South Africa flag interest in hosting Rugby World Cup
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South Africa have indicated they intend to bid for the 2015 or 2019 Rugby World Cup. The South African Rugby board decided at their recent board meeting that they were intending to bid in a hope they will be able to host one of the next two Rugby World Cup’s. The IRB will announce the hosts for the 2015 & 2019 World Cup at the same time next year.
The South African’s may be able to leverage off the Football World Cup in 2010 as the infrastructure will be in place for the South African RUgby board to leverage off in their bid application.
Percy Montgomery retires after 102 appearances
Percy Montgomery retired today after a record 102 test’s for the South African Springboks. Montgomery, 34, holds the record for the most caps for the Springboks retires after a long and successful career where he holds the Springboks point scoring record of 893 points his place in South African Rugby is guaranteed.
Montgomery made his debut in 1997 against the British Lions and quickly established himself as a point scoring machine for the Boks. Montgomery would have clocked up many more appearances but spent two years in exile when he moved to the United Kingdom to continue his rugby career.
Montgomery got what he deserved for such a distinguished career and went out on a high with the Springboksa 53-8 victory over the Wallabies in Johannesburg. Montgomery will continue his career next year for the Stormers in the Super 14.
The Ruck and Maul congratulates Percy Montgomery for his achievements and his wonderful international career.
Rugby Tri-Nations: South Africa 53 Australia 8
The Springboks were sensational in their massacre of the Wallabies as they ripped them to shreads all around the ground running away with a 53-8 record breaking victory in front of 54,219 fans. This was the Boks side that promised so much at the start of the Rugby Tri-Nations but failed to deliver until tonight the result that this talented side was capable of producing.
The Boks gave their fans in Johannesburg a rousing final home test for the year as the Wallabies had no answers to the firepower in the forwards or the speed of the backs in a blistering performance. For the Boks it was hard to single out any one player such was the amazing team effort.
For the Wallabies it was hard to pick a good performer with George Smith, Brett Sheehan, Ryan Cross, James Horwill, Stephen Moore and Adam Ashley-Cooper the only players that could hold their head up after the loss. The fact that the majority of them came off the bench tells you a clear story.
Robbie Deans must be lamenting the performance of the Wallabies after their win last week in Durban, their 45 year hoodoo will continue and is unlikely to be broken unless the Wallabies came bring considerably more to any future encounters in Johannesburg.
The Wallabies were let down continually by the lack of experience by Tahu who was continually exploited with poor positional play and the performance by Polota-Nau in lineout was terrible. The absense of George Smith was clear as Phil Waugh tried valiently but could not produce the heroics of Smith in previous tests.
The performance of Dunning was that terrible that Deans did the near unthinkable by replacing him after 31 minutes. This was a clear reaction to the poor performance early on in the scrum and also the lack of involvement from Dunning around the ground.
The game started vigorously with both sides launching themselves at each other with the vigour and passion that was lacking from the match last week. The first points of the match came to Giteau who converted after 5 mins from a clear professional foul by Butch James who was ruled offside.
The South African’s soon kicked into top gear and the Wallabies had no answers at the Boks scored two tries to Bekker and Nokwe in three minutes after tearing holes through the Wallaby defence with rampaging runs and vigorous work at the breakdown.
The Wallabies had no answers on to the intensity of the Boks and the backrow of Burger, Spies and Smith dominated the breakdown. The Australian Wallabies were ineffective, lacking numbers and were blown away by the Boks backrow.
Both sides butchered certain tries in the first half but on the back of the dropped ball by Spies on the tryline the Springboks won the ball against the feed and through several phases launched the ball wide for Nokwe to score again out wide. The South Africans were out to a 17-3 lead after only 26 minutes. It was soon extended to a 20-3 lead after James converted a penalty.
The Wallabies were desperate and replaced Dunning after 31 minutes in a clear sign of the dominace of the Boks at the scrum and in general play. Baxter was unable to make any impact before the Boks scored again after stetching the Wallabies off the back of the lineout and using the width of the field to allow Nokwe to score again virtually strolling over the tryline in the 35th minute. James converted and the Boks were blitzing the Wallabies at 27-3, which was the score at half-time.
If the result was in any doubt just after the break then it only took 4 minutes for Jean de Villiers to flip a fantastic pass to Adrian Jacobs who sprinted 30 metres to score off the back of a scrum. In the 50th minute the Boks scored again with a kick ahead by Janjtes off the back of another scrum that allowed Nokwe to score his 4th try of the match.
The Wallabies were killing themselves with their inability to secure lineout with terrible throwing from the lineout from Polota-Nau and their inability to muscle up at the scrum and breakdown.
