Matfield up for second row rumble
29 Oct 2009
Victor Matfield is preparing for a stern test of his ability when he faces Cheetahs locks Nico Breedt and David de Villiers in the Currie Cup final on Saturday.
Matfield has been a dominant lineout force at Super Rugby and Test level in 2009, and his performances, coupled with those of his long time second row partner, Bakkies Botha, have been central to the Bulls and Springboks’ success.
However, in Breedt and De Villiers, Matfield is bracing for a sustained threat to that dominance. The duo coped well against the Matfield and co in their last meeting at Loftus in September (the Bulls won 30-27), although it has to be noted that Botha was absent through injury.
A repeat performance will put Naka Drotske’s charges in a good position to cause an upset, and Matfield was acutely aware that they would be fiercely determined not to be outdone.
‘Both of them are very good players,’ Matfield told keo.co.za.
‘Nico is a big mate of my. We played together at Toulon, so I’ve seen first hand how good he really is. I think he’s been their star this season. His ball carries have been so strong, and his work rate is very high.
‘David has been impressive for them at the lineouts, and he’ll be difficult to get the better of. But we’re doing everything to prepare for them and hopefully we can put them under pressure.’
The Bulls have played in seven Currie Cup finals and two Super Rugby finals since 2002. In addition, six of their starting 15 are World Cup winners. However, despite the team’s familiarity with the big stage, Matfield insists that complacency is not a factor.
‘It’s easy to keep the guys focussed despite the amount of success they’ve enjoyed in the last couple of years,’ he said.
‘We’re just looking to build on that success. All the guys are desperate to win, and for someone like Bryan [Habana] it means a lot. He came here to win a Currie Cup and he hasn’t yet, of this is an awesome opportunity for him and for us to finish on a high.’
Asked whether the week break had further galvanised the squad, many of who had played without much rest in 2009, Matfield said, ‘It has its benefits and disadvantages.
‘In some ways it would have been nice to have played immediately after the semi-final because we would have taken the momentum from the win against Province into the final.
‘Then again, a lot of the guys have played a lot of rugby this year, and the week off certainly helped refresh the body and mind.
‘So I can’t say precisely which would have been better, we’ll only know after the final whistle on Saturday.’
Coach Frans Ludeke was more certain about the benefits, although he stressed that physical freshness was just one element needed to succeed.
‘You saw it [the benefits] on Monday. The guys were absolutely flying in practice. But we’re not relying on the break or past success for confidence. There must be a desire to be successful on the day,’ he said.
‘We also need character because finals are won through character. It’s important that we stay calm because in the game momentum sways, and when it sways in your favour you need to be ready to take advantage.
‘We back ourselves and our systems and we’re ready to give everything on Saturday.’
By Ryan Vrede
178 Comments
29 Oct 2009, 07:13 am
all these articles are so boring…can’t wait for saturday…
29 Oct 2009, 07:23 am
Boring is putting it mildly.
I just noticed that The Sharks are still sitting top of the log.
I hope the final won’t be a boring as the two teams playing.
29 Oct 2009, 07:29 am
Well at least the undisputed greatest team in the history of sa rugby are hosting the final. Who they play against is really irrelevent.
29 Oct 2009, 07:30 am
This may be the last chance Habana will ever have of lifting the Currie Cup;)
29 Oct 2009, 07:33 am
Would have been a fairer reflection if they were playing the champions…
This is going to be so one sided. Poor Freestaters are really excited but it’s all going to end in tears and foot stamping..ne Helgard.
29 Oct 2009, 08:17 am
well you know we should introduce new trophies in super rugby and currie cup, a less prise but still one to have eg have a top of the log trophy gives some motivation as you’d still be playing for the trophy
29 Oct 2009, 08:22 am
Off the subject…Wikus Van Heerden has signde for Lions…nut will miss the super 14 ….avaiable from June 2010.
29 Oct 2009, 08:23 am
#6 Dunx: no, winner takes all is fine with me!
29 Oct 2009, 08:26 am
#7 grant10: nut is but
Wickus cool oke…not a nut!!
29 Oct 2009, 08:37 am
#9 grant10: yes, you’re right, jaco is the nut…and he is signed to the bulle…nutjob team that one…
29 Oct 2009, 08:54 am
#7 grant10: not the Bulls?
29 Oct 2009, 09:03 am
I actually hope the cheetahs take it and just to hear the silence from these blue bulls supporters.
29 Oct 2009, 09:04 am
#10 Transformation: LOL….JVDW a favorite of mine….bloody good 10 or 15….
#11 SpringbokSarah: Lions….D Muirs first sighning…magic player…pity he will miss the super 14 though.
Lions need at least a lock and hooker.
Hope they get saffas from overseas…dont like the ‘internal’ poaching.
29 Oct 2009, 09:06 am
#13 grant10: I would have thought he would have gone back to Pretoria
29 Oct 2009, 09:06 am
#10 Transformation: #12 Breakdown Boy: *YAWN* some more ppl with a serious bout of SOUR GRAPES due to zero trophies….. ag shame!
29 Oct 2009, 09:10 am
#14 SpringbokSarah: Not sure Bulls need him….Lions do…i reckon he will captain them.
29 Oct 2009, 09:15 am
#12 Breakdown Boy: As a matter of interest who’s your team?
29 Oct 2009, 09:26 am
why so quiet people?
29 Oct 2009, 09:27 am
i guess winning at all costs has its price eh?
Madiba knew that.
anyone a fan of “The gang of instrumentals”?
29 Oct 2009, 09:43 am
#8 Transformation:
you are like the journalists on this site, always mocking jaco. Get a life
No stopping Wacko Jaco
Jaco van der Westhuyzen continues to embarrass himself.
