NO 1 AND 2: It has been an even battle between the two nations in the last decade and in their past eight games between 2010 and 2022

By Sports Reporter

Siya Kolisi says the Springboks have placed a big emphasis on the breakdown battle for their crucial World Cup clash against Ireland on Saturday.

The defending world champions prepare to face the Irish in one of the biggest duels in the Rugby World Cup thus far at the Stade de France in Paris in their round three pool match.

The game will have a pivotal influence on determining the Pool B quarter-finalists, as well as having the number one world ranking up for grabs.

While Bok coach Jacques Nienaber said good discipline would be vital, captain Kolisi spoke about the importance of the breakdowns. “The breakdowns are going to be big,” said Kolisi.

“They have a lot of players who are effective in that department, and I think that will have a big influence on the game.”

It has been an even battle between the two nations in the last decade, with Ireland and South Africa winning four of their past eight games between 2010 and 2022.

The most recent meeting last November saw Ireland come out with a 19-16 victory in Dublin. “This is as big as it gets,” said Kolisi.

“They are the number one team in the world, and we are playing them in a World Cup. They’ve won 15 games in a row, and it will take a top performance to beat them. It is going to take something special to get out of this pool.”

“We took a lot from the last match we played against them,” Kolisi added. “And both teams are playing well, so this is a good time to face them. We want to play nice, competitive rugby and I believe the match will be tough and played in a good spirit.” While Kolisi spoke about the importance of the breakdowns, coach Jacques Nienaber said good discipline would also be vital.

Speaking about discipline in the match, Nienaber said: “When you have the top two teams in the world playing against one another discipline will be very important. If you concede penalties against a team like Ireland they’ll either get territory or points, so they’ll put us under pressure. We must be disciplined to get the right result.”

Nienaber named a seven-one split in favour of the forwards on the replacements’ bench for the encounter and when questioned about the various reactions to the team announcement, the Bok coach said:

“Innovation in any sport will trigger a reaction. This is the first time it’s done in rugby and that will come with positive and negative reaction, but nothing is stopping other teams from doing it. It would be a sad day if innovation is stopped, especially when it is within the laws.”

The match kicks off at 21h00.

A DIFFERENT PAGE

BRILLIANT: Former Witbank Aces and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder is upgrading his coaching qualifications

By Masoja Cele

Legendary midfield colossus Sello ‘’Page’’ Mahlangu was a vital cog of both teams that he represented with intensity in his illustrious professional football career.  Firstly, he showed his football brilliance in the colours of the now defunct Witbank Aces and later at the conquering Mamelodi Sundowns team in the late 90’s and early 2000.

‘’Absolutely, my professional football career began at Aces in 1991. I was studying my teaching diploma at Springs College of Education when I received a call from Aces midfielder Joel Ranyao. He explained to me that former Amazayoni manager Jabu Mahlangu was interested in my service. Subsequently, I met Mr Mahlangu and from our fruitful discussion a deal was struck. As they say the rest is history. On my arrival the Mpumalanga team were on transition to KwaNdebele. This was after Mr Veli Mahlangu had acquired the ownership of Witbank Aces’’ says Mahlangu.

‘’When I arrived at Aces I was welcomed by an array of stars like Joel Ranyao, Killer Mothogoane, Joseph Sibiya, William ‘’Danger’’Sibiya and late coach Steven ‘’Ten-Percent’’Maseko. Rubbing shoulders with these players gave me courage to do better at Aces. My debut was a league fixture against Vaal Reef Stars at Sir Oppenheimer Stadium in Klerksdorp. We played to a 1 all draw. Analysing up my debut, I would say it was a satisfactory outing considering that I played as a left back – an unusual position. My next match was against Kaizer Chiefs in a league match at King Solomon Stadium in KwaMhlanga. Amakhosi team had the likes of Doctor Khumalo, Eric September, Ntsie Maphike to name a few. Regrettably, we lost 2-1 but I was thrilled that I scored a scorcher.

‘’Nevertheless, my stay at Aces was tarnished after I was accused of leading a player’s revolt. The players were fighting for unpaid salaries and bonuses. And it shocked me that I was labelled as an instigator of the impasse. I then requested the club to release me so I could look for another team to play for. The painful part was that the team got relegated at the end of that campaign.  ‘’While I was sitting at home during 1996 I was approached by former Sundowns coach Stanley ‘’Screamer’’ Tshabalala with the view of joining his Brazilian team. And I gladly accepted the offer. Though, I was delighted with the move, however it was a struggle to break into that team. But, I grasped that situation in good spirit as the Tshwane giants were performing well then. Players who were playing then were on form. Consequently, it wasn’t easy for the coach to interfere with the winning team’’.

‘’I only got the opportunity to play after the appointment of Ted Dumitri. The late Romanian tactician afforded me a chance to play against Hellenic in Cape Town. Dunitri assigned me to anchor the midfield against the Greek God’s and I marshalled that engine room distinctively. After, the final whistle Dumitri told me to keep on working hard as he was satisfied with my overall performance. From that moment I never looked back and became a regular in the Brazilians team’.

‘’It was an honour to have played alongside great football luminaries like Raphael Chukwu, Roger Feutumba, Dan Malesela, Eric Ramasike, Daniel Mudau just to name a few. These are the players who helped the Tshwane giants to win the 1998 Bob Save Cup, 1998,1997/98, 98/99 and 99/2000 League Honours and 1998 Nedbank Cup. We had a formidable side that constrict the opposition with the passing game. I retired in 2003 and mainly focus on my teaching duties. But I will definitely go back in football to coach after my teaching career. I currently have a level 1 SAFA coaching certificate. And I hope to add more of these levels of coaching in CV’’ concluded Mahlangu.

The generation of your era were christened with meaningful moniker’s that suits the style of individual players. And you were dubbed Page?.

‘’Most definitely, my generation of players were nicknamed with exciting monikers that were identical with their style of play. I was dubbed Page by Rocks Mohlala when I was playing for Amato FC under 14’s. He modelled my game to that of former Witbank Black Aces great Willie ‘’Page’’Mahlangu.