Sanzar to probe Bok selections
8 Jul 2011
The ARU has called on Sanzar to seek assurances from the Springboks that they will field their best available team during the Tri-Nations.
The ARU has questioned the veracity of a Bok injury list that includes 21 of South Africa’s best players. It would appear that coach Peter de Villiers is resting these players for the away leg of the Tri-Nations so that they will be fresh and ready for the World Cup later in the year.
The Sanzar countries have an agreement which ensures they do not damage any of its competitions through fielding weakened teams, and ARU chief executive John O’Neill said on Wednesday that Sanzar’s chief executive officer, Greg Peters, must investigate and determine whether the Boks are reneging on that agreement.
‘The difference between 2007 and now is that we now have a permanent Sanzar office with a CEO, who has the job of monitoring and policing such matters. He [Peters] will be following up on this announcement,’ O’Neill said.
‘A couple of weeks ago we had rumours coming out of the Republic that they may be sending an understrength team. We received assurances at the time that the only players not included would be genuinely injured. We have a joint venture agreement and a broadcasting agreement, and it is important that the three countries don’t just comply with the black letter of the law, but also the spirit of the contract. Joint ventures rely on people acting honourably and consistently.
‘We’re not in a position to second-guess the Springboks, and we also have our share of injured players. But it is nowhere near 21. The sheer size of the number of players who are injured is unusual,’ O’Neill said. ‘That’s why we have asked for assurances.’

349 Comments
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8 Jul 2011, 15:14 pm
Smitty to captain the Boks for the first game in Sydney.
8 Jul 2011, 15:15 pm
@We are red(Redbull)-298:
What can I say, we are rugby mad in SA!
8 Jul 2011, 15:15 pm
@poppa69(poppa69)-288: he was talking to him to PLAY captain Costus da Plod at HOOKER, which the kiwi schmuck in charge at the Sharks still didn’t do! hehehe
8 Jul 2011, 15:16 pm
@cane(cane)-289:
The Boks B Team is more like The Wild Geese!
8 Jul 2011, 15:17 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-303: Hey Heaven’s Game says Plum is now an adopted Natalian.
8 Jul 2011, 15:18 pm
John Sturgeon head of NZ rugby = the invisible man
O’Neill – the Joker
8 Jul 2011, 15:20 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-296:
Very good post hondo.
Well thought out.
8 Jul 2011, 15:21 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-305: hey Plum is a kiwi man, that won’t change! he is still secretly pining for that Hurricanes job but they won’t give it to him cos he is limited.
8 Jul 2011, 15:27 pm
@Hondo(Hondo)-300: LOL.. wheres the OS story or has you mum backtracked on that bit of news
8 Jul 2011, 15:27 pm
Comedy gold there poopy drawers took you ages to cone back and that’s all you’ve got lol you’d make a terrible lawyer, they don’t allow you to fabricate stories son guess youve been doing it so long with your delusions of Suzi it’s second nature now
I never said 12 thanks for confirming that again now run along little boy
Hard to debate with you boys when you can’t even be straight with yourselves it’s hilarious!
8 Jul 2011, 15:29 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-308:
Plum is a Kiwi sure, but he is married to a Natalian.
Even when he was back in NZ coaching Wellington, he always said “they” have two homes. One in SA the other here.
8 Jul 2011, 15:32 pm
@Rugby-1(Rugby-1)-310:
“delusions of Suzi”.
yeah right.
8 Jul 2011, 15:34 pm
No surprises he married a Saffa, have you seen the girls in NZ
no wonder your female rugby team are world champs…
8 Jul 2011, 15:36 pm
Cane – so you are still naive enough to believe Suzi existed? Or the ABs were intentionally poisoned? Like insaid whatever helps you sleep at night
8 Jul 2011, 15:41 pm
@Rugby-1(Rugby-1)-314:
French Coach also said Tricolors got nobbled in 95.
You Okes were leaving nothing to chance. Nothing.
8 Jul 2011, 15:50 pm
The French coach covering his arse up in the stands 50 meters away saw it grounded yet the player with ball in hand said he came up short ! The guy who was right there – okay mate whatever floats your boat
You boys have issues
8 Jul 2011, 15:51 pm
@Johnnyblue(johnnyblue)-239:
pray tell
if ‘cheating’ is defined as “breaking the Laws of Rugby Union” in the Book of Laws (start Monty Python soundtrack please), then how is ‘dirty play’ NOT “cheating” ?
if Flo and Steggers and Brussow get penalised for killing the ball (and lets face it, the 1st two are major culprits here) then does THAT mean theyre ‘cheating’ ?
and, while youre at it
if Habadonna is frequently caught (on cameras, anyway) in FRONT of the kicker, in a team based around kick’n'chase, is THAT ‘cheating’ ?
if Bizzy, bless his little Fitzy-face impersonation n’all, is repeatedly caught handling the ball in the ruck, off his feet, whilst elbowing a scrumhalf in nthe face, is THAT ‘cheating’ ?
