Category Archives: Sports News

Sport24.co.za | Olivier’s ‘incredible effort’ impresses Faf

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Cape Town – Proteas captain Faf du Plessis was impressed with the way Duanne Olivier bowled in the second innings of the second Test against Bangladesh in Bloemfontein.

Olivier, playing in only his fifth Test, bowled 10 overs unchanged at the start of the day on Sunday and troubled the tourists’ batsmen with his hostile pace and bounce.

Olivier’s spell set the tone for the Proteas as they ran through the Tigers’ batting order to dismiss them for 172 and wrap up an innings and 254-run win inside three days.

Although he only had one wicket to show for his efforts – with Kagiso Rabada taking 10 in the match – Du Plessis hailed the Bloemfontein local.

“You want to see improvement from young bowlers and you want to see that they can learn at the highest level,” said Du Plessis.

“The way he (Olivier) bowled today (on Sunday) was a fantastic bowling effort and I said that if you bowl 10 overs on the trot of short ball work, it takes an incredible effort.

“So I have take my hat off to him, he was our best bowler for the day. Obviously KG’s (Rabada) skill you can’t compare to any of our bowlers.”

The 25-year-old Olivier, who has taken 17 wickets in his five Tests, was selected as replacement for the injured Vernon Philander, Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn.

“What we needed from a bowling attack, we wanted to be ruthless, aggressive and make it uncomfortable for Bangladesh and he (Olivier) led us in that aspect. I’m very proud to see that he can make those improvements,” added Du Plessis.

Du Plessis said it was important for the Proteas to create depth in the seam bowling department and that the younger players have the quality to step up when they are needed.

“These guys that played the last two Test matches will be looked at for the future so it’s important for them to see that there is some work to do, but they have the quality,” said Du Plessis.

Sport24.co.za | Boks showed what a good side they are – Hansen

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Cape Town – New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said South Africa could be very proud of their performance after the All Blacks scraped a 25-24 Rugby Championship victory in Cape Town on Saturday.

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READ: De Allende, Sopoaga still ‘mates’ after ugly hit

READ: Etzebeth praises Springboks coaching staff

While the All Blacks made it six wins in a row against the Springboks, the home team emphatically shook off the horrors of their 57-0 loss to the All Blacks in their last meeting, three weeks ago in Auckland.

“South Africa can be very proud of that performance and it showed what a good rugby side they are.

“Our side showed tremendous courage and character and had to make a lot of tackles.

“I tried to tell anyone who would listen that Auckland was a ridiculous score that did not reflect how tough the game was.

“Obviously I’m pleased any time we win — it’s easier on the ticker when you win 57-0 — but it gives you greater pleasure when it’s a real contest, and both sides played well tonight,” Hansen told a media conference.

As the All Blacks prepare for the next World Cup in 2019, at which they will be aiming for an unprecedented hat-trick of titles, Hansen said he was pleased some of his younger players had been exposed to a high-quality, high-pressure international.

“To see youngsters like David Havili and Damian McKenzie combine for the try that put us in front, that’s not a bad sign.

“Some of our younger players have not been in that situation before — that when it is tough you have to find a way.

“It’s been a great year for us and 2016 was a bit of a breeze, we played some extraordinary rugby.

“Guys are coming in and trying to establish themselves.

“It was quite apparent that they were very talented, but they were never really under pressure.

“But this year they have been under quite a lot of pressure and there have been some 80-minute performances, but others where we have dropped off after 60 minutes.

“It’s a learning (curve) for a young team and tonight we only had five guys with more than 50 caps, which is unusual for us.

“So we have been able to grow the talent underneath, which is great for the World Cup,” Hansen said.

Sport24.co.za | Deysel: SA Rugby’s 30-cap rule makes sense

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Cape Town – Former Springbok loose forward Jean Deysel agrees with SA Rugby’s new 30-Test eligibility rule for overseas-based players.

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The rule states that only overseas-based Springboks with 30 or more Test caps can be called up to the national team, with the exception being a Rugby World Cup year.

