Category Archives: Sports News

Sport24.co.za | Farrell off the hook after controversial hit

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London – Owen Farrell is available to lead England against world champions New Zealand next weekend after it was announced he would face no disciplinary action for a controversial tackle in the closing seconds of a tense 12-11 win over South Africa.

WATCH: Owen Farrell ‘tackle’ – fair or foul?

Farrell had kicked an England side missing several senior players into a one-point lead with his third successful penalty seven minutes from time at Twickenham on Saturday.

But there was drama right at the end when, with 80 minutes on the clock, referee Angus Gardner consulted the television match official to see if flyhalf Farrell had committed an illegal ‘no-arms’ tackle on Springbok replacement Andre Esterhuizen.

The Australian official could have awarded South Africa a penalty which, had it gone over, would have seen the visitors snatch victory in the opening match of their European tour.

But Gardner, despite World Rugby’s current crackdown on dangerous play, eventually decided against penalising Farrell’s challenge, even though it appeared the England co-captain was leading with his shoulder.

Citing commissioner Keith Brown had 24 hours from Saturday’s final whistle to decide if the challenge had warranted a red card, a move that would have led to a disciplinary hearing.

But a World Rugby spokesperson told AFP via telephone on Sunday that England co-captain Farrell would not face disciplinary action.

Most pundits agreed that Farrell’s challenge was a yellow-card offence at worst, although plenty of observers felt Gardner should have awarded the Springboks a penalty at the very least.

“It’s hard to keep your arms round when someone’s running that hard but thankfully there was a bit of common sense,” Farrell told Sky Sports soon after full-time on Saturday.

Meanwhile England coach Eddie Jones was in sarcastic mood when asked during his post-match press conference about the possibility of being without Farrell for the November 10 clash against the All Blacks at Twickenham.

“You can get cited for something you did at a party when you were 15, anything could happen,” he said.

“I’ve got no idea what can happen,” added the Australian ahead of what will be England’s first match against New Zealand in four years.

Frustrated Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus was left to bemoan Farrell’s challenge, saying acidly: “If it was all legal – and I didn’t have a good look at the replay – we should start tackling like that.”

Sport24.co.za | Etzebeth’s tour could be over, admits Rassie

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London – South African star lock Eben Etzebeth may well not play again on the northern hemisphere tour, head coach Rassie Erasmus said on Saturday.

The 27-year-old limped off just two minutes into the second-half of the 12-11 Test loss to England at Twickenham with what Erasmus believes is an ankle injury.

Erasmus said he was definitely a non-starter for next weekend’s clash with France and was not optimistic about the remainder of the tour for the 74-times capped second rower, who has had a frustrating year with injury having missed the entire Super Rugby season with a shoulder problem.

“Eben looks pretty bad,” said Erasmus at the post match press conference.

“He is out definitely for next week and maybe the tour.

“The way he is walking doesn’t look great, it looks like an ankle and will be a while before he is playing again.”

The Springboks, who finished an encouraging second in Erasmus’ first Rugby Championship in charge, play Scotland and then Wales after meeting France in Paris.

Sport24.co.za | 2 Boks nominated for World Rugby Player of the Year

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Cape Town – Two Springboks have been nominated for the prestigious 2018 World Rugby Player of the Year award.

Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and hooker Malcolm Marx are two of five nominees for this year’s award. 

The other are Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane (both New Zealand) and Ireland’s Johnny Sexton. 

The winner will be known at the World Rugby Awards at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo on November 25.

De Klerk, who plays his rugby out Sale Sharks in England, has had a resurgent year in Springbok colours and has been at the heart of the South African revival under coach Rassie Erasmus. 

Marx, meanwhile, is considered one of the best hookers in world rugby today with his ability to make turnovers a highlight of his game. 

The shortlist was finalised by the World Rugby Awards panel which comprises Rugby World Cup winners Richie McCaw, John Smit, George Gregan, Maggie Alphonsi and former England coach Clive Woodward alongside Brian O’Driscoll, Fabien Galthié and Agustín Pichot.

