South Africa Team Announced
Welcome back!
South Africa have announced their team to take on Italy in the one off test on Saturday. Coach Peter De Villiers has made six changes to the side that beat Wales last week to clinch the series 2-0. Three changes have been made to both the forwards and backs with the international against Italy proving to be a good chance to test some different combinations in the lead in the to the Tri Nations series.
The change of most interest if Francois Steyn who comes into the fly half position to replace the rested Butch James. Steyn had a strong year for the Sharks and is a potential future Springbok captain and can play virtually all positions in the backline. The opportunity to guide is his around the paddock is one he will be keen to take with both hands to add another string to his utility value on the field. Besides Steyn’s on field play he is also capable of kicking goals from over 50 metres out and popping field goals from the same distance out, his value to the Springboks is immeasurable.
In the forwards, Ryan Kankowski comes into the side replacing Peter Spies, CJ Van Der Linde replaces Bakkies Botha at tighthead prop and Bismarck du Plessis takes the place of John Smit who has returned to France to represent his club team.
The South African team is;
Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Gcobani Bobo, Jean De Villiers, Bryan Habana, Francois Steyn, Ricky Januarie, Ryan Kankowski, Juan Smith, Luke Watson, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ Van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawaria.
Reserves: Schalk Brits, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Joe Van Niekerk, Schalk Burger, Peter Grant, Ruan Pienaar.
Experimental Law Variations (ELVs)
With the Experimental Law Variations (ELVs) due to be implemented to Rugby on 1st August for a 12 month trial, we at The Ruck and Maul thought it would be good to give you a brief update of those changes.
The 2008 Super 14 was played under the new ELVs and this resulted in a faster game with less full arm penalties and the sides who were able to adapt to the increase in speed and alteration to the rules dominated. The Canterbury Crusaders from New Zealand were the best at adapting and the mobile forwards they possessed and the dominance and aggression at the maul was a key aspect in them winning the competition.
The IRB are officially implementing the rules on 1 August, this will bring all nations into line and will change the face of the game we know now. Players will need to be fitter and more mobile but still maintain the same skill level they possess. Under the ELVs there is less room to hide on the field as the game is faster and more dynamic.
The Southern Hemisphere nations of New Zealand, South Africa and Australia will have an early advantage having experienced this since the last World Cup but the Tri-Nations is the first major test series that will be played under the new ELVs.
The IRB have produced an excellent guide to the Experimental Law Variations, click here to read the guide.
IRB World Rankings
The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced the latest rankings of all Rugby playing nations on 16 June 2008.
The only movement within the top 10 from last week is Scotland moving up one place after their surprise victory against Argentina and Fiji dropping back one spot as a result of the Scottish win. Among other major top 20 nations Samoa has moved from 13th to 12th spot and Japan from 16th to 15th after recent performances in the Pacific Nations Cup.
The top 10 are;
South Africa
New Zealand
Argentina
Australia
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Scotland
Fiji
A full list can be viewed at the Official IRB Rugby site.
Mark Gerrard ruled out
Mark Gerrard the Wallabies winger currently playing for Australia A has been ruled out for one month. Gerrard suffered a shoulder injury in a tough physical encounter against Samoa on the weekend.
The injury comes at a bad time as Gerrard would have come into calculations for selection in the Tri-Nations series against the All Blacks and Springboks. Unfortunately it will make it difficult for Gerrard to force his way back into the Wallabies side without any significant time under his belt on the field.
Shane Williams Welsh Maestro
Shane Williams is a sensational player and for anyone requiring any convincing this try against South Africa on the weekend should be proof that he is the best winger in the game. Williams evasive step and individual brilliance is a sight to be behold and we hope to see him delivering for a few years yet.
Check out the amazing try where he bamboozled four South African defenders coming across in cover.
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South Africa 37 Wales 21
South Africa will be pleased with the win over Wales but were not as convincing as their last encounter. South Africa were able to scramble their way to victory but were unconvincing in stages against a more spirited Welsh side.
South Africa struck with two early tries to De Villiers and Januarie which gave them a 14-3 after 17 minutes when the Welsh staged a comeback. A crafty try from a lineout on the Springbok quarter line led to a good try off a well worked move to Gareth Cooper. The Welsh struck again with a sensational try to Shane Williams the Welsh genius who picked up a ball near half way and bolted for the line evading Luke Watson and the cover defense to score. It was a sensational individual try that gave the Welsh a 15-14 lead near half time. Butch James struck back close to half time with a penalty goal to give South Africa a 17-15 lead.
The second half traded penalties with the Welsh leading 21-20 until the Springboks started to get their act together as the Welsh could not sustain the momentum. The Springboks took the lead back through a Butch James penalty and then a try to De Villiers under the posts setup a 9 point lead. The victory was clinched with a try on the siren to Bismarck De Plessis.
The South Africans will be happy with the win but will need to lift for what is shaping as a classic Tri Nations series.
