South African Sports News – 17 February

Alviro Petersen

Proteas on the ropes in Kolkata
Just when everyone thought the Proteas were back to their winning ways after their convincing innings and six run victory over India in Nagpur last week, a familiar weakness returned to haunt them in the second test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata yesterday. The Proteas found themselves with their backs to the wall on six without loss in their second innings at stumps on day three and have to bat for two full days to save the match after trailing by a mammoth 347 runs on the first innings.

There is certainly no way that Graeme Smith’s men can win this match after a horrendous first innings batting collapse which saw them crash from a promising 218/2 to a dismal 296 all out. It was an all to familiar occurrence for the South Africans who have suffered similar collapses in the past, most recently their meek capitulation against England in last December’s Durban test … Continued

South African Sports News – 16 December

Mzwandile Stick

‘Blitsboks’ come up short again
South Africa ended their Emirates Airline George Sevens tournament on a disappointing note, succumbing 21-7 in the Plate final to England in a game they will want to forget in a hurry. Last week the ‘Blitsboks’ lost to Australia in the Plate final of the Dubai Sevens and in front of a partisan home crowd in George, they were again out of sorts as England outplayed them in the critical facets of the game. After this loss, South Africa will need to find a remedy for their weaknesses after being exposed for a lack of speed and flair in both tournaments thus far in the series … Continued

Sharks scrape home against fiery Lions and other sporting news

Ruan Pienaar

Sharks scrape home against fiery Lions
The Sharks overcame a spirited and determined effort from the Lions to secure a semi-final spot in the Premier Division of the 2009 Absa Currie Cup at the Absa Stadium in Durban on Saturday afternoon. Stefan Terblanche’s men were made to fight every inch of the way to secure victory against the Lions who produced a sterling defensive effort against their more fancied rivals.

In the end however, the KwaZulu-Natalians squeaked home 19-17 against the visitors from Johannesburg, thanks largely to the boot of scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar (pictured), the domination of their Springbok laden forward pack and a gutsy all round performance from the 34-year-old Terblanche, who is currently playing some of the best rugby of his career. Continued

Bafana end losing streak and more sports news …

Katlego Mphela

Bafana end losing streak with narrow victory: Bafana Bafana broke their run of six consecutive losses when they defeated Madagascar 1-0 in an international friendly played at the GWK Stadium in Kimberley on Saturday afternoon. However, it was by no means an impressive performance by Bafana who seemed to lack ideas and urgency for the majority of the match. Substitute Katlego Mphela (pictured) scored the only goal of the match in the 64th minute when the Mamelodi Sundowns striker collected a well-placed through ball from Man of the Match Richard Henyekane to steer his shot past Madagascar goalkeeper Hector Kandy … Continued

Boks edge All Blacks to win Tri-Nations and other sporting news

Francois Steyn

Boks edge All Blacks to win Tri-Nations
The Springboks silenced their critics and detractors alike when they defeated the All Blacks 32-29 in Hamilton on Saturday to secure victory in the 2009 Tri-Nations and cement their reputation as one of the greatest Springbok teams of all time. The victory was a great achievement by the Boks who recorded their third successive win against the All Blacks for the first time in 60 years, with the bonus of adding the Tri-Nations to their 2007 Rugby World Cup triumph and series victory over the 2009 British Lions.

The Boks went into this match as distinct underdogs after their disappointing 21-6 defeat to the Wallabies in Brisbane the previous weekend, but only needed a single bonus point to secure the championship. However, they ended up taking it in style by standing up to the New Zealanders and matching them blow for blow with no quarter asked or given. Continued

Boks ‘huff and puff’ their way to defeat in Brisbane

Peter de Villiers

Boks ‘huff and puff’ their way to defeat in Brisbane
The Springboks suffered a disappointing 21-6 defeat to the Wallabies at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Saturday and although they remain at the top of the Tri-Nations log and nine points clear of nearest rivals New Zealand, the Boks still need at least a bonus point from their last match against the All Blacks in Hamilton on Saturday, to clinch the championship. Continued

This Week in South African Sports – 26 August 2009

Mbulaeni Mulaudzi

Rich medal haul for South African trio in Berlin
Mbulaeni Mulaudzi had the last laugh at the World Athletics Championships at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin on Sunday when he ran a superb 800m race to clock 1 min, 45.29 secs to secure a gold medal for South Africa. Mulaudzi did not run particularly well in his semi-final heat on Friday, finishing fourth and having to wait to see if he would qualify for the final as the second of two fastest losers, which he did by the smallest of margins.

