NPR

Sards wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 2:58 pm

handyman wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 12:46 pm

Sards wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 12:03 pm

Started for the Sharks in 1990 boet....I was there to watch that first CC victory.

Thats 3 deacades...good enough for you?

So in the best period of your union, you are edging us 8 cups to 6? But in the decades prior to that we dominated you.

Its not worth it dude...Sharks far outperform the gemors that is WP/Stormers..

My point is that the WP/Stormers team is led by gutless leaders and is a gutless union that cannot handle pressure and Kiwi opposition.
Beaten in the head.

"People moan about transformation when they don't even know what it’s about," Erasmus points out.

Mr. White wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 8:04 am This is still the rugby thread right?

"People moan about transformation when they don't even know what it’s about," Erasmus points out.

https://www.news24.com/sport/rugby/spri ... t-20200727

Rugby Championship: Why Euro-based Boks could be like gold

Could South Africa compete in the Rugby Champs even if locally based stars just are not ready enough to do so?
In such a scenario, stalwarts abroad like Bismarck du Plessis, Juan de Jongh and Jan Serfontein could earn fresh attention.
Springboks playing in Britain, Ireland and France could have a more pivotal role than is currently realised in South Africa's possible defence of the Rugby Championship crown later this year.

The considerable number of relevant, international-calibre players - either incumbents or recent enough Boks - have a key edge over our South African- or Japan-based candidates for the Test side: they are about to roar back into action.


South African players in England will return first, in mid-August, when the Premiership finally resumes after the Covid-19 crisis, Irish-based ones a week later, and the French contingent not long after that in the first week of September.

By contrast, an already long-awaited domestic alternative to Super Rugby proper, which was suspended in March, is still several weeks away at the very least due to ongoing, deep coronavirus-related concerns on these shores.


The Japanese Top League, which several other high-profile Boks are loyal to, only springs back into action in the new year.

Bok head coach Jacques Nienaber has already indicated a handful of rounds of first-class matches will be a minimum requirement for suitably readying key Boks physically for Test activity - last seen when the country won the World Cup in Japan late last year.

World Rugby has given its blessing to a full Rugby Championship being held, in one country (highly likely to be New Zealand) from early November if all four competing nations are able to take part by then.

The English and Irish-based Springboks, themselves already lagging dangerously behind All Black and Wallaby candidates for competitive rugby activity, will in turn get a significant head start shortly on South Africa-based players who have only begun cautious "pod" training as things stand.

Fitness permitting, fortunate customers in that category include Vincent Koch (Saracens), Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins), Lood de Jager and Faf de Klerk (Sale), plus Damian de Allende and RG Snyman (both Munster) and Marcell Coetzee (Ulster).

Slightly more peripheral Boks kicking off at roughly the same time include brothers Dan and Jean-Luc du Preez and Akker van der Merwe, all of Sale.

French-based stars to follow in early September will include Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, Handre Pollard, Rynhardt Elstadt and Cobus Reinach, among others.

That is already a solid tally of Springboks, and if you add in several more "fringe" candidates also employed in the broad landscape of Europe it begs the question of whether SA Rugby - desperate for a variety of reasons to see the Webb Ellis Cup-holders return to Test combat - could, in a worst-case scenario locally, contemplate picking a Bok squad deliberately heavily weighted towards players employed elsewhere (and importantly match-ready).

Yes, what if a local competition simply cannot take root in suitable time ahead of a Rugby Championship defence, leaving all home-based players too ill-prepared to be catapulted to Test activity?

There are so many high-calibre South African players plying their trades in Europe that, even if it will be a stretch in certain positions, the country could - as a last resort in being able to take part - just about assemble a squad made up almost wholly of stars falling into that category.

As it is, six of the players already listed above were all starters in the 2019 World Cup final against England, and several others either among the impactful "Bomb Squad" substitutes or at least part of prior mastermind Rassie Erasmus' wider plans in the Test season leading up to the Rugby World Cup.

Intriguingly, there are further, already highly Test-proven players who could be freshly roped in after longish absences - depending on availability, in some instances - if the Bok brains trust suddenly needed them.

