The new face of Super Rugby
20 Dec 2010
Find out everything you need to know about the expanded competition in the bumper 156-page issue of SA Rugby magazine.
We kick off our Super Rugby preview section with an idiot’s guide to the new format (if you still don’t know how it works after reading this, we can’t help you). That’s followed by three pages on each South African team (how they are shaping up, player signings/losses, fixtures, previous log finishes, numbers that matter etc) and one page on each of the Kiwi and Aussie sides.
Also in the new issue:
– The Springboks failed to make any progress on their end-of-year tour
– Is Victor Matfield too conservative to be Bok captain?
– The All Blacks capped off an outstanding 2010 with their third Grand Slam in five years
– The Wallabies were frustratingly inconsistent on their end-of-year tour
– If England are to seriously challenge for the World Cup, they will have to stand up to the big beasts of the game
– Behind the swagger lies a secret diary that is driving England wing Chris Ashton to new heights
– Why the Barbarians are still relevant in the professional era
– Yet again the World Cup schedule helps the big nations and hinders the smaller ones. Why can’t the IRB make rugby’s showpiece event fair to all?
– Plus: Why Stuart Abbott is back in SA, Tim Noakes on the Boks ‘doping’ controversy, Heinrich Brussow’s injury battle, SA players in Europe
Click here to subscribe to print edition
Click here to subscribe to digital edition
2,264 Comments
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4 Jan 2011, 08:17 am
@Mighty Horua :
“Thirdly – Selfishness of AB de Villiers – thinking about himself and not about the need of the team.”
You’re obviously referring to the reluctance of AB to do the wicketkeeping job at test level although happy to do it at ODI and T20 level.
I think it’s also his ambition to move up to no.4 slot when Kallis goes. He sees himself as a specialist batsmen rather than a wickerkeeper batsmen.
As for Boucher, he’s already losing his spot in the shortened version of the game. Unless he starts getting runs soon at no. 7, he could lose his place in the test side as well. He’s already 34 so decisions need to be made.
4 Jan 2011, 08:22 am
@I am a stormer :
The question is if he is a batsman that can keep or a wickey that can bat. If he is the first one then they should go and look at someone to replace Boucher…he is to valuable to waste behind the stumps.
4 Jan 2011, 08:24 am
@Slartibartfast :
@grant10 :
Boucher has been batting at 7 for a while. Steyn was promoted to 8 after the heroics of his 70 in Melbourne 2 years ago. And the Proteas expect both him and Morkel to get runs.
But Boucher remains a major concern – the clock is ticking.
4 Jan 2011, 08:28 am
@Slartibartfast : as i said, i am no expert, have not followed the domestic stuff so dont really know who is knocking on the door, etc, etc….just seems absurd that a JP Duminy is not playing when he can do a bit of off spin and has wonderful batting potential…..rather they go for harris and we sit with a strike bowler batting 7 where he is clearly out of his depth…..Boucher was a firm favorite of mine….but io saw the cracks appearing this summer….
Must say that Tsobe [ spelling ] really impressed me yesterday…
4 Jan 2011, 08:29 am
@I am a stormer :
Fair enough but I still think you should not expect runs from your best bowler or put the extra pressure on him.
If not De Villiers, who do we replace Bouch with?
4 Jan 2011, 08:31 am
@grant10 :
Yip, he was one of mine too but like I said before it is his wicket keeping that is ALSO poor of late. If he can’t do his job properly he should be put out to pasture.
4 Jan 2011, 08:32 am
@Slartibartfast :
Those are my thoughts as well. If AB is behind the stumps for a day and a half, and the Proteas lose 2 or 3 quick wickets, it will be a big ask for AB to go in at 4 or 5.
So replace Boucher with another wicketkeeper is the way to go.
AB can do the job in the shortened version.
4 Jan 2011, 08:32 am
i imagine the dynamics of cricket are a lot different to rugby…..but as a firm believer in specialsits i would say leave AB away from the gloves….he is class batsman,i wouldnt labour him with the glovework….maybe that Morne van wyk? And tahir or johan botha?
Otherwise its okay…..but hell man we were sloppy in the field…
4 Jan 2011, 08:34 am
@I am a stormer :
AB could still be a specialist Batsmen while keeping
I mean if Kallis can bat, bowl and field at slip, why cant AB bat and keep?
Are any wicketkeepers in SA putting up their hands
4 Jan 2011, 08:36 am
With AB at wicketkeeper, another spot opens up for a batsmen like JP or even a allrounder like Mclaren
4 Jan 2011, 08:36 am
@Slartibartfast :
Morne van Wyk of the Knights (Free State)- he is close to 30 years old already – but more of a batsmen who can keep.
Heino Kuun of the Titans – he can also get runs.
Those are 2 names that spring to mind.
4 Jan 2011, 08:39 am
@I am a stormer :
If AB scored the odd 50 and averaged around 35 you could say he was a wickey that can bat, he obviously is not and will be perfect to take over from Kallis who can’t be far from retirement. You expect him to score big hundreds and not the odd cameo. Simple really.
