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“We mustn’t hoodwink rugby supporters that there’s a plan in place to save South African rugby – the reality is that the essence of what we were about is gone.” – Jake White Volume 19, Number 21 13 June 2019 Register to receive your own free weekly newsletter at www.rugbyrsa.co.za

Nothing Left of SA Rugby to Save, Jake

Last Friday, SA Rugby announced its new contracting model overhaul with a whole lot of fanfare in . And the initial media reports on the event and the model were relatively positive – or at least, guardedly neutral. In his column on SARugbymag.co.za, Craig Lewis wrote that the SA Rugby’s new contracting model signifies some proactive steps to combat the ever-challenging financial climate affecting the game.

Meanwhile, a news article by an unnamed writer in Sports24.co.za’s newsroom reported that it represented a “creative overhaul” that “will lead to improved use of resources, greater national and “We mustn’t hoodwink rugby supporters that there’s a provincial alignment and improved succession plan in place to save South African rugby – the reality planning at Springbok level”. Presumably, the is that the essence of what we were about is gone. quoted bits came from the SA Rugby media release Under the new contracting model, SA Rugby is on the subject. actively telling players to go overseas with no fear that it will affect their chances of playing for the The PR-speak continues: “The ground-breaking Springboks. system was achieved through unprecedented co- operation between SA Rugby, the rugby employers “We’re going to call Regulation 9 whenever the Test (the South African Rugby Employers’ Organisation, window opens while we’re blooding juniors in South SAREO) and the players’ organisation (MyPlayers). Africa on longer term contracts. It’s contradictory For the first time since rugby turned professional in because all of the values we’re going to be trying to 1996, SA Rugby will no longer directly contract instil in those youngsters don’t apply to the more Springboks. While in a second major change, senior players we’ve told to chase big contracts provincial unions have agreed to cap player budgets.” overseas.”

But not everyone is cock-a-hoop about the news. And, as usual, he has some pretty big points and, as Our editor’s old school chum, Jake White, reckons crazy as it sounds, the column is well-worth the read. the SA Rugby horse has bolted and we should just But if you’d prefer to just watch the press conference, sell up and move the Springboks to Dubai. you can do that too.

KEY TOPICS IN THIS NEWSLETTER

Baby Boks Knock Out New Zealand Annual Youth Rugby Weeks Kick-Off SuperSport Rugby Challenge Surprises Last Chance Saloon in 2019 Gets New Teams, Dates Getting a Real Kick out of Rugby

Page 1 Super Rugby Delivers Yet Another Draw Baby Boks Knock Out New Zealand

By the end of this past weekend, Super Rugby 2019 As we noted last week, the annual U20 had delivered seven draws, which may seem a lot but, Championship is currently on the go in Argentina and statistically, is not really. So far this season, a total of is arranged in three pools. finds itself in 113 matches have been played, meaning that the seven a pool together with Georgia, Scotland and New draws represent a mere 6.2% of the total. For context, Zealand. As we wrote last week, the Baby Boks bookmakers operate on something a little less than weren’t convincing against the Scots but they 10% as the chance of a draw in . secured a bonus point win nevertheless.

But that seventh draw last Friday was the ’ second on the New Zealand leg of their tour. The second match that day was in Brisbane and ended 29-28 in favour of the home-town Reds over the .

Saturday dawned with a rugby exhibition as the put the Rebels to the sword in Christchurch (66-0). Later that day in Sydney, Waratahs took on their compatriots from Canberra and had a nightmare first half (3-28) which left them with far too much to do – a cause not aided by twice spilling the ball while trying to score a try. Final score 24-35. The second encounter was Georgia on Saturday and But Saturday took a decided turn for the worst at the the first thirty-odd minutes were a real arm-wrestle. hands of one of SA’s most useless referees: Jaco Then the Baby Boks were handed a yellow card and Peyper. He consistently allowed the to promptly scored twice before half-time to lead 21-5 flood the breakdown from all sides – never through the at the break. A second yellow card was dished out in gate and hardly ever showing daylight before the second half and they scored while he was off the competing for the ball. This denied the Lions the quick field too. The final result was 48-18 and included ball on which they thrive. So much for home ground another bonus point. advantage. Final score was a depressing 17-37. The final pool game was against New Zealand this Two more matches were played on Saturday, with past Wednesday evening as we were closing off the predictable results: the failed to get a bonus newsletter. And the Baby Boks just never looked like point against the ; and the table-topping losing it. The only question was whether the kiwis did get a bonus point by thrashing the . could get close enough to slip into the semifinals with a bonus point. They couldn’t.