Into that category might fall the grunt-laden 36-year-old hooker Bismarck du Plessis, still on Montpellier's books and holder of 79 Bok caps up to 2015, Jan Serfontein of the same French club (35 caps), Juan de Jongh of Wasps (19 caps) and Worcester's Francois Hougaard (46 caps).

Remember that emerging, already thoroughly Test-blooded tighthead prop Wilco Louw recently joined Harlequins from the Stormers, while rugby enthusiasts countrywide will probably be able to pipe up with several other now Euro-based names who could become renewed or even first-time contenders for the national side.

Issues would swirl around club release factors, the pure legitimacy or validity of a virtually all European-based Bok team, and whether it subscribed sufficiently to transformation requirements.

But these are also strange, unorthodox and sometimes necessarily improvisational, think-out-of-the-box times.

handyman wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 6:23 am

Sards wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 2:58 pm
My point is that the WP/Stormers team is led by gutless leaders and is a gutless union that cannot handle pressure and Kiwi opposition.
Beaten in the head.

Repeating lies don't make them the truth, but I'll give you kudos for still beating that same old drum, it's a helluva effort and you do get the odd bite now and again.

Sards wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:22 pm INSPIRING QUOTES

"If you are going to be a champion, you must be willing to pay a greater price"....Bulls
"Failure is the road to Success"...Lions
"How we win the game shows something about our character; how we lose it shows all of it" ....Stormers
"Failure is not an option"...Sharks
"The only Pain in Rugby is Regret"....Cheetahs
"Together Everyone Achieves More...Bokke

Sards wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:24 pm

Sards wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:22 pm INSPIRING QUOTES

"If you are going to be a champion, you must be willing to pay a greater price"....Bulls
"Failure is the road to Success"...Lions
"How we win the game shows something about our character; how we lose it shows all of it" ....Stormers
"Failure is not an option"...Sharks
"The only Pain in Rugby is Regret"....Cheetahs
"Together Everyone Achieves More...Bokke

my turn

Amethyst wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:40 pm One would expect that the Shark's "inspiring quote" would be fitting for a successful team like the Crusaders...bit laughable as far as the Sharks are concerned given the fact that they have won NOTHING yet.

assfly wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 2:25 pm

Amethyst wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 1:40 pm One would expect that the Shark's "inspiring quote" would be fitting for a successful team like the Crusaders...bit laughable as far as the Sharks are concerned given the fact that they have won NOTHING yet.

It is widely accepted that we are 2020 Super Rugby Champions*

Chilli wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 7:01 am So I believe that the SA Rugby internal investigation of the Etzebeth alleged racial slur thingy has been concluded and EE has been exonerated.

Lemoentjie wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:08 am

Chilli wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 7:01 am So I believe that the SA Rugby internal investigation of the Etzebeth alleged racial slur thingy has been concluded and EE has been exonerated.

What a surprise...

The findings of SA Rugby's internal investigation into last year's Langebaan incident involving Eben Etzebeth have been revealed.

Two men alleged they were pistol-whipped outside a restaurant/bar in the early hours of 25 August, while two others claimed to have been racially abused by Etzebeth. The Bok lock denied the allegations.

ALSO READ: This is what happened in Langebaan – Etzebeth

SA Rugby launched an internal investigation into the incident. According to Rapport newspaper, the report was completed some time ago, but SA Rugby was advised not to make it public for legal reasons.

However, Rapport has been able to establish that former judge Johann van der Westhuizen found Etzebeth was not involved in racism or assault.

He also found that:

– No grounds can be found for a case against Etzebeth.

– SA Rugby is advised to have a conversation with Etzebeth to make him thoroughly aware of the consequences that the actions of other people may have for him and how it may put him in a bad light.

– SA Rugby must have such talks with all Springboks. Players need to be aware of the damage that people close to them can cause.

ALSO READ: 1995 Boks in Black Lives Matter dispute

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission said its case against Etzebeth is pending until the hate speech charge against former broadcaster Jon Qwelane was settled, while the NPA has not yet decided whether it will prosecute the Bok lock.

