The Springboks are currently still on tour in Europe and have lost both their tour matches, the first match against Leicester in the United Kingdom and the second match against France in Toulouse. I hope that they break out of this losing streak. Perhaps it was the poor portrayal of the South African National Anthem before the match by Ras Dumisani that jinxed the performance of the Springboks in the match against the France. Or maybe the Springboks were just completely outplayed by the French on their home ground. Or it could have been the referee (Springbok fans love blaming the referee). It seems that everyone’s looking for a scapegoat to blame for the Springboks’ poor performance on Friday night in Toulouse. The Springboks have not beaten France on their home ground in a game of rugby since 1997 (when Nick Mallet’s Springboks beat the French by 52 points to 10). This may have been in the back of their minds as they started the match on Friday night. Julien Dupuy scored the first points of the game for France in the 6th minute of the first half. The Springboks only managed to reply with a penalty by Morne Steyn in the 20th minute. A few minutes later Morne Steyn kicked over a drop goal for South Africa, followed by a try for South Africa by the captain, John Smit. The Springboks were leading by 13 points to 3, but failed to score in the rest of the match. They had no reply to French try by wing Vincent Clerc and the other points scored by the French. 2 Yellow cards handed out to Kankowski and Morne Steyn didn’t help the Springboks either. In the end France beat the Springboks convincingly by 20 points to 13. The Springboks face Saracens in the UK in a mid week clash this week before facing Italy on the weekend. Let’s hope South Africa have their rugby playing boots on for the rest of their European tour.

This is video of Ras Dumisani performing the SA National Anthem before the match:

Related Posts

• November 13, 2009 -- Springboks to take on France tonight (0)
• November 16, 2009 -- Proteas have mixed results against England (0)
• November 3, 2009 -- Springbok Squad announced for 2009 European Tour (0)
• September 25, 2009 -- South Africa bounce back in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 23, 2009 -- Sri Lanka crush Proteas in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 14, 2009 -- Springboks clinch 3rd Tri-Nations victory (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- ICC Champions Trophy 2009 around the corner (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- Springboks make history in Tri-Nations (0)
• January 21, 2010 -- Super 14 Fixtures for 2010 (1)
• January 18, 2010 -- Proteas pull one back against England (0)

This past weekend the South African cricket team played in 2 different T20 Internationals against England. England were victorious in the first match played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Friday night. The Proteas won the 2nd match played at Supersport Park in Centurion yesterday.

On Friday night Graeme Smith sent England in to bat first after winning the toss at the Wanderers. England managed to score 202 for the loss of 6 wickets. Contributions of 33 by Trott, 57 by Collingwood and 85 by Morgan helped to power the English innings. Mclaren (fairly new to the South African side) manage to take 3 wickets for 33 runs in 4 overs (the best South African bowler in the match). Langeveldt managed to take 1 wicket for 39 runs in 4 overs. The other 2 dismissals in the English innings were run-outs. Batsmen Loots Bosman and Graeme Smit opened the South African innings and put up an impressive opening partnership for the Proteas in 8.3 overs. They scored 97 runs between the two of them before Graeme Smith was dismissed for 41 runs. Loots Bosman joined him shortly after this on the pavillion and England were back in the game (dismissed for 58 runs). A small contribution by JP Duminy did not help the Proteas (managing to score only 6 runs from 5 balls). A thunderstorm was brewing in Johannesburg. South Africa needed to progress from 121/3 to 129/3 in 1 over to clinch the match for South Africa (according to the Duckworth / Lewis system). The batsmen, AB De Villiers and Albie Morkel only managed to score 6 runs (instead of before rain came pouring down at the Wanderers. South Africa lost by a single run (again). South Africa were a bit unlucky, but would have won this match if the batsmen were not so cautious in the last over.

