“In Brazil, a country who not too long ago had similar economic issues as South Africa, clubs started seeing young players as a commodity to export." – Rheeder Rugby suggesting that South Africa is to world rugby what Brazil is to world football. Volume 20, Number 3 07 February 2020 Register to receive your own free weekly newsletter at www.rugbyrsa.co.za

A Massive Improvement Shown by Blitzboks

After the disaster of last weekend in Hamilton, South In the wee hours of Sunday morning, the last potential Africa welcomed two class players back into the line- banana skin awaited the team from South Africa: up for the Australian leg of the series. and Samoa. Having lost both their Saturday matches quite returned to bring some much needed flair narrowly (France (24-17) and Argentina (28-21)), they and mongrel back into the team. [We’ll leave it as an had a point to prove. exercise for the reader to decide who brought which of those characteristics back into the team – Ed.] Fortunately for South African supporters, the islanders failed to turn up for the game because Blitzboks came Blitzboks first match was tough, on paper but, on out of the blocks like a steam train. They won 36-0 and grass, they ended their three-match losing streak by it could have been worse – Werner Kok lost control of demolishing Argentina. Scoring four tries in the first the ball in contact just centimetres from the line early half, they continued their dominance into the second in the second half. stanza, to the extent that they were 38-0 up before the opponents got on the scoreboard. Final score 52-14. With the lack of quarter-finals at this tournament – and last week – that put Blitzboks into a semi-final against Next up was another tough match – last week’s losing a resurgent USA team. It was JC Pretorius who scored finalists, France. Once again, Blitzboks struck first, for virtually from the first kick-off but USA struck within the first minute, and although the French struck back twice in quick succession to take a 12-5 lead. back almost immediately, our boys were not finished, scoring twice more before the break for a 19-7 half- A bit of brilliance from , chipping the time score. Final score 24-12. defensive line and then gathering his own kick drew the teams level and that’s how they went into half- time. The second half was an arm wrestle until about three minutes in when the captain stepped his man and scored under the posts. All Blitzboks had to do then was to defend the 19-12 lead, which they did.

The final against Fiji was disappointing for two reasons: the heavens opened and the match had to be played in a torrential downpour; and Blitzboks lost 12- 10. It was much better than last week and they closed the gap a bit on series leading New Zealand but it was a disappointing end. Close, but no cigar.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS NEWSLETTER

Super Rugby: How the 2020 Season Began Six Nations Off to a Satisfying Start PRO14: Demolish Southern Kings Alberts: Lions Return Was Easy Decision FNB Varsity Cup 2020 in a Cracking Start SA is to Rugby what Brazil is to Football

Page 1 : How the 2020 Season Began

It all kicked off last Friday morning with a New Zealand derby between Blues and Chiefs in Auckland. The home side got off to a flier and was leading 17-5 at the break but the men from Wellington fought back hard in the second half to take a valuable away win (29-37), albeit without a bonus point.

Next up it was back across the Tasman for a convict derby featuring Brumbies against Reds in Canberra. The advantage kept swing from one side of the field to the other but when all was said and one, the score was 27-24 to the home team. Unsurprisingly, the champion Crusaders easily That night, had to travel to the fish bowl in dispatched Waratahs (43-25) while, in the match after Durban and, unaccountably, went down to one of the that and on Saturday afternoon, New Zealand’s weakest teams in the competition. And badly: 23-15. It Hurricanes just didn’t bother to turn up to play in Cape was no surprise to us then, when Bulls’ Director of Town against Stormers (27-0). Rugby resigned the Monday after that abysmal result. Bulls management insists, however, that the two events are unrelated. Yeah, right.

Saturday morning saw what was perhaps the best match of the weekend when Sunwolves welcomed Rebels to Fukuoka and soundly defeated them. If we have one criticism it is that, with a 36-13 scoreline after 61 minutes, the Japanese side relaxed in defence and conceded two easy tries, which cost them the bonus point that was within their grasp.

The final match of the weekend featured Lions away to Jaguares – and lest we forget, Lions were the only South African franchise able to beat the Argentines in their own back yard last year.

