WeeklySA_AdminWARM UP: The 35-7 win against New Zealand sends a stern warning to all rivals and shows Boks intent to defend the world cup in France
By Sports Reporter
Nobody held back. Nobody was protected. No prisoners were taken. No humiliation was spared. South Africa smashed its previous biggest winning margin against New Zealand and inflicted on the All Blacks their heaviest defeat ever in a 35-7 whipping at Twickenham on Friday, just two weeks before the Rugby World Cup in France.
The caliber of the near full-strength teams emphasized the seriousness with which they regarded their last World Cup warmup. South Africa was euphoric, six weeks after it was mauled by New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.
The set-piece and maul pressure was relentless and an All Blacks side with more than 1,000 caps was unhinged.
South Africa’s previous biggest win over New Zealand was 17-0 in 1928. The result also gave South Africa the No. 1 ranking, at least until Ireland plays Samoa on Saturday.
England winger Anthony Watson is out of the Rugby World Cup because of a calf injury The Springboks received a huge confidence boost going into their World Cup defense starting against Scotland on Sept. 10 in Marseille. They and the All Blacks could potentially meet again in the World Cup quarterfinals, and if they do South Africa has the momentum after laying a massive marker.
“Six weeks ago we were sitting where they are. That’s how quickly things change,” South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber said. “We don’t get one point for the World Cup from tonight. It was an opportunity to prepare and that’s that. We’re staying in reality. Tonight we’re happy but we’re also sad. Five players (in the squad who were injury cover) are going home.”
New Zealand is a lot sadder. It has a litany of concerns, notably for two frontline forwards. Tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax suffered an accidental gashed right knee, and lock Scott Barrett was sent off for two yellow cards. He wasn’t upgraded to red, which may spare him from the judiciary. Barrett was marched in the 39th minute when New Zealand was already trailing 14-0, the halftime score, and couldn’t withstand South Africa’s power.
“We got squeezed and exposed,” New Zealand coach Ian Foster said. “But if we could choose one trophy not to have in our cabinet at the end of the year, it would be this one.”
South Africa made the man advantage count in the second half by piling on tries by forwards Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi even while teammate Pieter-Steph du Toit was in the sin-bin, and Kwagga Smith, the seventh forward among the eight reserves.
All five Springboks tries were converted by Mannie Libbok, who silenced his critics with a perfect record on the night after making half of his goalkicks in his previous two tests.
The All Blacks open the World Cup against tournament host France in Paris.
MARUMO TO PIERCE CASRIC STARS
ROADMAP: The journey back to the elite league has begun in earnest for Gallants
By Masoja Cele
With the resumption of the 2023/24 Motsepe Foundation Championship on Friday after the winter break, Casric Stars will go head to head against Marumo Gallants on Sunday at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga. The match will kick-off at 15:00.
Casric will pursue another attempt to win promotion to the DStv Premiership next season. Last season, Casric qualified for the national play-offs alongside the eventual winners Cape Town Spurs and the Premiership relegated Maritzburg United. However, the Mpumalanga based team couldn’t even won a single point during the mini-league play-offs.
Having lost the services of their top marksman Kgomotso Mosadi and Thabang Rakwena to Sekhukhune Unied, Casric will find it difficult to bridge the defence of the visitors manned by the ever reliable Tebogo Thangwane, Isaac Nhlapho and the stocky Matome Kgoetyane. However, the goal scoring responsibility will rest on the shoulders of Mumuni Abubakar and Pogiso Mabote to unlock the Gallants solid defence. In thew middle of the park Casric will be led by the former Kaizer Chiefs central midfielder Given Thibedi and attacking midfielder Khotso Malope.
After such a stellar campaign in the Caf Confederation Cup, Marumo Gallants suffered a setback in the DStv Premiership with a relegation ticket to the second tier. ‘’Bahlabane Ba Ntwa’’ fairy tale continental run ended with a 1-0 loss in the semi-final against Tanzania Young Africans at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg. Gallants had conceded two goals in the first leg against the Tanzanian powerhouse.
However, the football that the Limpopo outfit dished out in their Caf Cup campaign was contradictory to what they produced in the league matches. Consequently, they were demoted to the second tier at the end of the season.
As they prepare for new life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship ‘’Bahlabane Ba Ntwa’’ have appointed veteran football administrator Sinky Mnisi as CEO with the hope of pushing for a DStv Premiership return. A mandate the journeyman of the game has promised to deliver at the end of the 2023/24 campaign. In addition, Gallants have brought in the former Richards Bay mentor Pitso Dladla. He will be assisted by former Jomo Cosmos development coach Rodney Moroka. Coach Dladla came with an impressive CV. Among his achievements was in 2021/22 season when he promoted Richards Bay to the DStv Premiership.