On Sunday, South Africa batted first in the 2nd T20 International match against England at Supersport Park in Centurion. The Proteas scored the second highest total ever in T20 Internationals, 241 runs for 6 wickets. Loots Bosman and Graeme Smith opened the South African batting innings and managed to put the highest ever opening partnership total in T20 cricket. South Africa only lost the first wicket of their innings with their total on a 170. Graeme Smith scored 88 runs from 44 balls. Loots Bosman scored 94 runs from only 45 balls. Minor contributions by AB De Villiers (24) and Albie Morkel (14) helped the home side to reach 241 runs from 20 overs. England came in to bat but could only manage a total of 157 runs for 8 wickets. South Africa won the match by 84 runs. Loots Bosman was awarded the Man of the Match award for his contribution. The Proteas have proved once again that they are a force to aware of in International cricket. Only time will tell if they manage to keep up this reputation.

Related Posts

• September 2, 2009 -- ICC Champions Trophy 2009 around the corner (0)
• January 18, 2010 -- Proteas pull one back against England (0)
• November 17, 2009 -- France teach Springboks a lesson (0)
• November 13, 2009 -- Springboks to take on France tonight (0)
• October 1, 2009 -- England 2009 / 2010 Tour to South Africa – Match Schedule (0)
• September 28, 2009 -- South Africa knocked out of ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 25, 2009 -- South Africa bounce back in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 23, 2009 -- Sri Lanka crush Proteas in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 14, 2009 -- Springboks clinch 3rd Tri-Nations victory (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- Springboks make history in Tri-Nations (0)

The Springboks are currently on tour in Europe. Unfortunately they lost their first tour match against Leicester in England last week Friday. Guthro Steenkamp and Chillyboy
Ralepelle were injured in the match and sent home to South Africa. 2 Cheetahs players have been called up to replace these 2 players, Wian du Preez (prop) and Adriaan Strauss (hooker). Tonight’s match against France kicks off at 9:45 PM (South African time) and will be broadcast on Supersport 1 and M-net in South Africa. The match is being played in Toulouse in France, at the Municipal stadium. This promises to be a cracking game of rugby, but I think the Springboks will be victorious at the end of it. The French are a force to be reckoned with on their own soil. Only time will tell if the Springboks will be victorious in this match against France. Hopefully we’ll get to see Bryan Habana score one of his world famous tries (example in the photo below)

French Team: Damien Traille, Vincent Clerc, Yann David, Maxime Mermoz, Cedric Heymans, Francois Trinh-Duc, Julien Dupuy, Louis Picamoles, Imanol Harinordoquy, Theirry Dusautoir (captain), Romain Millo-Chluuski, Lionel Nallett, Nicolas Mas, Willem Servat, Fabien Barcella. Reserves: Dimitri Szarzewzski, Sylvain Marconnet, Sebastien Chabal, Julien Bonnaire, Morgan Parra, David Marty, Maxime Medard.

South Africa: Zane Kirchner, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Adi Jacobs, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Ryan Kankowski, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira. Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Wian du Preez, CJ van der Linde, Andries Bekker, Danie Rossouw, Ruan Pienaar, Wynand Olivier.

Related Posts

• November 17, 2009 -- France teach Springboks a lesson (0)
• November 16, 2009 -- Proteas have mixed results against England (0)
• November 3, 2009 -- Springbok Squad announced for 2009 European Tour (0)
• September 25, 2009 -- South Africa bounce back in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 23, 2009 -- Sri Lanka crush Proteas in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 14, 2009 -- Springboks clinch 3rd Tri-Nations victory (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- ICC Champions Trophy 2009 around the corner (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- Springboks make history in Tri-Nations (0)
• January 21, 2010 -- Super 14 Fixtures for 2010 (1)
• January 18, 2010 -- Proteas pull one back against England (0)

I attented the 2009 Currie Cup final at Loftus Versveld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday. The Bulls and Cheetahs faced eachother for the 3rd time in the last 4 years in South Africa’s premier domestic rugby competition’s final. Me and my dad arrived at the stadium at about 2:30 PM on Saturday. Pretoria is renowned countrywide for build-up before a big game at Loftus Versveld. Bulls supporters were already driving around with flags mounted on their cars and bakkies on Thursday (2 days before the game). Vendors were already selling flags on the streets of Pretoria on Thursday morning. The capital city truly loves the Bulls. It’s one thing Pretoria can be proud of. The match started at 5:30 PM. Pretoria gets way too hit this time of year so that was probably the reason for the match starting that late in the afternoon (kickoff is usually at 5 PM for rugby games in Pretoria). Well-known South African singer, Steve Hofmeyer (one of the biggest Bulls fan in the country) made an appearance just before the game kicked off.