The Bulls fullback sparked a minor controversy when he wore a white T-shirt, with the handwritten message “***** is King”, at the end of the Super 14 final in Durban. With the rest of his team-mates in their blue jerseys, Van der Westhuyzen — and his message — stuck out like a beacon.
The SA Rugby Union has since received numerous calls from members of the public who took offence at the player’s religious “ambush marketing”, which is not surprising considering how many non-Christians there are in this country.
Van der Westhuyzen’s antics gave the staff at SA Rugby magazine a problem when compiling our next issue. We wanted to pay tribute to the Bulls, but every photo of the team celebrating was visually wrecked by Van der Westhuyzen. At first we decided to remove the “***** is King” text using photoshop and leave him wearing a plain white T-shirt. However, we eventually tracked down a photo in which Van der Westhuyzen didn’t appear at all and went with that instead.
Not content with what he “achieved” in Durban, Van der Westhuyzen has continued to seek the limelight he so clearly loves. He’s in this week’s You and Huisgenoot magazines, again wearing the T-shirt (which hopefully he washed) and trying to justify his actions. He was also in Afrikaans newspaper Rapport, insisting that he would have worn the T-shirt even if the Bulls had lost the game (would he have ambushed the Sharks team photo?).
Rugby writer Gavin Rich made a couple of excellent points in the latest Sunday Argus when he asked how happy sponsors Vodacom would have been with Van der Westhuyzen’s T-shirt, and not their brand, being the centre of attention. Rich also asked, tounge in cheek, what Sharks coach **** Muir had done to deserve the wrath of God and lose the final in such painful circumstances.
Van der Westhuyzen has predictably received support from Christians who applaud him for not being ashamed of his faith. But how would they have reacted if a player had worn a “***** is Dead” or “There is no God” T-shirt? Would they have defended that player’s freedom of speech as they have defended Van der Westhuyzen’s?
While some may not approve, South Africa is a secular state and Van der Westhuyzen’s actions were grossly inappropriate.
His claim that he wanted to give glory to God for the Bulls’ Super 14 win is laughable. God (if he does exist) would surely be focused on the war in Iraq and other life and death issues, not a rugby match. Ironically, by jumping onto the crossbar of the posts at Kings Park and behaving like a total nutter, Van der Westhuyzen simply drew attention to himself and not his God.
But perhaps that was his intention all along.
By Simon Borchardt
* Comments have now been switched off to help speed up the website
This entry was posted on Saturday, May 26th, 2007
36. Tacitus :
May 27th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
Wow. An amazingly disrespectful and insulting-from a christian perspective- tirade by simon using the small platform that his involvement with sa rugby mag provides him with. If i had any respect left for him i might actually stoop to engaging him in his anti-religion crusade. He criticizes jaco, then goes straight on to state what, according to HIS philosophical views would REALLY be the focus of God’s attention. No one cares about your religious views, or lack thereof, simon. If your aim with this article was just to insult christians, then well done. You succeeded brilliantly…
29 Oct 2009, 09:47 am
#19 rangerman: hey ranger GOI…they have traces of talent, but a bit too plastic for my liking…why do u ask?
29 Oct 2009, 09:49 am
#20 Pearl Rose: whatever, get off the high horse i was just jokingly mocking the man, nothing about religion…jeepuz
29 Oct 2009, 09:53 am
#21 Transformation: ag, i dig their music.
i must say, the lyrics are sometimes a little shallow but if they stay together, i believe they will grow.
i am into my south african phase again. i am starting a book by zakes mda, listening to local music and trying to get the summer going with local live acts and talent.
buzzing.
29 Oct 2009, 10:00 am
#23 rangerman: spot on with their lyrics, but good sounds nonetheless…
Bra Zakes is excellent, i’ve read Heart of Redness, Ways of Dying & Madonna of Excelsior…there’s another one i need to get but my reading habits are messed up now, too much time on the internet.
29 Oct 2009, 10:00 am
out for now.
tjorts julle.
29 Oct 2009, 10:03 am
#24 Transformation:
“money…mo’ money….”
thought i was listening to an american gangster rapper for a bit!
the Zakes book i am starting is called Cion. its set in america so i will let you know how it goes.
i too am less of a reader than ever before.
29 Oct 2009, 10:04 am
seriously going now.
cheers mate.
p.s. inglourious ******** is a great movie imo. but very violent.
29 Oct 2009, 10:11 am
Has anybody seen the trailer for Invictus? Looks interesting. Francois Pienaar never looked so cool…
29 Oct 2009, 10:17 am
#28 pietskeade:francois pienaar?
#27 rangerman: i must watch this’movie quickly otherwise i will know everything about it before i see it, a lot of my friends raving on about it…
29 Oct 2009, 10:19 am
#29 Transformation: FP played by Matt Damon in the movie. Matt Damon looks a lot cooler that FP is my point..
29 Oct 2009, 10:20 am
pietskiet, volgens die preview het Mandella voor die tyd vir Francois gese hulle MOET die cup wen .. en Francois het ALLES in sy lewe gedoen om dit moontlik te maak. So sorry Kitch & die res ..dit was Mandella en Francois wat die beker vir ons gewen het.
29 Oct 2009, 10:35 am
#31 Julius: Ja.., dis Hollywood vir jou. Die regte storie is fantasties maar ek dink nie dit het die internasionale mark nie. So Clint gooi mandela in waar hy kan want hy moet kaartjies verkoop op die einde van die dag…
Jy’s reg. As ek die trailer reg verstaan het mandela die wereldbeker oorwinning ge-mastermind…
Go figure.