It was a tough match for the very young team from Johannesburg against what was essentially a full- strength Argentinian national team. The cause wasn’t helped by the first minute injury to Lions inside centre, Dan Kriel, which saw him replaced by Manuel Rass.

But despite that, at the halfway mark, the visitors were still in it with a scoreline of 10-8 but then the holes in what had been a dogged defence began to appear from about the 50-minute mark. Final score was 38-8.

Page 2 Page 3 PRO14: Cheetahs Demolish Southern Kings FNB Varsity Cup 2020 in a Cracking Start

After last weekend’s one-point game in Port Elizabeth, The first match of the weekend saw University of a lot was expected of the return match in Bloemfontein (Tuks) entertaining North-West University this weekend. Where Cheetahs showed signs of rust late Monday afternoon. And it was a fantastic last weekend, they looked like a well-oiled machine exhibition of running rugby that ended with the teams this weekend as they ran in seven tries in beating only two points apart. Southern Kings 45-0. In the process, both teams achieved a four-try bonus The try-festival had the home crowd in raptures but, in point and the losers got a second bonus point for reality, it was a tough match in two key areas: up front finishing within seven points. Final score: 42-40. in the scrums where the home team were utterly Both could be contenders when the season gets to the dominant; and on defence where the white and orange sharp end in mid-April. wall just held, and held, and held, for over 80 minutes. The three remaining games on Monday kicked off at Still, the scoreline is deceptive. At the 66 minute mark, 7pm and thus, only one could be televised – that was the score was 24-0 – but then Kings had a player sent Stellenbosch University (Maties) versus University off for a high tackle. The next 14 or so minutes saw of the Free State (Shimlas). It was another high- the home team score three converted tries to add scoring affair but this one heavily weighted in favour another 21 points. of the home team. The final score was 67-16.

But spare a thought for Kings interim coach Robbi Kempson. His team simply couldn’t find way through the beefed up Cheetahs defence this week, which bodes well for Cheetahs but will be a massive worry down in Port Elizabeth.

Both teams have eleven matches left in the season – many of them at home. First, however, they two-week break before packing their bags for a trip to Europe. Cheetahs will have a have a three match tour to face Leinster, Ulster and Dragons while Kings will only have a two-match trip to play Munster and Scarlets, before entertaining Connacht in Port Elizabeth. Meanwhile, the team at University of the Western And where Cheetahs have a real chance at a play-off Cape (UWC) was welcoming opponents from the spot, Kings will need a major miracle just to get off the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) to Bellville. bottom of their conference table. Perhaps it’s time SA And it was vistors who grasped the nettle with two rugby gave other franchises a shot at PRO14 glory. converted tries within virtually the first ten minutes.

UWC fought back but the men from Johannesburg were just too strong and the final score saw the visitors take five points from the road trip. Final score 10-40.

The final match of the opening round was University of Johannesburg (UJ) hosting University of Cape Town (Ikeys). It was a tight affair for the first thirty minutes or so but the result was never in doubt after Ikeys scored both before half-time and almost immediately after it. Final score 16-25.

Page 4 Page 5 Six Nations Off to a Satisfying Start Alberts: Lions Return Was Easy Decision

As noted last week, this past weekend also saw the As we noted last week, a number of former players beginning of the European Six Nations and Rugby are winging their way back to Johannesburg to rejoin Europe competitions, each of which features six the Lions franchise that helped launch their careers. nations. Among them are Jaco Kriel – who will be sidelined until April while he recovers from ankle surgery. We’re following both these days because we believe that it’s only a matter of time before a promotion- But probably the biggest name to return is Willem relegation system is introduced and we would Alberts – aka the Bone Collector – who has said that absolutely love to see the whingers relegated. [OK, the decision to rejoin the Lions from France for the OK. It’s a dream but it’s our dream. - Ed] 2020 Vodacom Super Rugby season was not a difficult one. But back to the rugby, in the premier six nations competition, Wales played Italy, Ireland faced Scotland and France welcomed the whingers. All three of the home teams triumphed but it was the thumping 42-0 scoreline produced by the Welsh against the hapless Italians that stood out. That, right there, is the rationale for a promotion-relegation system.