Gallants chairman Abram Sello has invaded the football market and made some eye catching acquisitions, notably veteran goalkeeper King Ndlovu from Maritzburg United. Other players that bolstered the Gallants side are Kutlwano Mzimela, Bareng Ledwaba, Osborn Maluleka and George Lata.
The ‘’Bahlabane Ba Ntwa’’ technical team led by coach Dladla will trust the arrivals will quickly settled with the team. Experienced midfielders Edgar Manaka and Koketso More are two of the most influential players that could win the match for Gallants.
Nevertheless, Casric have a capable goal minder in Gift Mthombeni who would be asked to deny Gallants strike force any opportunity to score.
In another Sunday fixture Baroka FC will host Magesi FC in a Limpopo derby at Global Stadium in Lebowakgomo. The match is scheduled for 15:00
Sports:
Briefs
RUBIALES MAY KISS JOB GOODBYE
The Spanish government has temporarily suspended Royal Spanish Football Association (RSFA) President Luis Rubiales, after he refused to voluntarily step down over an apparently non-consensual kiss at the Women’s World Cup final last weekend.
The government’s sports council said on Friday that it would send two complaints against Rubiales to a court of arbitration, allowing the council to suspend the football boss while the case is being reviewed, its president, Victor Francos, said at a press conference. If the court finds that Rubiales breached Spanish sports law – particularly its sections on “dignity and decorum” and “abuses of authority,” a ban of between two and 15 years could be imposed.
Rubiales is also facing a FIFA disciplinary investigation over his conduct at Sunday’s Women’s World Cup Final in Sydney, Australia. Following Spain’s 1-0 win over England, Rubiales embraced midfielder Jenni Hermoso and planted a kiss on her lips. Luis Rubiales has refused to step down as president of the Spanish football federation following his behaviour at the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday.
SALAH KAHLE LIVERPOOL
Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah has agreed to a blockbuster move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, according to the channel beIN Sports. However, his current club, English Premier League side Liverpool, have not accepted any deal from Al-Ittihad. Thirty-one-year-old footballer Salah is currently one of the leading men at Liverpool, and the team’s top scorer for the last six seasons. But if Thursday’s report is correct, he has been tempted by what is likely to be an astronomical salary offer to leave one of England’s most famous clubs.
MASTERS ROWING REGATTA IS HERE
Rowers from South Africa’s three medal-winning boats at the Olympic Games will all be in action at the 2023 World Rowing Masters Regatta taking place on home soil at Roodeplaat Dam in Pretoria from 21 to 24 September.
The four-day showpiece will not only be a historic event as the first World Rowing regatta on African soil but will give sports fans a rare opportunity to see some of the biggest names in South African rowing history on the same water. Among the Olympic legends that will be in action are medallists from Athens 2004, London 2012, and Rio 2016. Highlighting the allure of the event, six of South Africa’s Olympic medallists – Ramon di Clemente (Athens 2004), James Thompson, John Smith, Sizwe Ndlovu (London 2012), Lawrence Brittain and Shaun Keeling (Rio 2016) – will be competing in the regatta.
JESSICA MOTAUNG AT 50
Jessica Dineo Motaung celebrated her 50th birthday on August 23 a significant milestone in anyone’s life, and for Jessica, it is an extra special celebration as she also marks an incredible 25 years of service to Kaizer Chiefs.
As the Marketing and Commercial Director of this South African footballing institution, Jessica’s unwavering dedication has been instrumental in the success and growth of both the club and the role of women in sports management. Jessica’s journey with Kaizer Chiefs began in 1996 when the erstwhile model joined the Club after placing highly in prestigious events, such as Miss South Africa, and representing the country at the Miss World competition. Over the years, her passion, knowledge, and drive helped her rise through the ranks. Today, she is one of the most respected figures in South African and African football, playing a pivotal role in defining the club’s identity and success.
SAFA LAUNCHES CLIVE BARKER ACADEMY
The South African Football Association (SAFA) launched the SAFA Clive Barker Academy on Thursday in honour of fallen legend Clive Barker, who guided Bafana Bafana to Africa Cup of Nations glory in 1996. SAFA Vice President Linda Zwane opened the proceedings held in Nasrec, south of Johannesburg, by addressing the main area of the Association’s vision, which is developing football in the country.
“We are pushing two main agendas – being women’s football and youth football. It is critical that in line with these two agendas, our coaches are educated and skilled to be able to meet the international standards of these areas of football, and today’s launch speaks about that,’’ said Zwane.
SAFA Technical Director Walter Steenbok detailed the mission of the Clive Barker Academy and also announced that the Association would once again host CAF A License Diploma courses. The first CAF A License Course will be held in November 2023
