*





Manu Tuilagi smashes Tom Williams


Top14 player imposter!


JDV smashed by Benoit August


The Northampton Saints 30m scrum!


Bastareaud huge hit on Rory Lamont


All Blacks skills - Pt 2 In the backyard


Trinh-Duc sets up Harinordoquy try


Wales vs England 1999


Greg Holmes great hit on Francois Louw



Sunday, June 13, 2010

The Springboks thump France in Cape Town

It was touted to be the clash of the hemispheres as the Tri Nations holders went up against the Grand Slam winners, but ultimately France couldn’t cope with the Springboks as they went down 42-17 at Newlands in Cape Town.

Newcomers Gio Aplon and Francois Louw both impressed in their second Test appearances, with Aplon scoring two top quality tries and Louw diving over for one himself, right in front of the stand named after his grandfather.

The Boks got off to a commanding start in only the second minute of the game as Pierre Spies sprinted away following a typically determined break from Bryan Habana, and then a great offload from centre Jaques Fourie.

It was only a few minutes later that pint-sized Aplon scored his first, busting through one tackle then stepping another. At 20-0 up, France finally got on the scoresheet with an excellently taken try to Aurilien Rougerie, but you felt the game was all but over when Gurthro Steenkamp dived over with ten minutes still left in the half.

France built a bit of pressure and kicked a penalty, but a ball went loose on one of their best attacking movements, and Aplon swooped to pick up and sprint away for a 90 metre try, showing the type of finishing he’s displayed many times on the Sevens circuit.

The visitors were anything but the powerful unit that we saw in November and in the Six Nations. They looked jaded at times and couldn’t cope with the pace right from the start. Fatigue was no doubt a factor, but it was their first big Test of this part of the season so they’ll need to pick themselves up and bounce back strong to get over this one.

"This was one of the teams we felt we hadn't played well against and this was our last chance to put some kind of a Springbok stamp onto them, so it was a big part of our mental preparation and the result had to go our way," said Bok captain John Smit.

"They brought a good team and we put out a good team. It was always going to be a very hyped-up game between the Tri-Nations champions and the Six Nations champions," he added.


Time: 05:05


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80 Comments:

  • Spies is an animal.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 13, 2010 11:34 pm  

  • ...I don't even know what happened. France seemed like the only team that could've gone down there and come back with some wins...but the Bokke showed them a thing or two, it seemed.

    Aplon really is a pretty good player. He's like the Saffa version of Shane Williams.

    I thought maybe France's lackluster defense would mean that they'd be offer the great running offense they've had all year (the Top 14 is the only domestic competition that comes close to the running seen in the Super 14), but it only showed through in spurts.

    By Anonymous ferdinand, at June 13, 2010 11:38 pm  

  • France were blown away. I watched in a pub so we all know that it's difficult to really concentrate on the game, but they just seemed a bit lackluster and not really up for it. Surprising, considering that they're supposedly this brilliant team.

    In some ways it reiterates what I thought last year though - we've not seen the best of the Boks yet. They seem to be picking it up a gear will hopefully not peak too early. The world cup is still a year away.. PDV is doing something right though when he can bring in new caps and they play so damn well. Aplon, what a little champion!

    By Anonymous Scotsdale, at June 13, 2010 11:54 pm  

  • Typical for the french beeing able of the best and the worst :s

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 12:02 am  

  • Boom Boom! 6N champions utterly dominated. and did Spies want to cover any more ground to get into position to take Fourie's pass for that first try?! Find me another back-rower who can do that! All in all I'd say the 6N teams have been taught a lesson.

    By Anonymous Bokke_2007, at June 14, 2010 12:35 am  

  • Oh, and Gio Aplon!! 74kg bumping off the French centre to score, and then flying 80m down the field to do it again! Jake White take notice, you don't have to be a monster to play test rugby!

    By Anonymous Bokke_2007, at June 14, 2010 12:38 am  

  • southern hemisphere rugby is far ahead of the north. these games have proved it. the way the boks score tries out of nothing is unmatched

    By Anonymous Rowan, at June 14, 2010 12:46 am  

  • Rowan , I disagree. The French pulverised the Boks in France in November when the were home and fresh. T

    he Boks were away from home and at the end of a hard season.

