Currie Cup Awards for August
MTN Golden Lions coach, John Mitchell, and DHL Western Province flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis were today named as the Absa Currie Cup Coach and Player of the Month for August.
All Blacks choke jokes
Read some more All Blacks choke jokes HERE, HERE and see the list of the top 10 chokers in world sport HERE. Guess who is number one?
2011 Rugby World Cup advertising opportunity
Ou Grote Rugby presents an amazing opportunity for small businesses who do not necessarily have large marketing budgets, to get huge exposure during the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Why should the tournament only benefit the bigwigs? Your company can reach almost 100,000 rugby-mad fans during the World Cup – from only R1,000!
We have developed a Rugby World Cup Dashboard which will be added to our site on Saturday 3 September. This online application gives the rugby fan a one page dashboard of information on the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Fixtures by date, fixtures by team, predictions, match reports, videos, stadium information, results and of course YOUR company’s advert – all on one convenient page. We will even create the advert for you free of charge!
Click on the image below to check it out.
Also, click HERE to view some statistics on Ou Grote Rugby.
How do you take this amazing opportunity?
Advertising slots will only be offered until 5pm on Friday 2 September on a first-come, first-served basis. E-mail us at info@ougrote.com indicating the codes (see the image above) of your preferred advert slot or slots. In each case give us your preferred 3 slots in order of preference. We will confirm with you based on availability.
Get e-mailing now to take advantage of this limited offer! info@ougrote.com
2011 Rugby World Cup Paths to Glory
There are no easy paths to glory in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Based on form and past results, this is what it will likely take for one of the four favourites for the title to win the cup:
South Africa (Pool D)
The Springboks have a fairly easy, though potentially bruising path through the pool stages. The biggest threat will be Wales, followed by the Samoans who like to match the Boks physically. The knock-out stages will require them to topple Ireland, New Zealand, and one of Australia or England to become the first side to retain the William Webb Ellis trophy.
11/09 Wales
17/09 Fiji
22/09 Namibia
30/09 Samoa
09/10 QF3 Ireland
16/10 SF2 New Zealand
23/10 FIN Australia\England
Australia (Pool C)
The Wallabies have a fairly straight-forward task to emerge top of Pool C, with the only real threat being Ireland – depending on which Irish side turns up. They should comfortably overcome Wales in the quarterfinals, then meet England in the semis. This will be a huge game given the result at the 2007 World Cup which saw England dominate the set phases and eliminate the Wallabies. If the Australians can beat the English this time round, they will face one of New Zealand or South Africa in the final. A victory will make them the only side to have won the tournament three times.
11/09 Italy
17/09 Ireland
23/90 USA
01/10 Russia
08/10 QF1 Wales
15/10 SF1 England
23/10 FIN New Zealand\South Africa
» Read more on 2011 Rugby World Cup Paths to Glory
VIDEO Tri Nations Wallabies 25 – 20 All Blacks
» Read more on VIDEO Tri Nations Wallabies 25 — 20 All Blacks
2011 Currie Cup Round 7
19:10 26-08 Leopards v Bulls
19:00 26-08 Pumas v WP
15:00 27-08 Griquas v Cheetahs
17:05 27-08 Lions v Sharks
2011 Tri Nations decider: Australia v NZ
Details
Date: Saturday 28 August 2011
Kick-off: 12.05 SA (10.05 GMT)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng)
Assistants: Craig Joubert (SA), Cobus Wessels (SA)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Teams
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Anthony Fainga’a, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 James Horwill, 4 Dan Vickerman, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 Salesi Ma’afu, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Rob Horne.
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 John Afoa, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Colin Slade, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Recent Results
2011: New Zealand won 30-14, Auckland
2010: Australia won 26-24, Hong Kong
2010: New Zealand won 23-22, Sydney
2010: New Zealand won 20-10, Christchurch
2010: New Zealand won 49-28, Melbourne
2009: New Zealand won 32-19, Tokyo
2009: New Zealand won 33-6, Wellington
2009: New Zealand won 19-18, Sydney
2009: New Zealand won 22-16, Auckland
2008: New Zealand won 19-14, Hong Kong
Castle Lager crowns ultimate Springbok SuperFans
Castle Lager has crowned its Springbok SuperFans in a tightly contested “scrum-off” held at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium during halftime when our very own Springboks took on the New Zealand All Blacks on the 20th of August.
» Read more on Castle Lager crowns ultimate Springbok SuperFans
18 World Cup Winners in South Africa squad
Eighteen members of the party travelling to New Zealand for the World Cup with South Africa were part of the squad that won in 2007.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers announced his 30 man squad on Tuesday with John Smit again leading the team as they attempt to retain their title. Smit is one of six players set to appear in their third Rugby World Cup.
» Read more on 18 World Cup Winners in South Africa squad
Final Springbok 2011 World Cup Squad
The Springbok squad to contest the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, was named tonight.
Total caps: 1224 | RWC winners: 18
Forwards:
Willem Alberts, Bakkies Botha, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield (vc), Tendai Mtawarira, Johann Muller, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (c), Pierre Spies, Gurthrö Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde.
Backs:
Gio Aplon, Juan De Jongh, Jean De Villiers, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Butch James, Pat Lambie, Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Francois Steyn, Morné Steyn.
