Category Archives: Sports News

Sport24.co.za | Shaw own goal hands Barca control of Man United tie

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Shaw turned Luis Suarez’s header into his own net after just 12 minutes and despite being far from their best, Barca comfortably held out to edge towards a first Champions League semi-final in four years.

United produced one of the European Cup’s finest ever comebacks from a 2-0 first-leg defeat at home to Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.

However, on the ground where manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer completed another famous fightback to win the competition as a player in 1999, United must repeat the trick at the Camp Nou in six days’ time.

Much has been made of Suarez’s Champions League goal drought on the road and while the Uruguayan has still not officially netted an away goal in the competition since September 2015, he had a huge hand in Barca’s winner.

Lionel Messi drifted in behind the United defence and his cross hung up to the back post was headed goalwards by Suarez, the ball flicking off Shaw on its way past David de Gea.

An errant offside flag briefly threatened to spoil Suarez’s delight. However, the goal was quickly given on a VAR review and the former Liverpool striker took extra glee at having the last laugh with a fist pump in front of the Stretford End.

The early goal should have settled the Spanish champions into their stride as their dominance of possession touched close to 90 percent in the opening stages.

Yet, they offered United plenty of encouragement with Sergio Busquets in particular off the pace.

Marcus Rashford shrugged off an ankle injury to start and provided by a distance United’s biggest threat.

A free-kick from the England international flew just wide inside the first five minutes and he sent another dipping effort from range just over Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s crossbar.

United defender Chris Smalling had said “bring it on” at the prospect of facing Messi on the eve of the game.

And he left the Argentine bloodied from the nose as he careered into an aerial challenge on the half-hour mark.

Messi was quickly back on his feet and into the heart of the action, but it was Philippe Coutinho who came closest to extending Barca’s advantage before the break with a thunderous low shot that De Gea did brilliantly to repel with his feet.

Moments later United could easily have been on level terms, but the hosts’ best chance of the half fell to the wrong man as Rashford picked out Diogo Dalot only for the Portuguese to completely miscue his header across goal.

Rashford, though, also failed to make proper contact with his big chance early in the second-half when Ter Stegen could only punch a cross into his path.

United enjoyed the better of the opening stages in the second half, but lacked a creative spark to open Barca up with Paul Pogba too often picking the sideways pass rather than looking to thread the eye of a needle towards Rashford and the ineffective Romelu Lukaku.

Barca boss Ernesto Valverde reacted by introducing midfielders Sergi Roberto and Arturo Vidal from the bench in order to restore to control.

And as United chased in vain for an equaliser, the visitors began to create chances again in the final quarter.

Suarez fired into the side-netting before De Gea used his feet to good effect once more to deny Jordi Alba.

Anthony Martial had one final big opportunity to send United to Catalonia next week on level terms, but a heavy touch allowed the faultless Gerard Pique to intervene and condemn the Red Devils to a fourth defeat in their last six home Champions League games.

Sport24.co.za | CSA’s domestic restructure could see up to 70 players cut – SACA

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Cape Town – The South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) has responded to Cricket South Africa’s (CSA’s) announcement over the weekend on austerity plans and the restructuring of domestic cricket into 12 teams.

“SACA has formally written to CSA twice in the last six weeks to express its concerns relating to CSA’s financial position,” said SACA’s President, Omphile Ramela. 

“To date we haven’t received any reply at all to those letters. It is critical for us as the players association and the representative of all of South Africa’s professional cricketers to know the extent of the financial challenge facing cricket and to be comfortable on how that challenge is being dealt with. The players’ livelihoods depend on cricket’s financial sustainability but this is not only about the players. It is also about the future of the entire game in our country.” 

SACA’s chief executive, Tony Irish, said: “A four year deficit amounting to hundreds of millions of rands is unprecedented in South African cricket and is a serious concern to us as the representative of the players. The future of the game is in the balance and as a critical stakeholder we believe the players have a right to know what the financial position actually is, how it is being dealt with and how this is going to affect not only them but also all other cricket stakeholders. We have asked CSA for clarity and to date it has not provided this. SACA wishes to act responsibly and play its part in dealing with the challenge but in order to do that CSA must play open cards with us and properly engage with us.” 