And so, despite his somewhat tepid performance in the semi-finals, the 29-year-old Mulaudzi found himself in the final against the world’s best 800m runners, including the likes of defending champion Alfred Yego from Kenya and Yusuf Kamel of Bahrain … Continued

This Week in South African Sports

Caster Semenya

South Africa pinning hopes on Caster Semenya in Berlin
The 12th IAAF World Athletics Championships in Berlin are well under way and there have been some phenomenal performances on display with Jamaican sprinting sensation Usain Bolt’s unbelievable 9.58 secs in the 100m final, undoubtedly the pick of the bunch. However, the South African contingent have struggled to achieve their potential in a fiercely competitive environment, with medal hopes LJ van Zyl, Sunnette Viljoen and Ruben Ramolefi failing to produce the goods when it counted most.

Van Zyl was blown away by the competition in the first of Sunday night’s 400m hurdles semi-finals, clocking an ordinary 48.80 secs for sixth position. Continued

Boks down Wallabies to keep unbeaten record – and other sporting news

Victor Matfield

Boks down Wallabies to keep unbeaten record
The Springboks continued their rich vein of form in this year’s Tri-Nations competition when they defeated Australia 29-17 at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon. Bok flyhalf Morné Steyn once again had an outstanding game, slotting seven penalties and a drop goal for a personal tally of 24 points. The Bok win was set up by another dominant display by their pack of forwards with the lock pairing of Victor Matfield (pictured left) and Bakkies Botha proving particularly detrimental to the Wallabies. The towering duo dominated the lineouts securing ample possession for their team and starving the Wallabies of this critical commodity in the process …

The Wallabies struck first with a quick fire second minute try from fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper, which was converted by flyhalf Matt Giteau to put the visitors 7-0 in front. However, the Boks remained calm under pressure and responded soon afterwards with a well-taken try from ‘Man of the Match’ Matfield who chased a superb left footed grubber kick Continued

South African Sports Wrap – 5th August

5 August 2009 – This week in South African Sports – Guy Mortimer reports on what’s been happening this past week and what’s coming up!

Caster Semenya

ASA announce crack squad for Berlin
Athletics South Africa (ASA) on Tuesday announced a team of 25 men and six women for the IAAF World Championships in Berlin later this month. The team includes top athletes such as 800m runner Caster Semenya (pictured), LJ van Zyl, who has been sensational in the 400m hurdles this year, 1500m competitor Johan Cronje, 3000m steeplechaser Ruben Ramolefi, javelin thrower Sunette Viljoen, 110m hurdler Lehann Fourie and, of course, Beijing Olympic long jump silver medallist Khotso Mokoena. The team attended a training camp in Potsdam in July and have been sharpening their skills at another venue in Neubrandenburg. All the athletes will be competing today at a meeting in Spandau to determine their fitness levels before the World Champs … Continued

Sports Wrap – What’s been happening and what’s coming up in SA Sports

29 July – This week in South African Sports – Guy Mortimer reports on what’s been happening this past week and what’s coming up!

Warren runs down the opposition
Fleet-footed South African athlete Warren Hendricks (pictured) produced a sparkling performance at a Finnish Savo Games meeting in Lainlahti on Saturday when he stormed to victory in the 800m event in a fast 1 min 47.73 secs.  It was the 21-year-old’s first win in Europe and his second fastest time within three days after he recorded 1:48.48 when finishing second in another Finnish meeting in Joensuu two weeks ago … Continued

Sports Wrap – The week that was in South African Sports

The week that was in South African Sports and whats coming up - by Guy Mortimer

Khotso Mokoena

Athletics – South African 1500m runner Johan Cronje posted an impressive time of 3 min 36.74 sec to finish seventh at the second edition of the prestigious international meeting in Tangier, Morocco, on Sunday. American Olympic sensation Bernard Lagat won the race in 3 min 32.56 sec.

Another South African, Ofentse Mogawane, finished a credible third in the 400m event when he posted a time of 46.81 sec. Mogawane is still trying to achieve the qualifying mark of 45.55 sec for the upcoming World Championships in Berlin, Germany next month. Cronje, on the other hand, has already qualified for the 1500m event in Berlin … Continued

Tri Nations is looming large …

Photo © SA Rugby

As a nation, South Africans are pretty much sports crazy and the Tri Nations* is looming large once again. Drinking beer, eating biltong and watching rugby go hand in hand so we thought it appropriate to give a few options of great rugby watching venues.  If you haven’t been lucky enough to get a test match ticket then watching the action surrounded by friends in a pub is the next best thing!

Johannesburg has a great number of venues on offer.  The Keg and Filly on Rivonia Road in Sunninghill (+27 (0)11 807-5590) is a popular watering hole for many, so it might be advisable to book a table ahead of schedule. If you live in Bryanston, what about trying The Baron Bryanston (+27 (0)11 706-0632), located on the corner of Main Road and Post House Road?  The Baron has a traditional bar but the new look Manhattan Grill promises a delicious dinner after the game … Continued