Conspiracy anyone?

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKsG2Dkl7zqBvIsMFAxeW0SM1QRwY3zQ0MYCWFsJVKIOxAJF36Rkh22K2TGaaM1banc_WxeeuZCKM8tct1kKqQ6BnFPi47sQ0M_MgfvccKYlOpdEa3y2XtFGHW0CVOH7PNv1uvzkGTN4/s1600-h/Rugby-Giteau-Matt.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369161280240824930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHKsG2Dkl7zqBvIsMFAxeW0SM1QRwY3zQ0MYCWFsJVKIOxAJF36Rkh22K2TGaaM1banc_WxeeuZCKM8tct1kKqQ6BnFPi47sQ0M_MgfvccKYlOpdEa3y2XtFGHW0CVOH7PNv1uvzkGTN4/s400/Rugby-Giteau-Matt.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">It has been interesting to watch Saru's battle with the IRB — over the Springboks' protest over Bakkies Botha's suspension — play out this week, particularly when you consider that absolutely nothing happened to Wallaby flyhalf Matt Giteau for his cheap shot on Fourie du Preez.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><em><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000099;">Matt Giteau is free to score more tries...</span></em><br /><br />I initially thought the 'Justice-4-All' protest was a bit melodramatic, and sent a rather poor message to the rugby-watching public at large, but now I am not so sure. It is hard not to believe that there is some sort of agenda against South African rugby when these sorts of inconsistencies happen.<br /><br />The fact that Giteau didn't even get cited is quite bizarre, but hardly a shock. The only thing consistent about IRB disciplinary procedures is how inconsistent they are… But it is fitting that the latest debacle occurred the weekend before Saru had to answer to an IRB tribunal over their team's protest action.<br /><br />Giteau's flying elbow, meanwhile, was quite ridiculous. What he did was obviously borne out of frustration, but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow. For years, the Australian media has been at pains to highlight the 'thuggish' play of the Springboks, (and often you could not argue with them), but on Saturday, Giteau took the prize for the biggest yobbo on the park.<br /><br />The Wallaby playmaker picked up a yellow card for his transgression, but really it should have been a red, because he was never going for the ball. It was deliberate and, in my mind, that means he intended to do harm. You can imagine the ruckus the Australians would kick up if the shoe were on the other foot.<br /><br />Personally, I have never seen such a negative performance from an Australian team. Sure, they generally play games at scrum-time, and are a touch cynical too, but on Saturday they played like a team that knew they could not go toe-to-toe with the opposition, so instead opted to kill the game as a fair contest.<br /><br />At times I was convinced we were playing Italy, Japan or Georgia, so intent were the Australians in killing the ball at the breakdown. Their ball-carriers held on in the tackle, their tacklers just held on and at times they seemed to be entering from everywhere but 'the gate'.<br /><br />Some scribes in Oz are claiming that the Boks have benefitted from northern hemisphere refs in this year's Tri-Nations, and that we won because of numerical advantages. What a load of rubbish! The Wallabies are lucky they only got the three yellows on Saturday because it could have been a lot worse for them.<br /><br />It is also worth remembering that the reason the Australians were constantly being penalised was because they were guilty of infringing — something even the players and coach can admit to. Why were they infringing? They were forced into it by a ruthless Springbok pack.<br /><br />The Boks have reached the half-way point in this year's campaign, and while nothing is won yet, with the overseas leg still to come, they are well on their way to claiming a third title.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;"><em>Article By: Rob Peters</em></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><a class="title_lk_cs" href="http://iafrica.com/sport/features/1841000.htm"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">On the brink of greatness</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> iafrica.com's </span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Rob Peters believes this Springbok side is on the brink of true greatness.</span> </p><p><a class="title_lk_cs" href="http://iafrica.com/sport/features/1847700.htm"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">The Springbok Opus</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> SA rugby received the ultimate compliment with news that a 'Springbok Opus' is being produced.</span></p><p><a class="title_lk_cs" href="http://iafrica.com/sport/rugby/team/news/1856203.htm"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Boks cement top spot</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> South Africa have cemented their position as the number one side on the IRB world rankings.</span> </p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><a class="title_lk_cs" href="http://iafrica.com/sport/columns/dan_world/1842120.htm">How good are these Boks?</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><br /></p></span><p></p>

Conspiracy anyone?