I’ll be waiting.
8 Jul 2011, 15:51 pm
@Rugby-1(Rugby-1)-310: hehehe you just keep digging, its well known on this blog that I dont prescribe to the Susie theory..
8 Jul 2011, 15:55 pm
@Rugby-1(Rugby-1)-316:
French Coach said his Team was deliberatey food poisoned in 95.
8 Jul 2011, 15:58 pm
LOl show me that post poopy drawers I’m still waiting….. It’s not great when you get caught out making up stuff eh but I guess you’re used to it. Just shom me where I said 12 can’t be hard even for someone special like you …
So you’re that kiwi I heard about who hasn’t been brainwashed about our little miss Suzi – there’s hope for you yet
8 Jul 2011, 15:59 pm
It’s weekend!!!! I’m off chaps. Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy the rugby!
8 Jul 2011, 16:07 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-248:
Im sure he is of you tho, Peaches.
and rightly so.
BaXXies is a gonner. Since his 5th ban and upteenth *sob sob* Im-a-Christian-I-Repent PR stunts, Dear BaXXies has played like Samson with a crew cut. A Lion with his nails cut and orthodontics.
Nah, if I was Krusty, and dont whisper this toooooooooooo loudly
I would select the Tall Timber in Tandem – Matfield and Bekker – and attempt to scare the living daylights out of teams in a RWC that will, undoubtedly, feature alot of positional line-kicking.
I also think Bekker is younger, and keener, and more athletic than the Big Galoot BaXXies, and something is needed in that pack to spark it.
Use or Lose it.
8 Jul 2011, 16:11 pm
@cane(cane)-311: are you suggesting that if i marry a maori chick then i’ll be half-maori or better yet a kiwi?
the guy is a kiwi through and through, he even goes to IRANZ to suckle some juice off mexted every off-season
8 Jul 2011, 16:11 pm
I think the players are injured, just that some are more injured than others and if it was not a World Cup year those that are not to badly injured would have had to play the Tri Nations even with niggles. So maybe what the coaches are doing is taking precautionary measures so that the players are fit when the World Cup comes along.
8 Jul 2011, 16:24 pm
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-219:
some player, Joubert. Had everything but a smile.
8 Jul 2011, 16:36 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-253:
I dunno, von Trapp, what was your point raising ‘the QuarterF’ ? Losing to France, as SA would know, is no disgrace no matter where and when it is. France have had success in SA and NZ, I think theyve fulfilled their credentials – dont you ?
Not every battle needs to be fought before you win the war, Captain.
8 Jul 2011, 16:43 pm
@rossoneri(rossoneri)-260:
He is a Prime Mo Fo, and I hate him dearly
but
SANZAR are lucky to have him when the Big Boys come calling.
If Safas dont realise that, then just add it to the collection.
8 Jul 2011, 16:49 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-269:
WPUID
of course, EVERY team wants to win the RWC ‘the most’ in a RWC year – that hardly makes the Bokke special.
However, the ABs want to EVERY trophy on offer in EVERY year. They want to win EVERY Test match, EVER.
Let the Boks focus on winning the Lottery once every 4 years.
The All Blacks have a strategic business link with ManU and the NY Yankees. These are teams that always want to win EVERYTHING.
Noone links up with Newcastle.
8 Jul 2011, 16:52 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-326: so you entered the fray without even knowing what my point was dimwit… hehehe..
8 Jul 2011, 16:55 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-281:
either you think in irregular font and execute different formats, but your process of logic now remarkably resembles cut’n'paste more than it ever has.
Are you, like Neo, now fighting battles in the Matrix, von Trapp ?
8 Jul 2011, 16:58 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-329:
your ‘point’ as delivered via a constant stream of other peoples opinion is often so vague and without so much as a tenuous link to reality to hold on to.
frankly, noone really knows WHAT your point IS, von Trapp.
8 Jul 2011, 17:04 pm
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-331: blah blah blah, i’m suprised you didn’t mention baxxies in two successive posts, scratched record?
8 Jul 2011, 17:21 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-332:
have a good w/e, von Trapp. Catch up with all the news via your cut’n'pastes on Monday huh.
8 Jul 2011, 20:34 pm
@Rugby-1(Rugby-1)-214:
Go and look where SA rugby has been these last 4 years.
For someone sitting at no3 you have a lot to say.
Show some respect little pric.
8 Jul 2011, 20:43 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-119:
Your prattling is just words in the wind. No rugby playing country can do better than be number 1, year in, year out. The fact that NZ is lagging behind in the WC count rankles but it’s no big deal because as night follows day the NZ boys are going to reel you in and overtake you on that score.
You just churn out endless splab.