WORLD RUGBY MEN’S XVS PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:

BEAUDEN BARRETT (NEW ZEALAND)

The 27-year-old could become the first player to win the prestigious accolade three years in a row after another impressive season in the All Blacks No 10 jersey. Barrett has scored seven tries in his eight Tests in 2018, six of them in the Bledisloe Cup series against Australia, including a record four amid a 30-point haul at Eden Park. The attack-minded flyhalf, who is equally at home at fullback, has continued to torment defences with his instinctive play this year, helping New Zealand win the series with France and defend the Rugby Championship title.

FAF DE KLERK (SOUTH AFRICA) 

The scrumhalf returned to the Springbok jersey after missing the 2017 Test season and quickly made himself indispensable to new coach Rassie Erasmus, showing why rugby is a sport for all with his ferocious defence and fearless play despite his small stature. The 27-year-old played virtually every minute of South Africa’s Rugby Championship campaign, scoring tries against Argentina and Australia and proving a constant thorn in the side of his opposite numbers across his nine starts.

RIEKO IOANE (NEW ZEALAND)

Ioane, the youngest of the nominees at only 21, is shortlisted for the second year in a row, having also been named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2017. The All Blacks wing is the top tryscorer in Test rugby in 2018, crossing for 11 tries in his eight starts to take his career tally to an impressive 22 tries in 21 Tests. Blessed with quick feet and power, Ioane’s quick acceleration means he doesn’t need much space to go around – or through – defenders.

MALCOLM MARX (SOUTH AFRICA) 

South Africa’s dynamic ball-carrying hooker has played the fewest tests of the nominees with only six, having missed the Wales Test and series win over England in June through injury. With five starts and a try in the win over New Zealand in Wellington, the 24-year-old has picked up where he left off in 2017, combining athleticism, power, pace and a wide skill-set in attack with the breakdown skills to turnover many a ball for South Africa.

JOHNNY SEXTON (IRELAND)

The oldest of the nominees at 33, Sexton has been at the heart of Ireland’s climb to second in the World Rugby Rankings on the back off a Six Nations Grand Slam and first series win in Australia for 39 years. The veteran flyhalf, a calming presence in the Irish backline, began the year by kicking a last-minute drop goal to secure victory over France and has started seven of his eight tests, coming off the bench in Ireland’s only loss to date.

Previous World Rugby men’s XVs Player of the Year Award winners:

2017 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
2016 – Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
2015 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2014 – Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
2013 – Kieran Read (New Zealand)
2012 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2011 – Thierry Dusautoir (France)
2010 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2009 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2008 – Shane Williams (Wales)
2007 – Bryan Habana (South Africa)
2006 – Richie McCaw (New Zealand)
2005 – Dan Carter (New Zealand)
2004 – Schalk Burger (South Africa)
2003 – Jonny Wilkinson (England)
2002 – Fabien Galthié (France)
2001 – Keith Wood (Ireland)

Sport24.co.za | Mitchell still dealing with after-effects of Joburg break-in

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Cape Town – England defence coach John Mitchell says a traumatic episode in South Africa in 2010 has helped shape him into the person he is today.

Mitchell spoke to England Rugby’s official website ahead of Saturday’s Test between England and South Africa at Twickenham when he recalled the horrific incident while he was coaching the Lions.

A break-in at his home in Johannesburg resulted in him being stabbed twice and tied up.

“It was a hell of a shock to the system,” says Mitchell, who was woken by two intruders. “It was basically fight or flight. I was like ’man, I’m in trouble here. I could possibly lose my life’.

“Out of that came a fighting attitude. I thought, ’I’m not ready to give in yet’, though nor was I equipped with the tools to deal with the situation. I was very, very lucky.”

Mitchell is still dealing with the after-effects.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve entirely got my deep sleep back. I’m always aware of noises. Believe me, it put life into perspective very quickly.”