It has been interesting to watch Saru's battle with the IRB — over the Springboks' protest over Bakkies Botha's suspension — pla...

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SA's most loved rugby supporter

<p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Cellphone company’s ‘Elton and Jan’ commercial proves a massive score with rugby supporters<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2aBBusT_bGg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2aBBusT_bGg&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Forget Merlin and Malcolm, meet Elton and Jan. The stars of Vodacom’s Player 23 rugby advert have become so well known that it has changed their lives.<br /><br />Ironically, though, their nationwide celebrity kicked off pretty inauspiciously.<br /><br />Cape Town comedian Malcolm Ferreira, who plays Jan, thought it was a prank when an advertising agency asked him to send a picture of himself “topless” to get a role in a Vodacom advert.<br /><br />He eventually sent the picture and a few weeks later landed the role of South Africa’s most loved rugby supporter.<br /><br />Ferreira said this week the agency approached him after seeing his rip-off music video — as rapper Koolerbox, the Afrikaner version of US rapper Eminem — on YouTube.<br /><br />Actor Merlin Balie, on the other hand, was just following his agent’s orders when he auditioned for the part of Elton in May.<br /><br />Balie said he had been told the first Vodacom ad had been popular, but had had no idea how successful it would be when he auditioned.<br /><br />“For the audition, I had to act out three scenes ... I didn’t realise that the ad would be this big,” he said.<br /><br />But from inauspicious beginnings have come big things.<br /><br />Balie and Ferreira agree that their popularity has reached the point where they can’t walk down the street without being stopped by rugby-mad fans who refer to them by their character names.<br /><br />Ferreira, who has been a stand-up comic for about eight years, has had some bizarre run-ins with rugby fans.<br /><br />“After the Super 14 game between the Vodacom Bulls and the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld (in March), one supporter invited me to his braai and told me that if I went, then I could go out on a date with his sister,” Ferreira said.<br /><br />He has also been asked to sign a woman’s breasts — “that was an experience I think will take me time to forget” — and a man’s chest.<br /><br />“Signing his man boob was hysterical. That is when I realised that supporters really love Jan,” said Ferreira.<br /><br />Balie has not experienced the weird side of his fame. He is still enjoying being asked to pose for photographs and give autographs.<br /><br />“There was a time when people could only recognise me when I was wearing my Springbok jersey, but now they spot me regardless of what I’m wearing,” he said.<br /><br />Balie also admitted that he liked it when fans called him Elton.<br /><br />“There is one supporter who stopped me and said, ‘Hey, Elton, vat ’n foto met my laaitie,’ and that is when I realised that people are really starting to notice me.”<br /><br />Both Ferreira and Balie said filming the ads had been interesting. The first one — where he appears without Balie — literally made a big impression, Ferreira quipped.<br /><br />“In the scene I high fived all the players and left Bakkies (Botha) hanging. He then decided to give me a pat on my stomach. My stomach only stopped wobbling after about four days. His handprint lasted for about a week. Those rugby players are strong.”<br /><br />Balie — a veteran of 15 ads — said he realised how big the Vodacom ad was going to be when he saw the screen shots.<br /><br />“I didn’t think it was funny while we were shooting the scenes, but it was when the director called me to look at the screen shots that I laughed and realised how good it was.”<br /><br />Ferreira said the hype has boosted his profile and he has been getting more calls to do stand-up comedy.<br /><br />Balie, who played bad guy Werner in soapie 7de Laan in 2005, believes the ad will lead to more TV work for him.<br /><br />And in a case of life imitating art, Elton and Jan have struck up a real-life friendship.<br /><br />Balie said the two call each other to try to meet up at rugby games.<br /><br />“I love rugby, and I’m from Cape Town. So the Stormers are my team,” said Balie.<br /></span><p>

SA's most loved rugby supporter

Cellphone company’s ‘Elton and Jan’ commercial proves a massive score with rugby supporters Forget Merlin and Malcolm, meet Elton and Jan. T...