The Bulls and Cheetahs treated the sell-out crowd of 53,000 people to a brilliant game of rugby. An early try by Bulls wing Francois Hougaard (converted by Morne’ Steyn) put the home team on the scoreboard. The Bulls were ahead by 7 points to 0 in the 4th minute. In the 8th minute Free State flyhalf Jacques-Louis Potgieter missed a penalty right in front of the Bulls post. In the 14th minute Bryan Habana (the Bulls and Springbok left wing) sailed over for a try in the corner (also converted by Morne’ Steyn). This put the Bulls ahead by 14 points to 0. Just 3 minutes later Bryan Habana sailed over again (in the same corner) for his 2nd try of the match. Morne’ Steyn converted this try as well. This put the Bulls ahead by 21 points to 0 in the 18th minute (very impressive if you ask me). In the 25th minute flyhalf Morne’ Steyn kicked over his first penalty of the game. The Bulls were leading by 24 points to 0. The Bulls were clearly dominating the game, but not for long. The Cheetahs came back with force. Frans Viljoen scored a try for the visitors in the 31st minute for the visitors, barely stretching over the Bulls tryline. Just 5 minutes later Corne’ Uys sailed over the Bulls line for the Cheetahs second try. Both tries were converted by Potgieter, putting the Cheetahs only 10 points behind the Bulls. In the last minute of the first half, Morne’ Steyn kicked over a drop goal for the home side. The Bulls were leading the game by 27 points to 14.

After a well deserved smoke break (to calm down the nerves) I returned to my seat on the main stand for the 2nd half of the game. At this stage Bulls fans were hoping that the Bulls could extend their lead or at least defend their score. Free State supporters were hoping for a comeback by the Cheetahs. In the 4th minute the Bulls were awarded a penalty (which Morne’ Steyn kicked over), put them ahead by 30 points to 14. The Cheetahs replied with a try by Nico Breedt 1 minute later. The conversion by Jacques-Louis Potgieter put the Cheetahs only 9 points behind. The Bulls were leading by 30 points to 21. 3 minutes later Jacques-Louis Potgieter put the Cheetahs only 6 points behind when he kicked over a drop goal. Bulls fans were sitting on the edge of their seats. In the 54th minute of the game Morne’ Steyn calmed fears by kicking over another penalty putting the Bulls ahead by 33 points to 24. Shortly after this Habana nearly scored his 3rd try of the game, but was denied by great defending by the Cheetahs. However a penalty was reversed by referee Jonathan Kaplan for retaliation by JP Joubert against Habana. Morne’ Steyn missed the attempt to put the Bulls ahead by 9 points again. However, in the 68th minute the Bulls were awarded another penalty which was kicked over by the Bulls flyhalf putting them ahead by 9 points again. In the 75th minute one of the Cheetah’s players was yellow carded for what is described as “verbals” by referee Jonathan Kaplan. The Bulls held out till the end of the match, winning by 36 points to 24. They completed “the double” by beating the Cheetahs. The Bulls are the first team in South African rugby history to win both the Currie Cup and the Super 14 in the same year. Well done to the Bulls!

It truly has been a brilliant year for South African rugby in general. A South African team won the Super 14 trophy. SA won the series against the British & Irish Lions. South Africa also won the 2009 Tri Nations tournament. The Springbok squad for the upcoming tour was announced after the Currie Cup final match on Saturday. I will be covering this in an upcoming post.