29 Oct 2009, 11:10 am
watched the trailer. looks like a cool movie but don’t be expecting anything of a history lesson here…
29 Oct 2009, 11:13 am
#32 pietskeade: Weet nie. Sport flieks het gewoonlik sukses as daar ‘n paar groot name in is. Maak nie saak watter tipe sport.
Hel, as sokker soveel flieks uitgebring het… skop… skop… skop… en nie te praat van atletiek en ysskaats, mens weet nooit. Solank dit nie nog ‘n Leon-fliek is nie.
29 Oct 2009, 11:13 am
Ja nee, with all this waiting, by the time the game starts Im going to be dronk as hel.
29 Oct 2009, 11:20 am
#35 BlueBlood: You’re going to need it
29 Oct 2009, 11:27 am
Good morning jobseekers
29 Oct 2009, 11:36 am
#17 Tisme: In terms of the currie cup I will support WP, but I don’t really watch the CC as it would take up to much of my time. I prefer contests with a more international flavour like the S14 and international tests. In the S14 I support the Stormers but I will back any South African team that makes the semis and final. (Stormers, Lions, Sharks, Cheetahs and then lastly the Bulls)
When the bulls won the S14 I was very happy just because they were the only SA team, when they beat the sharks to win the S14 in 07 I was sad because I was supporting the Sharks in that game.
I love the rugby that the bulls play and I can’t argue that they are the best SA team, but the supports can be a bit much.
29 Oct 2009, 11:39 am
#28 pietskeade: The trailer looked good, a friend of mine plays one of Madiba’s bodygaurds in the movie (same guy who does the broudband ad on tv and cinema (DO broadband))
29 Oct 2009, 11:52 am
#36 adj nm: Aye, with the Super14 final, I was vrot verby. Some genuis bought a bottle of jaegermeister and that was finished before the game, and I was also finished before the end of the game.
Eish, good times.
29 Oct 2009, 12:03 pm
#39 Breakdown Boy: One of the other bodyguards is a welsh guy.
Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman went to watch a Stormers v Reds match last year to get a “feel” for rugby. Dread the rugby sequences in the movie!
29 Oct 2009, 12:07 pm
#40 BlueBlood: I find I can’t take too much before the match. Too much adrenalin. During the match I don’t have time to drink cause I can’t take my eyes of the match. So get pissed after instead…
The severity of my hangover the next morning is usually the first indication to me as to who won/lost again…
29 Oct 2009, 13:22 pm
#39 Breakdown Boy: The reason I ask is that the Bulls are the least liked team by all other fans, everybody states the same reason:
“its because of the fans being so arrogant”
Now to be quite honest that is utter BS! Any fan that boasts with his team’s success is then arrogant…. the difference is that they dont get the oppertunity to boast as much as the Bulls in the last few years
Maybe you should go back and read the banter between the cheetahs and sharks after they lost…. if that was a said by a bull fan he would be preceived to be arrogant, but because the underdog won its all ok
Anyway, when the bulls play in a CC final the opposing team’s fan base grows ten fold!
Now, you want the Cheetahs to win to shut the BB fans up…. rather funny that your team not being in the final didnt shut you up did it now?… so why if the Bulls loose will it shut their fans up?
Anyway, I am sick and tired of everone calling the Bulls fans arrogant…. its like saying all white people are racist!
29 Oct 2009, 13:44 pm
Tactitus youre full of sh*t, since when are they the greatest team in Currie cup rugby, look at the win/loss column you moron
29 Oct 2009, 13:47 pm
#44 fuzzy:
Moer hom.
29 Oct 2009, 14:07 pm
#44 fuzzy: Sorry to burst you bubble, but since N Tvl (now Bulls) were founded they have won the CC the most of all other unions, I am sure that you will agree that history proves that they are the most successful CC team?
WP have won the CC the most, but their wins counted even when the Bulls were not in existence!
29 Oct 2009, 14:08 pm
#44 fuzzy: Now my dear fuzzy friend, would you care to read the win/loss column
No need to apologise, we all make mistakes
29 Oct 2009, 14:09 pm
#10 Transformation:
who is your team? and why is the bulls a nutjob team, because they are able to win super 14′s and curry cups?
Resentment is an ugly thing buddy!
29 Oct 2009, 14:13 pm
#43 Tisme: I agree with you on a lot of your post, we do tend to tar all bull supporters with the same brush. However, when the Sharks lost to the Cheetahs most of us did it in good grace, and accepted the banter from the Cheetahs painful as it was. However, a great many Bull Bloggers and not fans are Bullish in their behaviour towards the oposition before and after a win or a loss, calling us Guppies, chokers etc. and other teams get pretty names too! I point you to bloggers like BlueBlood, and Tacitus where all other teams are shite but do not criticise a Bulls player. But I attend every home game and the ones I have enjoyed the most were those against the Bulls the banter is ALWAYS great and they are gracious when defeated if not so much when they win
29 Oct 2009, 14:21 pm
#49 Sharksgirl: The point is that every fan base has them, like every village has an idiot, some have more (those living in Transformation’s area)!
;-()
29 Oct 2009, 14:23 pm
#50 Tisme:
Agreed, to be honest there are a few Sharks fans who make me cringe.
29 Oct 2009, 14:34 pm
#51 Sharksgirl: you’re always cringing…explains a lot!
