Boks hungry for clean sweep
19 Jun 2012
The Springboks will stick to their game plan in an attempt to win Saturday’s Test and record a 3-0 whitewash against England.
Coach Heyneke Meyer is set to make several changes for the the third and final Test, but those changes will be made more of necessity than anything else.
Centre Wynand Olivier will replace Frans Steyn, who is set to be married this Saturday and has thus been granted leave. Jacques Potgieter is likely to slot in for the injured Willem Alberts (knee), while Gio Aplon should replace the ailing Pat Lambie (ankle).
Olivier doesn’t have the same physical presence as Steyn in midfield and the uncapped Potgieter may also struggle to replicate Alberts’ efforts at blindside flank. Aplon is better known for his running ability than his kicking. And yet, all three of these new starters will need to play according to the Boks’ territory-based blue print.
Bok scrumhalf Francois Hougaard said on Tuesday that the team will stick to the pattern that proved successful in the first two Tests. The series has already been secured with those two victories, but there is still a desire to win as well as inflict some psychological damage on England.
‘It’s just as important as the first two Tests, we are not going to slow down now,’ Hougaard said. ‘I’m sure England will also be up for it, so we can’t afford to be complacent.
‘Our goal has always been to beat them 3-0 if you think that the goal is to win every game.’
While the Boks will be without several key players, the English are also smarting after last week’s battle at Ellis Park.
Captain Chris Robshaw and scrumhalf Ben Youngs have been ruled out with injuries, and the loss of these players will impact on England’s synergy.
Speaking of the Boks’ synergy and performances over the past two Tests, Hougaard admitted that while the South Africans had played well in patches, they were yet to produce a complete showing.
With a view to the Rugby Championship as well as the desire to beat England 3-0, the Boks must fire from start to finish at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this Saturday.
‘We had four days to prepare for that first Test,’ said Hougaard. ‘We were better in the second, although it wasn’t a complete performance. That is what we must do this Saturday, we must put two halves together, we must produce an 80-minute performance.
‘The focus is on quick ball and doing the basics well. England will look to play off our mistakes, so we have to keep those to a minimum.
‘They scored some soft tries against us in the last game, so we need to watch for the quick taps. I’m sure they will look to lift the tempo in the coming game.’
By Jon Cardinelli, in Port Elizabeth
320 Comments
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20 Jun 2012, 09:39 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-148: No worries. A bit busy at the mo’
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-149: It’s like a superhero suit. It’ll adjust to you.
20 Jun 2012, 09:41 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-140: are you sure? HIs father in a press release recently said they will not be signing anything till end july?? and that they had other offers that were also being considered?
20 Jun 2012, 09:42 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-151:
20 Jun 2012, 09:44 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-140:
Ah well, filthy lucre wins in the end.
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-139:
Hiyas ^5, how are you? I still need to come try your Steak Argentinian.
20 Jun 2012, 09:45 am
I think Province came up short in the money stakes.
One way to stop the bargaining power of a team like the Bulls is to go out and win something. Building momentum is one thing, but senior trophies is where it’s at.
We have the Vodacom Cup. 2 to go……
20 Jun 2012, 09:47 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-154: Good day WPTID , doing fine thanks, your side??
I prefer the Sirloin mexican, but it really depends which branch you eat it at
i had one at the Durbanville branch recently and it was not nice, there instead of the home made mexican sauce they just used a bottle of peri-peri sauce, just had a **** taste
Canal walk branch makes it right
20 Jun 2012, 09:48 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-155: Bulls are doing the right purchases M
CVheck the Bok under 20 center pair?? all Bulls
the no 6 that has been so good?? ex Glenwood boy, but he is now a bull, so sharks scouts also slipped up
20 Jun 2012, 09:51 am
@stormersboy(stormersboy)-155: Boet the Pollard thing is also not confirmed on the BUlls site
Pollards father said they have not signed anything yet this was after the press said POllard was on his way to the Bulls, he could be on his way to the Sharks and could even still end up staying here in CApe Town
20 Jun 2012, 09:52 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-152:
Sasuke is right- they confirmed in todays newspaper that he has indeed signed last year already at the Bulls – they also mentioned that his dad denied it last month and that AC was therefore under the impression that he has not as yet signed. Somebody lies or lied or here is a moerse misunderstanding.
