Semi-final: Eighty minutes is all that stands between South Africa and England from final appearance of the 2023 rwc

By Ali Mphaki

There is an overwhelming sense of deja-vu in the Springboks camp as they prepare to meetEngland on Saturday evening in what is a repeat of their 2019 Rugby World Cup final which the former won.

 The semi-final encounter pencilled for the Stade de France is made more poignant by the fact that it comes a day after the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for a second time with victory over the same England, then defending world champions in Paris on October 20, 2007.

If history “teaches us nothing” its worth noting England go into the last-four encounter as considerable underdogs, but having been written off before the tournament following three warm-up defeats coach Steve Borthwick’s side have taken advantage of a weaker pool to make it to the last four.

 The 43-year-old former captain now England coach once criticised for leading a “brainless” squad after a 32-6 defeat to New Zealand in 2007, added to a disappointing end to 2008 and start of the 2009 Six Nations, knows too well the regrets that come from a poor performance.

 A Master’s degree holder who also taught him   self Afrikaans so he could understand the Springboks’ lineout call when England were on tour,  Borthwick’s overall selection has been described as more deft than powerful, with 13 survivors in this match-day squad from the RWC 2019 final (including six repeat starters).

 His Bok-busting gameplan has seen him make only three changes to the starting XV that beat Fiji in the quarter-finals last weekend. 

‘Excitement, pride and clarity” is what he hopes to infuse to the England squad in their match against the Bokke, as quoted in BBC Sport.

The two teams have had a completely different journey in the tournament thus far with the Springboks having already faced Ireland, Scotland and also sent host France packing. Meanwhile, England topped their pool by beating Argentina, Japan, Samoa and Chile before closing out a fairly tight quarter-final with Fiji.

 His counterpart, Jacque Nienabas, however, approaches this semi-final with a “why fix it when its not broke” mentality, keeping the same squad that produced a superb performance to eliminate host France.

Nienabas men are reputed as the best scrum in the world, but would do well to heed rugby great Jean Reeves seemingly immortal words:”Physicality is one element of the game and spirituality another”,according to the Daily Mail.

 All the preparations have been made and it’s now up to players to do their magic.At the end, it will be up to the Creator to either Save the King or Bless Africa.

Nkos’i Sikelel’ Afrika.

The winner of the match will take on either New Zealand or Argentina, who clash on Friday night, in the final next weekend.

HOMEBOYS AT WAR

LIMPOPO DERBY: Baroka welcomes Black Leopards in much-anticipated  Motsepe Foundation Championship match

By Masoja Cele

A scintillating Limpopo derby is on the cards when Baroka FC confront cross town rivals Black Leopards in the Motsepe Foundation Championship encounter on Sunday. The much anticipated fixture will be played at Global Stadium, Lebowakgomo with a 15:30 kick-off.

Baroka are fresh from a sweet 1-0 away win at Venda Football Club a week before the FIFA International break, while Leopards suffered a bitter 1-0 to University of Pretoria respectively. The two teams boast the same number of points (7) from 7rounds.

Bakgakga BaMphahlele have shown a bit of improvement in their past two matches with newly appointed Dan ‘’Dance’’Malesela at the helm. The experience gaffer is known to be a disciplinarian and a fan of carpet football.

Whether, the players are adapting to Malesela’s philosophy or are hell bent to impress the technical team is anybody’s guess. But, having played two matches under the new mentor the results suggest his ducks are in a row.

Malesela has recently signed his old discipline lieutenant Lehlohonolo Nonyane as a free agent. The former Marumo Gallants captain played under Malesela at ‘’Bahlabane Ba Ntwa’’ during the 2021/22 season. Another new signee is TS Galaxy’s Burkina Faso born left back Cheick Omar Ouedraogo on a long season loan.

However, Ouedraogo is not available to play as he is still waiting for his work permit. Besides the two payers, would unleash the likes of Christopher Sithole, Tumelo Mmakgolane and Sydney Malihva to unlock the opposition defence.

As usual Baroka defence will be manned by the experience left back Ananias Gebhardt , centre back Matome Mathiane and right back Tebogo Lekaba. If Nonyane is available to play on Sunday then Malesela will boast a solid defence.

On the other note Leopards are from a 1-0 bitter loss to University of Pretoria. Just like Baroka, Lidoda Duhva has roped in former player Peter Mponda to lead the team. The ex-Leopards playmaker was elevated to head coach position after the sacking of the Spaniard Alejandro Dorado. The Malawian born Mponda worked as Dorado understudy for the duration.

As expected, Dorado had barely unpacked his luggage when he was shown the door by the management. The Spanish mentor struggled for positive results in his first three matches of the season. And he was sacked. Under his belt Mponda has played four matches won 2 and lost 2.

Mponda is proving his worth as a new young manager in the Motsepe Championship and Leopards might spring a surprise or two under his mentorship this season. However, for Mponda to achieve better results for his team there must be no interference from the management.

As the adage says, too many hands in a cookie jar spoil the food. This has been Leopards chronic ever since their promotion to the Premier Soccer League.

Back to the field, the Lidoda Duhva coach would want to prove to his detractors that he is the right person for the coaching position. He will select a team that is capable of pushing Baroka against the wall.

Players who could pose danger against the host team are Bonginkosi Makhanya, Sanele Zulu and Maphuthi Leso. The trio are always a threat to the opposition if left with acres of space to manoeuvre.