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Pearls of wisdom from the "Oracle" of Bok rugby

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ODpR0pISD0ZtasKAq1BUKNizif1Jf8CktJWxMKIkTlGUSjyBaCGNMe-oSC3rtN54l8BBGM2scESReQHFWYe_J5D4kiVl9-gyHOEET-3dMR7PH8eT56OUhRdr0VIr3Gko4QgG694TLzA/s1600-h/PeterDeVilliersFingerL.jpg"><em><span style="color:#000000;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352835519523160226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ODpR0pISD0ZtasKAq1BUKNizif1Jf8CktJWxMKIkTlGUSjyBaCGNMe-oSC3rtN54l8BBGM2scESReQHFWYe_J5D4kiVl9-gyHOEET-3dMR7PH8eT56OUhRdr0VIr3Gko4QgG694TLzA/s400/PeterDeVilliersFingerL.jpg" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 389px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 233px" /></span></em></a><span style="font-family:arial;"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#000000;"><em>During the 1970s and 80s England placed a ban on Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. Every word escaping his lips was censored and now in South Africa, some Springbok fans have called for this type of gagging of their rugby union coach, Peter De Villiers, aka ''The Voice''.<br /></em><br /></span></span></strong><em><strong><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">When I think of wacky comments I first think of Henry Blofeld - an English cricket commentator who's celebrated for his idiosyncratic mentioning of superfluous detail during and after games - but my list of one-liner wonders has rapidly rocketed past Ali G, Borat and George W Bush to Springbok rugby coach//clown De Villiers.<br /><br />I think he's watched one Matrix film too many and believes he's The Oracle. The man is the Don Quixote of rugby union and the wind he's churned up in his daft interviews is creating quite a stink in rugby circles. </span></strong></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#990000;"><em><strong><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000000;">Here are some pearls of wisdom from the ''Oracle'' of Bok rugby...</span> </strong></em></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#990000;"><em><strong><a class="fmaxbox" href="javascript:void(0)" id="ft_26_0" onclick="_IG_FR_toggle('26','0','Show this story','Hide this story')" title="Show this story"></a><a href="http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Rugby/LionsinSA/954/2628e95e7a7c4ff893724756bc20f209/01-07-2009%2007-07/Div_comments_pathetic_" onclick="_IG_FRUC_setFeedAsRead(26,0)" target="_blank" title="The Lions scrum coach has dubbed Boks coach Peter de Villiers's comments on eye-gauging as "crass and pathetic".">Div comments 'pathetic'</a><br /></strong></em></span><br /></span><a class="headline" href="http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Rugby/LionsinSA/954/36e0b9b52ad74589a3a99403ae255d55/29-06-2009%2004-06/Div_I_dont_give_a_damn"><span style="font-size:130%;">Div: I don't give a damn</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Springbok coach Peter de Villiers on Monday described himself as "a God-given talent" in reply to a question on how he viewed the increasing media criticism.<br /><br />Near-antagonism in recent weeks against De Villiers culminated in a mandate to SARU to meet with the coach about his attitude towards the media.<br /><br />When told at Monday's media conference that many people regarded him as the weakest link in the Springbok team set-up, De Villiers answered : </span></span></p><span style="font-family:arial;"><blockquote><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">"I'm not disappointed in them. I don't need to react to opinions, but if I am the weakest link then we are bloody strong.<br /><br />"I'm a God-given talent. I know what I am and don't give a damn what other people think."</span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size:130%;">Early on in the interview, De Villiers defended Springbok flank Schalk Burger who has been suspended for eight weeks following an eye-gouging incident in the second Test at Loftus.<br /><br /><strong>He said he knew Burger's nature and character and that the suspended flanker was more physical than any other rugby player but wouldn't go to those lengths (of eye-gouging).<br /></strong></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">"I don't think he did it," he said," and I don't want to say anything (outside what they had decided as a team).<br /><br />"It is not something (the eye-gouging) that he did on purpose, when he saw it he was like 'ooh, aah'. He had never intended to go into the eye." </span></blockquote><p><span style="font-size:130%;">He said the Springboks will wait for the judicial report, and "dissect the whole thing, come to you with the facts", <strong>adding that he knew Burger and that what the footage showed was not worth a card.<br /></strong><br />Once the report is received, the Springboks will decide as a team what is best for them (regarding a possible appeal).<br /><br />When asked whether he condoned eye-gouging, De Villiers said: </span></p><blockquote><span style="font-size:130%;">"You must understand clearly rugby is a contact sport. If you really know the game and dissect it you'll see all sorts of malicious and off the ball incidents. In this game, people sometimes get away with it.<br /><br />"If you're not up to the contact why not go to a ballet shop and buy a tutu?<br /><br />"In this game there will be collisions, and the guys who're the hardest will win the collisions and will be selected." </span></blockquote><p><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">De Villiers said that no matter how much people now focus on the negatives of the match, South Africa have won the series and "no one can take it away from us."</span></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><a href="http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Rugby/LionsinSA/954/f9495dd2bf5e48cb860a5a4dce38381c//Div_must_explain_comments" id="ctl00_ctl00_MainBodyPlaceholder_Column2Placeholder_RelatedLinks_mainArticleLink"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Div must explain comments</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><br /><br />Peter de Villiers will meet with South African Rugby Union (SARU) president Oregan Hoskins to discuss the Springbok coach's recent statements that were reported in the media.<br /><br />The South African and travelling overseas media were taken a back by some of De Villiers's comments that followed the first Test in Durban.<br /><br />A statement issued by SA Rugby on Saturday said the management committee of SARU was on Friday mandated by Hoskins to meet with De Villiers to discuss recent statements attributed to him.<br /><br />"The management committee was unanimous in its concern over the racial connotations used by de Villiers in discussing the performance of scrumhalf Ricky Januarie," the statement concludes.<br /><br />De Villiers' most recent remark that left journalists aghast was at the feedback press conference last Monday. Two days after the first Test, De Villiers was questioned about his decision to replace Fourie du Preez with the out-of-form Januarie.<br /></p><blockquote><p>"I'm not concerned about his form, he may have made a blunder but so did a few other players," </p><p>he said in reply to a question why he had fielded Januarie.</p><p>"What I learned in South Africa is, if you take your car to a garage and the owner is black or a black man, and they mess it up, you never go back to that garage. If the owner is white, you say ag, sorry, they made a mistake and you go back again. This is how some people live their lives in this country." </p></blockquote></span><p></p>