    Now the roles are reversed......Ok the Boks dominated this game. But on nay given day either team could win if at home.

    Some times the french are not up for it and it shows...e.g. Twickenham last year v England

    By Anonymous jm, at June 14, 2010 1:07 am  

  • brilliant display by SA.

    France not on the level displayed in the 6N, due to fatigue, lack of preparation, lack of concentration. Also, some players that were brought in for the summer test did not make the cut.

    This should have been a closer contest.

    The highlights are still pleasant to watch...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 1:07 am  

  • Bokke_2007, your hubris is childish. Your beloved Pierre Spies got put down by Morgan Parra (who weighs 77kg). I don't know about you, but to me, that's pretty funny.

    By Anonymous Don't be so childish, at June 14, 2010 1:08 am  

  • No need to be so disrespectful to the NH guys. The french played badly, and lost to the world champs and currently best team in world at the end of a long season! Not making excuses, they're second to the bokke right now, but remember, the SH and NH teams are NOT ASSOCIATED WITH EACH OTHER IN ANY WAY, respectively, so why the SH v NH debate morons!!
    P.S. To all those who said the SH teams can't defend, watch Aus v Eng and SA!!!

    By Blogger Alexander, at June 14, 2010 2:14 am  

  • I didn't agree with new rules at all. This is like 'The Australians have made the rules, the NZ ref has applied and only the French have to respect them'.
    Seriously, Boks are the best team in the world, we have a longer season in France, and now that ? Common', let's be fair...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 2:22 am  

  • Hey RD, I'm sure it's on the way, but could we have highlights of the Pumas v Scotland?

    Cheers!

    By Blogger Anarchangel, at June 14, 2010 2:29 am  

  • Damn that SA no. 14 can run!

    By Anonymous eremy, at June 14, 2010 3:10 am  

  • Oh dear... That was embarrassing. However, I agree with Jim, the French were coming to SA after a long season, possibly underprepared and overtired. They killed the South Africans when they were in the opposite position.

    What's with the South African supporters? Wether it's in S14 or test matches they are always so full on! Do they have something to prove?

    I loved Aplon, it's awesome to see smaller players do well.

    By Anonymous Gman, at June 14, 2010 3:40 am  

  • SA had 7 players missing. Wow what depth.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 3:45 am  

  • How did they kill the South Africans last year Gman? They only beat SA by 7 or something. Look at the scoreline. This Bok team had 7 second stringers in it too.

    No excuses. Sorry - I like France but they were done and dusted today.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 3:47 am  

  • Anonymous said... I didn't agree with new rules at all. This is like 'The Australians have made the rules, the NZ ref has applied and only the French have to respect them'.

    Nonsense. Do you have examples of ANY of these claims? Didn't think so.
    Meanwhile although I hate to say it, SA are looking the goods again, the Tri-Nations should be a cracker.

    By Anonymous Crump, at June 14, 2010 4:13 am  

  • Why do you hate to say it? Why does everyone hate South Africa? They're a wonderful nation thats rebuilt themselves oh my goodness yummy!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 4:21 am  

  • People don't hate South Africa, my friend. They hate the SA supporters. Why? Comments like this:

    "Hahahaa!!!!!!!!! While Heaslip was red carded and ireland were embarrassing themselves, Pierre Spies was roaming around destroying France.

    WHOS THE BEST 8th MAN? PIERRE SPIES!"

    By Anonymous caulkin, at June 14, 2010 4:42 am  

  • Hmm, well...
    Sad to see France loosing like this. Was expecting them to loose due to fatigue, home advantage to the boks and boks' slight edge, but this was not the France we've seen recently. A good, honest win for the boks. Ohhh, I loved that last maul by the boks. Genious, breaking from the original maul, grab bonnaire (nr 8) so you won't be penalised for obstruction and carry on. Pure brilliance.

    Cant wait for Harinordoquy's return, just didn't feel Bonnaire has the same presence, strength, vision...

