Category Archives: Sports News

Sport24.co.za | International rugby returns to Soweto

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Cape Town – International rugby will return to Soweto’s Orlando Stadium and debut at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban in June when the South African ‘A’ team take on the French Barbarians in two exciting encounters.

These matches are being hosted in Durban and Soweto with the assistance of the Gauteng Provincial Government and the eThekwini Municipality – Moses Mabhida Stadium, on the eve of the second and third Tests between the Springboks and France, respectively.

The opening clash in Durban, on Friday June 16, will be the first-ever senior rugby match staged at Moses Mabhida, the iconic stadium which was built for the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa.

Kick-off is scheduled for 16:45.

The second match, on Friday June 23, will see international rugby return to Orlando Stadium for the first time since the 2010 Super Rugby final, in which the Bulls beat the Stormers in an epic local encounter.

In fact, for two weeks in May 2010, nearly 80 000 rugby supporters flocked to Orlando Stadium for the Bulls’ semi-final against the Crusaders and final against the Stormers, as Loftus Versfeld was not available due to the Soccer World Cup that year.

The main match at Orlando Stadium, which will start at 20:00, will be preceded by a curtain-raiser at 17:00 when the Blue Bulls take on the Golden Lions in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge Gauteng-derby.

“The hosting of these matches at two iconic venues will not only make for superb weekends of top-class international rugby between South Africa and France, but are also hugely exciting as we’ll be playing at non-traditional rugby venues,” said SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux.

“We would not have been able to do this without the assistance of the Gauteng Provincial Government and eThekwini Municipality – Moses Mabhida Stadium and we would like to thank them for their commitment to bringing rugby to new audiences.

“Supporters can look forward to two unique days of international rugby against a French Barbarians team that we understand will be quite strong, and will provide a proper challenge to Johan Ackermann and his SA ‘A’ team.”

More information on ticket prices and other exciting plans around these matches will be announced in due course.      

Sport24.co.za | Jake: An overseas ‘SA XV’ would beat Boks

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Cape Town – Former Springbok coach Jake White says the national team cannot afford to not pick overseas-based players.

White has called on current Bok coach Allister Coetzee to pick a team made up predominantly of overseas players for the three-Test series against France in June.

White expressed his views via a column for All Out Rugby: “Whenever I’ve been asked, in the years following my time coaching the Boks, about picking overseas-based players, I’ve always been adamantly against it. I haven’t changed my stance.

“But the problem is, when you have almost every top player leaving the country, then you get to a tipping point where you have to pick those players,” he wrote.

SA Rugby recently announced a new policy regarding overseas Springboks.

It states that only overseas-based Springboks with more than 30 Test caps will be eligible for selection in future.

However, the Bok coach would still be able to select whoever he wants in a Rugby World Cup year.

“You can’t blame the players because they’re allowed to go play overseas and still play for South Africa at the next World Cup,” White continued, using centre Jan Serfontein as an example.

The Bulls centre recently announced that he would join an overseas club.

“Serfontein isn’t losing out on anything by going overseas so how can anyone get upset with the guy when he can have his cake and eat it?” White questioned.

“And that’s what is sad – as much as we want to say you can’t have your cake and eat it, we’ve created a situation where that’s exactly what our players can do, and we’re now forced to give it to them.”

White probably best summed up South Africa’s dire situation when he made the following statement: “It feels like SA Rugby is in a spiral because we’ve put ourselves in a position where an Overseas SA XV would probably beat the Boks every time, so there’s no way we can afford not to pick the best overseas players now.”

White, who led the Springboks to World Cup glory in 2007, currently coaches French Top 14 side Montpellier.

His tenure there is set to end though and he will coach Japanese Top League side Toyota Verblitz next season.

The 54-year-old, who has spent the last three seasons with Montpellier, comes on the recommendation of former Japan coach Eddie Jones, the current England boss, who worked as technical assistant to White on South Africa’s run to a second world title.

White has also had spells in charge of the Brumbies in Australia and South Africa’s Sharks, while he also acted as technical advisor to Tonga’s national team in 2014.

READ Jake White’s full column on All Out Rugby

Pirates draw Arrows‚ Supersport to face Chippa in Nedbank Cup semifinals

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Mninawa Ntloko | 2017-04-24 19:54:23.0

Stuart Baxter and Dean Furman during the SuperSport United press conference at PSL Offices on April 20, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image by: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has announced that the Nedbank Cup final will be played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on June 24.