@grant10 :
Yip, you right, let him do his primary job first.
Stupid Pietersen, 4 overs left and he goes for a hook!!!
4 Jan 2011, 08:40 am
1580. grant10 :
January 4th, 2011 at 6:38 am
I SEE IN bEELD THE sHARKS HAVE APPROACHED bEASTS CHURCH SO THAT THEY MIGHT USE THE cHURCHS INFLUENCE TO CONVINCE bEAST TO STAY IN dURBAN !
Ja he’s a full on religious dude. One of my ex girlfriends goes to the same church as him in Glenwood.
Bit sneaky to use the church though. If he wants to go, let him.
4 Jan 2011, 08:42 am
@Mighty Horua :
Because being a wicket keeper is a full time job when your team is bowling. Bowling first or second change for a few overs can hardly compare.
4 Jan 2011, 08:43 am
Feels like it’s already almost 34 degrees. Nuweland gaan braai vandag.
4 Jan 2011, 08:44 am
@I am a stormer :
Slim pickings and probably why Boucher is still there…
4 Jan 2011, 08:44 am
cheers all….gym before heat too much
outta here
4 Jan 2011, 08:44 am
@>^..^< katman :
Stoot die konka bietjie buite toe, sal help!
4 Jan 2011, 08:44 am
@Mighty Horua :
My thoughts are that a wicketkeeper/batsmen should come in at 6 or 7 in the order.
AB is currently at 5 and would like Kallis’s position at 4 when Kallis eventually retires.
That is why AB is reluctant to take the gloves at test level.
He has said that one of his goals is to become the best batsmen in the world – no. 1 ranking – and you can’t do that while keeping as well.
Kallis’s job is more of a 3rd seamer these days and is bowling less and less. He has also slipped down the alrounders rankings after holding the no.1 spot for years.
4 Jan 2011, 08:45 am
@I am a stormer :
3rd seamer. I mean 4th seamer.
4 Jan 2011, 08:47 am
@Slartibartfast : Dan kan ek nie die TV sien nie.
4 Jan 2011, 08:49 am
@>^..^< katman :
Dan moet jy maar suffer!
4 Jan 2011, 08:52 am
@>^..^< katman :
It’s amazing that when you go on holiday that the weather always improves once you’ve left.
I’m tempted to ask for a refund.
4 Jan 2011, 08:54 am
@I am a stormer : I’m heading out to Glentana for the whole of next week, where it hasn’t stopped raining since Christmas. I’m praying that this changes before we get there.
4 Jan 2011, 08:55 am
@I am a stormer :
The world over, we had the most rain in something like 55 years and about one day of sunshine over the Xmas/NY time…back at work today and not a cloud in the sky and a nice 31 degrees…
4 Jan 2011, 08:56 am
@>^..^< katman :
If not make sure the bedroom door has a lock…
4 Jan 2011, 08:56 am
As I said get Smith to bowl a bit, add Parnell or McClaren int the mix and AB can keep wicket and get runs, Gilchrist did it
4 Jan 2011, 09:00 am
@Slartibartfast : You know about the honeymoon tan?
One thin sliver of sunburn running down the forehead and nose from peering through the curtains before turning around, shrugging and saying, “dammit, still pouring”.
4 Jan 2011, 09:02 am
@>^..^< katman :
Well I hope the weather improves. A man needs a tan.
@Slartibartfast :
The weather’s crazy. Anywhere you look. It’s been raining cats ‘n dogs in Jo’burg for the last month. I had another 100mm while in CT for 2 weeks and more yesterday and Sunday.
Anyway, only back at work on thurs – so going to enjoy the cricket and catch a last pub lunch or 2.
4 Jan 2011, 09:08 am
@I am a stormer : I miss those Joburg liquid lunches, Baron in Bryanston was a good one
4 Jan 2011, 09:10 am
Right, I am off, chat again later.
4 Jan 2011, 09:15 am
@JL1 :
Baron on Main – you’ve just given me an idea.
4 Jan 2011, 09:22 am
@I am a stormer : They used to do good steaks as far as I can remember.
4 Jan 2011, 09:33 am
@JL1 :
The most important thing is to get a good vision of the TV. Fortunately, the missus enjoys watching a bit of cricket.
4 Jan 2011, 09:45 am
@I am a stormer : Harris is very very economical and his value is in frustrating batsmen into giving away their wickets — not necessarily to him but to the bowler at the other end.
4 Jan 2011, 09:51 am
@TheTackler :
“not necessarily to him but to the bowler at the other end”
4 Jan 2011, 09:55 am
@TheTackler : @1653
Please phone your nephew and ask him if he would be kind enough to take some of his own wickets
4 Jan 2011, 09:56 am
And “economy” isn’t just a simple matter of the number of wickets taken divided by the runs conceded.
It also factors into the equation the number of deliveries/overs bowled.
4 Jan 2011, 09:57 am
Corrie van Zyl drops like a sack of potatoes in fielding practice before start of play.
Gets one in the crown jewels.
4 Jan 2011, 10:02 am
@I am a stormer : Eish!!!
