The Springboks Destroy England!

“The Springboks were brutal,” said Martin Johnston, England's Coach. These words are most probably the best that could describe the test match played between England and The Springboks on Saturday.

A line of 42-6 is the heaviest defeat that England has ever suffered at HQ, Twickenham since their first ever test played in 1872.

I challenge any English supporter to say that they were robbed in the World Cup Final last year, and all I have to say is look at the scoreboard. Look at the fact that for 240 minutes, England still have not managed to score a try against the mighty Boks.

The fact that South Africa scored five tries, including the final one in overtime just proved that the Boks are not finished with the Poms yet.

The carnage started on defence.

England tried hard, but when your fullback is smoked into touch on the corner flag, by a lock on cover defence, it speaks volume for commitment. Danie Rossouw forced his way over for the first try, then Ruan Pienaar charged down a Cipriani midfield kick and gathered the ball to score under the sticks to put The Boks in a commanding 17-3 lead. The game was all done and dusted by then.

The Second half created the best backline try of the season with AD Jacobs scoring a cracker of a third try. We have discussed the try at Varsity and recon we can pull it off next season. Jean and AD have developed into one of the best centre combinations in world rugby.

One has to feel sorry for Jacque Fourie, as I don’t think he will break into the combination unless there is an injury of some sort. His determination in the winning try he scored last week against the Scotts and then the sheer in your face, “back off this is my try”, when he ran best part of 80 meters to score the fourth try, including two hand offs just shows what it means to him to wear the green and gold.

Habana finally got into the scoring party with a well-rounded fifth try to add the coupe de grace to a hapless England.

Ruan Pienaar scored 20 points in the game; man of the match was two step Ricky Januarie who played a wonderful game. The Beast was an animal, both in scrummaging and defence.

The only disappointment was Pierre Spies, who again had a quiet game. It will now be up to the Super 14 to see who is the best eighth man in South Africa. The fact that the English got booed of the field again at home and The Boks got the standing ovation they deserved. England will have a huge task on Saturday to prevent the All Blacks from taking the grand slam.

Did anybody see the Wales-New Zealand Haka? The stand off at Cardiff Arm Park! (Millennium Stadium) If ever there would have been something to rattle the Blacks that would have done it. It showed, with Wales going into the Shack 9-6 up at the break.

The All Blacks just had to much fire power in the end and ran out comfortable 27-9 winners. Ireland took down the Argies 22-3. Scotland demolished Canada 41-0 to carry on in their fine form and is starting to look strong for next years Six Nations.

France was very unlucky to loose against Australia 13-18 in an enthralling test match. The Pacific Islanders beat Italy 25-17 and again it proves that with a bit of effort the IRB could get rugby to develop and get stronger amongst the smaller nations.

In cricket, South Africa thumped Bangladesh by an innings and 129 runs. Smith and Amla both got tons and Dale Steyn picket up in ninth five-wicket haul in his short career. He is the leading wicket taker this year with 59 wickets from 10 test.

With two more tests still to play it would be interesting how much he will end up on. Mitchell Johnston was the Australian hero with a 5 wicket haul in the New Zealand second innings to give his team a 1-0 lead in their two test series. India has taken the ODI series against England 4-0 with 3 to play and Sri Lanka has disposed of Zimbabwe 3-0, in Zim.

It was the first time in 86 years that none of the top five sides managed to score a goal in a premier league round. Man U and Villa drawing 0-0, Chelsea drawing 0-0 with Newcastle, Liverpool drawing 0-0 to Fulham and Arsenal losing 3-0 to the world’s richest club, Manchester City.

Arsenal seem to be in a bit of turmoil with reports that William Galas will be sold in January, after he made some damning comments about some of his team mates to a French newspaper last week. Theo Walcott will be out of action for up to three months after having undergone a shoulder operation after dislocating it with England last week.

Spurs managed a 1-0 win over Sunderland to take them out of the drop zone, well done Harry.

The best football of the weekend was played locally in the PSL. Orlando Stadium has been completed ahead of schedule and was used by three teams this weekend. First up was Pirates, and they took like a duck to water on their home field, by beating Royal Zulu 4-2 in a cracker of a game with Modise scoring a brace, adding to his two he score for Bafana against Cameroon in Rustenburg mid week.

Chiefs thumped Wits 4-1, Sundowns and Free State stars drew 1-1 as did Arrows and Celtic. SuperSport beat Amazulu 2-0 and Swallows and Starts drew 0-0. This left only 4 point separating the top 7 teams all having played 9 games.

The draw for the Confederation Cup took place over the weekend and South Africa will open the tournament against Iraq at Ellis Park on the 14th of June next year.

Bafana will then play New Zealand in Rustenburg at the same stadium that saw the Boks beat the All Blacks not so long ago at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on the 17th and will end of the group fixture against Spain on the 20th at the Free State Stadium. It seems that 2010 is around the corner and got times for football lovers is upon us.

In ending, SARU informed us that the test tickets for the Lions series will cost R1140 per ticket. The reason for this is to accommodate the 50.000 plus Lions supporters they are expecting on tour.

I feel that this price is totally unacceptable and by the looks of things this test and the Lions provincial games will be excluded from all season tickets. What the hell to they think they are doing. Rugby is our passion and it should be a right of passage for a father to take his son to see the mighty Lions play the Springboks.

But with prices like that, they may as well ask the Lions to stay in the UK and Ireland and send the Springboks over there as there will be very few home supporters able to afford such astronomical prices.

Until next week, enjoy the next test at Centurion Park, The All Blacks taking the Grand Slam. 

Cheers

ONETIME

Think beyond the horizon and you will find success!