Barbarians 26 v 20 Springboks
Date: Saturday 4 December 2010
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 14:30 GMT (16:30 SA time)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant referees: Christophe Berdos (Fr), Peter Allan (Sco)
Barbarians: 15 James O’Connor, 14 Joe Rococoko, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau (captain), 9 Will Genia, 8 Colin Bourke, 7 Martyn Williams, 6 Rodney So’oialo, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Anton van Zyl, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 John Yapp, 18 Quintin Geldenhuys, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Seru Rabini
Coach: Nick Mallett
Springboks: 15 Patrick Lambie , 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adi Jacobs, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Lwazi Mvovo , 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois Hougaard , 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Juan Smith (captain), 6 Willem Alberts, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 CJ van der Linde, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 AN Other, 19 Flip van der Merwe, 20 Keegan Daniel, 21 Charl McLeod, 22 Gio Aplon.
Coach: Peter de Villiers
Previous results vs Barbarians
2007 Barbarians 22 – 05 South Africa
2000 Barbarians 31 – 41 South Africa
1994 Barbarians 23 – 15 South Africa
1970 Barbarians 12 – 21 South Africa
1961 Barbarians 06 – 00 South Africa
1952 Barbarians 03 – 17 South Africa
2010 Springbok Statistics
The Springbok statistics for 2010 are as follows:
Overall Statistics
Played: 14 | Won: 8 | Lost: 6
Win percentage: 57%
Points for: 397 | Points against: 344
Average points: 28 – 25
Tries
Tries for: 38 | Tries against: 35
Tries by forwards: 21 | Tries by backs: 17
» Read more on 2010 Springbok Statistics
England 11 – 21 Springboks
@VictorMatfield: On my way back to a sunny SA. So nice to get on the plane after a great performance like yesterday. The guys showed a lot of hard out there
Peter de Villiers was asked if he thought the win against England had saved his job:
“I never employed myself. It would be a lot easier if I did. I don’t care. The pressure I respond to is to deliver for the country, to give hope to South Africans. That does not mean we won’t make mistakes. You can slaughter me if I make a big mistake, I just hope you can sell the meat.”
England 11 (6)
Tries: Ben Foden. Penalties: Toby Flood (2)
Springboks 21 (6)
Tries: Willem Alberts, Lwazi Mvovo. Conversion: Morne Steyn. Penalties: Morne Steyn (3)
Matfield nominated for 2010 Player of the Year
Springbok captain Victor Matfield has been nominated for the 2010 IRB Player of the Year award.
Matfield is joined on the shortlist for the award by last year’s winner, All Blacks’ captain Richie McCaw, his teammate Mills Muliaina, France’s Imanol Harinordoquy and Australians David Pocock and Kurtley Beale.
The winner will be announced on December 1 when the awards for IRB Coach of the Year (Graham Henry) and Team of the Year (New Zealand) will also be made known.
Previous winners: Richie McCaw (2009), Shane Williams (2008), Bryan Habana (2007), Richie McCaw (2006), Dan Carter (2005), Schalk Burger (2004), Jonny Wilkinson (2003), Fabien Galthie (2002), Keith Wood (2001).
Muir – SA public are ruthless
South Africa’s backs coach Dick Muir admits the Springboks management team could face the axe if they lose to England at Twickenham on Saturday. » Read more on Muir — SA public are ruthless
Inside the Bok camp
Supersport’s senior rugby correspondent Gavin Rich joined from London for a Q&A session ahead of the clash with England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Q: Hi Gavin, what do you think the chances are of Peter de Villiers getting fired? You said before the tour that any mishap either on or off the pitch on this tour might cost him his job.
A: I think he is one 80 minute poor performance from being fired. If the Boks lose at Twickenham, I would say he is certainly gone. Even if they win, this is something they need to look at – the Boks aren’t growing their game at all and have regressed significantly not only in this past year, but from where they started after 2007.
Q: Reading the Supersport blogs, I can see that many people are very angry with PDV because of the lost to Scotland. Many want PDV to be fired. What are your comments on that. » Read more on Inside the Bok camp
England v Springboks
Date: Saturday, November 27
Venue: Twickenham, London
Kick-off: 16.30 SA (14.30 GMT)
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistant refs: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ire), Simon Mcdowell (Ire)
TMO: Iain Ramage (Scotland)
England: 15 Ben Foden; 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Mike Tindall, 12 Shontayne Hape, 11 Mark Cueto; 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs; 8 Nick Easter, 7 Lewis Moody (c), 6 Tom Croft, 5 Tom Palmer, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Dan Coles, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Andrew Sheridan.