29 Oct 2009, 14:43 pm
#50 Tisme:boo hoo, cry me a river tisme! Your team is a nutjob village, the biggest one being jaco! Watch for the okes painted guts & nose rings perched on a bakkie outside the stadium vloeking passerbys wearing cheetah tops…
#48 groenie: i support the bokke…
29 Oct 2009, 15:12 pm
#52 Transformation:
I am of a nervous disposition what can I say 
29 Oct 2009, 15:15 pm
#54 Sharksgirl: maybe you need to switch teams lady…
29 Oct 2009, 15:20 pm
#55 Transformation: No never, for my Sins I am loyal to the Sharks! Sharks for life!!!!!
When all is said and done they make us happy more times than not!
29 Oct 2009, 15:24 pm
#56 Sharksgirl: stubborn italian!
…is it unheard if that an inter fan switches to ac?
29 Oct 2009, 15:31 pm
#57 Transformation: Not unless you like swimming in the Po River with a cement block tied to your left leg
And just by the way, although I really like inter, my true team is the other black and white team – Juventus
29 Oct 2009, 15:56 pm
#58 Sharksgirl: HA HA HA HA HA “sleeping with fishes” lmao…the old lady juve! Eish, when last did they kiss the Scudetto?
29 Oct 2009, 16:00 pm
#59 Transformation: Four years ago, but apperently it wasn’t won legaly so it was taken away from them
I deny all allegations, it was just Inter trying to win by default 
29 Oct 2009, 16:10 pm
Transvaal won the Super 10 and Currie Cup in 1993, so.. this may be the first time the Super 14 and Currie cup titels can be held by the same team, but not the first time the Super rugby titel and currie cup titel has been held at the same time.
29 Oct 2009, 16:26 pm
PDV got credit for winning the BI Series & the Tri Nations … so why don’t me give credit for Ludeke? The first coach to win both the Super 14 & Curry Cup in 1 year. (they will walk it on Saturday – eventhough i hate the bulls)
29 Oct 2009, 16:32 pm
#60 Sharksgirl: Inter doesn’t need “default” titles, they’ve got the “Special One”…i support any team managed by Jose Mourinho
29 Oct 2009, 17:39 pm
#62 Julius: Think not…. Cheetahs showed enough in the run in to show they will trouble the Bulls
29 Oct 2009, 19:16 pm
BREAKING NEWS
HEINRICH BRUSSOW IS ALMOST CERTAINLY ON WAY TO JOIN SHARKS.
29 Oct 2009, 19:18 pm
I reckon sharks now a centre….prop and lock away from super 14 contention
29 Oct 2009, 19:29 pm
With W Alberts….Brussow….Ludick…Mostert…sharks just need a real 3 and back up class centre and the quest is on….
WP Nel or W \Du Preez perhaps??
These sharks mean business….
29 Oct 2009, 19:34 pm
#67 grant10: Deysel, Alberts, Brussouw would be a formidable loose trio.
Springbok quality across the line.
29 Oct 2009, 19:39 pm
Botes, Kanko, Daniel to Lions ??…..maybe Adi as well ??
29 Oct 2009, 19:50 pm
#69 justrugby: Ok. I’ll take ‘em.
29 Oct 2009, 19:52 pm
#68 SodaJoe: #69 justrugby: Hi okes
Ja…seems deals basically made….Sharks realise they need some serious depth…always felt Brussow was vulnerable….Cheetahs regretfully dont have the bucks…
D M will need to climb in soon….hear rumours about Butch …
29 Oct 2009, 19:52 pm
#68 SodaJoe: Alberts will take some serious weight off Deysel’s shoulders. Botes/Daniel and Kankowski styles simply leave all the heavy lifting to Jean.
Deysel needs to practise his lineout jumping to position himself better to take Juan or Schalk’s place.
29 Oct 2009, 19:53 pm
#70 SodaJoe: so wikus on way as well soda…but only june next year
29 Oct 2009, 19:54 pm
#71 grant10: We don’t need Butch.
Vermaak, Francis is a very good half back pairing. And may well be the making of BF.
But we have so much work to do.
29 Oct 2009, 19:54 pm
#73 grant10: Ag I don’t want him either.
Lions need a new vision a new plan and a new standard.
29 Oct 2009, 19:58 pm
#75 SodaJoe: DM must be seriously in 2 minds…mountain of a challenge soda.
29 Oct 2009, 19:59 pm
wallabies facing everest as well it seems
29 Oct 2009, 20:00 pm
for lions sake i hope Heinke not on a dodgy contract
29 Oct 2009, 20:05 pm
Transformation I also like Morinho he was the reason I started supporting Chelsea. But in Italy my allegiance remains with the old lady
29 Oct 2009, 20:06 pm
#76 grant10: Look at it this way.
Stormers, Sharks, Bulls all set. Naka saved his bacon with CC. Only s14 spot available is Lions. He did it once before with Sharks.
****’s biggest problem is the quality of the back office, an i don’t include Jake in that.
29 Oct 2009, 20:06 pm
Grant is the only man that makes this site still worth coming to.
29 Oct 2009, 20:07 pm
Grant where did u get that bit of exciting news?
29 Oct 2009, 20:10 pm
Alberts has just about signed I am surprised that they will splash out on another loosie.
With all those already mentioned I am surprised that they are prepared to splash out on another lossie, even if it is Popeye !!
Alberts,Daniel, Botes , deysel, Kanko,Botes, Rhodes, Downey, and now also Brussow.
They should be spalshing out on a centre and a lock, need quality in depth in these positions !!
29 Oct 2009, 20:11 pm
I remain a Roseneri supporter and hope they win the champions league. Are all these transfers really on.
29 Oct 2009, 20:18 pm
#81 Wezwp: Why you being nice to me??
Next you call me a nutter again?
