Kirsten’s Dilemma – An interesting selection poser for Gary Kirsten is going to be who to play as the third seamer for the 1st test against the Aussies and who to pick as the spinner – Harris or Tahir?
Personally, I would play Vernon Philander and Tahir, who are both in good form and deservedly first choice candidates. I do suspect, however, for the sake of consistency, that we might see Tsotsobe & Harris. I don’t think Tsotsobe has done enough in the longer version of the game to warrant a place and Harris, unfortunately, is a defensive option rather than an attacking one. My reasoning is simple – to win test matches you must be able to take 20 wickets and I can’t see us doing it with Tsotsobe & Harris in our attack.
Jacques Rudolph will be making his long awaited return to test cricket and I find it difficult to hide my excitement. I have been following Rudolph’s career closely for the past 5 years and predict that he will become the “Michael Hussey” of SA cricket. For those that have not seen much of him – prepare yourself to see a talent that has worked at his craft and matured into a very fine top order batsman. One thing is certain: he knows his game and how to score runs. (I really hope I haven’t jinxed him now…)
Cricket was in the press this week for all the wrong reasons – firstly the Pakistan trio, Butt, Asif & Amir being found guilty for spot fixing in the UK, and then also the much talked about first class game between the Knights and Warriors grabbed headlines for alleged ball tampering. All I can say is the word “cheating” and cricket is being associated way too much for my liking. I hope that it can withstand the bashing of its reputation as a gentleman’s game that it is taking at the moment.
Baby Boks take on a new meaning – One could easily be forgiven for asking this question when you look at the outfits approved for the new series of World Cup Sevens, a copy of which appears on our blog this week.
My first reaction was that they looked like something from a blue movie, you know the kind where the French maid enters the lecherous old man’s bedroom. (If you said yes, it means you have actually seen the movies then, not so?)
My more innocent colleague Bobby, whose youngest is ten months old, said it reminded him of diapers. Hulle lyk wragtag soos kinders in doeke.
Call me conservative, if you like, but whatever view you have, this is an invitation for a whipping – and that is not meant in the kinky way some of you may think.
I see that Graham Henry is now available in a mentor capacity, rather than jumping at the next coaching opportunity, where England was mentioned as one option.
Wise man. There are just too many prima donnas in that set-up for anyone with any sense to take it on just yet. Unless of course Nick Mallet takes up the cudgels. The sparks between him and Martin Johnson will be reminiscent of, and as exciting as, the days of the Rumble in the Jungle.
Whoever becomes the new SA coach will be able to learn a lot from Henry. I have not yet lost my reservations about Eddy Jones, and despite Jake White’s claims about the role Jones played in 2007, I believe that we have more than enough local expertise in Rassie Erasmus and Brendan Venter to do without him.
That is, of course, assuming that the new coach appoints replacements for the current two assistant coaches. I wonder if they will find a place for Dick Muir at the Lions, should this happen?
Sport Spot – Ou Manie is nogal verbaas oor die terugkerende Bokke se vertoning in die laaste twee weke van die Curriebeker. Eers verloor die WP se Springbokagterlyn teen die onbesonge Leeuwelpies, en die volgende week verloor die Haaie se Springbokpak teen die Leeus se “No-Names” agtal.
Ou Maans is van mening dat hulle Josh Strauss met Sebastien Chabal verwar het, en nie by hulle game plan kon bly nie, want hulle het nie voorberei om teen die Franse te speel nie
Nag Ou Grote. Klink ‘n glasie op die nuwe generasie.
Paul Kruger
Kallie Brőcker (on the right) from Fin-Q Financial Services receives his prize for winning the Moonstone pool Rugby World Cup SuperBru competition. (presented by Francois Mentjies(left), Moonstone Compliance officer).