Pearls of wisdom from the "Oracle" of Bok rugby

During the 1970s and 80s England placed a ban on Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams. Every word escaping his lips was censored and now in South Af...

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Tourists mugged and robbed in Durban after Test

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWP7D7-G8PnE3SXZQiCT8i9wp6PFItWJ70aRvNYGmm8syM6l4Rv2su7cID4aU-JwFiIXeWNcNjPErb-uHRQqR9NyH_n04V9slYhT-F5vrQf2YF3_88MXmvzTZ05EIYpxFjkYhl9lnG3o/s1600-h/lions-fans_1418547c.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350622449471208402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRWP7D7-G8PnE3SXZQiCT8i9wp6PFItWJ70aRvNYGmm8syM6l4Rv2su7cID4aU-JwFiIXeWNcNjPErb-uHRQqR9NyH_n04V9slYhT-F5vrQf2YF3_88MXmvzTZ05EIYpxFjkYhl9lnG3o/s400/lions-fans_1418547c.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Durban hospitals and paramedics treated several British and Irish Lion's supporters who were injured at Durban nightclubs after their team lost the first Test against the Springboks on Saturday night.</span></strong><br /><br />Many tourists were apparently also mugged and robbed that night.<br /><br />ER24 spokesperson Derrick Banks said that paramedics had had their hands full dealing with intoxicated rugby fans on Saturday night.<br /><br />"Shortly after 10pm, medics were called to 80's nightclub to tend to a man who had fallen and hit his head on the bar in side the club. He sustained severe cuts and was heavily intoxicated.<br /><br />He was stabilised at the club before being taken to hospital."<br /><br />Banks said paramedics had also treated two British nationals who had been injured at Joe Cool's nightclub on the beachfront.<br /><br />"One man had been walking down the stairs and fell nearly two metres over the side, landing on the brick paved promenade below. The man sustained cuts to the head and possible neck and spinal injuries. While paramedics were treating the man, another rugby fan stumbled inside the club, falling and hitting his head on the bar surface. His lacerations were also dressed and both were taken to St Augustine's hospital for further medical care."<br /><br />Life Entabeni Hospital spokesperson Leanne Miltun said their trauma unit had attended to two <strong><span style="color:#990000;">rugby supporters injured in assault cases</span></strong>.<br /><br />The men had sustained cuts and bruises and were discharged after being treated.<br /><br />Tessa Douglas, of Seeff Properties in Umhlanga, said she had helped <strong><span style="color:#990000;">several British nationals who had been mugged or robbed</span></strong> in Durban on Saturday night.<br /><br />"I was helping these chaps with photocopying police affidavits so that they could fly home. Many had their <strong><span style="color:#990000;">passports stolen</span></strong> and are having problems getting back to England. The garden cottage on my property was broken into last night and a <strong><span style="color:#990000;">German national's valuables were stolen</span></strong>. The police were telling me that <strong><span style="color:#990000;">bed and breakfasts all over Umhlanga had been hit.</span></strong>"<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">An Umhlanga guest house reported that their British guests had been robbed when their rooms were broken into that night</span></strong>.<br /><br />Police Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said they had not received many reports of muggings in the city centre or house breakings.<br /><br />"It is not beyond reason to say that tourists were accosted and robbed, but we just don't have any real record of them."<br /></span><p></p>