#82 Sharksgirl: I have a mate who ‘owns’ a corporate box at the tank….he knows a lot whats going on there…like Ruan saying 9 or he walks…etc….He calls me to chat about rugby and told me deal basically done…he has never been wrong yet…a real serious dude that only says when its a fait accompli….he told me they were in talks about 6 weeks ago…seems its done.
29 Oct 2009, 20:19 pm
#84 Wezwp:
Don’t think AC Milan have the squad to win the CL !!!
29 Oct 2009, 20:20 pm
#83 justrugby: Apparently they are signing a lock and hooker…i reckon they need a world class prop…preferably a 3.
Jannie dup and J Smit slap snoek….they get a mongrel at 3 they back on track…plenty cash there.
29 Oct 2009, 20:22 pm
#87 grant10: Interesting !!
29 Oct 2009, 20:22 pm
I bet Lions come up with a few pleasant surprises over next couple of days as well….
29 Oct 2009, 20:24 pm
#88 justrugby: Brussow is probably the most ‘wanted ‘ property in rugby right now….cheetahs could never compete…and at least now we secured his services in SA….I feel for Cheetahs…but reality was it was always gonna be the case of Sharks or Bulls…who also punted hard by all accounts….
29 Oct 2009, 20:25 pm
Rosso and neri have brilliant players but owned by mafioso who is now PM and about to stand trial for corruption Pirlo and Gatuso my favorites
29 Oct 2009, 20:27 pm
#88 justrugby: check your e mail….
What time is the wallaby…kiwi game sat??
Is it being televised??
29 Oct 2009, 20:29 pm
Maku for Sharks??
29 Oct 2009, 20:29 pm
#90 grant10:
Yeah interesting ……..strange that no Union could recruit Juan Smith from the Cheetah’s, who has been hot property for years now…….I had heard that Popeye was cut from the same cloth !!!!……at the end of the day I suppose everyone has their price ??
29 Oct 2009, 20:34 pm
#94 justrugby:Ja….i never for 1 minute believed Brussow could/ would stay at Cheetahs….he can demand a huge price….and needs to cash in on a wonder season. Bulls were right there….but the sum must have been staggering….
I am not sure if Sharks benefitted from the F Steyn deal perhaps.
For me i am just pleased he is not leaving our shores….
29 Oct 2009, 20:38 pm
would of been the prefect signing for WPand stormers…but HABANA and J Fourie couldnt of come cheap…..
That 10/12 Argie is apparently the next Contemponi….And the Argie tighthead by all accounts a powerhouse….Rassie has been clever….very clever.
29 Oct 2009, 20:39 pm
#91 Sharksgirl: #79 Sharksgirl: sharkster, your husband is a lucky man! Does he like footie?
Are you talking bout berlusconi re rosso & nerri?
As long as jose is still with nerrazzuri, they will keep winning! they have class players in muntari, ballotelli, millito, stanko, julio cesar, an ageing viera…
Girladino has been saving the Old Lady’s bacon lately, i’m not too sure about Iaquinta & Trezeguiet (sp) they blow hot & cold too much…is Del Piero still playing or is he injured?
29 Oct 2009, 20:42 pm
#95 grant10: Must have paid a tidy sum for Hernandez as well ?
29 Oct 2009, 20:45 pm
#92 grant10:
I think kick off at 10, but appears not to be scheduled for screening !!!
Will search further and let you know !!
29 Oct 2009, 20:47 pm
#97 justrugby: Ja…huge….i think Alberts and Ludick would of not been cheap either….Sharks on the warpath…..there 2010 was shaping as a disaster…i reckon they knew it was do or die type stuff required….
29 Oct 2009, 20:48 pm
#98 justrugby: thanks boet…will need to pop through if ok…as well as the bok midweek games…..
29 Oct 2009, 20:48 pm
Hiya JR and G10,
Spill the beans, what have you done on Superbru for the weekend’s fixture?
Is ist 3pm your time btw?
29 Oct 2009, 20:48 pm
hey sharkgirl. Jose was the reason i was fond of chelski too, anyone that can stick it to AF is a champ in my book, he dresses fly too, witty & a tactical genius to boot!
Are you referring to berlusconi re rosso & neri?
Girladino has been saving the Old Lady’s bacon lately…what do u think of Iaquinta & Trezegeit (sp)? Is Del Piero injured or retired?
29 Oct 2009, 20:49 pm
Grant between Tswane and Umhlanga Rocks its an easy choice its not always about the money its also the way of life Habana said as much about his move
29 Oct 2009, 20:50 pm
good evening everyone
hiyas grant mate if what you say is true the sharks are going for the trophies no doubt
they bought very little the past few years so of course they want action and results
i personally dont believe we need another 3 or prop we are good there and with mostert 120 lock and alberts being large fellas the weight in scrums will be so much more
my problem i believe is at 12 and 13 , the sharks mad a huge mistake losing steyn , they need a quality replacement
29 Oct 2009, 20:50 pm
#103 Sharksgirl: Are you telling me Pretoria is ‘dull’?
29 Oct 2009, 20:50 pm
#100 grant10:
Always a pleasure !!!
29 Oct 2009, 20:51 pm
#104 sharks_lover: Well good evening Sharky!!
Are you a happy man with the latest news?
Puma will be extatic!!
29 Oct 2009, 20:53 pm
#101 carol: hi…Bulls by 5 my side Carol
29 Oct 2009, 20:55 pm
#103 Sharksgirl: For sure….but the money helps too!!!
Habana is getting both!!
As is J Fourie.