“CSA has instead gone ahead with the announcement of a restructure of domestic cricket, to effectively merge the franchise and provincial systems, as part of its austerity plan, without any meaningful consultation with SACA and despite the fact that this will directly affect the players. This restructure, announced as part of cost saving measures, is likely to lead to at least 70 players losing their contracts and many other players at franchise level having their earnings reduced. The ‘human impact’ of this is significant.  SACA has a collective agreement in place with CSA, franchises and provinces, known as the MOU, which deals with these issues yet CSA has, in announcing this structure, disregarded that agreement.”

“There are also many important cricket implications in making any change of this nature. These include things like competition structures across the cricket formats, maintaining competitive balance between teams and ensuring that any new structure promotes the retention of our players for Proteas selection. These have not been properly discussed with us either.” 

“As a first step to resolve this situation we urge CSA to respond to us on the concerns which we have raised in writing with it” concluded Irish.

Sport24.co.za | Skipperless Stormers set for major depth test in Melbourne

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2019-04-08 12:29

Lloyd Burnard – Sport24

Cape Town – The Stormers, with just one losing bonus point from the three matches they have played on their Australasian tour, are facing a mini-crisis ahead of their clash against the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday. 

It’s been a tour from hell for coach Robbie Fleck and his men, and the news over the weekend that skipper Siya Kolisi (rested), lock Chris van Zyl (back injury) and utility back SP Marais (hip injury) would all be returning to South Africa was the latest killer blow. 

It takes the total number of players that have headed home mid-tour to seven. 

More significant is the calibre of players lost. 

Eben Etzebeth (calf) and Pieter-Steph du Toit (birth of his child) left after the 24-9 loss to the Blues two weekends ago, while JD Schickerling and Dan du Plessis were also injured at different stages of the trip. 

In Kolisi, Etzebeth, Du Toit and Van Zyl, the Stormers lost four of the main leadership figures in their camp. 

It makes Friday’s assignment against the high-flying Rebels all the more daunting, and by Monday morning the Stormers were not prepared to publicly announce Kolisi’s replacement as skipper.

Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi and Damian de Allende are all possible options. 

Captaincy aside, the Stormers need to front up as they look to end their tour on a positive note, but will do so without several of their most dangerous weapons. 

It is obviously a test of character and depth, but assistant coach Paul Feeney believes there is enough maturity left in the camp. 

“We’ve still got experience, depending on who is starting,” he told media from Australia on Monday.

“In the front row we’ve got Steven Kitshoff, Bongi (Mbonambi) and Frans (Malherbe) and there is a lot of experience there.

“Obviously through the locks and the loosies we will be lacking some experience, but up front there are still some good leaders.

“In the backs we have Damian de Allende and Jean-Luc (Du Plessis) has a very good brain on him as well.

“Dillyn Leyds has captained previously at Currie Cup level, so we do have some experienced scattered around some of these young players that are coming through.”

It may seem that there is nothing left to lose for the Stormers, but because of how tight the South African Conference has proved to be in 2019, Friday’s game is massive. 

A win would leave the Capetonians with four wins from eight and well-placed in the Conference considering that they would be the only South African side to have completed their Australasian tour. 

The most significant test of depth will come at lock where Van Zyl, Etzebeth, Schickerling and Du Toit are all out.

“They are our first four lineout callers, so it makes life difficult. We can only use who we’ve got at the moment,” Feeney explained.

“We’ll just look at what we think is best for the group at the moment and get on with it.”

Ernst van Rhyn, Salmaan Moerat and Cobus Wiese are the players in line for positions in the second row. 

“We’ve had seven players go home, which is a hell of a lot. You might expect two or three to go home, but seven is a lot and there has been a lot of experience too,” Feeney added.