    Oh, and while we are talking of number 8s (the best three in the world for me, spies, harinordoquy and heaslip, different but awesome), really don't think people should say things like "heaslip got carded, spies had a great game against france, so he must be better than jamie", that is just dumb. Everyone has a bad day once in a while, this is not characteristic from heaslip and they are rather different players, both amongst the best in the world

    By Blogger Xavier, at June 14, 2010 4:58 am  

  • What this "France just came off of a long season" garbage? Last time I checked Super 14 just ended as well...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 5:39 am  

  • South Africa have now been the best team in the world since 2007. shame, all the other nations just can't compete against us. give it up boys.

    By Anonymous bafananana, at June 14, 2010 7:46 am  

  • Show some humility countrymen, please ffs? God, embarrassing. Everyone saw the scoreline, no need to rub it in their faces.

    Brilliant performance by the Boks and it does have to be said, they just finished a gruelling Super 14, then some of them a Test against Wales, then this a week later. That's heavy going too.

    France should have fancied their chances going into it, so it was surprising to see how easily they were rolled over. Good game.

    Aplon was good, but where is JP Pietersen? Injured I presume?

    Thanks for the highlights

    By Anonymous FrankyH, at June 14, 2010 8:53 am  

  • Andreu's try?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 9:34 am  

  • What is that blue colour thing that aplon is wearing on his leg?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 10:17 am  

  • This game shown many interesting things.

    First of all the summer tour is not necessary to me. When you see the franch record of these last 10 years, we had meny loss like this (by 40, 50 points) agains SH teams. The moment is the worst possible, we have the longest season of the world (and the mos stupid schedule ever made).

    Thanks to this, we were just sparring partners for the boks. 20-0 after a few minutes. Game over and good bye.

    Second thing is that we can't expect to rule the world without our center pais Jauzion-Bastareaud. Mermoz-Marty a good subs to me. Nothing else.

    Thirs thing is : how will be refered the world cul next year? Will NH and SH refereese use the whistle the same? I think event to SH people, the refering of this game was not clear (I didn t bad and agains us ^^). Tackled player when released can stand up and run again? He has to release the ball? The taclker must release the tackle player? What happens if there are two or more tacklers?

    I hope this will be clarified very soon because, to me, rucks were really a big mess this time.

    Last thing : the boks wanted their revenge and they got it. I think that if they would have been able to score 80 points and humiliate us...But I've been a little bit dissapointed by what they've proposed in term of play. 3 tries on fastbreak. An a few creativity. So to be really objective, i think if the two teams meet in the next year WC, the game will be a close a usual in the WC. Everybody will be prepared on each side.

    Anyway I like Gion. This small guy is more than a runner and I'm sure he'll have a bright future. He's outsanding to me and even in defence he doesn't hesitate to tackle big guys without hesitation.

    Nice player for sure and congrat to the boks.

    By Anonymous Arnaud, at June 14, 2010 10:36 am  

  • South Africa were always winning this. But it'd be nice to see the ref apply some laws at the scrum - France were all over SA in the first half but the ref just reset scrums that collapsed and went up. Very poor.

    By Anonymous jackohos, at June 14, 2010 10:37 am  

  • Where were the French, it was as though they didn't even bother turning up. The Boks were really clinical. What's the deal with James at the moment? after the farce in Cardiff is he going to play?

    In fairness I wouldn't read too much into this match. When the Boks went north at the tailend of last year they were fairly dismal and weren't even close to their best game. The same can be said of the French here.

    By Anonymous Nick, at June 14, 2010 10:37 am  

  • Anonymous said... Why do you hate to say it? Why does everyone hate South Africa? They're a wonderful nation thats rebuilt themselves oh my goodness yummy!

    So touchy .. I didn't say I hate SA, I said I hated to say that they are still looking strong because I'm not a SA supporter .. I'd prefer to say that they were on the slide but that's not how it looks. Jeez, I praise the Boks and the fans still get upset. Just what's the problem with you guys? .. grow up.

    By Anonymous Crump, at June 14, 2010 11:08 am  

  • France is my second favorite team.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 11:25 am  

  • To Crump... I don't know if the comment about hating Saffas was aimed your way. But I do understand. In many ways rugby, is the only thing left for many Saffas, the only thing that still connects us with our beloved country. There are lots of us scattered over the world at this point. That is why, I think we might be seen as very sensitive about Saffa rugby. Or possibly overly enthusiastic if you can put it that way. Hope that explains it a little.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 11:30 am  

  • Looked like a very typical South African performance; very powerful an ruthless capitalisation on the opposition mistakes

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 11:36 am  

  • French played like crap.
    But most of the french players (not all) had already played more than 40 games since August 2009 to june 2010.