20 Jun 2012, 09:53 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-158: Ja i read that they werent going to make any decisions until after Craven Week.
20 Jun 2012, 09:53 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-159: Ahhhhhhhhhhh ok thanks Rob
well there you go , some lying being done
20 Jun 2012, 09:53 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-125: hiyas bro ^5
ltnc my bruvva from anotha muvva
ndiyathemba obubusika bukufumana uphilile bungadluli nawe.
20 Jun 2012, 09:53 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-156:
I love garlic, so I should come and try the garlic rump.
20 Jun 2012, 09:54 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-156: What place is this?
It was reported on the Facebook page of SA rugby magazine. Source from Sport 24.
Big loss to WP. The boy is talented. But we have our own team of talented young 10′s. Van Aswegen, Francis, Catrakilis, Coleman, Van Wyk.
20 Jun 2012, 09:55 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-159: Remember the press are good Liars, every time their lips move to speak , or typing fingers start moving
Remember the JPP, Smit, Kanko has signed for the Lions?? which had not been the case
20 Jun 2012, 09:55 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-159: lol
20 Jun 2012, 09:56 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-159:
Rob, yes he Dad did sign with the Bulls but it wasn’t an official contract so the contract is not 100% water tight.
20 Jun 2012, 09:56 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-163: that you should lol
I love garlic too, but it must be garlic butter, and the garlic must be a nice layer ontop of the steak
20 Jun 2012, 09:57 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-168:
Fark, now I’m hungry. I could kill a 500g rump right now.
20 Jun 2012, 09:57 am
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-167: thats what i thought too, HIs dad in a later article said that they had a very good offer from the Sharks and were still considering that, but would only make a call after the craven week
20 Jun 2012, 09:58 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-169:
eish
20 Jun 2012, 09:58 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-164:
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-165:
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-167:
All very confusing. I am now so “deurmekaar soos ‘n verkleursmannetjie op ‘n smartiebox”.
20 Jun 2012, 09:58 am
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-167:
Well, from what I heard there was no way WP could match what the Bulls were offering.
It’s a loss, but it’s not the end of the world.
20 Jun 2012, 10:01 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-166: ok just checked out their sauce? dont count on that being final Sasuke, I am not saying he wont go to the BUlls, just that it aint final, he could yet be going to the Sharks or even staying in Cape Town
20 Jun 2012, 10:01 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-172:
As confused as an American watching Monty Python?
20 Jun 2012, 10:01 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-174:
Sauce, whahaha, all this talk of food is getting you confused.
20 Jun 2012, 10:01 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-170:
Saw Pollard at the WP U/18 capping and his got that Bulls look about him.
His no Sachin Tendulker/Johan Goosen.
20 Jun 2012, 10:02 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-173: boet, according to the report i read the Sharks offer was even bigger\\
But who knows??
20 Jun 2012, 10:02 am
@Jeraldjay(Jeraldjay)-167: how old is this boy. 18? this could be something like what happened to siya kolisi, he also “signed” with the cheetahs at 17 but that contract was deemed invalid because he was a minor and when he turned 18 he signed with WP.
20 Jun 2012, 10:02 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-171: Ja that doesnt sound right. Which restuarant are you guys talking about?
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-173: True.
Didnt the new policy kick in yet? Where the home union has first choice on all players?
20 Jun 2012, 10:03 am
At the conclusion of the successful Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, Sharks Academy head Hans Scriba (left) and Carole Adam, Varsity College national sports manager (right), presented Glenwood captain Siyabonga Tom (second left), Paarl Gym’s Wion Robertse (third left) and Westville’s Nqoba Mxoli (third right) with Sharks Academy contracts and Varsity College scholarships. Paarl Gymnasium captain Handre Pollard (second right) and RG Snyman (centre) from Affies were announced the festival’s best back-line and forward respectively.
Photo: Pierre Tostee (Mr Price)
20 Jun 2012, 10:05 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-174: You might be right.
@Transformation(Transformation)-179: That was one of the best signings WP could of made in recent times.