Deysel, who currently plies his trade with Irish club Ulster, only has four Test caps to his name so cannot come into the reckoning for a Springbok call-up.

In an exclusive interview with Sport24, Deysel said the eligibility rule didn’t influence his decision to head abroad earlier this year, but he understood SA Rugby’s rationale behind it.

“I believe the 30-cap rule is a great concept but, to be honest, I didn’t give that a second thought when I made the move across to Ireland. I’m 32 years old and I don’t think the national selectors will look at me because the Boks are building for the next Rugby World Cup with a younger playing group,” the former Sharks enforcer said.

“There will definitely be regrets about not being able to play for the Springboks again because as a South African rugby player you always want to be in the mix and play for your country. However, the 30-cap rule makes sense because young players must be encouraged to ply their trade within South African borders. I truly believe that the national selectors are on the right path, and the majority of the Bok group needs to play together in South Africa in order to harness team cohesion and build a solid culture. For me, it’s about building the team environment and it’s so much easier when everyone is based in the same country and can attend monthly training and team-building camps.”

Picking the odd overseas players could still add value, Deysel believes.

“There will still be value in picking the odd overseas-based player such as Francois Louw. From what I’ve heard, Francois is doing tremendously with the young players in the Springbok squad. The Bath-based loose forward boasts a bucket load of experience, with 53-Test caps under his belt and he has played the oval game in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The experience players like Louw offer is invaluable, but it’s all about finding the right blend of youth and experience and foreign and locally-based players. At the moment, Louw is the only overseas-based player in the Springbok squad, which I believe sends a strong message to South African players: Home-based players will be given first preference in terms of national selection. It’s fair enough because Allister Coetzee needs to work with a group of players on a consistent basis to forge team identity and make the boys understand what it means to be a Springbok, with your boots on and off.”

Sport24.co.za | Cosatu protest could still go ahead after meeting deadlock

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Cape Town – The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) may still go ahead with their threat to picket Saturday’s Rugby Championship match between the Springboks and All Blacks at Newlands. 

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READ: Cosatu threatens to picket Boks v All Blacks Test

The trade union, who are demanding that all Springbok matches be broadcast on SABC and not exclusively on DSTV, met with both SA Rugby and DSTV as well as Minister of Sport, Thembelani Nxesi, on Thursday – but no compromise could be reached.

In a statement released to the press, Cosatu confirmed that all parties will meet again on Friday to try to resolve the issue, but that if nothing changes, they will picket Newlands on Saturday. 

On Wednesday, Cosatu also called for SuperSport to drop rugby pundits Naas Botha and Nick Mallett stating that, “the commentators like Naas Botha and Nick Mallett are outdated and should be replaced. Nick Mallett also has a habit of promoting white players and talking black players down, because he suits the Stellenbosch mafia’s agenda. Mallett should be removed for this racism and clear unbiased reporting of the game.”

Sport24.co.za | Local boy Olivier says basics is key in green Bloem

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Cape Town – Proteas skipper Faf du Plessis demand for a green wicket has been answered leading up to the second Test at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein.

Following the Proteas’ 333-run triumphant in Potchefstroom, Du Plessis expressed his unhappiness over the pitch at Senwes Park.

The Proteas skipper requested more pace and bounce, but instead saw a flat and slow surface. Despite that,  the Proteas managed a convincing win. 

Bloemfontein local Duanne Olivier said that despite the wicket being known as one of the flattest, he was encouraged by the photos sent to the Proteas dressing room of a wicket full of green grass.

“Playing two weeks ago, the wicket was quite flat and there wasn’t much assistance, but this pitch will be totally different,” Olivier told reporters on Wednesday.

“The wicket looks quite green. To bowl here you need to try and be aggressive and stay patient as long as possible. Hopefully we will get wickets early.

“If we can just do the basics right and be prepared to fight until day five, I think we can come out on top. “

The Proteas have not played Test cricket at Mangaung Oval since November 2008 – when they again took on Bangladesh and prevailed by an innings and 129 runs.