Related Posts

• January 21, 2010 -- Super 14 Fixtures for 2010 (1)
• November 17, 2009 -- France teach Springboks a lesson (0)
• November 16, 2009 -- Proteas have mixed results against England (0)
• November 13, 2009 -- Springboks to take on France tonight (0)
• October 19, 2009 -- Bulls and Cheetahs to play in Currie Cup 2009 Final (0)
• October 14, 2009 -- Currie Cup 2009 – Update (0)
• October 9, 2009 -- Currie Cup 2009 – Update (0)
• September 30, 2009 -- World Cup 2010: Stadiums – Part 5 (0)
• September 25, 2009 -- South Africa bounce back in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 23, 2009 -- Sri Lanka crush Proteas in ICC Champions Trophy (0)

After suffering a 55 run defeat at the hands of Sri Lanka earlier in the week, the South African national cricket team have bounced back with a 5 wicket victory over New Zealand at Supersport Park in Centurion yesterday. New Zealand were sent in to bat first after South Africa won the toss and decided to have a bowl first. New Zealand did not manage to bat through their allowed 50 overs and were bowled out for 214 runs in the 48th over. Wayne Parnell was the Proteas best bowler for South Africa, taking 5 wickets for 57 runs (a bit expensive but not bad at all for a 19 year old). Ross Taylor was the Black Caps’ best batsman, scoring 72 runs off 106 balls.

After the lunch interval South Africa began their batting innings. Graeme Smith, the SA captain was dismissed in the 6th over. Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis put up a 2nd wicket partnership of 52 runs. Kallis was caught behind off the bowling of Shane Bond and managed to score 36 runs off 39 balls. South African lost the wickets of Amla and JP Duminy in quick succession and were on 138 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in the 27th over. AB De Villiers and Mark Boucher managed to restore order and put up a 5th wicket partnership of 42 runs. Boucher was caught behind off the bowling of Daryl Tuffey and South Africa were on 180 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. AB De Villiers was joined by Albie Morkel and they closed the deal with an unbeaten 6th wicket partnership of 37 runs off 32 balls. Albie Morkel was responsible for 19 of those runs.

This was much better play by the Proteas and a well-deserved victory indeed. South Africa face England in their next match in the ICC Champions Trophy on the 27th of September at Supersport Park. This promises to be an interesting match. England face Sri Lanka today in the their first match of the tournament. It seems that Gauteng province is the place to be for International cricket this week, if you can find a ticket, most of the games are sold out.

Related Posts

• September 14, 2009 -- Springboks clinch 3rd Tri-Nations victory (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- ICC Champions Trophy 2009 around the corner (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- Springboks make history in Tri-Nations (0)
• January 21, 2010 -- Super 14 Fixtures for 2010 (1)
• November 17, 2009 -- France teach Springboks a lesson (0)
• November 16, 2009 -- Proteas have mixed results against England (0)
• November 13, 2009 -- Springboks to take on France tonight (0)
• October 6, 2009 -- Australia win 2009 ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 23, 2009 -- Sri Lanka crush Proteas in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 7, 2009 -- Wallabies bring Springboks down to earth in Brisbane (0)

The South African Cricket Team, commonly known as the Proteas lost their opening match against Sri Lanka in the ICC Champions Trophy tournament yesterday. The match was played at Supersport Park, Centurion in Gauteng. The Proteas had to reach the target of 320 runs (set by Sri Lanka). When the first summer rains of the region stopped play, the Proteas had only managed to reach 206 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. The Duckworth Lewis system was applied and South Africa lost the match by 55 runs. It seems that the Proteas “choked” again. Why is it that we always play our worst cricket when it comes to International tournaments like this one and the Cricket World Cup? Once again a South African sports team has put itself under pressure. Some of my friends have stopped watching cricket for this reason. The Proteas have to win their 2 upcoming games (against New Zealand and England) to reach the semi finals of the ICC Champions Trophy. Let’s hope that this was a once off “choke” and that South Africa live up to their current #1 World Ranking.