Four clubs remain in the competition — defending champions Supersport United‚ Orlando Pirates‚ Chippa United and Golden Arrows — and one of them will walk away with the title on the 10th year anniversary of the event.

The semifinal draw was conducted on Monday night and SuperSport will face Chippa while Pirates resume their rivalry with old foes Arrows.

The dates‚ venues and kick off times of the two semifinal matches will be confirmed at a later stage.

Nedbank have purchased 10 000 tickets from the PSL for the final and they will be sold exclusively to the bank’s clients for R10 a ticket – a discount of over 80% in value to the ticket price.

PSL acting CEO Mato Madlala said they would make the decade-long partnership with the banking group a special occasion to remember.

“The PSL and Nedbank want to make the 2017 edition of the Nedbank Cup final special – after all‚ we are celebrating 10 years of a wonderful partnership‚” she said.

‘‘The Moses Mabhida Stadium is one of the country’s most iconic venues and we have hosted some historic finals there.

‘‘From Monday‚ we will intensify planning to ensure we deliver a spectacular world class event. Good luck to the four clubs that have qualified for the semi-finals.”

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Editor’s Choice

Sport24.co.za | Benteke comes back to haunt Liverpool

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Liverpool – Liverpool old-boy Christian Benteke stunned his former club with both Crystal Palace goals in a 2-1 win at Anfield on Sunday denting the home side’s top-four Premier League ambitions.

Benteke handed a massive boost to Palace’s survival hopes with a goal in each half to cancel out Philippe Coutinho’s brilliant opener for the Reds and turn the game on its head.

Liverpool paid £32m for Benteke when they signed him from Aston Villa in 2015 but sold him to Palace for £27m a year later.

The 26-year-old Belgian made them pay for that decision with goals in the 42nd and 74th minutes that moved Palace seven points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

But defeat left Jurgen Klopp’s side in third place just two points clear of fourth-placed Manchester City and three ahead of Manchester United in fifth.

Both Manchester clubs have two games in hand in the scrap for Champions League places, meaning Liverpool’s fate is no longer in their own hands.

Liverpool’s forwards turned on the tricks and Roberto Firmino’s clever spin away from two Palace defenders sparked an attack.

He attempted to spread play wide for Coutinho, but Georginio Wijnaldum inadvertently ended the move by getting in the way.

Palace had offered little attacking threat but on 21 minutes they almost stunned the hosts when Benteke bullied his way towards goal.

The Belgian international striker shrugged off defenders and exchanged passes neatly with Wilfried Zaha before bending a right-footed shot just wide of Simon Mignolet’s goal.

When the opening goal came, it came in real style in the 24th minute.

Palace midfielder Luka Milivojevic was penalised for a foul on Coutinho, who dusted himself down before bending a brilliant right-footed free-kick past a helpless Wayne Hennessey and inside his right-hand post from 25 yards.

Palace hit back to equalise with a wonderful, counter-attacking goal three minutes from half-time.

Joel Ward’s clever ball over the top dropped perfectly into the stride of Yohan Cabaye, who delivered a delicious cut-back from the right for Benteke to produce a crisp, first-time finish at the far post.

Coutinho might have stamped his mark on the second half after just five minutes with a superb drag-back in the Palace area to engineer some space.

But he blasted his shot high and wide.

He then produced some more magic to weave away from both Martin Kelly and Ward but this time his effort was deflected behind.

Coutinho should have restored Liverpool’s lead on 57 minutes but his header from a Nathaniel Clyne cross was tame and straight at Hennessey.

Just before the hour-mark a fabulous pass by Lucas freed Firmino but his first touch was just too heavy and Hennessey made a crucial interception.

Out of nowhere, Cabaye missed a chance to give Palace the lead with 19 minutes remaining.

The ball dropped to the Frenchman in a goalmouth scramble and he scooped a shot just over from eight yards.

But there was no mistake moments later when the visitors stunned Anfield.

A right-wing corner by Andros Townsend was not cleared by Liverpool and Benteke headed home from a couple of yards.

Liverpool pinned Palace back in the closing stages but could not force an equaliser as Palace held on to win at Anfield for a third successive season.