Replacements: 16 Steve Thompson, 17 David Wilson, 18 Simon Shaw, 19 Hendre Fourie, 20 Danny Care, 21 Charlie Hodgson, 22 Matt Banahan.
South Africa: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Frans Steyn, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 François Hougaard, 21 Patrick Lambie, 22 Adi Jacobs.
Scotland 21 – 17 Springboks
The Boks’ grand slam ambitions are over after being beaten by Scotland on the weekend. The Scots were poor but thoroughly deserving of their victory over the diabolically dumb Springboks who played their worst game since the 49-0 drubbing at the hands of Australia.
In a post-match interview a seemingly jovial Peter de Villiers gave the impression that he didn’t care about what had just transpired on the field. “All credit to Scotland, but we only had ourselves to blame. Some of the refereeing decisions were puzzling, however we did not respond the way we should have done. We now have to pick ourselves up physically and mentally for the challenge of playing England next weekend.”
Victor Matfield seemed in a foul mood on Saturday, almost losing the plot with referee Stuart Dickinson. It must have been the inconvenience of having to play a game of rugby during his golf tour of Scotland. Just look at his build-up to the big game on Saturday:
Tues 16th: Another set back today with Bryan breaking his hand. The only good news this last two days is that we got in at St Andrews Old Course.
Wed 17th: Dick Muir had a hole-in-one on the 11th at St Andrews. How spesial is that.
Thurs 18th: Really enjoyed yesterday at St Andrews. Just an unbelievable place but now its back to business.On our way to training.
Thurs 18th: Didnt want to be arrogant but Spies and myself took Jean and Hougies money. We were all square walking down the 18th.You cant buy experience.
No wonder the players want de Villiers to remain as coach – it’s just one long holiday while he’s in charge. Well done for not taking Scotland lightly…
Scotland 21 (12)
Penalties: Dan Parks (6). Drop goal: Dan Parks
Springboks 17 (9)
Try: Willem Alberts. Penalties: Morne Steyn (4)
Scotland 21 v 17 Springboks
Date: Saturday 20 November 2010 | 16:30 SA Time
Venue: Murrayfield, Scotland
Scotland – 15. Hugo Southwell, 14. Nikki Walker, 13. Max Evans, 12. Graeme Morrison, 11. Sean Lamont, 10. Dan Parks, 9. Rory Lawson (c), 8. John Barclay, 7. Kelly Brown, 6. Nathan Hines, 5. Scott MacLeod, 4. Richie Gray, 3. Euan Murray, 2. Ross Ford, 1. Allan Jacobsen
Subs: 16. Dougie Hall, 17. Moray Low, 18. Richie Vernon, 19. Ross Rennie, 20. Greig Laidlaw, 21. Ruaridh Jackson, 22. Chris Paterson
South Africa -15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Francois Steyn, 12. Jean de Villiers, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Juan Smith, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Victor Matfield, 4. Bakkies Botha, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Beast Mtawarira
Replacements: 16. Adriaan Strauss, 17. CJ van der Linde, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Willem Alberts, 20. Ruan Pienaar, 21. Patrick Lambie, 22. Adrian Jacobs
Chiliboy and Basson fail drug tests
South Africa’s Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson have failed dope tests and will play no further part in the tour of Britain and Ireland, the world champions announced on Monday. » Read more on Chiliboy and Basson fail drug tests
Wales 25 – 29 Springboks
Wales 25 (17)
Tries: George North (2), James Hook
Conversions: Stephen Jones (2)
Penalties: Stephen Jones (2)
Springboks 29 (9)
Tries: Willem Alberts, Victor Matfield
Conversions: Morne Steyn (2)
Penalties: Morne Steyn (5)
Other tests
Italy 16 – 22 Argentina
England 35 – 18 Australia
Ireland 20 – 10 Samoa
France 34 – 12 Fiji
Scotland 03 – 49 New Zealand
Bakkies 9 weeks – Kevvy 2 weeks
The IRB has disgraced itself still further by reducing Keven Mealamu’s ban for headbutting England captain Lewis Moody from 4 weeks to 2 after an appeal by New Zealand. The All Blacks are fast becoming the most hated team in rugby with their cheating tactics on the field and their hypocrisy off the field. The fact that they have Paddy O’Brien of the IRB in their back pocket just adds to the mounting worldwide dislike for this All Blacks team.
Here is the video of ‘Kevvy’ Mealamu blatantly headbutting Moody in front of the referee. Bakkies Botha received a 9 week ban for exactly the same offence (against New Zealand) during this years Tri Nations. Are the IRB biased? What do you think?