“We haven’t got some of our big names up front, but the boys that are there need to step up. We’re disappointed to lose guys of that standard, but it gives somebody else an opportunity.”

The Stormers’ team will be named on Tuesday and Friday’s match kicks off at 11:45 (SA time). 

Sport24.co.za | Blitzboks crash out of Hong Kong Sevens after QF loss

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Cape Town – The Blitzboks have crashed out of the Hong Kong Sevens after losing to Seven World Series leaders, the United States 21-12 in a quarter-final encounter.

South Africa were on the board early thanks to a try in the second minute through Impi Visser with Selvyn Davids adding the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

The United States hit back through a converted try by Carlin Isles as the teams were deadlocked 7-7 at half-time.

Visser and Isles then scored shortly after half-time with Madison Hughes adding a conversion for the United States to give them a 14-12 lead.

Poor discipline at the breakdown kept the Blitzboks on the back foot for most of the second stanza and a Ben Pinkelman try, converted by Hughes, pushed the score out to 21-12 in favour of the United States.

And that’s the way it ended with the United States set to play Fiji in the semi-final of the competition and the Blitzboks to face Argentina in the 5th place play-off.

Sport24.co.za | Liverpool leave it late again to beat Southampton

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However, Naby Keita’s first goal for the club brought the visitors level before Salah and Henderson’s strikes took Liverpool two points clear of Manchester City, who still have a game in hand.

The league leaders also needed late goals to beat Fulham and Tottenham in their last two games, but they refuse to give up the chase of a City side eyeing history with a quadruple of trophies.

Southampton started the evening just five points above the relegation zone at the other end of the table, but had won their past two games as part of a general upturn in form since Ralph Hasenhuttl took charge in December.

And the hosts looked more like the side going for the title in the early stages as they went in front on nine minutes.

Ryan Bertrand’s cross picked out the run of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg into the box and his flick-on looped over Andy Robertson for Long to control and score just his fourth goal in his last 50 Premier League appearances.

That was also the Irishman’s 50th Premier League goal and he should have had 51 shortly after when he failed to connect with another dangerous Bertrand cross and Virgil van Dijk nearly turned the ball into his own net against his old club.

Keita has failed to live up to expectations since his £53 million move from RB Leipzig last summer, but the Senegalese could hardly have picked a better moment to score his first goal for the club nine minutes before the break.

Southampton were left angry that Salah was not flagged offside in the build-up, but the ball eventually fell for Trent Alexander-Arnold and his in-swinging cross was met too powerfully with his head by Keita for Gunn to keep out.

Liverpool had far more control of the game after the break, but had to wait until 10 minutes from time for the crucial goal and it came on the counter-attack from a Southampton corner.

Salah latched onto Henderson’s headed pass and ran from inside his own half before curling in his first goal in nine games from just outside the box.

Henderson had been left on the bench from the start by Klopp, but the Liverpool captain made his presence felt as a substitute as he then burst into the box to finish off Roberto Firmino’s low cross to seal a vital three points.

Sport24.co.za | Southern Kings in historic partnership with French club

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Cape Town – The Southern Kings have agreed on a memorandum of understanding with French club, Toulon, in a move that will see a close working relationship between the two sides.

Southern Kings’ Deputy Chairman, Rory Stear, and Chief Operations Officer, Charl Crous, travelled to France this week where they met Toulon President, Mourad Boudjellal, to conclude an agreement which will see an immediate close working relationship between the South African franchise and French club.

The ground-breaking partnership with a globally iconic club that has been crowned European champions no less than three times, further illustrates the ambitious intent of the Kings’ new owners, the GRC, to turn the Port Elizabeth-based franchise into a force to be reckoned with globally.

Part of the memorandum of understanding between the two teams includes:

  • An exchange programme between the coaching staff of both teams,
  • The sharing of player resources,
  • Commercial opportunities,
  • Youth development through both teams’ rugby academies, and
  • Fixtures between the two sides.
  • Sharing of resources between the two sides,
  • “This is an amazing opportunity for the Southern Kings to twin with a renowned club such as Toulon – an iconic club in the world,” said Deputy Chairman, Rory Stear, said.