Baxter knew goalkeeper hero Pieterse would ‘be pumped to return to FNB’ to face old club Chiefs

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Marc Strydom | 2017-04-23 13:55:55.0

Stuart Baxter during the SuperSport United press conference at PSL Offices on April 20, 2017 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Image by: Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images

SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter said he knew that the goalkeeping hero of his side’s 5-3 Nedbank Cup quarterfinal penalties victory against Kaizer Chiefs would be “pumped to return to FNB Stadium”.

Baxter recalled ex-Chiefs keeper Pieterse to his starting line-up for Saturday night’s crucial quarterfinal for the defending champions in the cup competition that now probably represents SuperSport’s last chance of silverware in 2016-17.

This was despite the man-mountain keeper having conceded five goals in his previous match‚ the 5-0 league thrashing by Mamelodi Sundowns two Thursdays ago.

Ronwen Williams had only let in one goal in Matsatsantsa’s next three games‚ so it might have seemed a strange choice by the coach on the surface of it.

But Pieterse saved a penalty from old team-mate Bernard Parker in extra time to keep the score at 1-1‚ then another from George Maluleka in the shootout.

Baxter said there were a number of factors in the decision to recall Pieterse‚ one being that he thought the keeper‚ released by Chiefs at the end of last season‚ might have a point to prove at his old home ground.

“We’ve had Rons (Williams) on the injured list – a very bad injury (from November to mid-February). We’ve nursed him back and he’s got a few games under the belt‚” Baxter explained.

“And he’s done amazingly well in terms of his physique‚ because he’s lost 5 kilograms through hard work‚ and he’s probably the fittest he’s been for a long time. And in a way I want to reward that.

“Also‚ because we knew that against Sundowns (in a second‚ 1-0 defeat on Wednesday) we were going to try and build from the back‚ and we knew that with Ronwen if it was tight on him he can play.

“Reeyad‚ on the other hand‚ is more dominant on one-v-ones and crosses and knocking long ones onto our front play.

“So there was a little bit of policy of selecting your goalkeepers to get them all fit‚ and a little but of taking one for the game.

“And I knew Reyaad would be pumped to come back to the FNB. So it was just try to pick the best goalkeeper for the job.”

Ex-Chiefs coach Baxter was also up against his old club‚ fielding a number of the players who have defected from Amakhosi to SuperSport since his move to Pretoria‚ including Pieterse‚ Reneilwe Letsholonyane‚ Morgan Gould and Mandla Masango.

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Editor’s Choice

Holders SuperSport dump Chiefs out of Nedbank Cup

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Matsatsantsa’s goalkeeper pulled off a penalty save in extra time and another in the penalty shootout, won 5-3 by the team from Pretoria.

Jeremy Brockie weighed in too, with a 72nd minute opening goal to put SuperSport ahead, and the winning penalty in the shootout.

Ramahlwe Mphahlele had equalised for Chiefs in the 81st to send the game to extra time at 1-1, where Pieterse denied Bernard Parker’s penalty to maintain that scoreline.

SuperSport, having effectively had their league title chances wiped out in the past fortnight, now still have a chance for a trophy in 2016-17.

Chiefs have the league to play for if coach Steve Komphela to forego a second season without silverware.

Tight defending and circumspect attacking made for a 35 minutes where neither goalkeeper was tested.

One has to compare SuperSport’s schedule – losing twice in the league against Mamelodi Sundowns, 5-0 last Thursday and 1-0 on Wednesday, on either side of a 38-hour return trip to Liberia to beat Barrack Young Controllers 5-0 – to Chiefs’.

Amakhosi had a free week to prepare following their 1-0 Premier Soccer League (PSL) win against Chippa United here.

Still, Komphela knows the football of SuperSport coach Stuart Baxter, the one-time Bafana Bafana head coach he assisted, about as well as any other coach’s.

Wary of Matsatsantsa’s counter-attack, Chiefs were cautious in attack, taking a lot of passes to go forward in a sort of poor man’s tiki-taka, though without an end product due to a wariness to commit numbers forward.

SuperSport found their quick transitions stifled.

Matsatsantsa did find a way to open Chiefs in the 37th, Reneilwe Letsholonyane lifting an attempted finish. Then Thuso Phala outstripped Lorenzo Gordinho to shoot at Itumeleng Khune.

The suffocation of open spaces had been broken at the end of the first half and the match had some life breathed into it the second.

A fine chip from midfield by Willard Katsande picked out Joseph Molangoane, who slid a pass inside to Parker, who steered inches wide.