Related Posts

• September 2, 2009 -- ICC Champions Trophy 2009 around the corner (0)
• November 17, 2009 -- France teach Springboks a lesson (0)
• November 16, 2009 -- Proteas have mixed results against England (0)
• November 13, 2009 -- Springboks to take on France tonight (0)
• September 25, 2009 -- South Africa bounce back in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 14, 2009 -- Springboks clinch 3rd Tri-Nations victory (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- Springboks make history in Tri-Nations (0)
• January 21, 2010 -- Super 14 Fixtures for 2010 (1)
• January 18, 2010 -- Proteas pull one back against England (0)
• December 7, 2009 -- World Cup 2010: Groups (0)

This past Saturday, the 12th of September 2009, will go down as one of the greatest days in the history of South African rugby. The Springboks faced the All Blacks for the 3rd time in this year’s Tri-Nations Tournament in Hamilton, New Zealand. Before this match the South African public was not sure whether the Springboks had it in them to beat New Zealand on one of their own grounds. South Africa does not have a good track record against the All Blacks in New Zealand. It turns out that Springbok supporters did not have to worry too much. In a humdinger of a match, South Africa beat New Zealand by 32 points to 29. This was a welcome result after the previous test against Australia in Brisbane did not go so well. A lot was expected from the Springboks, since they won all their tests against Australia and New Zealand in South Africa (In Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg).

The Springboks completely overwhelmed the All Blacks in the first half of the game. The All Blacks only managed to score 12 points (4 penalties kicked by Dan Carter) in this half. Fourie Du Preez scored the first try of the match in the 19th minute of the first half. 3 penalties by full back Frans Steyn (including a 60 metre kick over the posts from South Africa’s 10 metre line) and a 35 metre drop goal by fly half Morne Steyn helped to bring up the Springboks score to 22 points when the half time whistle blew. All of South Africa was pleased with the Springboks’ performance, being 10 points head at half time against the All Blacks on their home ground is quite an achievement.

11 minutes into the 2nd half, Springbok centre Jean de Villiers lived up to his reputation of “interception king”, intercepting a pass from Dan Carter 30 metres from the New Zealand goal line and cruising over the line for a trademark try. After the successful conversion, the Boks were ahead by 29 points to 12. Sitiveni Svivivatu managed to score a try for the All Blacks in the 16th minute after half time, which was converted. At this stage, the Springboks were still ahead by 10 points (29 – 19). Dan Carter kicked over another penalty for New Zealand with 16 minutes left in the match, putting the All Blacks only 7 points behind South Africa. However, fly half Morne Steyn gave the Springboks some breathing room, kicking over a penalty with 10 minutes to go to give his team a 10 point lead. In the dying minutes of the match, Richie Macaw sailed over the try line for a New Zealand. The Springboks defended all All Black onslaughts until the 81st minute of the match, beating New Zealand for the 2nd time in 2 years on their own ground and clinching the 2009 Tri Nations Championship for the 3rd time.

Unfortunately I did not see this match on television, but I did follow the online scoring on Supersport constantly because I was worried that the Springboks might not be able to pull it off. It really has been a brilliant year for South African Rugby. The Springboks are the current World Cup Holders, they won the series against the British Lions and now they are the 2009 Tri Nations Champs. Quite impressive if you ask me. Let’s also not forget that a South African team, the Vodacom Bulls are the current Super 14 Champs. With achievements like these, things can only get better for South African Rugby. Hats off to the All Blacks for being a formidable opponent (like always). Some critics have labeled New Zealand as sore losers after South African centre, Jacque Fourie has been handed a 4 week ban for a dangerous tackle. I tend to disagree, a dangerous tackle is still a dangerous tackle and I think this would’ve happened even if we were out of contention for the Tri Nations title. This years Tri-Nations competition will be remembered as the year that Morne Steyn scored all 31 points against the All Blacks in a test in Durban, the year the Springboks beat Australia in Perth with a record score and the year South Africa won its 3rd ever Trophy.

Argentina has been invited to the join the Tri Nations championship in 2012. Argentina has also been given an opportunity for their best players to be allowed in the Super 14 competition. This could be interesting. This could bring some interesting elements into the competition. This could possibly bring up Argentinian rugby to the level of rugby we’ve come to know from Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Only time will tell whether this will be the case or not. The Springboks are expected to arrive in South Africa after 16:00 on Monday the 14th of September at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg. They’re bound to be awaited by some fans who will probably give them a heroes welcome.

