always gone strongly there for Williams. 

“It will be about doing our homework right to give the drivers the car they need to succeed. We have two excellent drivers and we will hold true to our philosophy of letting them race each other to drive the team forward – even if sometimes it can be difficult because you can’t always have the one who is ahead in the Championship winning.”

Vermeulen ruled out of Test series against France

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Mahlatse Mphahlele | 2017-06-06 17:40:34.0

A file photo of Duane Vermeulen of South Africa during the 1st Castle Lager Incoming Series Test match between the Springboks and Ireland at DHL Newlands Stadium on June 11, 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Image by: Luke Walker/Gallo Images

Springboks loose forward Duane Vermeulen has been ruled out of the three-match Test series against France.

Vermeulen sustained a shoulder injury while playing for his French club Toulon in the Top 14 final loss to Cleremont on Sunday and he won’t recover in time for the matches in Pretoria‚ Durban and Johannesburg.

Regarding the loss of the highly experienced Vermeulen‚ Van Graan said they have other loose forwards in the squad who will be selected according to the challenge that France pose in the three matches.

“He is a world class forward and a fantastic asset to have in your side‚” Van Graan said.

“Team selection is the task of coach Allister (Coetzee) but what I can tell you is that we have some brilliant loose forwards in our squad.

“The selections will be made according to what is needed for the coming challenge.”

Van Graan added that Bok’s scrum and lineout work have gone well.

He highlighted the three training camps and last week’s exercise in Plettenberg Bay as being very beneficial to the squad’s preparation.

Coach Coetzee will announce the squad for Saturday’s clash on Thursday afternoon.

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport

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‘I love my beer’ Comrades Marathon champion Herron

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In fact she has a beer sponsorship but the Comrades Marathon was a bucket list item she has more than successfully ticked.

The 35-year-old from Norman‚ Oklahoma‚ had a bottle of Jack Black Lager on the table but the most important thing was that she did the Comrades business.

With her awkward and muscular running style that seemingly strained her hamstrings‚ her time of 6:27:35 was too good for Russian Alexandra Morozova (6:31:45) and 2016 down run champion Charne Bosman (6:39:51).

“I have my husband Connor here and I love to party‚” Herron said.

“I love my beer and we’ve been in search of good beer.

“We’ve been sampling beer over the past two days and we’ll definitely have a good time.

“My husband is also Irish and we think we’ll be here until Tuesday.

“I think I had two ginger beers during (the race).

“I’m going to have a good time and I definitely love to party.

“I’ll definitely come back for the Comrades so long as my legs allow me.

“I’m only 35 and seeing the likes of Charne and Colleen de Reuck still running does encourage me.

“They’ve kept going in their 40’s and this is a dream come true.

“I’ll come back until my legs give up on me.

“This is one race that has been on my bucket list.”

With her perennially rogue president Donald Trump being in fine form with his climate change gaffes‚ Herron was quick to say she didn’t vote for the crazy Republican but said the race challenged her more than she expected.

Having dealt with mountains on her training regime even though Oklahoma is one of the more flatter states in the US‚ it was the early climbs from Durban to Pinetown that asked questions of her ability and her desire.

From there‚ the race was a breeze despite Morozova’s late and unsuccessful charge at Umlaas Road that amounted to nothing.

“I thought the first 20-25 miles was going to be steeper and coming from the plains of Oklahoma‚ I’ve been training on steeper grades and the first part was runnable.

“My right hamstring was pulling so I couldn’t go as fast as I wanted to.

“I ran with my heart and that came through for me‚” Herron said.

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Sport24.co.za | Coetzee: Last year ‘dead and buried’

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Cape Town – Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is not wasting any more time looking back on the failures of last year as he prepares his side for three Tests against France this month. 

Coetzee, in his first year in charge, guided the Boks to just four wins out of 12 in 2016. 

He is looking to put that record right this year, and the first hurdle is a tricky series against the French for a Bok side that has slipped to No 7 in the world under Coetzee. 

The coach has pointed to player preparation as the biggest difference between this year and last. 

“There is a massive difference from last year to this year. I don’t want to go back into last year … that’s dead and buried,” Coetzee said at a Bok media briefing on Monday.

“We’ve moved on. I had no December holiday, to be honest with you, and that’s where it (the planning) started.

“I had to make sure that we would be better off in terms of our management team and I’m happy with the coaching team that we have at the moment.

“I’m also happy that we were able to have training camps. We’ve had three training camps and then obviously the week in Plettenberg Bay.”

Coetzee also says it has helped that, this time around, he knows exactly where he stands on the selection of overseas-based players. 

SA Rugby has implemented a policy that will only allow Boks who have 30 or more Test caps to be available for selection. 

That policy kicks in from July 1 onwards, after the France series, and will be lifted in 2019. 

“Last year I didn’t know where I sat with the overseas players, but this year I know exactly where I sit with them,” Coetzee said.

“The preparation and the time for preparation is the biggest difference, therefore I can be a bit more excited about where we’re taking the team to.”

The first Test against France takes place this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.

Kick-off is at 17:05.

Sport24.co.za | AB praises for Amla, Tahir

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London – South Africa captain A.B. de Villiers praised opener Hashim Amla and leg-spinner Imran Tahir in South Africa’s huge 96 run win over Sri Lanka in their Champions Trophy opener.

The Proteas posted 299 at The Oval on Saturday thanks to former captain Hashim Amla, who scored his 25th ODI century. He was the fastest to the milestone having got there in 151 innings.

“It was an amazing innings by Hashim. He did really well to assess the conditions, and communicated well with us what kind of score is going to be good,” De Villiers said.

Sri Lanka were cruising at 116 for two when Imran Tahir was introduced to the attack and the momentum swung South Africa’s favour immediately.

Tahir was Man of the Match after finishing with four wickets for 27 runs.

“It was close to ten out of ten,” said De Villiers.

“Not only with the ball in hand but that run out, it always shows me where the player is at when he shows that kind of dedication and commitment in the field. He is a great asset for us.

“He takes wickets and he is also economical most of the time. He had a fantastic performance today.”

South Africa’s fielding was outstanding as they produced two run outs through direct hits while the catching was top class.

“It’s always important to take those moments. Those little opportunities that come your way, which we did.

“So I was very happy with the way we fielded. We worked really hard at that part of our game, and very happy with the way it went today,” De Villiers added.