The six yellow cards in three matches are a worry, one of which resulted in a penalty try. Discipline is a problem for the Baby Boks and it could still cost them if the coaching staff don’t take steps to address the problem. Fast.

The results mean the Baby Boks are in the semifinals with Argentina, France and Australia. That's on Monday and we’ll probably play France, but that is yet to be confirmed.

Page 2 Page 3 SuperSport Rugby Challenge Surprises Currie Cup Gets New Teams, Dates

As we noted last week, this weekend’s fixtures were We’re not sure how we missed this given that we had make-or-break for a couple of teams. But before we been checking for news regularly but somehow, it go there, a number of other matches were played last slipped through the cracks. At the beginning of April, weekend that were making up the numbers, so to SA Rugby announced a new slot for the Currie Cup – speak. and a few new teams as well.

On Friday, thrashed (63-36) at Loftus to jump into third place on the North table, but it was too little too late as only the top two go through to the semifinals. On Saturday, EP Elephants dispatched Zimbabwe Academy (43-15) comfortably, Valke did the same to Namibia’s Welwitchias (56- 12) and maintained their unbeaten run intact by defeating (48-33).

Among the more critical matches of the weekend in the northern group, the had to beat in Kimberley to qualify. Unfortunately for Lions fans, they failed dismally, going down 45-26. But first the new teams. The Currie Cup in 2019 will have a strong international flavour with the return of In the southern group, Free State had to an Argentinian XV as well as a full-strength first despatch , which they did, Namibian team participating. comfortably (82-7). And then wait until Sunday in the hope that Western Province would defeat Boland The international teams will contest the First Cavaliers. Division this year and it’s likely that one of them – probably the Argentinians – will win and be Cheetahs players would have been on the edge of promoted to the Premier Division next year. But, for their seats as Boland took a 19-10 lead into half-time. this year at least, the status quo will remain in the After the break, and as they did last week against the Premier Division with Blue Bulls, Free State selfsame Cheetahs, Western Province benefited from Cheetahs, Golden Lions, Griquas, Pumas, Sharks and dodgy refereeing decisions to fight back. In the end, Western Province competing for the title. Boland hung on to triumph by a single point (22-21), thereby leapfroging Cheetahs into second position on In terms of the timing, the competition has been the table and into the semifinals. The matches moved to an earlier time slot in the season: 13 July to scheduled for this weekend are as follows: 7 September. This means that the Currie Cup will not overlap with the and Super Rugby Pumas vs in Nelspruit will be long finished by then. For the full fixture list Western Province vs Griquas in Cape Town check out Rugby365.com.

The PRO14, which usually begins late August, early September, is unlikely to do so in the 2019/20 season because of the World Cup – which runs from mid- September to 2 November. But we were unable to confirm that as the fixtures have not yet been announced.

Page 4 Page 5 Annual Youth Rugby Weeks Kick-Off Last Chance Saloon in Super Rugby 2019

It will be ladies first as SA Rugby’s annual Youth Weeks series – where close to 3000 players will showcase their skills in six tournaments across four venues around the country – kick off next week with the U16 and U18 Girls Week tournaments in .