It took till the 56th minute for the Wallabies to finally show some urgency after Australia secured their first lineout ball since the 22nd minute and it was the new legs of George Smith, Stephen Moore and Drew Mitchell that got the Wallabies on the board with a Mitchell try.
The South African’s soon extended their lead to 46-8 after another easy try to the promising Ruan Pienaar who stepped through the Wallabies defense as though he was going on a walk in the park such was the lack of intensity from the Wallabies.
The final insult which gave the Boks a record winning margin was a try to Odwa Ndungane after another break through a Wallaby defence that had gone home early as Roussow got on the outside of his man to give Odwa Ndungane a gift try, the conversion was the final insult for the Wallabies and capped of the best performance of the season for the Springboks.
South Africa 53
Tries: Jongi Nokwe 4, Andries Bekker, Adrian Jacobs, Ruan Piennar, Odwa Ndungane
Goals: Butch James 3 conversions, penalty and Percy Montgomery 2 conversions
Australia 8
Tries: Drew Mitchell
Goals: Matt Giteau conversion
Rugby Poll: Best Openside Flanker
The Ruck and Maul’s Rugby Poll on who our visitors think is the best openside flanker in the game at the moment is doing showing a clear win to Richie McCaw.
RIchie McCaw is widely hailed the best flanker in the game and it seems our visitors have no doubt McCaw is the best in the game. At the time of writing this article we have had 37 votes, with Richie McCaw scoring 50%, George Smith 22%, Schalk Burger 11% and Other 8%.
If you have not voted yet, vote now before our next new Poll starts. This Poll will stay open on our Polls page for a while to allow visitors to keep voting should they wish to nominate their favourite openside flanker in world Rugby.
British Lions 2009 Tour Dates
THe British Lions will tour South Africa in 2009. The British Lions tours are one of the best touring occasions in Rugby and the chance to see a Lions outfit is always highly recommended.
In 2009 thr British Lions will play 10 matches in South Africa, including three tests against the Springboks.
Below are the tour dates for the British Lions 2009 tour of South Africa;
| 30 May 2009 | Highveld XV vs British Lions | Rustenburg |
| 3 June 2009 | Golden Lions vs British Lions | Johannesburg |
| 6 June 2009 | Cheetahs vs British Lions | Bloemfontein |
| 10 June 2009 | Sharks vs British Lions | Durban |
| 13 June 2009 | Western Province vs British Lions | Cape Town |
| 16/17 June 2009 | Coastal XV vs British Lions | Port Elizabeth |
| 20 June 2009 | South Africa vs British Lions | Durban |
| 23 June 2009 | Emerging Springboks vs British Lions | Cape Town |
| 27 June 2009 | South Africa vs British Lions | Pretoria |
| 4 July 2009 | South Africa vs British Lions | Johannesburg |
Rugby Tri-Nations Preview: South Africa vs Australia
The final match of the 2008 Rugby Tri-Nations for the South African’s will likely determine the future of a number of leading players and their coach Peter de Villiers. A loss could well see a dramatically different side rolled out for the European tour in November and perhaps a new coach.
South Africa who have won only one of their five encounters are looking down the barrel of a third loss in a row at home. This would be unheard of in South Africa and against a side like the Wallabies who won for the first time in South Africa since 2000 last weekend. Another loss would be disastrous for the Boks.
The Wallabies are coming off a high from the win against the Springboks in Durban. This week’s challenge is to win in at the highveld in Johannesburg at the Springboks stronghold, a venue they have not won at since 1963.
The task at hand is huge for the Wallabies but this side is different to the sides we have seen in recent times. Robbie Deans side has a belief we have not seen in the Wallabies since 2003. The Wallabies have a genuine belief in their ability and are demonstrating a strong desire to win and achieve.
The success they are achieving can be mostly attributed to Deans man-management but also his key selections which had introduced a level of enthusiam and raw talent into the side.
This week’s match in Johannesburg will be played at 1700 metres above sea level at a venue that the Boks have been virtually unbeatable. The ground formerly known as Ellis Park is one of the most hostile and in your face venues in the world. The poverty of the surrounding area has often been blamed for the Wallabies losing even before they get on the field. Tomorrow the Wallabies will try and prove history wrong.
The Boks have continued to play an expansive game but with minimal success. I don’t think de Villiers will change his tactics now. The Boks need to dominate the scrum early and Matfield needs to intimidate the in-experienced Wallabies locks for the Boks to stand a chance. Their is no doubt the Boks have the firepower but their belief in themselves in low.