If you want some more detail, Jacques Nortier has an excellent wrap of round one on his Ruggaworld site. Here’s a snippet to whet your appetite:

“This weekend saw the start of the Six Nations which saw a young French side beat England in Paris on Alberts moved back to Johannesburg after spending Sunday. Wales was too good for Italy and Ireland got the last five years in France with Parisian club Stade through their game against Scotland.” Francais. He was initially doing fitness work at Ellis Park but after prolonged talks decided to sign for his You can also check out Squidge Rugby’s superb and former team. witty analyses on his YouTube channel. Meanwhile, in the second of the six nations competitions around While he says his family had settled in France and Europe, Spain travelled to Sochi to play Russia, were considering applying for citizenship, the chance Georgia hosted Romania in Tbilisi and Portugal to play for the Lions again was something he could welcomed Belgium to Lisbon. not turn down.

As Paul Dobson wrote on Rugby365.com: “...Georgia, “The news out of our home country was not always Spain and Portugal won. Spain’s victory over Russia positive and we were toying with the idea of possibly was all the more laudable for being played in Russia. staying,” Alberts said. Georgia and Portugal won at home.” “But when talks with the Lions started and the possibility of coming back to our family and friends and the familiar surroundings, it was not a difficult choice to make. It is one of the best places in the world with some serious problems.”

At 35 years old, there may be doubts over whether he could adjust to the pace of Super Rugby again, but he credits medical teams in Paris and Johannesburg for allowing him to continue his career.

Page 6 SA is to Rugby what Brazil is to Football

Probably one of the most persistent phrases one hears in South African sports is “player drain” – particularly when it comes to cricket and rugby. But is it really so bad? And how many of the players who went on to represent other countries at either sport really stood a chance of playing for the Proteas or the Springboks?

“In Brazil, a country who not too long ago had similar economic issues as South Africa, clubs started seeing young players as a commodity to export. Young players knew they’ll never be good enough to make the Brazilian national team, but they’ll be good enough to It’s an interesting question. Moving back to the rugby earn a decent living off their sport, in some country side of the equation, one thinks of Pieter de Villiers – they’ve never even heard of. Currently, there are more who starred in so many successful Six Nations professional Brazilian footballers outside than inside campaigns for France. He might have played for the Brazil.” Springboks but for a man-mountain named Jacobus Sound familiar? It should and these days, with the taboo Petrus "Os" du Randt ahead of him in the queue. lifted on the selection of overseas-based players, they But enough of our recollections and opinions. The possibly could still play for the Springboks. But Rheeder actual point of this piece is to highlight a recent blog Rugby goes on and makes a second interesting, and post that suggests that many of the rugby players who possibly controversial, statement: “Super Rugby is about make their way overseas would probably never feature to become a feeder competition”. in the Springboks anyway. “This might sound outrageous to say the least, because In fact, Rheeder Rugby goes as far as to suggest that even though we’ve been struggling to hang on to our top South Africa is to world rugby what Brazil is to world players, Australia and New Zealand have managed this football. It’s an interesting perspective. effectively. One event however, has put the wheels in motion to change all that: Japan."

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Page 7 For your viewing pleasure

It’s another weekend chock-full of rugby action beginning this morning with Super Rugby (see schedule alongside). As it was last weekend, the final match will be at 01:00 Sunday morning when Jaguares take on Hurricanes – the latter will be expecting to score more points than last Saturday.

Over in Europe, the Six Nations and Rugby Europe tournaments continue with the usual two fixtures on Saturday and one on Sunday. The Saturday fixtures will see Ireland host Wales and Scotland welcome the whingers while in the second tier six nations tournament, Russia travels to Belgium, Romania goes to Portugal. On Sunday France will entertain Italy and Georgia will visit Spain.

On Monday, the FNB Varsity Cup continues with all games kicking off at 7pm. The televised match this week is the Joburg derby: Wits vs UJ. Other matches in the offing are Ikeys vs NWU, CUT vs Tuks and Shimlas vs UWC. We’re expecting wins for Wits, Ikeys, Tuks and Shimlas.

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