    How many games played the Bulls and the Boks players during these period ?

    By Anonymous 4LC4TR4Z, at June 14, 2010 11:47 am  

  • We lost because of two men, Marty and Mermoz, the 12 and the 13. If you look carefully you can see that three of the four tries come from their individual errors (failed tackles, lost balls). They are shitty players like their team Perpignan. Jauzion and Bastareaud would have been there we would have won easily, and i don't mean it by arrogance or frustration or whatever, i really believe it because SA were not impressive, the only thing they made is to feed from Marty's and Mermoz' enormous mistakes.

    By Anonymous rodofle, at June 14, 2010 11:54 am  

  • Arnaud, I really hate this “end of a long season” excuse. Same thing happened when the French beat us in Toulouse last year. Some of my countrymen immediately blamed fatigue, which is nonsense. All rugby teams have long seasons these days, and no tour is going to be perfect timing for everyone. You just prepare as well as you can, get yourself in the right frame of mind and go out and do the job. SA has just finished a very long and gruelling Super14 competition, so they should be tired too.

    By Anonymous katman, at June 14, 2010 11:55 am  

  • "Bokke_2007 said...

    Boom Boom! 6N champions utterly dominated. and did Spies want to cover any more ground to get into position to take Fourie's pass for that first try?! Find me another back-rower who can do that! All in all I'd say the 6N teams have been taught a lesson."

    Kankowski ?

    Have to say the Boks were just amazing. The ability to be clinical in scoring, just shows the difference in class.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 12:46 pm  

  • Katman, I understand your position but let's take a look at the SH and French schedule structure.

    Super 14 is 13 games plus semifinals and finals for the best team.

    Tri nations is 6 games tournament.
    What else? Of course we can talk about the Currie Cup but it's no more a top level competition to me.

    So we can say that SA players play 19 top level games (I said top level)

    Now Top 14 players. Top 14 is 26 games + semi and final. It means 28 games. I consider each as a top level one because we have a promotion/relegation system in France that eans each game is played at 100 intensity.

    H Cup is 6 games for qualifying to 1/4 finals then 3 more games to reach the title. It means already 35 games.

    This is only maths.

    If you look at the record of France agaisnt SH teams during the summer tour, it's been almost always terrible games. I'm not interested in watching such games. That's all.

    By Anonymous Arnaud, at June 14, 2010 12:48 pm  

  • Great match from the boks. they have taken a good revenge from their defeat in november. They achieved a very efficient and powerful performance. Les bleus had the ball, but boks were more lethal vs a poor defence.
    Spies, Aplon, Lowe, SA have a lot of potential with their "seven" and "super14" reserve.
    They will be a terrible side to compete in the RWC. But few points must be taken in account.

    1- i really don't know how to judge NH team performances during the june tours as it is the end of the season for NH, and the peak of the form for SH. It's not an excuse because France had some motivation, but when i look poitrenaud running after Aplon...
    Whatever, i think SH is above NH for the moment

    2- Some key french players were absent. Jauzion, bastareaud ou David would have brought more power and consistency than the pity mermoz tackles. Harinordoquy, Chabal would have been useful in the rucks and in touch

    3- I think french players were often very astonished by Lawrence referring (i find it also curious). The new rules are far more understand by SH than NH. Springboks are always at the limit but they do it perfectly well. French didn't understand some rucks decisions with Yachvili yellow card (for moaning) as straight result

    That said, NH must revise IRB books, it will be the key of a rwc organised in...NH

    By Anonymous FLOOZ, at June 14, 2010 1:01 pm  

  • ...in SH in mean ;)

    By Anonymous Flooz, at June 14, 2010 1:03 pm  

  • South African fans really do have short memories it seems....

    just remember, only a few months ago....France 20 - 13 SA

    By Blogger themull, at June 14, 2010 1:08 pm  

  • France was missing too many key players like Jauzion, Servat,Harinordoquy, who are maybe the best player at their position.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 1:28 pm  

  • France can't afford to make errors against SA. They made far too many to stand any chance of winning. Fair play to SA though, they force and feed off errors with ease.

