South Africa’s leading players stand united in their objection to the absurd decision to withdraw all the contracted Springboks from the Currie Cup. [Rugby365]
Category: Springboks
News and discussion about the Springboks
‘I am angry,’ sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile said on Tuesday. ‘I did not hear him make the comments, but I received the message that he said we are wholeheartedly behind this chap who killed the policeman, 100%. That is disgraceful. It doesn’t matter what the circumstances were. I can’t believe he said this. (more…)
“There’s little difference between winning and losing, except you feel better after winning.†Now you can read the wise words of Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, all assembled in one place. HERE
1. Poor defence
“The first problem, in capital letters, is defence. We started a rush defence in 2004 and were leaders in world rugby. Other countries followed us. South Africa conceded four tries in just 25 minutes in a critical Test on Saturday.” (more…)
Victor Matfield
Birth: 11 May 1977, Pietersburg RSA
Height: 200cm
Weight: 115kg
Position: Lock
Provinces: Blue Bulls (1998, 2001 to present), Griquas (1999, 2000)
Primary school: Pietersburg-North
Secondary school: Pietersburg High
Tertiary education: University of Pretoria
Test stats
Springbok number: 705
Tests: 99
Results: P 99 | W 62 | L 35 | D 2
Points: 30 (6 tries)
Captain: 11 Tests (7 wins)
Tests started: 95 (4 as replacement)
First Test: 30 June 2001 (age 24) v Italy (Port Elizabeth)
Last Test: 21 August 2010 (age 33) v New Zealand (Soweto)
Honours
SA Rugby Player of the Year nominee (2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009)
Try of the Year (2004) (v Australia in Durban)
Most-capped Springbok lock
World record with Bakkies Botha for most Tests as a lock combination in the starting line-up (56)
Best Boks:
Juan Smith, Francois Hougaard, Schalk Burger, Gurthro Steenkamp.
Worst Boks:
Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Pierre Spies, John Smit.
15: Gio Aplon – 6
Smashed Muliaina back in the tackle and made a few good runs.
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“I will die for South Africa on the field.†That was the reaction from Springbok fullback Frans Steyn following the storm that erupted around him over his leg injury and availability for Peter de Villiers’s Springbok team. (more…)
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is undergoing his most difficult year in charge, with the world champions having lost all three of their Tri-Nations games. He spoke to SIMNIKIWE XABANISA this week about his plan to turn things around. (more…)
A Bok squad of 24 players has gathered in Johannesburg to prepare for Saturday’s Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand.
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