Related Links:
A Nation Sceams ‘Yes!’ – Independent Online
Super Boks are Champions – Independent Online
Smit hails Bok heroes – Daily Dispatch
Springboks bask in latest glory – Irish Times
All Blacks have lost ‘aura of invincibility’ – New Zealand Herald
Building a Dynasty – Keo Sport Blog
Argentina to Join Tri-Nations – News 24
De Villiers gives Hamilton a right hook – Supersport Rugby

Related Posts

• September 25, 2009 -- South Africa bounce back in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- ICC Champions Trophy 2009 around the corner (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- Springboks make history in Tri-Nations (0)
• January 21, 2010 -- Super 14 Fixtures for 2010 (1)
• November 17, 2009 -- France teach Springboks a lesson (0)
• November 16, 2009 -- Proteas have mixed results against England (0)
• November 13, 2009 -- Springboks to take on France tonight (0)
• October 6, 2009 -- Australia win 2009 ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 23, 2009 -- Sri Lanka crush Proteas in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 7, 2009 -- Wallabies bring Springboks down to earth in Brisbane (0)

The ICC Champions Trophy is a One Day International cricket tournament, second in importance only to the Cricket World Cup. The tournament was inaugurated as the ICC Knock Out tournament in 1998. Since then it has been played every 2 years. The tournament underwent a name change in 2002 and is known as the Champions Trophy since then. Previous ICC Champions Trophy competitions have been hosted by Bangladesh (in 1998), Kenya (in 2000), Sri Lanka (in 2002), England (in 2004), India (in 2006). Pakistan was supposed to be the host country for the competition in 2008. Security constraints led to the tournament being postponed to October 2009. Security concerns by some participating countries has led to the tournament venue being changed to South Africa. The ICC Champions Trophy will be held in South Africa from the 22nd of September until the 5th of October 2009. 2 venues will be used in the ICC Champions Trophy, the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg and Supersport Park in Centurion. The world’s top 8 nations in cricket will compete in the ICC Champions Trophy. The nations will be split up into 2 groups of 4 nations. Group A will be made up out of Australia, India, Pakistan and the West Indies. Group B will be made up out of South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and England.

Here’s a list of fixtures for the ICC Champions Trophy:

• 22 Sept 2009 – Centurion – South Africa vs Sri Lanka – 14h30 – Day / Night
• 23 Sept 2009 – The Wanderers - Pakistan vs West Indies – 14h30 – Day / Night
• 24 Sept 2009 – Centurion – South Africa vs New Zealand – 09h30 – Day
• 25 Sept 2009 – The Wanderers – England vs Sri Lanka – 14h30 – Day / Night
• 26 Sept 2009 – The Wanderers – West Indies vs Australia – 09h30 – Day
• 26 Sept 2009 – Centurion - India vs Pakistan – 14h30 – Day / Night
• 27 Sept 2009 – The Wanderers – New Zealand vs Sri Lanka – 09h30 – Day
• 27 Sept 2009 – Centurion – South Africa v England – 14h30 – Day / Night
• 28 Sept 2009 – Centurion - Australia vs India – 14h30 – Day / Night
• 29 Sept 2009 – The Wanderers – England vs New Zealand – 14h30 – Day / Night
• 30 Sept 2009 – The Wanderers – India vs West Indies – 14h30 – Day / Night
• 30 Sept 2009 – Centurion – Australia vs Pakistan – 09h30 – Day
• 2 Oct 2009 – The Wanderers – A1 vs B2 – 14h30 – Day / Night
• 3 Oct 2009 – Centurion – B1 v A2 – 14h30 – Day / Night
• 5 Oct 2009 – Centurion – Final – Day / Night

South Africa have only won the ICC Champions Trophy once, in 1998 in Bangladesh. The Proteas are very determined to add this year’s trophy to their collection. The South African Cricket Team have failed to be victorious in the last 5 Cricket World Cups and the last 2 T20 World Cups. Hopefully this year the Proteas can add the ICC Champions Trophy (nicknamed the mini World Cup) to their collection. Guess I’ll have to look for some tickets for sale and go check out the ICC Champions Trophy. Let’s hope the Proteas make South Africa proud.