    By Anonymous John F, at June 14, 2010 2:25 pm  

  • france won 20-13. boks won 42-17.. are you guys seeing the difference.. .sa were missing smith beast steyn fourie bakkies brussuow. so i think it evens it self out.. DONE DONE

    By Anonymous nz fan, at June 14, 2010 2:42 pm  

  • i am from the northern hemisphere but this shows why southern hemisphere rugby is till so good. to all those nh fans who said the defence in super 14 was bad, here is your answer

    By Anonymous rosh, at June 14, 2010 2:44 pm  

  • A triple whammy this weekend, the national side slaughtered by the Boks, the A side beaten by Canada and the U20 side beaten by England. A bad weekend from every angle. So much for the Kings of Europe.

    By Anonymous nz fan, at June 14, 2010 2:46 pm  

  • Arnaud, you clearly don't watch the Currie Cup. The level and intensity of the Premier Division (top 8 sides) is higher than most French Top 14 games (and I've seen plenty of them). So that's 16 games plus the Super 14 (15 games) plus the Tri-Nations (4 games) plus the end of year tour (4 games). That's already 39 games, and I'm probably forgetting some. So my point is, all professional rugby players in both hemispheres have hectic schedules. Everyone suffers from fatigue. But that's the job. I didn't use it as an excuse when we lost in Toulouse, and I don't accept it as one now.

    By Anonymous katman, at June 14, 2010 3:16 pm  

  • I hate it that our supporters is so arrogant about the win, we don't have to rub it in, but c'mon french supporters stop with the excuses, we have to travel to you when it's on the end of our long season, and don't tell me that currie cup isn't top level rugby, bullshit! Thats our domestic competition.

    And Yachvili was carded for throwing the ball away not for complaining, Lawrence warned the french numerous times not to throw the ball away if they get penalized, we dominated the rucks, francios louw made 7 turnovers! But french not used to new rules, we had the same problem start of super 14. If you're going to moan because you have to play summer tours don't expect us to tour to you in the Autumn! France was totally crushed because it's been 1 and a half years since SA lost at home!

    By Anonymous Voorblad, at June 14, 2010 3:36 pm  

  • excellent si les sudaf se la jouent "on va gagner la coupe du monde", ils sont cuits d'avance... Ask the kiwis what do they think about it!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 3:38 pm  

  • France is my second fav team after the Boks. I think France is a massive threat in the WC to SA, as they are the only team that can rattle us in the physicality stakes (if they turn up).

    On the other hand, were adding more and more quils to our bow. We can now play three of four kinds of games including some sexy running.

    Thanks for visiting Les Bleus your always welcome!

    By Blogger Wessel, at June 14, 2010 4:11 pm  

  • The Currie Cup not top level comp anymore?!?! Seriously dude you know F-all about rugby in the SH. It's the oldest comp in the SH and the most fiercely fought as well. with the tri nations our top players only parttake in the last four games but with all the new talent we have this year I think the CC will become more and more exciting.

    Arnaud, let me explain; If a tackler is tackled and not held he is allowed to get up again. If the tackler is tackled and there are no supporting players to form a ruck he may release the ball get to his feet and contest the ball again. Simple hey?

    By Blogger DESPONDENT, at June 14, 2010 4:17 pm  

  • SA are bloody good. You can't take that away from them.

    Their fans are terrible though. Such a shame.

    Anyway on the rugby, they are almost a complete side. Not really lacking in any department. I must say though that I doubt you would say that score if it was a world cup game. Even England will be dangerous come cup time. If think by November the 3 SH sides will all be very very strong. SA probably the strongest. I hope the team can be proud of their fans like the team has made the fans proud of them.

    By Anonymous Andy, at June 14, 2010 5:13 pm  

  • No Andy, some of the fans let the success get to their head and the true asshole comes out. Don't condemn a nation to wankerdom based on a few immature, determined troll's please.