20 Jun 2012, 10:06 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-179: True anyting is possible, here is the article from the Sharks academy from earlier in the year
and even with this article its still not 100% FOR SURE WHERE HE IS HEADED
A highly successful fifth Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival wrapped up on Monday in swirling, misty conditions with the announcement of three players who were each offered a contract with the Sharks Academy and tuition bursary with Varsity College.
Glenwood captain Siyabonga Tom, Westville Boys’ High’s prop forward Nqoba Mxoli and Paarl Gymnasium winger Wion Robertse were each awarded the coveted contracts and bursaries; whilst Handre Pollard, Paarl Gym’s captain and flyhalf, and Affies lock RG Snyman were voted the festival’s best backline and forward players respectively.
Despite the country’s cold front that reached Botha’s Hill to ensure some final day games were played in rain, mist and poor visibility, the 12 participating schools continued to produce their high standard of play for supporting crowds.
Affies (Afrikaans Boys High School) from Pretoria was the only school to remain unbeaten at the festival – having scored wins over EG Jansen, Paarl Gym and Kearsney.
Hosts Kearsney College, Glenwood, Grey College, Paarl Gym and Paul Roos each won two of their three fixtures.
The upset of the festival was Grey College’s loss to Paarl Gym on the first day, after an incredible 950 day unbeaten record. Grey from Bloemfontein went on to beat Westville and Monument.
Kearsney beat Selborne College and Queen’s College, but lost to Affies on the last day. Glenwood beat Monument and Queen’s College, but drew with Dale College. Coming off their win over Grey, Paarl Gym then lost to Affies, before beating Selborne College on the final day. Paul Roos beat Queen’s College and Monument, but then drew with Dale in their last game.
Selectors from the Sharks Academy who watched all three play days were impressed with the high standard of rugby displayed in front of the weekend’s estimated 13 500 spectators.
The final day clash between Paarl Gymnasium and Selborne College was a high scoring game, with Paarl scoring nine tries, to take the final score to 57-16. Captain and fly-half Handre Pollard ended the festival with 52 points, having been named man of the match for two games – against Grey College and Selborne. He was voted best backline player at the festival.
The game between Kearsney and Affies was always going to be dominated by forward play with many handling errors due to the wet ball. Kearsney was slow on defence and took too long to get into position for most of the match, as Affies out muscled them in the rucks and mauls. Unbeaten at the festival, Affies showed true Blue Bull style of rugby with strong mauling from line-outs to win 22-10.
In their only win at the festival, Westville beat EG Jansen 27-19 after trailing 5-12 at half time. Man of the match, Westville’s Nquoba Mxoli who scored his team’s first try of the last game, was selected for a Sharks Academy/Varsity College bursary.
Glenwood proved too strong for Queen’s College, a team which had lost a number of players to injury during the previous two festival days. Glenwood’s pressure on their opponents and their strong defence, resulted in a 32-12 win. Queen’s points all came from penalties off the boot of captain Joshua Stander.
The opening game on the final day, between Dale College and Paul Roos, was an exciting and entertaining game of rugby, which ended in a 27-27 draw that could have gone either way. Dale’s Luke Massaire was man of the match for his three tries and a penalty.
The final match of the festival was a low-scoring game played in miserable conditions. Grey College beat Monument 8-0 in a physical first half which saw no points being scored. Grey was awarded a penalty early in the second half, which was converted by Arrie Vosloo. Monument applied pressure to no avail and, after much hard work, Grey was awarded for their hard efforts with captain Pieter Jordaan going over in the left corner for the only try of the match.
At the conclusion of the successful Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, Sharks Academy head Hans Scriba (left) and Carole Adam, Varsity College national sports manager (right), presented Glenwood captain Siyabonga Tom (second left), Paarl Gym’s Wion Robertse (third left) and Westville’s Nqoba Mxoli (third right) with Sharks Academy contracts and Varsity College scholarships. Paarl Gymnasium captain Handre Pollard (second right) and RG Snyman (centre) from Affies were announced the festival’s best back-line and forward respectively.