29 Oct 2009, 20:55 pm
hiyas sweety miss carol and yes happy but not that happy yet till its official
its a proven fact sharks are the wealthiest union , and they have not spent much the past few years , si i guess they knew results are needed so time to splash out
29 Oct 2009, 20:55 pm
#101 carol: Hi Carol
I have the Bulls by 15 !!
29 Oct 2009, 20:56 pm
#104 sharks_lover: ja…3 is an issue…you know how i feel about the bok front row….best 3 in Durbs is Cilliers!!
Agree re the centres…
29 Oct 2009, 20:57 pm
grant how certain are you about brussow??
29 Oct 2009, 20:58 pm
#110 sharks_lover: always best to see the ink dry…but it appears a done deal…
29 Oct 2009, 20:58 pm
The very one! My uncle presided on his original trial. I really like Iaquinta good striker but seems out of sorts trezgunet is past his best imo
29 Oct 2009, 20:58 pm
#108 grant10:
#111 justrugby:
I was sort of veering towards 10, smack bang in the middle of you two…..
Wondering if I will be able to watch on Justin TV this time, have not managed to pick up many Currie Cup Matches so far, Super 14 seemed better covered.
So, WP resting only the EOYT’s now to disect….Hey, I am wondering if I should go to London to see Boks v Saracens, WRS being boring and won’t come with me tho! 4man has stepped up to the plate and may go with me!
29 Oct 2009, 20:59 pm
#113 sharks_lover: very certain SL….mate spoke to me like its done…and he has never been wrong yet…
29 Oct 2009, 20:59 pm
#112 grant10: i spoke to th a little earlier and he too was telling me ludick and alberts are a done deal
its a matter official press releases still
butch was enquireing about comming back to the sharks , not sure with his latest injury though
he still has 8 months to go before he can play again
29 Oct 2009, 21:00 pm
#110 sharks_lover: Must be great being the ‘Head Hunter’ for rugby players….I would love that job!!
29 Oct 2009, 21:00 pm
#116 carol: 22 players for that game announced sat…wait till then and then decide?
29 Oct 2009, 21:01 pm
#116 carol:
The Bok /Saracens match will be a great game, mostly 2nd stringers but will be worth the trip , you should go !!
29 Oct 2009, 21:01 pm
#118 sharks_lover: Butch has not played for Bath yet this season has he?
29 Oct 2009, 21:02 pm
#118 sharks_lover: Butch is ready January already….i reckon he will go to Lions….watch this space
29 Oct 2009, 21:03 pm
BJ reckons he is happy to play for any SA province in 2011 as he wants to make the WC squad….a lot of saffas gonna want to come home ….i would love to be an agent now…
29 Oct 2009, 21:06 pm
Been a long day….need a sleep….
Outta here…
Cheers
29 Oct 2009, 21:08 pm
#120 grant10: Good plan, night – regards to Blonde!
29 Oct 2009, 21:09 pm
#121 justrugby: If Saturday is decision day I may just wait and see who may run out!
29 Oct 2009, 21:09 pm
#122 carol: he did play carol and got injured first game back
his knee again
29 Oct 2009, 21:10 pm
#116 Sharksgirl: that can’t be good for ur uncle’s wellbeing…i don’t know if’i'd be brave enough to sentence those fellas…
Are you blogging from a blackberry?
Buffon was also outstanding in the last CL match…You must be happy about all these “reported” developments re the sharks, all you need now is to fire plumtree & get a coach that knows something!
29 Oct 2009, 21:24 pm
#128 sharks_lover: That knee held up quite well last season, shame it sounds a bit knackered now!!
29 Oct 2009, 21:28 pm
#128 sharks_lover: he hasn’t played since May, they were overplaying him to be honest. I read he was keen on returning to Sharks but Bath won’t want to lose him either.
29 Oct 2009, 21:30 pm
If all the reports are true and the sharks get these players , things could be interesting next year
i believe though the sharks still need another star center , or the ones we have to to wake up and regain form
props
smitty
carstens
jannie
beast
cillier
hookers
bissy
burden
and take into account smitty can cover hooker as well
locks
muller
sykes
mostert
hargreaves
albert
loose forwards
deysel
brussow
kanko
alberts
botes
daniel
rhodes
downey
scrummies
pienaar
cockott
mccleod
ross cronje
flyhalves
hernandez
monty
guy cronje
centers
adi
murray
swannepoel
vulindlu
wings
jpp
odwa
jordaan
mvovo
full backs
stefan
ludick
lambie
thats 38 players
take into account smitty can cover hooker and prop
pienaar can cover 9 and 10
lambie full back and wing
vulindlu center and wing
murray center and wing
hernandez , center fullback and flyhalf
recognised kickers in the team
hernandez
pienaar
cockott
lambie
stefan
monty
guy and ross cronje
not sure if ludick kicks for poles too???
29 Oct 2009, 21:38 pm
#130 carol: yeah pity he a very good player
#131 Big Hit: hiyas BH how ru doing mate?? pity they over play him , he a great player
why you never come say hi to us at talk-rugby as well??
pop in now and then mate we enjoy ur input
and i aint asking you to leave here , just like i come say hi to friends here too
29 Oct 2009, 21:41 pm
i wonder if ludick can play 13??? anyone know?
29 Oct 2009, 21:43 pm
#133 sharks_lover: Do you think he is doing his R&R in Bath or back in S.A?
I still want to see him and Luke both run out for Bath, I may have to cover the match for R.T.!! Camera in hand!