    By Anonymous Greiffel, at June 14, 2010 5:15 pm  

  • ok NZ FAN, but France were missing Servat, Chabal, Harinordoquy, Jauzion, Bastareaud, Palisson...
    the two centers(Marty and Mermoz) were very bad

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 14, 2010 6:41 pm  

  • ^^ so i guess that evens it out :)

    By Anonymous nz fan, at June 14, 2010 7:20 pm  

  • Victory from SA but no need to be arrogant.
    They didn't play so well, it's just that France play his worst match since ... far far away.

    All tries for SA are totally deserved and the match was played after only 20 minutes.
    But f**k; did anyone understand decisions of the referee. Scrums were ..... very bizarre. Just an example: Poux vs Botha. 3 collapsed scrum due to Botha, no that's ok, just retry a new scrum. 4th scrum Poux is penalised while Botha has a knee and a hand on the ground. Weird isn't it?
    And about new rules concerning the tackler-tackled, didn't understand but ... that's new for us.

    This defeat (i'm french) means nothing, but the victory at Toulouse was the same. Two many difference of schedule.

    We can only see the real level of national teams during a RWC.
    So I hope that we will see a good SA-France in semi-final in 2011.

    By Anonymous Demosys, at June 14, 2010 9:15 pm  

  • post lions... ire/eng/wal/sco players are wrecked. Euro finals all lvls are contested by French teams... players are wrecked. Summer tours... we NH get hammered.
    Every Autumn Tour Series only New Zealand have a great tour... OZ/SA
    players are wrecked.
    Every year this happens we get the same bunch of eejits arguing on websites/newspapers etc
    Know your history.... know your your rugby... know your life :-)
    ps: NZ to bottle it in WC (2 many great players to choose from and pressure from fans too much) SA to win with defence, forwards, 3 pointers and breakaway tries.. simple effective and how every team has won it. Cynical but true :-)

    By Anonymous Dave, at June 14, 2010 9:34 pm  

  • This fatigue thing is getting very old. The SH teams are always tired when they tour Europe in Novemeber and they still win the majority of their games including SA and Aus).
    When they lose they never make excuses about being tired.
    The truth is that France isn't as good as South Africa, it's that simple.

    By Anonymous Tim, at June 15, 2010 2:44 am  

  • Oh, and the Currie Cup is an excellent level of rugby.
    I would rate it as a level often better than the T14.
    Less money than in France, but much better talent to work with.
    The Currie Cup is the lifeblood of South african rugby, where do you think they produce all their great players?

    By Anonymous Tim, at June 15, 2010 2:53 am  

  • Anonymous said...
    To Crump.. etc

    I'm sure there's truth in that. Thanks for the response.

    By Anonymous Crump, at June 15, 2010 3:26 am  

  • Tim, when SA lost to Ireland in last year's Autumn tour, he cited fatigue as a factor. Everyone does it.

    But as it's been said, depending on which tour (Spring or Autumn), one of the sides is likely to be more "tired" than the other. That's just how it is. So, either the country can generate a lot of talent (re: "depth") so they can switch out the tired players - as NZ and SA have done very well, or the supporters can just complain about everyone being injured when their side loses.

    I know I'm not the only one in thinking that it would've been nice to see Fionn Carr given a shot on this tour, seeing as how a lot of players were injured or could've used a rest. But I guess Kidney's got other things in mind.

    By Anonymous apple, at June 15, 2010 3:41 am  

  • Sorry, by "he", I meant Peter de Villiers.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at June 15, 2010 3:42 am  

  • Terrible series of results for Northern Hemisphere teams, really disappointing. For the crass, crowing SH fans out there, delighting in their annihilation of NH opposition in the last few days: When (if?) the day comes when NH teams can consistently match SH teams, it will be a great day for rugby, the sport we ALL love.

    By Anonymous Hughgolden, at June 15, 2010 8:01 am  

  • No, it'll be a great day for NH rugby, not the sport as a whole.
    From a SH perspective if the NH ever catch up (doesn't look like happening in the next decade or two), it'll be great for rugby in their part of the world, but it's not going to improve it in the SH, obviously.
    You can't ask SH supporters to want to lose cuz it will make NH supporters feel better about the sport, which we do all love, and which we love even more when we are winning.
    The thing is, the NH teams don't deserve tow in, they don't play very good rugby.
    If they just improved their skills and played rugby with an attacking mindset, they wuld start to compete.
    It's shocking that so few northerners talk about closing the gap, while decrying SH style rugby (flowing, attacking rugby) without realising that it is exactly this which makes the SH so much better.
    Playing rugby with an attacking mindset isn't done just because people from the south love running rugby. We do it, because it works, it's the most effective way to win.