  • “Toulon is a club that has had a good South African link with great Springboks like Bryan Habana, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Juandre Kruger, Jacques Potgieter and Marcel van der Merwe playing for them. While other world greats like Johnny Wilkinson and currently Julian Sevea playing for them.

    “This is an exciting partnership that will see us ensure that we are on track with our determination to make the Southern Kings a world force, just like Toulon.

    “We are excited and looking forward to a long and fruitful relationship with Toulon,” concluded Stear.

Sport24.co.za | Chiliboy’s B-sample confirms presence of banned substance

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2019-04-03 11:54

Cape Town – The B-sample result of Sharks hooker, Chiliboy Ralepelle, has confirmed the presence of the banned substance, Zeranol. 

Zeranol is a synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen of the resorcylic acid lactone group related to mycoestrogens found in fungi in the Fusarium genus and is used mainly as an anabolic agent in veterinary medicine.

In an email on Wednesday, South African Institute for Drug Free Sport (SAIDS) CEO Khalid Galant confirmed the process an athlete tested for a banned substance goes through, as well as the options now available to Ralepelle.

During the sample collection process, the athlete divides his sample into an A-sample container (60ml) and a B-sample container (30ml) and seals both containers.

The B-sample container therefore contains the same urine as the A-sample container.

Upon receipt of the athlete’s A and B-samples at the laboratory, only the A-sample’s seal is broken and the sample is then analysed for banned substances. 

When the presence of a banned substance is identified in the A-sample, the athlete is notified and has the option to accept the result or have the B-sample analysed to confirm or invalidate the A-sample result. 

Ralepelle exercised his right to have his B-sample analysed.

The legal representative of the athlete has been informed of the test result. 

Ralepelle now has the option of accepting the result and offering a guilty plea, where after a reasoned decision will be issued explaining the doping sanction. 

Ralepelle may also submit a plea for consideration of a reduced sanction by providing mitigating circumstances. 

Should Ralepelle opt to contest the sample result, a hearing of an independent tribunal panel will be convened to adjudicate over the proceeding and hand down a decision.

SAIDS is only able to further comment on this case after a final decision is rendered. All doping decisions are disclosed within 21 days of that decision.

This is not the first occasion that Ralepelle, 32, has faced a doping enquiry.

The 25-Test Springbok has had two previous run-ins with illegal substances and was given a two-year ban in 2014 having tested positive for Drostanolone while at French club Toulouse. 

The other incident came in 2010 when, along with team-mate Bjorn Basson, Ralepelle was sent home from the Springboks’ end-of-year tour after traces of the banned substance Methylhexanamine were found in his system. 

Both players were proved innocent, though, with SA Rugby having been at fault for providing them with the wrong supplements.

Sport24.co.za | Blitzbok young gun wants to leave own footprint

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Cape Town – He was due to make his Springbok Sevens debut at the Hong Kong Sevens a year ago, but an untimely ankle injury dashed Angelo Davids’ dream.

This time around, however, Davids is part of the Blitzboks team that will take to the hallowed turf of Hong Kong Stadium hoping to follow in the footsteps of idols such as Rosko Specman and Seabelo Senatla.

The 19-year-old winger was earmarked to play at the event in 2018, when Blitzbok coach Neil Powell and SA Rugby Sevens Academy Manager Marius Schoeman opted for a youthful squad to travel East, while the senior players stayed in Stellenbosch to prepare for the Commonwealth Games in Australia 10 days later.

The move worked brilliantly from a World Rugby Sevens Series point of view, as the young guns won bronze and the hearts of the crowd in Hong Kong, but an ankle injury left Davids watching the action on TV back in South Africa.

He recalls that disappointment, but also the joy when he was told last week he will be travelling to Hong Kong as a Blitzbok after all.

“I missed out and it hurt, but unfortunately I had an ankle injury and could not play – since then, I have been dreaming of my next opportunity,” Davids said after his first field session in Hong Kong.