Olivier, who has only played four Test matches for the Proteas, was sentimental about playing his first Test at his home ground, which gets underway on Friday.

“To be back in my home ground, it’s obviously very special to me and playing in front of Bloemfontein fans – it’s an honour,” said Olivier.

The Proteas will have to do without Morne Morkel, after he sustained a side strain in Potchefstroom, that will see the lanky bowler out for six weeks.

Despite Morkel’s injury, Olivier backs the bowlers to put the Bangladesh batsmen under pressure.

“Morne is a massive loss and he has been bowling really well,” said Olivier.

“It gives an opportunity for the other guys to stand up and make a name for themselves.

“It is a bit of bad luck that everyone is injured, but we have Dale (Steyn), Vernon (Philander) and (Chris) Morris all nearing fitness and rearing to go.

“We have KG (Kagiso Rabada) leading the attack and I learn a lot from him. I don’t feel like there’s a lot of pressure on me or the rest of the guys.”

Play gets underway at 10:00 from Friday.

Following the Test series, the Proteas will also play three ODIs and two T20Is against Bangladesh.

Sport24.co.za | Mtawarira: 95 Tests and approaching greatness

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Cape Town – If Tendai Mtawarira plays in each of the remaining five Springbok Tests in 2017, he will earn his 100th cap against Wales in Cardiff on December 2. 

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And, with the form he has shown so far this year, there is no reason to think that won’t happen. 

Now 32-years-old, Mtawarira has rediscovered his old self.

Having come in for some criticism after what was a disastrous 2016 for Springbok rugby, and with the likes of Steven Kitshoff knocking on the door, it was easy to wonder just how much gas the ‘Beast’ had left in the tank. 

Yet, eight matches into the international season, he has emerged as one of South Africa’s most valuable assets this year. 

His scrummaging is as solid as ever, he has been immense on defence and he is running the ball with an intensity and ferocity that was a hallmark of his game in the early years. 

According to Bok scrum coach Matt Proudfoot, it is Mtawarira’s work ethic that has helped keep him at the highest level.

“I think Beast is really focused on what he wants to achieve,” Proudfoot told media in Cape Town on Tuesday.

“The parameters Allister set out at the beginning of the year about work-rate and conditioning, he has taken on board as a 30-year-old and said if Steven (Kitshoff) can run a repeated sprint at that (time), then I have to do it.

“When a senior guy with 95 caps sets that type of working environment, it’s very easy for the younger guys to follow.

“That’s leadership. I’m very proud of what he has achieved, not just his scrummaging ability but his play and defensive play.”

Experience, Proudfoot said, was everything when it came to the front row and likened Mtawarira to Springbok legend and two-time World Cup winner, Os du Randt.

“He’s the most experienced South African prop of all time. I played against Os (Du Randt) … in the years I played experience counted for everything,” Proudfoot said.

“Os won two World Cups … they’re pretty similar types of players.

“You can’t chuck that type of player away. When Jake went and fetched him (Du Randt) out of retirement to come back at that World Cup in 2007 he was incredible.

“Front row is about experience and about learning … every scrum presents you with a different challenge and you only pick that up by learning the trade at the coalface.”

With 2019 in mind, and given how much rugby Mtawarira and a lot of his Bok team-mates have had to play over the past two years, Proudfoot acknowledged that it would be important to manage him carefully.

“He had a break after the June series from Super Rugby and I think he came into good form after having that break. I think it’s important to do that to senior players,” he said.

Should the Boks need to go without Mtawarira for whatever reason, Proudfoot was confident that there was enough depth in the position and he referred to Kitshoff, Lizo Gqoboka, Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit as “unbelievable” looseheads. 

For a guy who made his debut in the front row as far back as 2008 to still be having the kind of impact on the international stage as Mtawarira currently does is undoubtedly something special. 

And, it seems, he is far from done. 

At this stage, only five men have more Boks caps than Mtawarira. They are Victor Matfield (127), Bryan Habana (124), John Smit (111), Jean de Villiers (109) and Percy Montgomery (102). 

You don’t get to those kinds of numbers unless you are a seriously special player.