The fixtures for the two Girls Weeks, as well as the Learners with Special Education Needs (LSEN) Week, will trigger a thrilling three-week spectacle of junior rugby. The two Girls Weeks will run concurrently at Jeppe High School in Johannesburg, from Monday 17 This weekend is the last of the regular season of to Friday 21 June, while the LSEN Week takes place Super Rugby in 2019. Around 7pm on Saturday night at Sentraal High School in , from 17 to we’ll know who has made it into the last eight, where 20 June. they will play their quarter-final match and against whom. As it stands, the top four are settled and These tournaments will be followed by the U13 SA cannot be caught. Rugby and U16 SA Rugby Grant Khomo Week a week later at Rob Ferreira High Crusaders, Jaguares, and Hurricanes will School in White River. all be hosting quarter-final fixtures next weekend. But below that only the Bulls are certain of a place in The final week of the popular schools rugby showcase the quarter-finals while the Lions, Stormers, Rebels, will see the top Under-18 players in the country take to Sharks, and Highlanders are all battling it out the field at Grey College in Bloemfontein in the for the three remaining spots. flagship event, the U18 SA Rugby Craven Week, and the SA Rugby Academy Week, which will play out from Monday 1 to Saturday 6 July.

This year will be the second that the U16 and U18 SA Rugby Girls Weeks will be hosted at Jeppe High School. The action will continue throughout the week, with the U16 teams battling it out on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the U16 teams on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Similarly to their male counterparts, the top teams in There’s a useful breakdown on UltimateRugby.com each age group will be drawn in the final match of the which lays it out team by team – although they omit respective tournaments where they will battle it out for the Highlanders from the analysis. We’re not so sure. top honours. The team from Dunedin play at home against the Waratahs on Friday and five points from that match could put them in the mix, level with the Bulls.

But nevertheless, it’s an interesting assessment of what each of the teams needs to do to secure a top eight spot.

Page 6 Getting a Real Kick out of Rugby

There’s rather humorous column running this week on GoodForTheGame.co.za that takes more than a few well-aimed punts at kicking in rugby. The piece is penned by Couch Critic HD (aka Hein Diemont) and though it has many omissions and contains much that is apocryphal, or at least wildly inaccurate, it is at least worth a good chuckle or two. [With apologies to the inimitable and, sadly, late Douglas Adams – Ed]

“Think of kicking in rugby and your mind goes to Naas Botha hoofing the ball miles into the air or the 'liefling' strategy whereby Derick But Couch Critic HD doesn’t restrict himself to Hougaard used his right foot at nauseum. Whilst describing elements of the game. He also has a fair times might have changed it does not mean there is amount to say about current affairs in the world of no place for boot to ball in modern rugby and Week rugby. For example: 17 of Super Rugby proved this in no small measure. “How Daryl Gibson is still employed is beyond me. “So, on this note lets briefly explore the Yes, there has been the Folau issue as well as the phenomenon that is the attacking tactical kick by problem of not really having a stable home base in looking at the different modern day kicks – I Sydney but how a team can perform so poorly with promise it will give you a kick!” such a large number of Wallabies at your disposal is pretty pathetic.” He describes each of the different types of kicks frequently used in rugby and illustrates the It’s an interesting, informative and amusing piece that description with an actual incident from Super reminds our editor of an old adage from his journalistic Rugby over this past weekend. days of yore:

Consider his thoroughly amusing anecdote “People read for two reasons; to be educated or to be concerning the up-and-under or Gary Owen kick: entertained,” he told us with a definite glint in his eye. “The Jaguares caught Rod dup junior day dreaming about how he was going to pull chicks in England next season as Bofelli grabbed the ball from right under his nose after a well placed up-and-under.”

Page 7 For your weekend viewing pleasure

This Friday and Saturday sees the eighteenth and final round of Super Rugby before the knock-out stages (see schedule alongside). But our Ultimate Rugby app reveals that there is also some other rugby action this weekend.

On Saturday, the final of the French will see Toulousse hosting Clermont Auvergne with the hosts chasing their 20th title and the visitors their third. There are three South Africans involved for the home team: , and .

If the matches we’ve seen so far this season are anything to go by, it should be a humdinger. But back home in South Africa, Sunday will see the SuperSport Rugby Challenge enter the semifinal stage – see page four. We’re hoping for a Pumas vs Griquas final.

And on Monday, as noted on page two, the Baby Boks are among the last four teams still with a change of lifting the World Rugby U20 Championship trophy next weekend. We last won it in 2012 and our team will be wanting to improve on the bronze medal of the last two years. Hope springs eternal.

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