In total contrast the Wallabies are playing with confidence and belief. Robbie Deans has the players believing in themselves and has given the the weapons and confidence to roll with the play. This has unleashed the Wallaby side’s strength and we have seen the belief grow in the squad. Timana Tahu will be most under pressure, in his first start he will need to deliver the goods in the hot seat that Berrick Barnes has dominated this year.
Phil Waugh gets his crack to show he more than match George Smith, his effort will be key to the Wallabies dominating the breakdown. If Waugh struggles to make an impact we will see Smith on the field pretty early to add firepower. A potential weakness is Polota-Nau at hooker, Moore has been the best hooker in the competition and Polota-Nau’s last major appearance was a debacle against the All Blacks where is radar was locking into Alaska not Eden Park. His performance will be the key to the Wallaby set play.
The Ruck and Maul Verdict: Wallabies by 8.
Confidence is a big thing in Rugby and the Wallabies are playing with belief and the Springboks seem to have some internal feuding between players and coach, this will likely derail any chance the Boks have of winning in Johannesburg.
Australia
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock, Timana Tahu, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Sam Cordingley, Wycliff Palu, Phil Waugh, Rocky Elsom, Hugh McMeniman, James Horwill, Matt Dunning, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, Dean Mumm, George Smith, Brett Sheehan, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.
South Africa
Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Jongi Nokwe, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Andries Bekker, Brian Mujati, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar, Percy Montgomery.
De Villiers names his Springboks team
Peter de Villiers has stuck with the core of his squad that have been so unsuccessful in the 2008 Rugby Tri-Nations series. De Villiers opted to stick with his side who will have their final chance to make a lasting impression before the Springboks pack away the jumpers until the November European tour.
Two changes were made to the starting line-up with Odwa Ndungane replacing injured winger JP Pietersen, while Brian Mujati moves from the bench to start in place of suspended prop CJ van der Linde.
Several changes were made to the bench with Jannie du Plessis aded a a backup prop and lock Danie Rossouw returns after injury. Surprisingly the experienced Joe Van Niekerk could not even secure a spot on the bench which defies logic considering what he can and has offered the Boks over the years. In the only other change to the bench Ruan Pienaar replaces the concussed Francois Steyn.
The South African team is;
Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Jean de Villiers, Jongi Nokwe, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Pierre Spies, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Andries Bekker, Brian Mujati, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: Adriaan Strauss, Jannie du Plessis, Danie Rossouw, Luke Watson, Ricky Januarie, Ruan Pienaar, Percy Montgomery.
CJ Van der Linde suspended for 4 weeks
South African prop CJ Van Der Linde has been suspended for four weeks as a result of an illegal headbutt in the clash against the Wallabies.
In a suspension that will have only a minor impact on the Boks Van der Linde will be suspended until 22nd September which will in effect only cost him this weekend’s clash against the Wallabies.
Eddie Jones for Springboks Coach
South Africa are likely to make a number of changes for the clash against the Wallabies on Saturday. The Boks will name their team on Tuesday for the clash at Ellis Park and could be without Bismarck du Plessis (knee), captain Victor Matfield (groin) and Bryan Habana (hamstring).
JP Pietersen has already been ruled out with a hamstring strain, Odwa Ndungane has been called up as his replacement.
In other Springbok news, rumours are circulating that Eddie Jones could be the new Boks coach should Peter de Villiers be sacked or fall on his sword. Jones has publicly stated that de Villiers approach to change the Springboks style of play is ludicrous. This would only help garner support for him considering he was also an integral part of the coaching formula that delivered the World Cup to South Africa.
Eddie Jones is one of the most astute coaches in the game and this has been acknowledged even by his detractor’s. Jones is currently the coaching director at Saracens.
More may be revealed in the coming weeks depending upon the result at Johannesburg.
Pressure closes in on De Villiers
Peter de Villiers is coming under increasing pressure to find a solution for the Springboks heading into the clash against Australia on Saturday at Johannesburg.
South Africa have not been beaten by the Wallabies since 1963 in Johannesburg yet the South African’s seem anything but confidant heading into their final Rugby Tri-Nations encounter.
Peter de Villiers is looking to stick with the formula that he believes will take South Africa forward under the new ELV’s despite the previous success the team has had playing a totally different style. The formula de Villiers is working on is much more akin to the Wallabies and All Blacks playing style but it clearly will take the Boks time to adjust.
Time seems to be the question for de Villiers but how long will the South African Rugby board accept failure? While they have been accomodative to date, the time must be running out and the long break between the northern hemisphere tour in November for the Boks could prove the end of de Villiers brief coaching reign.