Tourists mugged and robbed in Durban after Test

Durban hospitals and paramedics treated several British and Irish Lion's supporters who were injured at Durban nightclubs after their te...

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Fire at Durban hotel hosting Lions fans

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBx0INS1O6mSPE4hsOxjqzpqQqSKwthofbY_vz4ssgE4Ii_xu2Yq1XpWRvMEBlA2DuHnYkM5MrgiYntUYMXjFqDgQqNav-684l-Td7CyUyMmnLoEAz4ycorbQHBg5W8cHDgJfg9TuQfE/s1600-h/royal-hotel.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350684567405539746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBx0INS1O6mSPE4hsOxjqzpqQqSKwthofbY_vz4ssgE4Ii_xu2Yq1XpWRvMEBlA2DuHnYkM5MrgiYntUYMXjFqDgQqNav-684l-Td7CyUyMmnLoEAz4ycorbQHBg5W8cHDgJfg9TuQfE/s400/royal-hotel.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 345px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 360px" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">More than a dozen employees suffered smoke inhalation when Durban's grand lady of hotels, The Royal Hotel, caught fire this morning.<br /><br />The hotel - at which hundreds of British and Irish Lions supporters were staying - was evacuated after a generator blew up in the basement causing a fire which spread to the first floor.</span></strong><br /><br />Emergency services personnel said that 13 staff members suffered smoke inhalation and 11 were taken to hospital.<br /><br />A paramedic said one person hurt his arm, while another person refused to go to hospital.<br /><br />Metro Police senior superintendent Joyce Khuzwayo, confirmed that an electrical spark from the burst generator is believed to have caused the fire at the hotel, forcing hotel staff to evacuate hundreds of guests, including the Lions supporters.<br /><br />Metro police spokesman Captain Siphiwe Ndlovu said that a number of guests had been treated for smoke inhalation and that Anton Lembede Street (formerly Smith Street) was cordoned off while emergency services staff attempted to control the fire.<br /><br />The rugby fans who were due to check out from the hotel today, left the hotel at about 10am with their luggage and were transported to another nearby hotel. </span><p>

Fire at Durban hotel hosting Lions fans

More than a dozen employees suffered smoke inhalation when Durban's grand lady of hotels, The Royal Hotel, caught fire this morning. The...

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Armed robbery at Port Elizabeth 2010 Stadium

