Sanjay's Rugby World

In what provided a great wake up call, the Springboks overcame an enthusiatic Tongan side 30-25. Admittedly we started with a virtual B side, and were never seriously in Danger of losing the match until we were reduced to 13 men.

However the drama really happened off the field. Francois Steyn was sinbinned for 10 minutes for trying to break up a scuffle. He was eventually cited just minutes before the 48 hour deadline, for an alleged bite. There was no evidence at all to suggest this, as everybody knows. Steyn is not a dirty player, he never will be. The Tongans have admitted they didn’t want to cite Steyn but where forced by…Clearly somebody is trying anything to derail the Boks as this is the second incident on one of our star players. Surely there should be repercussions for making flase accusations??

To the Boks credit they have not wanted to get involved in off the field incidents and are simply focusing on the USA match. And we know an angry Springbok is a dangerous animal, so let the world beware!

This world cup so far has been one of the better ones. The great David Campese has suggested it should be reduced to 16 teams, and while a rethink of the format is definitely warranted, I believe the results, passion and pride of the so called minnows has certainly warranted their inclusion. The only way they can get better is to play the bigger teams and it is pathetic that the only chance they get is at a world cup. That is the bigger issue. I am in favour of 24 teams, 6 pools of 4, and the top 2 go through to a round of 12 where they have 2 pools of 6. A round robin format can be used to have semis, or simply a final, that would reward consistency and have tougher games, whilst the minnows would get a chance to play at least one big team in the early stages. A second tier competition for the teams that finish in the bottom 2 of the inital pools (A plate tournament) could run concurrently to give the minnows something to aspire to and produce closer games. Obviously it would run longer, but the world cup is rugby’s showpiece.

As far as the games go, I stick to my orignial prediction of SA, NZ, and the Wobblies to makes the semis. I am not so sure about France. I think Argentina may get their spot. Regardless SA will make the final on their side of the draw, NZ and the Wobblies to fight out the second final spot. I make NZ a 70% chance to go through, but an upset is possible as evident 4 years ago.

As far as the Boks go this campaign is remarkably similar to 1995. There we came into the tournament and weren’t one of the favourites. There we had a big opening game that gave us the high road to the final. Here we started a tough one with Samoa and by beating England we have earnt the high road this time too. The emergence of John Smit as a strong leader is similar to Pienaar and the calm and composure of the team is testament to this. All it requires now is a “Joel Stransky” to step up and win us the final!

South Africa united to completely outclass a demoralised English team 36-0 in paris. The buildup for the Boks was disrupted with the Schalk Burger citing, but the country for the first time since the magic of 1995, have united around the team. From politicians to administrators to the people in the street, the people of South Africa have made their voice heard and the players have certainly been bouyed by the support. It makes a massive difference to have a country united as opposed to a divided team surrounded by controversy and fractions as we have had in the past.

The coaching team also did their homework and the Boks played a superbly structured game for 80 minutes, that blew the english apart. And then we simply relied on a few pieces of magic to score some tries. Fourie Du Preez was magnificent in this regard, having a hand in all the tries. And we even butchered at least 2 tries otherwise the damage could have been much worse.

The Springbok defence was also magnificent, and the discipline at the breakdown mean that the Poms could not get any momentum. The sight of the english cpatain demoralised after a record defeat and left speechless was priceless. The Poms now have a crunch game against Samoa, and at the moment that looks 50-50. Whoever wants the second quarter final spot has it up for grabs.

The Boks can now get over their last 2 pool games with a virtual second string side as our top team can start preparing for the quarter finals in what should be a reasonably easy passage into the final.

South Africa 36: Tries: Juan Smith, JP Pietersen 2. Conversions: Percy Montgomery 3. Penalties: Francois Steyn, Montgomery 4.
England 0:

After the Samoan game Springbok superhero the incredible Schulk (Schalk Burger) was cited for a fairly innocuous tackle on their halfbak. Referee Paul Honiss decided at the time only a warning was warranted, after all Schalk was going for the ball (And he is another who hates South Africa and has cheated us in the past). So for a citing to be made was ludicrous.

Schalk was subsequently given a 4 game supension, reduced to 2 on appeal. What a disgrace! And it would be the Aussie Judicial commisioner we have had problems with before, I have no problems with a 4 match suspension, provided it is warranted. I understand the IRB want to stamp out foul play. Why is a South African always on the recieving end! All Black Tony Woodcock throws a punch and is not even cited. English captain Vickery deliberatly tries to trip a player and gets 2 matches. Samoan Brian Lima comes onto the field and tries to decapitate Andre Pretorius. No citing. Where is the consistency??

Whilst the world is out to get South Africa, it only makes us stronger and unites our team. And Schalk Burger will be back for the quarter finals.
Let the world beware…”Don’t make him angry, You wouldn’t like to see him when he’s angry!”

The Springboks overcame a tough Samoan side 59-7 in Paris on sunday. The Samoans played a hard, physical game and held the Boks for the first 30 minutes. However in the end the class of the Boks came through as they ran in 9 tries.
Bryan Habana showed how dangerous he is with his jet shoes in scoring 4 superb tries. His pace, and strength were sublime and he is the most dangerous back in world rugby at the moment. The rest of the Boks played quite well but the rugby world cup dream is over for Jean DeVilliers after he tore his bicep muscle. Francois Steyn played well in replacing him and he is someone that could become another real star for the Boks this tournament, however he has not played alot of rugby at inside centre.
The downside to the victory is the citing of Schalk Burger. But we only have 6 days to prepare for the clash against England…the Boks should be too strong but it is going to be a tough game and may well define this world cup campaign.

South Africa 59: Tries by Bryan Habana 4, Percy Montgomery 2, Jaque Fourie and JP Pietersen Percy Montgomery kicked five conversions and three penalties.
Samoa 7: Try by Gavin Williams. Williams kicked the conversion

Rugby world cup 2007 is now upon us. Already we have seen one of the biggest upsets in RWC history with the frogs losing to Argentina. this is just reward for a team that has consistently been in the top 8 in the world yet is unable to gain a spot playing against the top teams in the world in the 2 premier world rugby competitions ie tri-nation or 6 nations.This tournament will unearth a new group of world class superstars. As I am confidently picking a Springbok-All Black final, the majority of my players to watch will come from these two teams.

The players to watch are:
Bryan Habana (South Africa)
Blessed with blinding pace and acceleration, his all round game has been superb this year. His strong defence and ability to read the play makes him dangerous at all times. A big match winner for the Boks.

Fourie Du Preez (South Africa)