29 Oct 2009, 21:46 pm
#135 carol: lol not sure carol
he prolly in pietermarizburg with his folks taking a break
but not sure to be honest
29 Oct 2009, 21:46 pm
butch would only come back to sharks.
his girlfriend is my doctor’s daughter – a hottie of note.
would love to see
ruan,
butch
hernandez
adi
jpp
mvovo
ludick
potent bru
29 Oct 2009, 21:52 pm
charo have you seen my sharks squad??
according to grant its basically a done deal and brussow heading sharks way
eish we will have loose trio’s of note
alberts
deysel
brussow
or
kanko
deysel
brussow
or
alberts
kanko
brussow
weaker teams that we play add other loosies to the mix lol
29 Oct 2009, 21:54 pm
you might laugh at me charo but i wonder if keegan danielo can play 13 ??
he has the speed and power
29 Oct 2009, 21:54 pm
#136 sharks_lover: May have to google Pietermarizburg, have no idea where that is!
You could only take so much of Bath and the West Country if you had a bad knee, I would be outta there too!
#137 charo: Hi Charo, can’t imagine Butch with a ‘plain Jane’….Doctors Daughter, hope she can get his some premier treatment for his knee then!
29 Oct 2009, 21:59 pm
#140 carol: carol pmb is the capital of natal , 90km’s from durban
if you driving to durban from pretoria for example you have to pass through pmb to get to durban
29 Oct 2009, 22:04 pm
#140 carol: i know butuch and his parents personally
his dad mike james played for mariutzburg football club in pmb where i was born and raised too
mike also played soccer for south africa
i was involved in the soccer for many years too
nice people , mike loves his golf now
29 Oct 2009, 22:05 pm
butch
29 Oct 2009, 22:12 pm
#139 sharks_lover:
doubt it – too mental. mind you burden went from centre/wing to hooker
#140 carol: her mom is from paarl(near cpt) i think – also a looker
#142 sharks_lover:
my son was at college with butch (and that chop kp)
29 Oct 2009, 22:20 pm
#144 charo: yeah i know boet i am an old maritzbueg college boy lol
mike and i played club soccer in pmb and played a lot of golf together
he was club golf capt at maritzburg golf club
his brother buddy james worked at natalia with my mom for about 18 years lol
29 Oct 2009, 22:22 pm
#145 sharks_lover:
you probably similar vintage to me then.
about a decade younger than david
and about a decade older than grant and justrugby
29 Oct 2009, 23:30 pm
#141 sharks_lover: You are well connected!!
Is PMB a nice place?
#146 charo: Two decades older than Rangerman, possibly four decades older than Springbok Sarah!! Eeekkkk…
29 Oct 2009, 23:31 pm
Transformation
I was wondering…
Who, of all the S14 franchises in SA, have the best transformation stats?
Not just this year, going back a few.
Answer that, and stay fashionable.
Otherwise, STFU.
29 Oct 2009, 23:33 pm
Come to think of it, just disregard that comment.
The jig is up. Maybe you’ll join us enlightened folks one day.
29 Oct 2009, 23:38 pm
#147 carol:
you’re as old as you feel.
i am a late maturer (is there such a word?)
only very recently grew up and put long pants on to go out.
us durbs guys live for our boardshorts and slops – ask jinx
30 Oct 2009, 00:00 am
#150 charo: I will subscribe to that.
I am a late maturer too!
30 Oct 2009, 00:02 am
As I’m at the top of the thread-
“COME ON THE BLUE BULLS”
30 Oct 2009, 04:09 am
#149 knormoer: lol..you think i’m the bean counter here? Go back to the wooden pile you crept out of. I have no desire to be “fashionable” especially to you. now GTFOH.
30 Oct 2009, 04:27 am
#135 carol: last I heard he was still in Bath doing work with local schools and other stuff, re-hab apparently progressing well. I’m a huge fan of the player and he seems like a good guy off the field too.
#133 sharks_lover: hi sl, appreciate the offer, some great bloggers left to move to the other site but I reckon one site is my limit, I already spend enough time blogging. I understand why so many of the guys left as the moderation here fell apart but maybe everything will come together again one day, I hope so.
30 Oct 2009, 08:49 am
#105 carol: Oops sorry Carol at night I blog on my cell, and don’t see all the posts. Tshwane is dull!!!! All there is to do is go to malls
Durbs has the sea, Malls, Aquariums; and the Berg, many game reserves, midlands meander and wild coast within easy distance. Not as exciting as Cape Town though, but the sea is MUCH warmer. The life style is also more relaxed then in Gauteng, you don’t try and commit murder or suicide just going to work or back home from work cause of the traffic. Its an easier life then up North!
30 Oct 2009, 08:52 am
#114 grant10: Gee I hate news like this a day before a CC final, but it’s one of the realities of being an ardent Cheetah’s supporter!!
If true it will be a huge loss for the Cheetahs, but we have lost so many super players before, and somehow manage to just churn out new stars!!
That Johan Wessells looked good in brussows absence, and even though he isn’t Brussow, we will get there!! Faaark this is that depressing time of the year again!!
The list grows of stars we lose!!!
CJ, Toks, Daan Human, Ruben Kruger, Pieter Muller, Honiball, Jouba, Vermeulen, Jannie dup, Bissie, de Waal, Claasens!!! Eish too many to remember!!
30 Oct 2009, 08:52 am
#155 Sharksgirl: what makes CT more exciting sharksgirl?
30 Oct 2009, 08:53 am
#157 Big Hit: nothing , cape town is like a baby ” if its not wet its full of winds ”
30 Oct 2009, 08:54 am
#157 Big Hit: Clifton….
#156 Cheetah 4 Eva: Ja….very sad…feel for you okes…
30 Oct 2009, 08:55 am
#155 Sharksgirl: Nah, I have the ultimate place!! half hour max, and I am in the Kruger Park!!! 3 – 6 hours and I am at the coast in Mozambique, and all the “joys” of Gangsters Paradise with 4 hrs!!