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtciaDrM8i9dqLVmBaMd5_1QlDzfdg7SYdspVCeCGq3-U0UMsVDjauOSJ5OqwqEzRTErKcQ5f1aw6nh4qVMvKc7HJQ7rvujwtxL5zeo9UprvLNySI3OQ-5qPsDVUqaJKruFuWKCuZ5Pk/s1600-h/rugby-british&irish-fans-nelson-mandela-bay-stadium.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348090574554792706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtciaDrM8i9dqLVmBaMd5_1QlDzfdg7SYdspVCeCGq3-U0UMsVDjauOSJ5OqwqEzRTErKcQ5f1aw6nh4qVMvKc7HJQ7rvujwtxL5zeo9UprvLNySI3OQ-5qPsDVUqaJKruFuWKCuZ5Pk/s400/rugby-british&irish-fans-nelson-mandela-bay-stadium.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><strong><span style="color:#990000;">ARMED ROBBERY RAISES SECURITY CONCERNS</span></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Despite a massive police presence, the first official sports event in the brand new Nelson Mandela Bay Soccer Stadium in Port Elizabeth this afternoon has been marred by an armed robbery.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000099;">Nelson Mandela Bay Soccer Stadium - </span></em></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#000099;">35,000 spectators, the biggest crowd of the tour so far</span></em><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#990000;">Two armed men robbed a sports bar</span></strong> <strong><span style="color:#990000;">on the fifth level of the stadium</span></strong> <strong><span style="color:#990000;">following a rugby match between the Southern Kings and the British and Irish Lions.<br /></span></strong><br />Provincial police spokesperson Miranda Mills says the robbery took place when the huge police contingent had left the stadium after the game. She says only a small amount of money was taken and nobody was hurt in the incident. Five suspects have since been arrested.</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Thousands of local and international rugby fans started descending on the Bay at the weekend for the highly anticipated British and Irish Lions and Southern Kings clash today, at the city‘s newly completed 48000-seat stadium, boosting the tourism and hospitality industries. Most of the city‘s hotels said they were almost fully booked for today and tomorrow. The bookings had been made by a mixture of overseas people, corporates and individuals..</span> </p>

Armed robbery at Port Elizabeth 2010 Stadium

ARMED ROBBERY RAISES SECURITY CONCERNS Despite a massive police presence, the first official sports event in the brand new Nelson Mandela Ba...

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Tickets Sold Out For Super 14 Final

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4Dn_U0TK9YZ0hlQgsUb98IS7dXGpORwfodHRprhnrDRx9VHqmZGCaNu1EcIPgKfqg8nucq5o6ID-j8lJ5sk19shGAghiQe30r8DelTXHs_bFW5wsndgyk0PD1hIDXagkbmmBdE8v-DJb/s1600-h/blue-bulls-sold-out.jpg"><span style="font-size:180%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339729005146957330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA4Dn_U0TK9YZ0hlQgsUb98IS7dXGpORwfodHRprhnrDRx9VHqmZGCaNu1EcIPgKfqg8nucq5o6ID-j8lJ5sk19shGAghiQe30r8DelTXHs_bFW5wsndgyk0PD1hIDXagkbmmBdE8v-DJb/s400/blue-bulls-sold-out.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" /></span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:180%;color:#3333ff;">Bulls Country preparing itself for showdown</span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Tickets for Saturday’s Super 14-final between the Bulls and the Chiefs at Loftus have been sold out. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">While some of us spent Saturday and Sunday snuggled up in bed, others braved the chilly weather in Blue Bulls country for a ticket to what promises to be a riveting Super 14 final between the Bulls and the Chiefs at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. Loftus has been transformed into a makeshift campsite since Saturday with pitched tents, ‘braaivleis’ fires and camping chairs. Young and old came prepared for hours of queuing, not even considering complaining about the long wait.</span> </p><p></p>

Tickets Sold Out For Super 14 Final

Bulls Country preparing itself for showdown Tickets for Saturday’s Super 14-final between the Bulls and the Chiefs at Loftus have been sold ...

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My main man Jan Ruggas

<p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">When Vodacom had to create a new campaign that focuses on Rugby, they chose to build it around the fan (you) and how the fan (you) are essentially the 23rd player on the team!<br /><br />The name of the campaign, yes you guessed it; Player 23. To raise awareness for the campaign, Vodacom created the superficial character named Jan Ruggas, who teaches the viewer basic rugby moves, but with a Jan Ruggas adaptation. This includes the interception, the tight 5 and the infamous chip kick. The videos are awesome and because of them I am now a fan of Jan Ruggas. So much of fan that I even become a friend of his on FaceBook. To become a friend with my main man Jan Ruggas </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/s.php?k=100000080&id=1202064918&sid=724c2b46f90e60f18af4ba82c048fd62" modo="false" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">CLICK HERE.</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> C’mon do it!<br /></span><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LOK1EZWaRek&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LOK1EZWaRek&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">There’s nothing quite like boerewors, beers and beats! If you don’t believe me, become a believer by watching these classic videos of Jan Ruggas and see for yourself.</span> <a href="http://www.zoopy.com/player23" target="_blank" title="View Player 23 videos"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">View Player 23 videos</span></a> -<span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> flippin cool</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">To visit the Player 23 website </span><a href="http://www.player23.co.za/" modo="false" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">CLICK HERE.</span></a> <p></p>

My main man Jan Ruggas

When Vodacom had to create a new campaign that focuses on Rugby, they chose to build it around the fan (you) and how the fan (you) are essen...