South Africa 37
Tries: Jean De Villiers 2, Enrico Januarie, Bismarck du Plessis
Goals: Butch James 3 penalties, 4 conversions
Wales 21
Tries: Gareth Cooper, Shane Williams
Goals: Stephen Jones 3 penalties, 1 conversion
South Africa vs Wales Preview
South Africa will be keen to make it to two from two against a Wales team who are desperate for a win to end their tour of South Africa on a high note. South Africa welcome back Victor Matfield to the starting lineup in what is shaping as another good hit out for South Africa ahead of the Tri Nations. Wales will be keen to show they are up for a challenge tonight but will need to stay on the game for the full 80 minutes which they struggled with last weekend in their loss.
South Africa have speed and skill in their backline with de Villiers, Habana and Butch James waiting for their chance to tear the Welsh apart again. Buth James was sensational last week and a similar performance for him tonight will have Wales packing their bags at halftime. The addition of Matfield is a huge boost as around the park and in the lineout he is perhaps one of the best in the world. Certainly a lineout with Matfield is a near impossible task to beat.
Wales are not without hope if the stars all align but will need their backline to show flair and the Welsh forwards will have to shape up and at least match the Springboks. Hook, Shane Williams and Stephen Jones will have to deliver and the halves combination will need to improve on last week’s effort.
I can’t see Wales getting close enough to South Africa to give them a scare but I expect a more competitive Welsh side than last week knowing they have more than pride on the line tonight with their performance. South Africa by 15.
South Africa
Conrad Jantjes, Tonderai Chavhanga, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Luke Watson, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit, BJ Botha.
Reserves: Bismarck du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, Andries Bekker, Ryan Kankowski, Bolla Conradie, Frans Steyn, Percy Montgomery.
Wales
James Hook, Mark Jones, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, Stephen Jones, Gareth Cooper, Gareth Delve, Jonathan Thomas, Ryan Jones, Ian Gough, Alun-Wyn Jones, Rhys Thomas, Richard Hibbard, Gethin Jenkins.
Reserves: T Rhys Thomas, Duncan Jones, Ian Evans, Dafydd Jones, Warren Fury, Andrew Bishop, Tom James.
IRB World Rankings
The International Rugby Board (IRB) announced the latest rankings of all Rugby playing nations on 9 June 2008.
The Top 10 are pretty much as expected and will depending on results in the current rugby season show some movements. South Africa are still ranked No. 1 after winning the 2007 World Cup. New Zealand are ranked No. 2 and will be keen to win the Tri-Nations to return to the No. 1 spot they have held for many years but failed to deliver at World Cup level. Argentina have pipped Australia for the third spot after a sensational World Cup campaign that surprised the rugby world. Australia will also been keen for a strong Tri-Nations to move back up the world rankings.
The top 10 are;
South Africa
New Zealand
Argentina
Australia
England
Wales
France
Ireland
Fiji
Scotland
A full list can be viewed at the Official IRB Rugby site.
Daniel Carter re-signs with NZRU till 2011
Daniel Carter has re-signed with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) until the end of 2011 in what is a strong sign that he is keen to play a major role in the next World Cup.
The announcement comes several days after the All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw also re-signed with the All Blacks. The NZRU will be pleased to know they have secured perhaps the two major stars in the All Blacks and will no doubt provide a positive lead for other major names to also follow suit.
In what is a growing trend for the major southern hemisphere nations of South Africa, New Zealand and Australia it is reported that Carter’s contract includes a clause for a six month sabbatical in the northern hemisphere but ensures Carter will be available for New Zealand Rugby well before the next World Cup campaign. Carter has not made a decision upon regarding his future regarding who he may play for but it is likely he will sign with the French team Toulon who has recently been promoted to the top flight. Toulon invested wisely in their playing stock last year securing George Gregan and Tana Umaga who provided the experience and ability to get the promoted. Carter is reportedly also looking at another club but his connection to former All Black Captain Umaga certainly provides a strong advantage to Toulon in gaining his signature.
South Africa 43 - Wales 17
South Africa were dominant in their first performance of the season with a convincing four tries to two victory in from of their home crowd. It was Butch James who delivered a commanding performance while capping it off with 5 penalties and 4 conversions.
The match began with a series of penalties to firstly the home side where James put the Springboks out to a 6-0 lead only for Jones added a penalty for Wales to bring the score back to 6-3. It did not take long for James to extend the lead to 12-3 with two more conversions until the home side were able to bring up their first try to Conrad Janjtes who finished off a good move. Wales soon struck back with a good try to Roberts in the corner after some classy Shane Williams footwork to evade a few tacklers. South Africa were ahead 22-10 at halftime after another penalty near the break to Butch James.
The second half was when the Sprinkgoks sprung into gear scoring three tries to one on the second half. Tries to de Villiers and Spies extended the lead further and with Butch James in hot form with the boot the lead had extended to 36-10. Wales struck back though thanks once again to Shane Williams who this time went over for a try after stepping Bryan Habana. Alas Wales were unable to mount a more spirited comeback as Montgomery went in for the Springboks fourth try.
Wales will need to improve considerably for the next game in Pretoria to be a chance and the signs for South Africa look reasonably good for the upcoming Tri-Nations against the All Blacks and South Africa.
South Africa 43
Tries: Jantjes, De Villiers, Spies, Montgomery
Goals: James, 5 penalties and 4 conversions
Wales 17
Tries: Wallace
Goals: Jones, 1 penalty and 1 conversion. Hook, 1 conversion