“When he stands and talks, guys listen,” Proudfoot added.

Mtawarira and the Boks will take on the All Blacks at Newlands on Saturday in the final game of their Rugby Championship campaign.

Kick-off is at 17:05.

Sport24.co.za | Mallett: Boks need bad weather at Newlands

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Cape Town – Former national coach Nick Mallett believes the Springboks face an uphill task in Saturday’s Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks.

Mallett was speaking in the SuperSport studio after Saturday’s 27-all draw between the Springboks and Wallabies in Bloemfontein.

The Boks host the All Blacks at Newlands this coming Saturday and will be eager to make amends following a 57-0 drubbing in Albany last month.

“Basically what we did was play a similar game as we did against the All Blacks. Fortunately, Australia weren’t good enough to exploit our errors. This game plan will be too dangerous against the All Blacks,” Mallett warned.

“There’s a lot we have to worry about prior to the game against New Zealand next week. It’s important that the Boks get their set-piece right. It’s really worrying that they were so poor at the lineout against the All Blacks a couple of weeks ago. A lot of work has to go into our lineout calls this coming week.

“A tighter game plan, a better set-piece, a good kicking game, and a far better defence are the areas that they need to work on really hard this week. And we need bad weather. If it can rain really hard in Cape Town, it’ll keep the score down.”

Mallett was also not pleased with the tactics employed by South Africa against Australia.

“A fast, open game suits the Wallabies and I’m convinced if South Africa played more direct, stayed on their feet and off-loaded in the apex of their momentum in that same channel instead of going sideways, they’d have drawn the Wallabies defenders in, creating space out wide. That would have been a better tactic,” Mallett said.

“There are a lot of reasons why the Boks didn’t win. There were the disciplinary issues, especially at scrum time when they didn’t manage to turn on the pressure. They just gave away too many penalties for shoving early, allowing Australia to relieve the pressure far too easily.

“It’s the second match in a row that Ruan Dreyer has been penalised on the tighthead side for early engagement, shoving early before the ball was put in, and overextending. To win, you have to be absolutely flawless at the set pieces and work will have to go into the Boks’ scrummaging to stop the front row from giving away so many penalties.

“There were lots of missed opportunities, and I think there were several occasions where Jesse Kriel should have passed earlier. I thought Elton Jantjies was going to convert that penalty kick at the end. He started that kick in the middle of the poles, but should have started it from the left-hand upright.”

Sport24.co.za | Cheika: Folau pulled Leyds’ collar, not his hair!

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Bloemfontein – Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has denied that his fullback, Israel Folau, pulled Springbok wing Dillyn Leyds’ hair in Saturday’s 27-27 draw between the sides in Bloemfontein. 

Leyds was pulled to the ground by Folau in the 35th minute of the match, causing Springbok captain Eben Etzebeth to retaliate by going after the Australian and sparking a mini-brawl. 

Referee Ben O’Keeffe went upstairs to have a look at the incident, and as replays appeared on the big screen at Free State Stadium it was clear that, at some stage, Folau had a handful of Leyds’ hair. 

O’Keeffe took no disciplinary action against Folau or Etzebeth, and the Boks were awarded a penalty for a high tackle. 

All involved parties were asked about the incident after the match, and while Springbok coach Allister Coetzee said the Boks would take the necessary steps in dealing with the incident, Cheika straight-up denied that his player had done anything malicious.

“He grabbed the guy around the collar,” Cheika said.

“He gets penalised for that and then the other bloke (Etzebeth) comes in and charges, and doesn’t get him (Folau) with the elbow, but he was angling that way, and nothing is said about that.

“He grabs the guy around the collar … he didn’t wrap his forearm around him or anything like that. That’s a penalty … that’s fine. But then the other guy comes charging in, and he’s the captain of the other team … I don’t get it.”

When further probed on the issue, Cheika was even more adamant. 

“You’ve got to watch the vision (replay) … he got him by the collar,” the coach re-iterated.

“He didn’t come in and grab him by the hair. Who tackles somebody by the hair? Forget about it … it’s a non-issue.”