The former All Blacks coach added that the incident was en eye-opener.

“You know how life works… There’s maybe one or two things you’re not too happy with. Then you go through something like that. 

“It sharpened me up big time and allowed me to make some critical decisions in my life on what I wanted to achieve and how I wanted to go about it.

“I’d fallen into the outcome bubble. After New Zealand’s exit from the 2003 World Cup I was very hard on myself. I’d lost perspective because I was wanting to prove a point.”

After leaving the Lions in 2012, Mitchell spent time as English club Sale Sharks’ director of rugby, before returning to South Africa to coach the University of KwaZulu-Natal for two seasons (2013-2014).

Mitchell became United States head coach in 2017, before joining the Bulls last year as their executive of rugby.

His tenure at the Bulls ended premature when England came calling.

“I said I was never again going to allow winning, losing or drawing to determine who I am. I like to think I’ve stayed true to that.”

Sport24.co.za | Vermeulen: Twickenham battle will be huge

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Cape Town – Springbok loose forward Duane Vermeulen said he is excited to be back in the Springbok set-up and spoke of the anticipation that is building in the South African camp in the build-up to Saturday’s big match against England in London.

READ: Jones drops England bombshell with Brown axing

A packed Twickenham is expected for the Boks’ first match of the Outgoing Tour of the United Kingdom and France.

After playing a pivotal role in the Springboks’ 2-1 home series victory in June over England, the experienced Vermeulen missed the Rugby Championship, where the South Africans finished as runners-up to New Zealand after two epic battles against the All Blacks.

“I am really excited to be back and it’s always so special to be part of the Springboks,” said Vermeulen.

“If I do get the opportunity to play on Saturday, I am looking forward to getting stuck in.”

Saturday’s Twickenham showdown will be the fourth international meeting this year between the two teams, with the South Africans expecting a huge challenge from England in front of their home fans.

Looking back at the last meeting between the two sides, which saw England overcome the Springboks in Cape Town, Vermeulen said: “I think the weather played a big part of that match. It’s the type of conditions England are used to, so it’s going to be a bit different for us, to play up here in the north away from the harder fields and dry conditions.

“We realise it will be a huge contest on Saturday and if you don’t win your set-piece, you’re going to struggle at Twickenham,” cautioned Vermeulen.

Meanwhile, the Springboks continued with their preparations on Tuesday afternoon. The match 23 to face England on Saturday will be named on Thursday.

Saturday’s match kicks off at 17:00 (SA time).

Sport24.co.za | Many challenges for poor travellers Springboks in Europe

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Johannesburg – Improving away form, finding an alternative scrumhalf and picking more black starters are among the challenges facing South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus on their November tour of Europe.

The Springboks, who have won five Tests and lost five this season, face England, France, Scotland and Wales on consecutive Saturdays from November 3.

South Africa have fared poorly in Europe since finishing third behind champions New Zealand and Australia at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, winning just two of seven Tests.

Among the five defeats spanning two visits was a thrashing from Ireland in Dublin and a humiliating first loss to Italy as they fell in Florence.

Last month, the Springboks achieved the seemingly impossible by defeating the virtually invincible All Blacks in Wellington – their first win in New Zealand since 2009.

But that totally unexpected triumph came after away losses to Wales, Argentina and Australia, with the disappointment of the results exacerbated by poor performances.

The Springboks have often battled in Europe because they struggle to adapt to alien tactics, heavy pitches, torrential rain, biting cold and partisan crowds.

They also struggle to solve problems set by teams there, like high kicks, with Ireland continually exploiting that South African weakness in Dublin last year.

“This tour to the northern hemisphere will be another test of the character of our team,” said Erasmus, a former Springbok flank who succeeded sacked Allister Coetzee this year.

“We are looking forward to facing the challenges posed by England, France, Scotland and Wales.”