Management
Peter de Villiers (head coach), Gary Gold (assistant coach), Dick Muir (assistant coach), Percy Montgomery (kicking coach), Jacques Nienaber (defence coach/physiotherapist), Malome Maimane (technical analyst), Rassie Erasmus (technical specialist), Neels Liebel (conditioning coach), Dr Derik Coetzee (conditioning coach), Dr Craig Roberts (team doctor), Rene Naylor (physiotherapist), Vivian Verwant (physiotherapist), Daliah Hurwitz (massage therapist), Charles Wessels (logistics manager), Mkiti Malakoane (baggage master), Annelee Murray (PR Manager), Andy Colquhoun (media manager).
Click HERE to view the squads of all competing nations.
2011 Currie Cup predictions Round 7
To help you with your predictions for round 7 of the 2011 Currie Cup tournament, find out what those in the know are saying.
Click HERE to view the predictions on the Ou Grote Rugby Facebook page
Weekend Rugby Results
Currie Cup: Bulls 44 – 20 Griquas
Currie Cup: WP 28 – 26 Lions
Currie Cup: Sharks 23 – 3 Leopards
Currie Cup: Cheetahs 80 – 16 Pumas
Youth Rugby: SA Schools 21 – 14 France U18
Schools: Grey Bloem 36 – 35 Paul Roos
Schools: SACS 20 – 13 Bishops
Test: Wales 28 – 13 Argentina
Test: South Africa 18 – 5 New Zealand
Test: Ireland 22 – 26 France
Test: Scotland 23 – 12 Italy
2011 Bi-Nations Boks v B Blacks (PE)
Match details
Date: Saturday, August 20
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kick-off: 17.00 SA (15.00 GMT)
Expected weather: Clear day of sunshine with a high of 20°C
Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)
Assistants: Andrew Small (England), Carlo Damasco (Italy)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
Teams
South Africa: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Gurthrö Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 John Smit, 17 Tendai Mtawarira, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Danie Rossouw, 20 Ashley Johnson, 21 François Hougaard, 22 Butch James.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Isaia Toeava, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Adam Thomson, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Cory Jane.
Recent Results
2011: New Zealand won 40-7 at Westpac Stadium, Wellington
2010: New Zealand won 29-22 at National Stadium, Soweto
2010: New Zealand won 31-17 at Westpac Trust, Wellington
2010: New Zealand won 32-12 at Eden Park, Auckland
2009: South Africa won 32-29 at Rugby Park, Hamilton
2009: South Africa won 31-19 at Kings Park Stadium, Durban
2009: South Africa won 28-19 at Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein
2008: New Zealand won 19-0 at Newlands
2008: South Africa won 30-28 at Carisbrook, Dunedin
2008: New Zealand won 19-8 at Westpac Trust, Wellington
2007: New Zealand won 33-6 at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
2007: New Zealand won 26-21 at Kings Park Stadium, Durban
2006: South Africa won 21-20 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg
2006: New Zealand won 45-26 at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2006: New Zealand won 35-17 at Westpac Trust, Wellington
2005: New Zealand won 31-27 at Carisbrook, Dunedin
2005: South Africa won 22-16 at Newlands
Castle Lager Tri-Nations comes to Nelson Mandela Bay
The Springboks will host and take on the New Zealand All Blacks for their Tri-Nations Rugby encounter at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on 20 August 2011. Nelson Mandela Bay plays host to the return match between South Africa and New Zealand to round out the 2011 Tri-Nations Series. This will be South Africa’s last match in the 2011 Tri Nations Series before they take on the world in September this year.
» Read more on Castle Lager Tri-Nations comes to Nelson Mandela Bay
Rugby fixtures 19 – 20 August
Friday 19 August
17:00 Currie Cup: Bulls v Griquas
19:00 Currie Cup: WP v Lions
19:10 Currie Cup: Sharks v Leopards
Saturday 20 August
09:30 ITM Cup: Manawatu v Waikato
14:00 Youth Rugby: SA Schools v France U18
15:00 Currie Cup: Cheetahs v Pumas
15:15 Test: Wales v Argentina
16:00 Tri-Nations South Africa v New Zealand
17:45 Test: Ireland v France
20:00 Test: Scotland v Italy
VIDEO Currie Cup Round 5 – Griquas v Leopards
» Read more on VIDEO Currie Cup Round 5 – Griquas v Leopards
VIDEO Currie Cup Round 5 – WP v Sharks
» Read more on VIDEO Currie Cup Round 5 – WP v Sharks
VIDEO Currie Cup Round 5 – Pumas v Bulls
» Read more on VIDEO Currie Cup Round 5 – Pumas v Bulls
2011 Currie Cup predictions Round 6
To help you with your predictions for round 6 of the 2011 Currie Cup tournament, find out those in the know are saying.
CLICK HERE to view the predictions on the Ou Grote Rugby Facebook page
2011 Tri-Nations 4 – Springboks v Wallabies
Match details
Date: Saturday 13 August 2011
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.05 RSA (15.05 GMT)
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (NZ)
Assistants: George Clancy (Ire), Carlo Damasco (Ita)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)
Teamsheets
South Africa: 15 Frans Steyn, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Jean de Villiers, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Butch James, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 John Smit (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 Gerhard Mostert, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Gio Aplon.
Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O’Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 James Horwill, 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Subs: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Salesi Ma’afu, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Ben McCalman, 21 Luke Burgess, 22 Anthony Faingaa.