Wales v Springboks
Date: Saturday 13 November 2010 | 16:40 SA Time
Venue: Millenium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales
Wales: 15 Lee Byrne; 14 George North, 13 Tom Shanklin, 12 James Hook, 11 Shane Williams; 10 Stephen Jones, 9 Mike Phillips; 1 Gethin Jenkins, 2 Matthew Rees (C), 3 Adam Jones, 4 Bradley Davies, 5 Alun Wyn Jones, 6 Dan Lydiate, 7 Martyn Williams, 8 Jonathan Thomas
Substitutes: 16 Huw Bennett, 17 Paul James, 18 Ryan Jones, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Richie Rees, 21 Andrew Bishop, 22 Chris Czekaj
South Africa: 15 Gio Aplon, 14 Bjorn Basson, 13 Frans Steyn, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morne Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Juan Smith, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Beast Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 CJ van der Linde, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 TBA, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Zane Kirchner, 22 Pat Lambie
Other tests
16:00 Italy v Argentina
16:30 England vs Australia
16:30 Ireland vs Samoa
19:00 France v Fiji
19:15 Scotland vs New Zealand
Ireland 21 v 23 Springboks
Ireland
Try: Tom Bowe, Rob Kearney
Conversion: Ronan O’Gara
Penalties: Jamie Sexton (3)
South Africa
Tries: Juan Smith, Gio Aplon
Conversions: Morne Steyn, Pat Lambie
Penalties: Morne Steyn (3)
England 16 – 26 New Zealand
Wales 16 – 25 Australia
Ireland v Springboks
Date: 6 November 2010 | 19:30 SA Time
Venue: Aviva Stadium, Ireland
Conditions: 70% chance of rain
Ireland – 15 Robert Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O’Driscoll (c), 12 Gordon D’Arcy, 11 Luke Fitzgerald, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 9 Eoin Reddan, 1 Cian Healy, 2 Rory Best, 3 Tony Buckley, 4 Donncha O’Callaghan, 5 Mick O’Driscoll, 6 Stephen Ferris, 7 David Wallace, 8 Jamie Heaslip.
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Tom Court, 18 Donnacha Ryan, 19 Denis Leamy, 20 Peter Stringer, 21 Ronan O’Gara, 22 Keith Earls.
Springboks – 15 Gio Aplon, » Read more on Ireland v Springboks
Bok fans grill Snor
Peter de Villiers took some time out before the End of the Year tour to face some tough questions from Springbok rugby fans. » Read more on Bok fans grill Snor
SA Rugby Awards 2010 LIVE
SA Player of the Year 2010 – Gurthro Steenkamp
Victor Matfield: So happy for Gurthro. Real awesome player and great team man. Go tight five.
John Smit: The big G cleaned up and deservedly so! Well done @gurthro I love it when the big boys dominate the girls trophies!!!
Players’ Player – Gio Aplon (WP)
Young Player – Elton Jantjies (Lions)
Super 14 Player – Andries Bekker (Stormers)
Most Out of Place Troupe of Backup Dancers – The ballerinas blocking the view of the big screen
John Smit: A big thank you for our tribute video last night but I must say @VictorMatfield & I chuckled about it being played with ballerinas dancing!
Team of the Year – Bulls
Coach of the Year – Allister Coetzee (WP / Stormers)
Currie Cup Premier Division Player – Bjorn Basson (Griquas)
Currie Cup 1st Division Player – Norman Nelson (EP Kings)
Kakkest Song at the Awards – Kurt Darren (Groter as Groter)
Try of the Year – Jaque Fourie
SA Sevens Player – Kyle Brown
SA u20 Player – Elton Jantjies
Official of the Year – Craig Joubert
The Sharks – 2010 Currie Cup Champions
Springbok touring squad named
The Springbok squad to tour Europe was named after Saturday’s Currie Cup Final. Notwithstanding injuries (Ricky Januarie, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Schalk Burger), the following is the squad to contest the Grand Slam:
Backs
Gio Aplon (Western Province)
Bjorn Basson (Blue Bulls)
Adi Jacobs (Sharks)
Jean de Villiers (Western Province)
Francois Hougaard (Blue Bulls)
Bryan Habana (Western Province)
Elton Jantjies (Golden Lions)
Patrick Lambie (Sharks)
Lwazi Mvovo (Sharks)
Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, N Ireland)
Frans Steyn (Racing Metro, France)
Morne Steyn (Blue Bulls)
Zane Kirchener (Blue Bulls)