The best chance to that point came from one of SuperSport’s direct attacks in a sweeping move down the left flank where Phala fed Letsholonyane, who fed Thabo Mnyamane, who struck at Khune.

SuperSport’s directness was starting to hurt Chiefs, as, Brockie’s header from Phala’s cross was only denied by a world-class Khune stretch.

But from that corner Mnyamane found Brockie on the edge of the area to hit first time and low past Chiefs’ keeper.

Komphela introduced the fresh legs of Gustavo Paez and William Twala for George Lebese and Sibusiso Khumalo, and went for broke with three at the back.

Twala soon produced the skill and cross from the left that Mphahlele headed home at the far post, though with what seemed a foul by Chiefs’ right-back on Onismor Bhasera.

In extra time, Pieterse stopped Parker’s spot-kick after Dean Furman misjudged Twala’s cross and handled.

In the shootout, Mandla Masango, Furman, Clayton Daniels, Teboho Mokoena and Brockie were all successful for SuperSport.

For Chiefs, Siphiwe Tshabalala, Gordinho and Molangoane scored. George Maluleka’s kick was saved by Pieterse.

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Sport24.co.za | Sharks, Rebels draw Durban snore-fest

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2017-04-22 21:24

Garrin Lambley – Sport24 Editor

Cape Town – In a contender for the worst Vodacom Super Rugby match not only of the 2017 season, but of all time, the Sharks and Rebels drew a tryless clash in Durban in which both sides finished with 14 players.

As it happened: Sharks v Rebels

When referee Marius van der Westhuizen blew the final whistle to put those few brave souls who turned up at Kings Park out of their misery, the scoreboard read 9-9.

Flyhalf Curwin Bosch landed three penalties for the home side while Rebels fullback Reece Hodge replied with three of his own for their Australian visitors.

The Sharks were reduced to 14 men as early as the 17th minute after a tip-tackle by centre Andre Esterhuizen.

Esterhuizen is certain to face a period on the sidelines once the SANZAAR Judicial Committee has convened.

The Rebels, who led 6-3 at half-time, were also reduced to 14 men after captain Nic Stirzaker was shown a second yellow card in the 69th minute, while replacement hooker James Hanson also spent 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Both sides picked up two points for the draw.

The Sharks remained second in Africa Conference 2, eight points behind the conference-leading Lions yet still, unbelievably, in a playoff position, while the Rebels stayed rooted to the bottom of the Australian Conference.

In next weekend’s Round 10 action, the Sharks travel to Buenos Aires to play the Jaguares (Saturday, April 29 at 21:40 SA time), while the Rebels and Kings will do battle in Port Elizabeth earlier in the day (19:30).

Teams:

Sharks

15 Rhyno Smith, 14 Kobus van Wyk, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Philip van der Walt, 6 Tera Mtembu (captain), 5 Stephan Lewies, 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Franco Marais, 1 Beast Mtawarira
 
Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Ruan Botha, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Michael Claassens, 22 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 23 Jeremy Ward

Rebels

15 Reece Hodge, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Tom English, 12 Mitch Inman, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Nic Stirzaker (captain), 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Will Miller, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 Culum Retallick, 4 Steve Cummins, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Siliva Siliva, 1 Fereti Sa’aga

Substitutes: 16 James Hanson, 17 Laurie Weeks, 18 Tom Moloney, 19 Esei Haangana, 20 Hugh Sinclair, 21 Mick Snowden, 22 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 23 Ben Volavola

With Oupa Manyisa ticking Orlando Pirates’ clock can function‚ says Patrick Phungwayo

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Pirates meet Bloemfontein Celtic at Orlando Stadium in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinals on Saturday night (8.30pm).

Phungwayo said the Buccaneer ship will be cruising at all sails‚ cannons blazing for the competition that now represents their last chance at silverware in 2016-17.

A few factors have seen battling Pirates improve to the point where they have lost just one game under new coach Kjell Jonevret‚ which must make wounded Bucs a dangerous contender for the Nedbank.

One has been a vastly improved structure in their back four. The defensive midfield partnership of Issa Sarr and Abbubaker Mobara have provided an added buffer in front of the defence.

And Jonevret has done something right to finally nurse his key midfielders‚ captain Oupa Manyisa and Mpho Makola‚ back to form in Bucs’ attack.

“The Nedbank is very big‚” Phungwayo said.

“Pirates are all about competing in Africa‚ and the Nedbank can get us there‚ especially since we are not going to be in position one or two in the league.