    By Anonymous Tim, at June 15, 2010 8:14 am  

  • Tim, that's exactly the SH closed-mindedness which I just deplored in my last post. Of course it would be better for rugby if Northern Hemisphere teams could compete more consistently with SH teams, I mean come on.

    By Anonymous Hughgolden, at June 15, 2010 11:50 am  

  • May I remind everybody that attacking rugby perhaps win during test matchs, but it's defence that makes a team win or not a Worldcup.

    This is why 3 of the 4 teams in semi final during the last wordlcup were from NH. And boks won thanks to their powerful defence.

    Attacking rugby if funny to see of course. But next year's games will be totally different I think.

    By Anonymous Arnaud, at June 15, 2010 12:13 pm  

  • @ Arnaud

    "This is why 3 of the 4 teams in semi final during the last wordlcup were from NH. And boks won thanks to their powerful defence."

    I didnt realise the Argentinians had picked up their country and moved it to the northern hemisphere :P

    By Anonymous Box, at June 15, 2010 3:16 pm  

  • Oh come one all you ladies crying about how the SA fans are crowing, man up and accept that when someones team wins their fans will crow, even IF its a little tiresome. Build a brigde and get over it, everyone one of you do the same..let me get a little biblical on your (_!_)'s ...Let he who is without sin cast the first stone!...lol

    Anyhow movin on...RD could you put up the Russow tackle that had the French player gasping and writhing on the floor like a Marlin that just got landed?..lol

    holla..

    By Anonymous semperfimamba, at June 15, 2010 8:01 pm  

  • Sigh.....A large proportion of SA fans = cocks.....

    A large proportion of SA fans who do not = cocks, do not stand up to those that do = cocks.....

    NZ fans generally do not = cocks
    Aus fans every now and again = cocks, but it is not very common....

    English fans generally do not = cocks as there is not much to brag about

    Scottish fans generally quite humble

    French fans....speak french...so no one really gets what they are on about...

    Irish fans try hard, but their team lets them down when it counts...when they win they = cocks, but this could just be due to them being hounded by SA fans constantly...

    Welsh fans.....are generally very quiet...and are generally quite humble also....

    ....As for italy, argies, canadians etc etc.....they don't really stir up any trouble....

    By Anonymous To summarise.., at June 15, 2010 8:29 pm  

  • ^ I guarantee you that whole equation will change if/when the Springboks go on a losing streak and someone else dominates. Irish fans WERE generally c*cks the whole of last year. Now they're not doing too well and they're surprisingly sheepish.

    It doesnt excuse fans being assholes but that's generally the way it goes.

    England fans have been really quiet, but we all know how they can be. South Africa are having a good run, so the fans are enjoying it. It's pub type banter and shouldn't be taken too seriously.

    By Anonymous Scotsdale, at June 15, 2010 8:42 pm  

  • Scotsdale, I totally disagree with you. I honestly do. Irish fans gave an awful lot last year, but the amount of flak they received when they suggested they might be in with a chance against SA was unbeleivable, and the amount of shit they got for not doing well in the RWC, I think its understandable that they gave shit back....personally when reading their comments, most are directed at SA....very few are directed at other teams.

    As for England, I wasn't particularly aware of much rudeness when it came to them winning the RWC, In all honesty most of the fans realised the team was on the down when they actually won it, (or it had just peaked) with MJ retiring, and many others....

    And them making the finals in last RWC was as much of a surprise to them as it was to the rest of the world.

    By Anonymous To summarise.., at June 16, 2010 1:48 am  

  • Scotsdale the problem is, its not 'pub type banter' its 'Unless its got something to do with SA its shit' type banter, which is unacceptable. Think about it, if anyone picked an Ultimate 15, they'd probably be a little biased towards their own, but naturally they'd pick players from other nations.

    If an SA fan picked an Ultimate 15, it would all be SA players, and that is not due to the quality of players its due to the arrogance of some SA fans and the close-mindedness of the fans.