Just as his injury served as an opportunity for someone else last year, Davids was named in the squad after Muller du Plessis pulled out a week ago due to a leg injury, and for the former Stellenberg High School star, it came as a bit of a shock.

“I did not quite expect the call-up to Hong Kong, especially since the guys did so well in Vancouver,” Davids explained.

“It is never nice to cover for an injury, but these things happen in rugby.”

He has been with the squad long enough know to know what is expected, but he still plans to keep a close eye on Blitzboks captain, Siviwe Soyizwapi, this week. He is likely to replace the skipper on the wing to earn his debut.

Davids admits that he has learned a lot from former Blitzboks, Seabelo Senatla and Rosko Specman.

“If I can contribute the way they did, with their speed and feet, I will be very happy,” he said.

“In the end though, I need to be Angelo Davids, not a copy of someone else. I am very keen to go out and contribute.”

For stalwart Werner Kok, playing in Hong Kong will also be an interesting challenge this time around after being moved to the forwards – a new responsibility he is embracing.

“I have played as a forward occasionally, but this will be a nice, new challenge,” Kok said.

“I am comfortable with some of the tasks, but jumping in the lineout is new to me. It went well in training last week, but the challenge will be in the actual matches.” Kok may have played 218 matches for the Blitzboks, but there will be some nervous excitement this weekend.

“It is a new role for me and I am keen to try it. Being here and being part of the squad is motivation enough to always give your best,” said Kok, who was named Player of the Tournament the last time he visited Hong Kong, in 2017.

“We are going through some system changes as a squad and everyone is excited about it. The future of Springbok Sevens look bright.”

Blitzboks squad for Hong Kong:

1. Ryan Oosthuizen (13 tournaments, 61 matches, 65 points, 13 tries)

2. Sako Makata (2 tournaments, 9 matches, 0 points)

3. Impi Visser (6 tournaments, 35 matches, 20 points, four tries)

4. Zain Davids (18 tournaments, 88 matches, 60 points, 12 tries)

5. Werner Kok (43 tournaments, 218 matches, 485 points, 97 tries)

6. Kurt-Lee Arendse (one tournament, two matches, 0 points)

7. Branco du Preez (67 tournaments, 339 matches, 1120 points; 88 tries, 387 conversions, 1 penalty, 1 drop goal)

8. Selvyn Davids (11 tournaments, 53 matches, 237 points, 27 tries, 51 conversions)

9. Justin Geduld (42 tournaments; 217 matches, 904 points – 95 tries, 213 conversions, 1 penalty)

10. Stedman Gans (15 tournaments, 69 matches, 105 points, 21 tries)

11. Siviwe Soyizwapi (captain; 24 tournaments, 124 matches, 385 points, 77 tries)

12. Angelo Davids (on debut)

13. Chris Dry (66 tournaments; 331 matches, 465 points, 93 tries) – travelling reserve

The Springbok Sevens’ Pool A fixtures:

Friday, April 5:

12:06 v Japan

Saturday 6 April:

05:41 v Scotland

09:22 v Samoa

Sport24.co.za | Liverpool back on top as late own goal secures win

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Liverpool – Liverpool moved back top of the Premier League in dramatic fashion as Toby Alderweireld’s last minute own goal beat Tottenham 2-1 at Anfield on Sunday.

As it happened: Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur 

Liverpool’s hopes of ending a 29-year wait to win the title looked set to be dealt a massive blow as Lucas Moura’s strike 20 minutes from time cancelled out Roberto Firmino’s early opener.

However, Hugo Lloris could only palm Mohamed Salah’s header into the path of the unfortunate Alderweireld to condemn Tottenham to a fourth defeat in five Premier League games.

Spurs are now in serious danger of crashing out of the top four as they remain level on points with Manchester United and could be usurped by north London rivals Arsenal into third should the Gunners beat Newcastle on Monday.

And the visitors will be left to regret a huge missed chance by Moussa Sissoko five minutes from time when Liverpool were wobbling.