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Blue Bulls move into 2009 Super 14 final

<p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VOdnt8MQ51M&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VOdnt8MQ51M&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">The Bulls have booked a place in the super 14 final after they walloped the Crusaders 36-23 in a brilliant game at Loftus Versfeld.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Morné Steyn slotted a neat drop goal in the 32nd minute of the match, and added his second drop goal in the 38th minute. Steyn kept the Bulls’ scoreboard ticking with a penalty and his third drop goal eleven minutes before the final whistle.</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Two minutes after his third drop goal Steyn slotted his fourth.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">The Bulls scored 29 points in the last 48 minutes of a superb game. </span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Great team effort. Blue high-five to</span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> the Bulls for reaching the final of the world's toughest tournament! </span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Scorers for the Bulls<br />Tries: Habana, Ndungane, Spies,<br />Cons: Steyn 2,<br />Pens:<br />DG: Steyn 4, </span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"></p></span><p></p>

Blue Bulls move into 2009 Super 14 final

The Bulls have booked a place in the super 14 final after they walloped the Crusaders 36-23 in a brilliant game at Loftus Versfeld. Morné St...

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New Bok jersey revealed

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJnnB_prDiHtyxuDSArdCAOjd1n3onw_gKLLDzl6CnihzfW-SiGQTwVe7yHL3ZHH8u-O6rptlCzV58K-xlZyPkNgXL0zC_l87VxmC1_Vyf97zlJ_3Xdc-kP3VD9yv2ntluzcwSduSRWj-/s1600-h/rugby-jersey-new.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334259362989066978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJnnB_prDiHtyxuDSArdCAOjd1n3onw_gKLLDzl6CnihzfW-SiGQTwVe7yHL3ZHH8u-O6rptlCzV58K-xlZyPkNgXL0zC_l87VxmC1_Vyf97zlJ_3Xdc-kP3VD9yv2ntluzcwSduSRWj-/s320/rugby-jersey-new.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">South Africa's top players have pulled on the new-look Springbok jersey for the first time.<br /><br />Springbok captain John Smit and host of other contracted Boks wore the jersey recently at the recording for an advertisement for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa - which starts next month.<br /><br />The redesign sees the jumping springbok move to the right of the jersey, the sponsors' logos in the middle and the national sports emblem, the King Protea, on the left.<br /><br />"We decided to be proactive rather than reactive and not wait for the promulgation of the pending National Colours act," said Andy Marinos, acting MD of SA Rugby.<br /><br />"Our leaders met with government as we were fully aware that the King Protea is the national symbol and that it had to be properly incorporated into the Springbok jersey.<br /><br />"Obviously modifying something that has such strong emotional symbolism as the Springbok jersey generates a lot of emotion, but team will still be known as the Springboks as we realise the importance and strength of the brand, both locally and abroad.<br /><br />"Having seen the new jersey, we're actually very excited as it underlines the fact that we are the team of all the people of South Africa." </span><p>

New Bok jersey revealed

South Africa's top players have pulled on the new-look Springbok jersey for the first time. Springbok captain John Smit and host of othe...