“So now we are gunning everything to reach the final.”

He said Bucs have been relieved to see Manyisa and Makola find a semblance of form.

“We were talking about it recently that it’s a team sport but if three players that we usually rely on are not on form‚ then of course the team as a whole is a disaster‚” Bucs’ left-back said.

“So if Oupa and Mpho Makola are getting their form back it benefits the team. It gives us confidence also.

“You can imagine as a full-back‚ if your midfielders are not on form it’s very hard to have the confidence to go.

“Now with them on form you have the confidence to go.

“So things are getting back. Yes‚ it’s late. But we just want to be part of the top eight and of course to win the Nedbank.”

One of the changes made by Jonevret in his back four has been that his full-backs‚ Phungwayo and Thabo Matlaba‚ are more circumspect about when to go forward.

“It’s the system. But of course‚ now with Issa and Mobara in defensive midfield it can also give us more freedom to go‚” Phungwayo explained.

Celtic will continue with caretaker-coaches Lehlohonolo Seema and John Maduka on their bench after the blow of Luc Eymael being ordered back to previous club Polokwane City this week by the PSL’s dispute resolution committee.

Celtic and Eymael are considering an appeal.

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Sport24.co.za | Davids heaps praise on improved Kings

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2017-04-21 15:04

Cape Town – Kings coach Deon Davids says his side’s shock 26-24 win over the Waratahs on Friday was the result of hard work.

The Kings secured an unlikely victory with a dominant forwards display in Sydney, overturning a 17-0 deficit to earn their first win in Australia since their 2013 triumph over the Rebels in Melbourne. 

It is unlikely to save the Kings from being chopped from next year’s competition, but this group of players has shown serious improvement under Davids. 

The coach is always level-headed and calculated in his post-match press briefings, and Friday was no different as he addressed media after what was a memorable win.

“It’s been three long weeks but three enjoyable weeks,” he said calmly.

“We worked hard for this one and I’m just glad for the improvement and for the result.

“We have this approach on focusing on the things that we can control, so we just kept working on our own game.

“There is a great camaraderie among the players. They enjoy each other’s company and we enjoy being together as a group. We just focus on becoming better as a team and I think the boys deserve it.

“It wasn’t any issue of me motivating them too much to do their best, i think they just want to grow as individuals and that makes a huge difference.”

Davids also hoped that the Waratahs win would go some way towards proving that the Eastern Cape and Port Elizabeth were areas that could provide talented rugby players.

“For us it’s about showing that there is a lot of talent in the Eastern Cape. It’s about having this opportunity and playing at this level consistently with the right structures and support, that talent will eventually come through,” said Davids.

“I can give accolades to the players for improving in such a short space of time and for believing in their ability.

“It is a huge testament to the type of players that come from the region and what they would be able to do if given a proper opportunity.”

Steve weathers the storm

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Steve weathers the storm

Njabulo Ngidi | 2017-04-20 07:58:54.0

STILL GOING: Steve Komphela during a match between Chiefs and Sundowns.
Image by: SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX

The chorus of detractors who told those supporting him that he had no clue about what he was doing motivated Steve Komphela to weather the storm at Kaizer Chiefs.

Amakhosi are finally in calmer waters under the coach who was doubted before he took charge of his first match, inheriting a team that had won the Absa Premiership title in style.

The Soweto giants were more chumps than champs in Komphela’s first season, which resulted in fans calling for him to be fired.

He survived and, this season, Chiefs are gunning for the Nedbank Cup and are in the league race with Cape Town City, Bidvest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns and Supersport United.

“There are a lot of good and bad voices out there,” Komphela said.

“Many people could be coaching Chiefs. The fact that it’s only you coaching Chiefs .don’t expect them to understand what you are going through.

“It is only you who is in that position.”

Chiefs’ biggest win under Komphela was beating Sundowns, their only win against any of the teams vying for the championship.

That went a long way to removing the criticism that the club lacked big-match temperament since Komphela took over.

They will want to replicate that display against Supersport on Saturday in the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup.

Komphela has already set some unwanted records at the club, from being the first to lose to Sundowns in a cup final to setting the club’s longest winless run.

“I strongly believe the greatest growth happens in discomfort,” Komphela said.

“If you are too comfortable, you are never going to grow. You need setbacks to get comebacks.”

– TMG Digital/TMG Sport