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper was also in the dark about any hair-pulling.

“I didn’t see any hair-pulling. I just got a word from upstairs that there was an elbow into Folau and that’s all I can really comment on,” he said. 

Leyds’ version of events is, understandably, completely different. 

“100% the hair,” Leyds, who made his first start for the Boks, said when asked whether Folau had grabbed his collar or hair.

“He actually pulled me by the hair twice. He had one go at it and then he got his left hand on and pulled me down again.

“I don’t know what their version of the story is, but 100% he got me by the hair.”

Sport24.co.za | Date set for key Bafana v Senegal replay

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Dakar – The 2018 World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal will be replayed on either November 8 or November 9, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) said on Friday.

WATCH: ‘Handball’ incident that led to Bafana replay

The FSF said FIFA had decided on the possible dates for the rearranged game, with the initial 2-1 South Africa victory on November 12, 2016 having been chalked off after the match was manipulated by referee Joseph Lamptey.

The Ghanaian awarded South Africa a controversial penalty in the original Group D encounter.

Lamptey has since been given a life ban by FIFA for match manipulation.

Burkina Faso and Cape Verde both have six points after four matches in Group D, with Senegal on five and South Africa on one, but with this game in hand.

The match will be played in South Africa only two or three days after the reverse fixture in Senegal.

Sport24.co.za | Coetzee: We haven’t chucked Rhule away

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Bloemfontein – Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has explained the axing of Raymond Rhule from the squad for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash against Australia, saying he has not discarded the under-fire wing. 

The 24-year-old Cheetahs star was released from the squad on Tuesday and will play in the PRO14 against Ospreys in Bloemfontein on Friday. 

Rhule, who has started every game this year for the Boks in the No 14 jersey, will be replaced by Dillyn Leyds in Bloemfontein.

Rhule missed nine tackles in a 57-0 loss to the All Blacks in Albany two weekends ago in a poor defensive showing and was widely tipped to be axed for this weekend’s game. 

But then, on Tuesday, Coetzee came out strongly in defence of Rhule, saying that he was not the type of coach to ditch a player after a single bad game.

“Don’t forget how good Raymond was against Australia. I’m not a coach who will look at one poor performance and chuck someone away. He was outstanding against the Wallabies,” Coetzee said at the time. 

That led to speculation that Coetzee would keep faith in the under-fire player, but just 24 hours later he was released alongside Sharks wing Sibusiso Nkosi and loose forward Dan du Preez. 

On Thursday, after announcing his side for what is a must-win clash against the Wallabies, Coetzee explained his thinking in releasing Rhule.

“I’m very happy with Raymond Rhule and I haven’t discarded him,” Coetzee emphasised in Bloemfontein on Thursday.

“There are certain boxes that Raymond does tick as a winger. His kick-chase is good, his cross-cover is good … but the reality is he has to work on his defence and that’s no secret.

“With the process that I’m following, it is time that I have a look at Dillyn Leyds and see what he can do this weekend.”

Coetzee confirmed that Rhule would be joining the Bok squad in Cape Town on Sunday, emphasising that he was “not chucking him away”.

“Why in South Africa when we try to build depth, we’re chucking guys away, but when the All Blacks do it we say they are clever?” Coetzee posed.

“We are trying to build depth. I’m looking at wingers that we have in the country … Dillyn Leyds, Raymond Rhule and Sbu Nkosi. When do I give them an opportunity if I don’t do it now?”

The coach has sent Rhule to the Cheetahs with aspects on his game that he knows he has to work on.

“We sent him there to work on tracking, his body height … he has certain things that he needs to work on. This is a process that we’re busy with.”

Teams:

South Africa

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Uzair Cassiem, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6, Francois Louw, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Damian de Allende

Australia

15 Israel Folau, 14 Marika Koroibete, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Reece Hodge, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Jack Dempsey, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio

Substitutes (from): 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Lukhan Tui, 21 Ned Hanigan, 22 Nick Phipps, 23 Samu Kerevi, 24 Henry Speight