The coach has been criticised for relying too heavily on some players, notably scrumhalf Faf de Klerk from English Premiership club Sale Sharks.

The blonde halfback has played in nine consecutive Tests, starting with the dramatic triumph over England in Johannesburg, but is unavailable for the November tour.

Not only has De Klerk played, but Erasmus has been reluctant to substitute him until late in matches if at all, leaving replacements with little Test experience.

“I think it would be frustrating for any player if they are not getting a lot of opportunities to play,” admitted sometimes replacement scrumhalf Embrose Papier.

Although often the second choice behind Ivan van Zyl at the Blue Bulls, Papier could be first in the Springboks queue ahead of Van Zyl and Sharks captain Louis Schreuder.

South Africans long for a situation similar to that enjoyed by New Zealand, who have world-class performers Aaron Smith and TJ Perenara vying for the No 9 jersey.

When Erasmus succeeded Coetzee, dumped after his teams conceded 57 points in successive matches against the All Blacks, he acknowledged the importance of racial transformation.

But after selecting up to seven black starters early in the season, only three were in the run-on teams that won and lost against New Zealand recently.

Injuries have not helped with prop Trevor Nyakane part of the 36-man squad for Europe having missed the 10 previous Tests this year due to injury.

Legendary prop Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira was not on the weekend flight to London, though, nor was promising centre Lukhanyo Am as both are injured.

Despite an agreement between SA Rugby and the government that half the 2019 Rugby World Cup team in Japan must be black, Erasmus is picking 80 percent white run-on sides.

“My target this year is that 45 percent of the players I select over this season must be black,” he said soon after his appointment.

But in 10 Tests, the coach has picked 57 run-on blacks when his target was at least 70, and only four black forwards are among the 20 chosen to tour Europe.

Twenty three white players were picked – 64 percent of the squad – which is sure to upset a government that wants the Springboks to better reflect a 92 percent black population.

For most of the apartheid era, blacks were barred from representing South Africa and forced to play in racially segregated competitions.

Sport24.co.za | Reviews into Australia cricket ‘confronting’: Taylor

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Sydney – Two reviews into the state of Australian cricket sparked by the ball-tampering scandal are “confronting”, Cricket Australia board member Mark Taylor warned Sunday ahead of their release.

One is focused on the culture within the sport’s governing body and the other into the national team.

They are due to be made public on Monday, six months after CA commissioned them following the cheating furore in Cape Town this year.

Taylor said there were 41 recommendations.

“I have seen the review. It will be hard-hitting, confronting for CA and for anyone who loves the game of cricket,” the former Test skipper told Channel Nine.

“Everything is on the table.”

The scandal involved Australian players using sandpaper to alter the flight of the ball in a Test match against South Africa last March.

Coach Darren Lehmann quit in the wake of the uproar and then-captain Steve Smith, deputy David Warner and batsman Cameron Bancroft were banned from the game.

The backlash rocked Australian cricket to its core, undermining the long-held notion that its players were “tough but fair”.

Critics blamed a win-at-all-costs mentality that they said developed under CA chief executive James Sutherland and his management team.

CA previously denied the charge but set up the two separate inquiries to examine how the scandal occurred.

“All of us have had too much negativity around the game,” said Taylor. “Tomorrow is the opportunity to get it out there.

“There is no doubt there is a mandate, as I would look at it, in these reviews for CA to make some change, to get better at what we do, and also, most importantly, to get on with how we do business with people.

“And we have got to get that better. No doubt about that. I have said that before.”

Sutherland, who departed last week after 17 years in charge, said lessons had been learned from the overwhelming public disgust over the issue.

“It’s a reminder to everyone as to how important cricket is… and the pedestal on which the Australian cricket team is held and the expectations that come with being an Australian cricketer,” he said.

Sport24.co.za | Aussie Warner walks off mid-innings after sledge

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Sydney – Disgraced Australian opener David Warner walked off the field mid-innings after being sledged during a Sydney grade game on Saturday, reports said.