The hosts had got off to the perfect start when Firmino headed home the opener on 16 minutes from a delightful Andy Robertson cross.

That was Robertson’s 12th assist of the season from left-back and the Scotland captain was involved again in a flowing move moments later as he forged down the left and neat touches from Salah, and Georginio Wijnaldum teed up Sadio Mane to curl just wide.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino was serving the last of a two-game touchline ban and without the guiding hand of the Argentine, they lacked inspiration in the final third.

However, Liverpool were often causing their own problems by gifting away possession inside their own half and Dele Alli pounced on a slack pass by his England teammate Jordan Henderson to power a volley that dipped just over the bar with Spurs’ best effort of the first-half.

Virgil van Dijk had a great chance to double the hosts’ lead at the start of the second period, but the Dutch defender headed over after a well-worked short corner between Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Milner.

However, Liverpool were thankful again to Robertson at the other end as he made a vital block to prevent Christian Eriksen firing home the rebound after Alisson Becker was forced into his first save of the afternoon by Harry Kane.

When these two sides met at Anfield last season, Salah scored one his many goal of the season candidates amidst an incredible 44-goal campaign.

The Egyptian still has a respectable 20 this season, but only one of those has come in the last 11 games and he passed up a great chance to give Liverpool some badly needing breathing space when his shot was blocked by Alderweireld with Mane better placed and begging for a pass.

That missed opportunity looked costly as Tottenham struck back. Kane’s quick thinking and excellent long-range pass picked out Kieran Trippier, who fed Eriksen and his scuffed shot fell perfectly for Moura to turn home.

As Liverpool surged forward in search of a winner, Spurs could have picked them off as Sissoko blazed over with just Alisson to beat before Alli clipped a shot inches wide.

Instead, there was delirium in front of the Kop end as Lloris should have handled Salah’s header, but instead parried the ball into Alderweireld and the ball ricocheted over the line to breathe fresh life into Liverpool’s title challenge.

Sport24.co.za | Bulls edge Sharks in drama-filled SA derby

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2019-03-30 16:58

Cape Town –  The Bulls came out on top against the Sharks in a drama-filled South African Super Rugby derby at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.

As it happened: Sharks v Bulls

The Pretoria-side won 19-16 after leading 6-3 at half-time.

The Bulls could only manage a sole try thanks to Jesse Kriel, but it was skipper Handre Pollard’s boot which made the difference as he landed four penalties.

Meanwhile, the home side scored two tries in the match through Daniel du Preez and Andre Esterhuizen with Robert du Preez scoring two penalties.

However, the biggest talking point of the encounter came in the 57th minute with a double red card involving Bulls’ Schalk Britz and Sharks’ Akker van der Merwe.

The two hookers both saw red for throwing punches, which were connected with the head.

Next week the Sharks are up against the Lions in an all-South African derby at Ellis Park on Friday, April 5 (19:10) while the Bulls travel to Argentina to face the Jaguares away (Saturday, April 6 – 15:05 SA time).

Scorers:

Sharks

Tries: Daniel du Preez, Andre Esterhuizen

Penalties: Robert du Preez (2)

Bulls

Try: Jesse Kriel

Penalties: Handre Pollard (4)

Teams:

Sharks

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Lwazi Mvovo, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder (captain), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Luke Stringer, 5 Hyron Andrews, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Tendai Mtawarira 

Substitutes: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Khutha Mchunu, 19 Gideon Koegelenberg, 20 Philip van der Walt, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Kobus van Wyk, 23 Curwin Bosch 

Bulls

15 Divan Rossouw, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Burger Odendaal, 11 Rosko Specman, 10 Handre Pollard (captain), 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Hanro Liebenberg, 6 Ruan Steenkamp, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Jason Jenkins, 3 Trevor Nyakane, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Lizo Gqoboka

Substitutes: 16 Corniel Els, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Conrad van Vuuren, 19 Jannes Kirsten, 20 Tim Agaba, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Johnny Kotze