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Luke Watson & The Springbok Emblem

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQNy-_Fn8JbZ6vuzx1MbyFtImE7GKMxR8RrfSwW_Mjm6QIvzuFN_I4BG4x7EaDJNO8i8NockvwiY78pw6O52ClNBrlt1vhWopYgGD7PGccQfxY7vlhUqeUwqA1nazi5uYpViwFCu66m0/s1600-h/puke_watson_lar.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258799839392922386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQNy-_Fn8JbZ6vuzx1MbyFtImE7GKMxR8RrfSwW_Mjm6QIvzuFN_I4BG4x7EaDJNO8i8NockvwiY78pw6O52ClNBrlt1vhWopYgGD7PGccQfxY7vlhUqeUwqA1nazi5uYpViwFCu66m0/s400/puke_watson_lar.jpg" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><p><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">So it would appear that young Puke Watson once again finds himself embroiled in a little altercation around the Springboks (soon to be known as The Proteas). Turns out young Puke allegedly said that when he was chosen for the Springboks it made him want to vomit to have to wear the Springbok jersey.<br /><br />Funny thing that… there were a couple of million rugby fans that wanted to vomit when they saw him in a Springbok rugby jersey. I suppose we can call it even. So… what is it about the poor Springbok that makes so many people angry? Maybe because they are the only ones with not one but two world cups? Do you really think if they replace the Bok with an insipid Protea, previously disadvantaged youth will suddenly come streaming into the game shouting “Free at last, free at last” or do you really think it will make Coca-Cola Park (Named after that famous rugby player Jan Coca-Cola) a safer, more pleasant place to visit for women of colour?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQh-eSTu0m24s47cbp9x4NoPUbn3fzq0KIlfmnV0dmjRoFYM6BXSGqBqJfZ0gt4-FxthUn52wmmNycibYXMfrSL_jDE5UQ4wrjg9u7ncC_ya5EIdcUQiww1vze2JzFMJDFiTAjhhU2jE/s1600-h/LukeWatson01.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5257890653940829490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQh-eSTu0m24s47cbp9x4NoPUbn3fzq0KIlfmnV0dmjRoFYM6BXSGqBqJfZ0gt4-FxthUn52wmmNycibYXMfrSL_jDE5UQ4wrjg9u7ncC_ya5EIdcUQiww1vze2JzFMJDFiTAjhhU2jE/s400/LukeWatson01.gif" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>I am male and pale and there are times when I don’t feel that safe in the stands. That is not a place for the feint hearted. Now before I get accused of hanging onto the past or being a racist let me clear up a few things here… Some of my best friends are not black, I voted no in the referendum in the 80s, I still can’t remember the name of our new president unless I Google it, I really don’t mind if they change all the street and town names because the Nats did it too (I just wish they would use names I can pronounce), Voortrekkerhoogte was founded around 1905 by the British Army, and called Roberts Heights after Lord Roberts. It was renamed Voortrekkerhoogte (”Voortrekker Heights”) in 1939 by the government of the Union of South Africa, following the beginning of the building of the nearby Voortrekker Monument, at a time of growing Afrikaner nationalism. On the 19 May 1998, following the end of apartheid, it was renamed again, getting the name Thaba Tshwane. (Believe me there are plenty more of these stories) I don’t really understand why people love the old SA Flag after all they hated it when it was the only one we had because it had a Union jack on it and I still hate Taxis that drive in the yellow lanes and jump robots from the turning only lane. Phew I am glad I got that off my chest!<br /><br />I doubt that makes me racist, just about average I reckon. I do however believe that the government and the ANC should spend a little less time worrying about embroidery and concentrate more on bringing a little law and order into the land before 44.83² (do the maths) You see according to a Fifa directive I won’t even be able to mention 2010, soccer, the world cup and a whole list of things in my blog, on my T Shirt or when sitting ordering non official sponsors food. <strong><span style="color:#cc0000;">Gee the Gur Gjragl Gra Fbppre Jbeyq Phc</span></strong> is going to be fun. Oh if you have no idea what I just wrote that is a good thing, it probably means FIFA wont send me to Guantanamo Bay. (I am using a simple ROT13 code, you can Google it or just follow </span><a href="http://www.rot13.com/index.php" target="_blank" title="Rot13"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">THIS LINK</span></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;"> to a decoder)<br />So that’s my rant for the day…</span><br /><br /><a href="http://toomuchcoffee.co.za/2008/10/15/luke-watson-the-springbok-emblem/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to Luke Watson & The Springbok Emblem"><em><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;">Luke Watson & The Springbok Emblem</span></em></a> <p></p>

Luke Watson & The Springbok Emblem

So it would appear that young Puke Watson once again finds himself embroiled in a little altercation around the Springboks (soon to be known...

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