Related Links:
Mickey: Proteas Want The Trophy – Sport24
Arthur: We’re the best – Sky Sports
The new team to beat – Mail & Guardian
SA Cricket – Official Website
Cricket – Supersport

Related Posts

• September 2, 2009 -- Springboks make history in Tri-Nations (0)
• January 21, 2010 -- Super 14 Fixtures for 2010 (1)
• November 16, 2009 -- Proteas have mixed results against England (0)
• October 6, 2009 -- Australia win 2009 ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 25, 2009 -- South Africa bounce back in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 23, 2009 -- Sri Lanka crush Proteas in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 14, 2009 -- Springboks clinch 3rd Tri-Nations victory (0)
• September 7, 2009 -- Wallabies bring Springboks down to earth in Brisbane (0)
• January 18, 2010 -- Proteas pull one back against England (0)
• November 17, 2009 -- France teach Springboks a lesson (0)

South Africa is demonstrating why they are the current Rugby World Champions in this years Tri-Nations Rugby Competition. The Springboks are well on the way to win their 3rd Tri-Nations title. On the 29th of August, South Africa faced Australia at the Subiaco Oval in Perth. This encounter was the 2nd one between the two rugby rivals in this year’s competition. The Springboks followed up their victory in the 1st encounter against the Wallabies in this year’s competition with a convincing and record breaking victory away from home. The Springboks amassed the biggest score against the Wallabies on Australian soil in history. The expert boot of flyhalf Morne Steyn, 2 tries by wing Bryan Habana, 1 try by scrumhalf Fourie Du Preez and another try by centre Jacque Fourie sealed their victory. After leading by 22 points to 6 at half time and standing up to the challenge by the Wallabies, the Springboks won the game by 32 points to 25. Australia scored 3 tries in the 2nd half, 2 were credited to flyhalf, Matt Giteau and 1 was credited to Lachie Turner.

Only 3 games remain in this year’s Tri-Nations Rugby Tournament. South Africa are currently on top of the table with 17 points. New Zealand is in 2nd place with 8 points. Australia is in last place with only 3 points. The Springboks have played 4 games and won all 4 of them, picking up 1 bonus point along the way. Australia have lost all 4 their matches. All 3 of Australia’s points are bonus points achieved for losing by less than 7 points against another team. South Africa will win the Tri-Nations unless they lose their last 2 matches without getting a bonus point and New Zealand has 2 bonus-point victories in their last 2 matches.

It’s quite pricey to travel, even the tickets will be expensive in the classifieds. I guess I’ll have to wait until next year’s competition if I wanna go watch a Tri-Nations match in a stadium. Luckily there is more than bar with a big screen in my home city, Pretoria. I will not have a problem finding a place to watch 3 remaining matches in the Tri-Nations this year

Related Links:
Trust key to Bok Success – IOL
Major Milestone for Fourie – News24
SA Rugby – Official Website

Related Posts

• September 7, 2009 -- Wallabies bring Springboks down to earth in Brisbane (0)
• September 2, 2009 -- ICC Champions Trophy 2009 around the corner (0)
• January 21, 2010 -- Super 14 Fixtures for 2010 (1)
• October 6, 2009 -- Australia win 2009 ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 25, 2009 -- South Africa bounce back in ICC Champions Trophy (0)
• September 14, 2009 -- Springboks clinch 3rd Tri-Nations victory (0)
• November 17, 2009 -- France teach Springboks a lesson (0)
• November 16, 2009 -- Proteas have mixed results against England (0)
• November 13, 2009 -- Springboks to take on France tonight (0)
• September 23, 2009 -- Sri Lanka crush Proteas in ICC Champions Trophy (0)