Photo: Pierre Tostee (Mr Price)
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20 Jun 2012, 10:08 am
Although i would like he ended up at the Sharks?? it still would not be bad if he stayed right here in CT, Sharks and BUlls have very good cover at 10
WP do not
20 Jun 2012, 10:09 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-172: is ‘n “verkleursmannetjie” a chameleon?
20 Jun 2012, 10:10 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-181:
Hans Scriba? Is that the guy who played for WP and Maties or was that Ernst Scriba?
20 Jun 2012, 10:12 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-186: NO you are right , Hans Scriba, and then moved to play for the Sharks/Natal
He has been one of the Founder members of the Sharks Academy, is very big part of the scouting
20 Jun 2012, 10:12 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-185:
Yes, not sure if it is the official word but people use it during casual conversations.
It must not be confused with Verkeersmannetjie (note spelling) which means a traffic cop (or a small traffic cop)
20 Jun 2012, 10:13 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-185: yes
20 Jun 2012, 10:14 am
@Robzim(Robzim)-188:
at small traffic cop
20 Jun 2012, 10:14 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-187:
Right, thanks for that- I think Ernst is his brother who also played flyhalf but perhaps not at such a high level.
20 Jun 2012, 10:15 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-184: We have decent cover. Van Aswegen, Francis, Catrakilis, Coleman, Van Wyk.
20 Jun 2012, 10:15 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-185:
“Verkleursmannetjie” – “Ulovane”
20 Jun 2012, 10:17 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-183: where does it say he was offered a contract? tom and the rest were offered bursaries and pollard was best backline player..
are you assuming that the sharks actually made an offer?
20 Jun 2012, 10:19 am
Pollard is a classy 10, no doubts there at all, and it is understandable that he is being hunted by Bulls and Sharks. It will also be understandable if the kid takes up an offer outside the WC. The Bulls pinged him 1st, in the way their scouts always do and I wouldn’t be surprised if there isn’t already a signed, sealed and waiting to be delivered Pollard on his way north. The reason for his dad’s ‘dubbele tong’ IMHO is Craven Week. He was petrified of saying his kid has been delivered to the Bulls, for fear of WP not selecting the kid at 10, but rather Jean Luc du Plessis. (a la Border – players who are leaving weren’t selected for Craven Week if I understand correctly).
Jean Luc du Plessis is being kept out because of Pollard – and to be honest, du Plessis in any other year would have strolled into the 10 jersey for WP Craven Week.
Pollard would be a loss yes, but nowhere near as tragic as what some are making out. The young du PLessis kid is no slouch, and were it not for Pollard hogging headlines, would be receiving a lot more attention I reckon. Just my opinion of course.
Keep Du Plessis, let Pollard follow his dad’s heart and all is well.
It is for this reason, the new SARU regulations were put in place with regard to schoolboy signings etc – and this type of thing won’t be happening again anytime soon, with unions being aware of WHO is scouting WHO.
20 Jun 2012, 10:22 am
@sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-183:
At the Kearsney Rugby Festival you referred to above, The Man of the Match of the Affies Paarl-Gym game (in which Pollard was the Paarl Gym flyhalf) was Affies wing Andries van der Merwe.
He also happens to be the current U18 WORLD CHAMPION in the 110m hurdles. Yes that’s right. Not SA champion, but WORLD CHAMPION.
He was also part of the 4x100m Relay team that set a new tournament record at the Junior Commonwealth games last year.
He was selected for the Noord Vaal Craven Week team this year – which seems to be kind of a second Acadamy side for the Bulls region.
It is worth pointing out that he was the only white wing in any of the Bulls Craven Week squads, so the fact that he didn’t make the Craven Week A team itself is quite easily understood, if you read between the lines.
Needless to say, I’m gonna be watching his career with interest.
20 Jun 2012, 10:24 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-192: That’s a lot of cover, but I don’t know if it is decent cover.
20 Jun 2012, 10:25 am
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-193: @Robzim(Robzim)-188: @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-189: thanks
20 Jun 2012, 10:25 am
Pollard a Bull?
Bullard.
20 Jun 2012, 10:28 am
we
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