Sards wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 4:09 pm is PR still running. This place is snail pace

Amethyst wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 10:12 am

Lemoentjie wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:08 am

Chilli wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 7:01 am So I believe that the SA Rugby internal investigation of the Etzebeth alleged racial slur thingy has been concluded and EE has been exonerated.

What a surprise...

So, will there be any consequences for the black oke that falsely accused him? No, not in SA. And what about the grootbek from SAHRC who found him quilty even before an investigation .

Chilli wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 4:24 pm

The findings of SA Rugby's internal investigation into last year's Langebaan incident involving Eben Etzebeth have been revealed.

Two men alleged they were pistol-whipped outside a restaurant/bar in the early hours of 25 August, while two others claimed to have been racially abused by Etzebeth. The Bok lock denied the allegations.

ALSO READ: This is what happened in Langebaan – Etzebeth

SA Rugby launched an internal investigation into the incident. According to Rapport newspaper, the report was completed some time ago, but SA Rugby was advised not to make it public for legal reasons.

However, Rapport has been able to establish that former judge Johann van der Westhuizen found Etzebeth was not involved in racism or assault.

He also found that:

– No grounds can be found for a case against Etzebeth.

– SA Rugby is advised to have a conversation with Etzebeth to make him thoroughly aware of the consequences that the actions of other people may have for him and how it may put him in a bad light.

– SA Rugby must have such talks with all Springboks. Players need to be aware of the damage that people close to them can cause.

ALSO READ: 1995 Boks in Black Lives Matter dispute

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission said its case against Etzebeth is pending until the hate speech charge against former broadcaster Jon Qwelane was settled, while the NPA has not yet decided whether it will prosecute the Bok lock.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 4:52 pm

Amethyst wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 10:12 am

Lemoentjie wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 8:08 am

What a surprise...

So, will there be any consequences for the black oke that falsely accused him? No, not in SA. And what about the grootbek from SAHRC who found him quilty even before an investigation .

Sards and Nipper had him guilty as a racist.

Amethyst wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 5:04 pm

Chilli wrote: Sun Aug 02, 2020 4:24 pm

The findings of SA Rugby's internal investigation into last year's Langebaan incident involving Eben Etzebeth have been revealed.

Two men alleged they were pistol-whipped outside a restaurant/bar in the early hours of 25 August, while two others claimed to have been racially abused by Etzebeth. The Bok lock denied the allegations.

ALSO READ: This is what happened in Langebaan – Etzebeth

SA Rugby launched an internal investigation into the incident. According to Rapport newspaper, the report was completed some time ago, but SA Rugby was advised not to make it public for legal reasons.

However, Rapport has been able to establish that former judge Johann van der Westhuizen found Etzebeth was not involved in racism or assault.

He also found that:

– No grounds can be found for a case against Etzebeth.

– SA Rugby is advised to have a conversation with Etzebeth to make him thoroughly aware of the consequences that the actions of other people may have for him and how it may put him in a bad light.

– SA Rugby must have such talks with all Springboks. Players need to be aware of the damage that people close to them can cause.

ALSO READ: 1995 Boks in Black Lives Matter dispute

Meanwhile, the Human Rights Commission said its case against Etzebeth is pending until the hate speech charge against former broadcaster Jon Qwelane was settled, while the NPA has not yet decided whether it will prosecute the Bok lock.

That local oke of Langebaan and his maatjies was lekker gesuip toe soek hulle kak...toe kry hulle kak..nou huil hulle van hulle eie kak wat hulle self gesoek het. Vokken poofters man, kan nie die punch vat nie..en wie de donner is in elk geval so fokken dom om kak te soek met Etzebeths, jy gaan verseker op jou moer kry.

The Khoisan Defiance Campaign says reports that Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been cleared of any wrongdoing over a racially-charged incident are blatantly misleading.

Sards wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 7:10 pm

The Khoisan Defiance Campaign says reports that Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth has been cleared of any wrongdoing over a racially-charged incident are blatantly misleading.

STAT ATTACK: Robert du Preez received plenty of criticism when he was playing in South Africa.

The 27-year-old Springbok flyhalf left many fans frustrated with his inconsistent performances while playing for Western Province, Stormers and the Sharks.