The former Test vice-captain, who is serving a 12-month ban from international and state cricket for his role in a ball-tampering scandal, was batting for his club Randwick-Petersham at the time.

He had moved into the 30s when the incident unfolded, news.com.au reported.

The left-hander was apparently not happy with a jibe from an opposition player and told an umpire he was removing himself from the game.

The nature of the sledge was not known.

According to reports, a number of his teammates talked him into returning and he agreed after several minutes, going on to smash a century.

The drama lit up social media, with many not happy at Warner’s reaction.

“Again, it is all about him,” said one Twitter comment. “Umpires are there to deal with on field incidents, but not David ME ME ME Warner.”

But the polarising figure also won support, with one fan calling for his immediate reinstatement to the struggling Australian team.

“David Warner has scored another century today 100 not out. Cricket Australia reinstate the legend,” tweeted Dan Stapleton.

Warner, along with Steve Smith, was sent home in disgrace and banned over the tampering scandal during the third Test in South Africa in March.

He was blamed as the instigator of the incident in which Cameron Bancroft attempted to alter the ball with a piece of yellow sandpaper.

Sport24.co.za | $9 million Woods-Mickelson match a costly pay-for-view

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Los Angeles – The Tiger Woods-Phil Mickelson $9 million made-for-TV match set for November 23 will carry a pay-per-view price tag of $19.99.

Turner Sports announced the suggested retail price on Thursday, along with a start time of 15:00 Eastern Time (20:00 GMT).

The golf icons are set to tee it up at Shadow Creek in Las Vegas on the Friday after the US Thanksgiving holiday.

The event at the exclusive course owned by MGM Resorts International, is not expected to be open to the public.

It has been billed as a “winner-take-all showdown” with the winner making $9 million.

Either player will be able to boost the pot with side bets along the way and that money will go to charity.

A head to head meeting between the two Americans – whose sometimes frosty relationship has mellowed in recent years – has long been mooted. Between them they own 19 major titles and both ended five-year victory droughts with titles this year.

However, both also endured Ryder Cup disappointment in September, combining to go 0-6 as captain’s picks on the US team that lost to Europe in France.

Woods has not played competitively since then. Mickelson tied for 17th at the US PGA Tour’s Safeway Open a week after the Ryder Cup.

Sport24.co.za | Blitzboks in tough pool for season opener in Dubai

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Cape Town – The Springboks Sevens team will face neighbours Zimbabwe in their opening match of the 2018/19 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series, to be played at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai on November 30 and December 1.

The Blitzboks, who are looking for a third successive World Series title, will also face Samoa and Argentina in Pool A of the tournament.

Defending their crown in the Dubai Sevens will not be the only aim for coach Neil Powell and his team, but a good start will be imperative for their other goal in the 2019 campaign, to qualify for the Olympic Games in Japan in 2020.

South Africa won bronze at the inaugural Rugby Sevens event in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

“We have set ourselves a number of goals, with the Olympic qualification the obvious one,” said Powell after the draw was announced in London on Wednesday.

“But we are also defending our title in Dubai and in the World Series and those are two trophies we would not mind winning again.”

South Africa are the first seeds for the opening tournament.

“We have seen the gap between teams disappearing to almost nothing, so every game in every tournament will demand a very good effort from us. We have done well in Dubai over the years, but that will count for nothing,” said Powell.

“Zimbabwe will be very competitive, having won the Rugby Africa Sevens tournament recently, Samoa beat us last time we played them, and Argentina are one of the most difficult teams to play again because of their skill and physicality.

“So we have a lot to do when we start with the final phase of our preparations on Monday, but at least we now know what we are preparing for. It is exciting times for all of us.”

The pools for the Dubai tournament are:

A: South Africa, Argentina, Samoa, Zimbabwe

B: Fiji, Kenya, Scotland, France

C: New Zealand, USA, Spain, Wales

D: Australia, England, Canada, Japan