    By Anonymous Jimmy, at June 16, 2010 2:10 am  

  • @Box

    Dear Box, of course Argentina is located in SH bout I think that almost 90% of their players play in Europe. I don't think I'm far from reality.

    This is why I consider them as a NH team. :o)

    By Anonymous Arnaud, at June 16, 2010 2:36 am  

  • @ Jimmy and 'to summarise..', I simply mean that the winning brings out the true a**hole. On here everyone seems to hate South Africa and constantly have a go. Part of that is due to them being successful of late, and part of it (in my opinion anyway) is due to ignorant views on apartheid and the country in general. So when SA win, the fans make sure that they rub it in your faces. I'm not saying it's right, but it's probably not as malicious as you may think.

    It's also possibly just a few knobbish trolls, as was mentioned earlier.

    About the Irish, I don't know if we're talking about comments on RD or life in general, but on here anyway, they went very quiet since Leinster, Munster, and Ireland suddenly started performing badly. If they pick things up again, we'll hear all about it soon.

    The point about England basically sums it up anyway - they realised they were on a downwards slope so didn't have much to make a noise about. Whereas if they were consistently good for the last few years, I'm sure there would be a handful who went out of their way to make us all know about it.

    I personally hate the arrogant comments. It's embarrassing. But I dont think everyone should be put into the same category.

    By Anonymous Scotsdale, at June 16, 2010 12:10 pm  

  • On the whole saffa fans being close minded I agree with just about everyone's points, winning brings out the arrogance in us all.

    to Jim about SA fans picking an all SA world XV I agree as well, most notably BULLS FANS, my god if they had to choose a world XV it wouldn't be all SA it'd just be the bulls that's it. the bulls have had alot to do with the SA success of late due to their dominance in super14 and currie cup. but good god there is nothing I hate more than those bulls fans, particularly the newest bulls fans.

    I don't care how long I have to wait for them to fall from power but I truly relish each and every bulls loss. They are going to come down someday and I'll be there, all smiles.

    By Anonymous Sam, at June 16, 2010 4:23 pm  

  • You know. There would probably be about 10 Bulls in the side.

    And 5 Stormers.

    It´s only a game, boys.

    You will never be able to quiten a South African when he is winning.

    Teams that exist for SA:

    NZ
    France
    Oz

    By Anonymous Robert, at June 16, 2010 7:24 pm  

  • You'd never say that this is a site for rugby fans. You Saffa haters sound like a bunch of girls. Sure, a few SA fans gloat around here, but your generalisations just come across as bitter, whining losers. Someone taking joy and pride in winning is not a bad thing. Otherwise we should all just go and watch a musical, share our sandwiches and pat each other on the back for being such swell fellas. I mean, I don't really mind putting up with those Aussie cricket fans, as long as I get my turn every now and then. What's the point of owning the flag if you don't get to wave it?

    By Anonymous katman, at June 17, 2010 1:58 pm  

  • Katman, first time I've ever seen you comment on here, so perhaps you have not been here long.

    Its not gloating thats the idiocy that occurs, its the insulting nature that SA fans comment on other teams wins, its the fact when SA has been beaten they have no honour in admitting it with a 'ah better luck next time' comment. It's the fact that if they pick their ultimate 15, they'd rather pick the worst 15 SA players ever, than 15 amazing other nation players!

    By Anonymous (u-p)rick, at June 17, 2010 3:49 pm  

  • No need to comment on which hemisphere is better, the Boks out played the French in this instance.

    Spies is dangerous, Aplon has the 7's spirit installed in him and he is looking fast and furious. But, in my humble opinion, Guthros try was superb. Great finish by the front rower, good to see him getting a run in on his birthday. You go boy!

    Awesome game, keep up the intensity bokke.

    By Anonymous JRaines, at June 17, 2010 6:21 pm  

  • Well I'm not going to candy-coat my opinion just to be a warm and fuzzy global rugby citizen. I like to think that I show sufficient respect in my comments, but I'm sure to let you know what jersey I have in my cupboard. And while it doesn't mean we can't get along, I don't think rugby/sports fans were ever meant to be inoffensive diplomats.

    By Anonymous katman, at June 18, 2010 9:56 am  

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