It left fans wondering whether he would ever reach his full potential after showing great promise during his time as an age-group player with the Sharks and his time with the SA Under-20 side


In his final season with Western Province in 2017, Du Preez helped the team win the Currie Cup before he returned to Durban ahead of the 2018 season to link up with his father, who was the head coach of the Sharks at the time.

The flyhalf turned out not to be the general everyone was expecting and there was growing pressure for Du Preez senior to drop his son in favour of Curwin Bosch.

Du Preez junior’s time with the Durban side was eventually short-lived and he left the after the 2019 Super Rugby season to join England’s Sale Sharks.

And it seems he is enjoying a new lease on life, with strong performances for the Premiership team and the stats are backing it up.

According to Opta Sports‘ stats, “the Sale Sharks flyhalf has assisted eight tries in Premiership Rugby this season, more than any other player”.

Story continues below…


That is some stat considering the number of top-class players that are in England.

Sale Sharks are currently the joint second-best attacking team in the Premiership in the 2019/2020 season with 42 tries and Du Preez’s direction from the No.10 jersey has played a key role in that stat.

Du Preez is also currently the Premiership’s third-highest points scorer in the 2019/2020 season with 116 points, which is just 10 points less than current leader Marcus Smith (126).

Overall he amassed 233 points for Sale Sharks from his 29 games for the club.

Sale Sharks are sitting in second place in the 2019/2020 Premiership standings, just five points behind leaders Exeter Chiefs.

With the confidence he is showing on the field, he is only set to grow in his role as a No.10 in England.

‘tsek wrote: Tue Aug 04, 2020 2:17 pm Interesting to see how he goes outside of the toxic Sharks environment.

handyman wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 2:37 pm Yes! Green light for rugby in SA, contact training allowed, as well as matches in empty stadiums.

Come on STORMERS!

https://www.sarugby.co.za/articles/2020 ... on-matches

handyman wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 2:37 pm Yes! Green light for rugby in SA, contact training allowed, as well as matches in empty stadiums.

Come on STORMERS!

https://www.sarugby.co.za/articles/2020 ... on-matches

‘tsek wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:08 pm Any idea of what is meant with “from within a bio safe environment”?

‘tsek wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 5:24 pm Can’t wait, the spectacle, the excitement! The N95 compliant scrum-cap, the scripted better-than-a-haka pre match taking of the knee, the piped in pre- recorded Newlands booing.

Gonna be epic.

‘tsek wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:08 pm Any idea of what is meant with “from within a bio safe environment”?

Blake wrote: Sat Aug 08, 2020 7:50 pm

‘tsek wrote: Thu Aug 06, 2020 3:08 pm Any idea of what is meant with “from within a bio safe environment”?

Probably means something similar to “The Bubble” that NBA players are supposed to stay in.

Basically players are to have no physical contact with the “outside world” during the season. Stay isolated as a group and away from their families until the season is over.

Despite the sheer euphoria of assembling again in small groups, South Africa's rugby players will need to be content with at least one more week of non-contact training.

Sport24 understands that SA Rugby's Covid-19 management committee will only convene on Monday, where protocols related to the resumption of contact training is expected to be given.


More importantly, the meeting should also provide confirmation on the exact dates for the start of the domestic programme, which is reportedly going to be divided into a six-week Super Rugby-franchise only section and then an eight-week Currie Cup format.

Earlier this month, SA Rugby stated that it was aiming for a "mid-September" return to play, with the weekend of the 12th appearing a suitable date.

Sards wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 8:51 am

handyman wrote: Tue Jul 28, 2020 6:23 am

Sards wrote: Mon Jul 27, 2020 2:58 pm
My point is that the WP/Stormers team is led by gutless leaders and is a gutless union that cannot handle pressure and Kiwi opposition.
Beaten in the head.

Repeating lies don't make them the truth, but I'll give you kudos for still beating that same old drum, it's a helluva effort and you do get the odd bite now and again.

I do this out of love for the game. Was a time Stormers / Wp clashes vs Natal were an epic event. Now its just another 5 points.