8 Jul 2011, 21:11 pm
@Rugby-1(Rugby-1)-320:
Rugby-3, perhaps you could tell us what it’s like sucking on the hind *** of the Aussies?
Let the words flow, you’ve had plenty of practice.
8 Jul 2011, 21:12 pm
tat
8 Jul 2011, 22:25 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-269: Most Kiwis want the ABs to win EVERYTHING…ALL THE TIME………LOSING IN THE BLACK JERSEY IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!
8 Jul 2011, 22:27 pm
@LITELOCK(LITELOCK)-338: No pressure though.lol
8 Jul 2011, 22:38 pm
Sorry PB hadnt read 328 when i posted these.
9 Jul 2011, 00:43 am
@Inevitable(Inevitable)-334:
Wow such strong words on an Internet forum I am literally crapping myself… NOT! You;re an idiot – answer my question, what have Aus won in the last 4 years? Have you ever been no 1 in the last 4 years Let me help you, the answer to both is NO. At least the Boks have won trophies and also won in NZ – run along littel boy and stop making a fool of yourself
Hope you enjoyed the lesson you idiot!
9 Jul 2011, 00:45 am
@Inevitable(Inevitable)-337:
You;re also a big man mouting off HOURS after the argument had finished. Try man up next time you p*ssy
9 Jul 2011, 03:31 am
@Rugby-1(Rugby-1)-341:
youre a genuine
PILLOCK
9 Jul 2011, 08:07 am
@Rugby-1(Rugby-1)-341:
@Rugby-1(Rugby-1)-342:
Many words, many turds!
We are ranked No 2 and we are happy with this. It means we are winning more than the Boks and a lot of other teams. A No 1 ranking is a big ask for a small rugby union nation but we box way above our weight.
In fact if one compared the SA player base with that of Australia, then the Boks should, like when they play Italy, thrash them with a cricket score.
That this does not occur is not a mystery to me and other Aussies but is obviously lost on you. Perhaps you think the refs are on the side of the Wallaby’s when they play the Boks?
Judging by your reaction to my posts, I can imagine it’s not a pleasant experience latched onto the hind tat. Feel free to enlighten us though.
9 Jul 2011, 09:41 am
BP = you should know, you are the ultimate pillock!
Inev – It was a simple question and you couldn’t answer so resoted to name calling – who’s the fool? We have achieved more in the last 4 years than Aus – FACT! So you’ve been No 2 for the last year whoopee ****** doo, will anyone remember that in the future – no. Will people remember who won the 07 WC – yes. SA have also won the 3N in that time & been No 1 in the world. We have won twice in NZ while you were on the back end of a 10 in a row whipping by them! So that says they have been more successful than Aus over the last 4 years and that was my point. SDdn’t realise it would be so difficult to understand for a simple mind like yours & your ignorant friend Black Panties.
And all your excuses – you are hilarious. You just can’t grow a pair and say yes the Boks have achieved more than Aus in the last few years. Nah rather talk about how you have a smaller players base, and you have been No2 (who remembers second best) for almost a whole year, blah blah. If that’s what excited Aussies good luck, I prefer to try and win things which we have & you haven’t
Now I’ll leave you to get back to w*nking over your John o’Neill poster before he wreaks revenge on the poor Saffa’s
I am off to enjoy my weekend, why don’t you both go play in the traffic
9 Jul 2011, 09:48 am
@Black Panther(Black Panther)-343:
Oha and Black Panties, I have been reading this blog for a long time now and enjoyed many posters and what intelligent rugby knowledge they are able to share. Reading your posts (or should I say being subjected to your posts) confirms time & time again what a complete 100%, hypocritical, prime NZ A*rsehole you are. Keep up the good work, you’re a credit to your nation. Thank f*ck I don’t judge all kiwi’s on you lad, because most I have come across are good guys – you are a complete tosser!
Happy Saturday, justice4
9 Jul 2011, 09:56 am
Play nicely girls! There is no doubt AB’s are the best in the world, whether or not they have won the World Cup in the last decade or not. International sport is about winning and being the best whenever you pull the jersey over your head. When you devalue the jersey, you disrespect your opposition.
9 Jul 2011, 10:03 am
@Bill Reyts(Gumboots)-347:
Agreed Bill – my point had nothing to do with the AB’s, I was responding to the Aussie cheerleader telling us how wonderful & better their rugby is & slating the Boks. Couldn’t back it up with facts though, but hey when have these Antipodean boys ever worries about facts…
9 Jul 2011, 10:08 am
@Rugby-1(Rugby-1)-348:
For sure! Sport is about competing and if you want to be the best you need to measure yourself against the best. If we lose, which is more than likely, we can’t say we sent our third team as history will reflect the poor performance and reflect it forever. PdV record will reflect the loss whether he makes an excuse for it or not.
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