A wonderful climate to boot, and relative city comforts, without the hum drum!! Nelspruit rocks!!
30 Oct 2009, 08:56 am
cheers guys… next lesson!
30 Oct 2009, 08:56 am
#156 Cheetah 4 Eva: don’t forget your boys played well without him, not just about individuals, team spirit and playing style impt. too
30 Oct 2009, 08:57 am
#158 sharks_lover: 2 days at my spot in Clifton and you wont go home…got loads of mates that ‘camp’ here in summer….really magic….no wind here….behind mountain and sea….best place on the planet…seriously!
30 Oct 2009, 09:01 am
#129 Transformation: Transformation yes in the evening I blog from my cell Samsumn J70 or something. So it takes me ages and sometimes I just give up.
Fortunately my uncle has now retired and practices only as consultant in various EU committees. But during that time he was surrounded 24/7 with body guards and couldn’t plan a trip. If he was visiting us he would literraly phone us from the plane to come and pick him up at the airport, not even plane or time of arrival. My aunt was a nervous wreck, but he took it all in his stride.
Buffon is my ABSOLUTE favorite player of all time he has replace Roberto Baggio and Paolo Maldini! The loyalty he demonstrated in 2006 when all his peers were jumping ship, when he was offered no small fortune to move to England, and he refused saying he had never played in Serie B and it would be a welcome challenge to take Juventus back to Serie A which of course they did within a year, and now all those who abandoned like Cannavaro and Zambrotta are coming back
30 Oct 2009, 09:03 am
#162 Big Hit: Jip, agreed BH, but hell it’s really demoralising to have to go through this year after year!!! Can’t we just have 2 years without losing our stalwarts, man the Cheetahs will then cream the opposition!!
30 Oct 2009, 09:03 am
#160 Cheetah 4 Eva: Agreed with you, went there a few years ago, and loved it. The city is also very pretty and I also remember it very clean.
Cheetah are you nervous? I am all in orange today, and have even bought a Cheetah shirt! Go CHeetahs!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a real feeling that the Cheetahs will pull the upset of the year!
30 Oct 2009, 09:09 am
#157 Big Hit: Big Hit, Cape Town has everything on its door step, hardly have to drive far for anything. It has both oceans, Good surf, lovely beaches with white sand, the big city, big events, the Forrests, botanical gardens; Mountains. for a young country like SA it also holds plenty of History, so it even caters for a historian like myself. Basically there is lots to do and the city is really attractive and kept very well.
30 Oct 2009, 09:13 am
#167 Sharksgirl: yes…i like you!!!
Very well put….i spend at least an hour a day walking the Clifton and Camps Bay beaches…blessed i tell you…luv it…takes my btreath away…yesterday at 6 watching dolphins frolick…and a whale!!
Cheers…outta here
30 Oct 2009, 09:16 am
#167 Sharksgirl:
technically cpt has only one ocean – atlantic.
but somebody thought up the two oceans slogan and it has worked well as a marketing tool.
30 Oct 2009, 09:18 am
#166 Sharksgirl: I am nervous, but surprisingly quietly confident, I remember feeling the same in the ’03 WC semi between France and NZ!!
Logic indicated a comfortable AB victory, but I told my wife, watch the French upset the odds…. result 40 – 22 win for the Frogs!!
I have this same gut feel about tomorow..
Everybody is saying the Bulls scrum will front up, I don’t see the “improved performance” Balie refers to, and I read he now questions the commitment of the Sharks forwards in the semi to substantiate that. Believe the Cheetahs will dominate the scrums, and hold their won in the lineouts… Think the Cheetahs are peaking at the right time!!
Go Cheetahs!!!!!
30 Oct 2009, 09:29 am
#169 charo: Oh dear so I bought into the whole marketing thing? But I went and saw where the “oceans” meet
30 Oct 2009, 09:38 am
#171 Sharksgirl:
don’t worry – millions get sucked into it.
what you saw at cape point is where two currents meet.
cape agulhas is the accepted dividing point between indian and atlantic oceans but it is a mere technical point.
the romantic version is better
30 Oct 2009, 09:44 am
#172 charo: Thank you, you see you learn something everyday!
30 Oct 2009, 10:53 am
#165 Sharksgirl: wow…having a busy morning getting drawings finished, plotted & sent to the QS & engineers… so can’t really chat, will log on later in the day…:D
30 Oct 2009, 10:59 am
#174 Transformation: Look forward to that
30 Oct 2009, 11:31 am
#172 charo:
Yeah, it’s those fairies in the ad agencies who are managing to dumb down the population with their own ignorance.
31 Oct 2009, 11:42 am
This is certainly going to be unforgiving hard physical rugby being played at Loftus with no prisoners taken by either of the two competing teams.
The Bulls will probably have the upper hand in both the lineout’s and rumbling the ball up with a good kicker to convert and capitalizing on any errors form the Cheetahs. The Bulls will have to be patient in their buildup and going through the phases. Regardless of the score there should not be a letup during the last twenty minutes of the match. It was during this time that the Cheetahs have normally caught up with their opponents in the past seven matches.
The Cheetahs will probably have the upper hand in the scrums and has shown in the past few weeks of the Currie Cup that they have a formidable pack upsetting the springbok front row in the semi finals. Then there is also Brussouw that will probably get some turnovers or win penalties with his phenomenal speed and quick recovery, putting pressure on the opponents. Then there is Potgieter that can also slot some testing kicks.
It will certainly be a tight game. Good luck to both teams but we would like to see a winner and not a draw.
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