4 Jan 2011, 10:08 am
Don’t know if anyone caught the 2009 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame “25 Years” concert on M-net the other night. The final act was Bruce Springsteen and the E-street Band, and they closed with “The Ghost of Tom Joad”, featuring Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine as special guest. I had to look it up on Youtube again, it was that good. And I urge you to do the same. If anyone thought rock music was dying, think again. This is powerful, powerful stuff with a real message (Tom Joad is a character from Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath, and the ‘95 Springsteen song is a kind of 90’s update on the classic Dustbowl/Depression piece). Tom Morello is a guitar genius, and alongside Springsteen (in his plugged-in, noisy working class rock mode) this is one of those rare moments of live music magic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKT5R0eydM4
4 Jan 2011, 10:08 am
@JL1 :
Was giving the slip fielders catching practice – but you have to trust the thrower or make sure you’re wearing a box. I think his wearing his balls as earings right now.
Good to see Graeme Smith amongst those getting slip fielding practice.
4 Jan 2011, 10:08 am
OK brainiacs, who can answer this?
IRB Law 3.14 – is it going to be implemented for the World Cup? Basically, it allows eight subs (which must include a full front row to lessen the possibility of uncontested scrums). I think this could be crucial to the Boks’chances in that it will allow the accommodation of Smitty in the 23, without losing prop power. Aussies probably won’t agree to it, though. Your thoughts please, gentlemen…
http://www.irblaws.com/downloads/EN/law_3_en.pdf
3.14 UNION SPECIFIC VARIATIONS
(a) A Union may implement rolling substitutions at defined levels of the Game within its
jurisdiction. The number of substitutions must not exceed twelve. The administration and
rules relating to rolling substitutions are the responsibility of the Union having jurisdiction.
(b) A Union or Unions, where a match or competition is played between teams from two or
more Unions, may implement variations to Law 3.4 for matches below international level as
set out in (c) and/or (d) below.
(c) When 22 or 23 players are nominated in a team there must be sufficient front row players
to play at hooker, tight-head prop and loose-head prop who are suitably trained and
experienced to ensure that on the first occasion that a replacement in any front row position
is required, the team can continue to play safely with contested scrums.
(d) A provision may be introduced that where uncontested scrums are ordered as a result of
there being no suitably trained and experienced front row replacement for any reason, the
team concerned shall not be entitled to replace the player whose departure caused
uncontested scrums.
4 Jan 2011, 10:35 am
@Prop Idol : This will alter many team selections as you could now have more mobile props on the bench for the last 20 minutes of a match if you believe that the game will open up more
Really interesting who will get this one right
4 Jan 2011, 10:50 am
@JL1 : and we all know Plod is not a ‘mobile prop’ or hooker…the Sharks will do well to start Bissie & finish with Burden’s pacy flourish ‘when the game opens up’
4 Jan 2011, 10:51 am
@>^..^< katman :
Magic, magic stuff. Listened to it a couple of times.
4 Jan 2011, 10:53 am
@TheTackler : 1578
“Not a lot to choose from? Xenophon Balaskas, Aubrey Faulkner, Hugh Tayfield, Denys Hobson, Pat Symcox, Nicky Boje, Graham Chevalier, Atholl McKinnon, Gogga Adams… I could go on and on , but the point has been made.”
Balaskas? In the few test matches he played, only 9, he had a better record than Harris. Keep in mind that he was selected as an all rounder who also had a 100 against his name.
Faulkner? 25 tests. Record is way better than that of Harris.
Tayfield? 37 tests. The best SA spinner ever. By far.
Denys Hobson? Played only 1st class cricket as his career spanned between 1970-1985. He did play 4 tests against the “rebels”. That does not count as internationals.
Graham Chevalier? Difficult to gauge as he played only one test match.
Atholl McKinnon? Only played 8 test matches. Record is much the same as that of Harris.
One needs to use a predetermined amount of tests, example 20, to really be able to compare the players. Players like Clive Eksteen, Omar Henry, Claude Henderson also played for SA after isolation but it is difficult to compare them with Harris because they did not get as many chances as him.
“And there’s really no merit in the “since re-admission” gate-keeper.”
Oh yes there is.
Firstly. Good, quality players were denied the opportunity to represent their country. Players that may have had a much better record than what Harris is currently having.
Secondly. SA, in those days, did not play against India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh (awa the Windies). So the spinners at the time (pre isolation) could not be judged against the players from the sub continent who grow up playing spin.
It is up to Harris to prove that he is not average. At the moment his record suggest that he is.
4 Jan 2011, 11:03 am
@>^..^< katman : 1641…brilliant stuff…powerful s hit…loved it!
4 Jan 2011, 11:03 am
Where is the Proteas spinner?
If a captain doesnt fancy his chances with his primary spinner, dan moet hy kaka wees!
4 Jan 2011, 11:03 am
Catches win matches! The fielding has been poor, the bowling poor and as we all expected South Africa went into the game with no spinning option. By the way Harris is slow straight bowler, not a spinner of the cricket ball.
India are going to put on a huge score and their spinning option will bowl them to victory on the fourth/fifth day.
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