RAM SLAM News
The Warriors and the Lions drew in an epic match at Buffalo Park on Sunday. The defending Champions, the Lions, are yet to win their first match in this year’s Ram Slam challenge. Newly appointed captain, Thami Tsolekile is left with a difficult task to defend the Lions pride after Alviro Petersen stepped down from his position, due to “interference by the Board and the Convener of Selectors.” This to me is always a bad sign in any team’s camp and I don’t see anything changing for the Lions in the near future.
Dean Elgar and Pite van Biljon saved the Knights in their match against the Titans at Super Sport Park on Sunday. Albie Morkel’s valiant effort was just not enough to save the Titans and thus the Knights keep their hopes alive in securing a playoff spot later in the competition.
The RAM SLAM T20 challenge has just passed the halfway mark, with the Cape Cobras in a strong log position after their 25 run defeat of the Dolphins this weekend at Kingsmead. It seems certain that the Cobras’ left arm bowler, Beuran Hendricks, will be included in the Proteas T20 side at the ICC World T20 in March. Hendricks, after taking 4 wickets, remains the leading wicket tacker in the Domestic Competition. The Dolphins needed just 37 of the last 18 balls, but West Indian left arm spinner, Sunil Narine, dashed their hopes for victory when he sent down a double wicket maiden in the 18th over. The Cobras are by far the best side in the tournament thus far and must be the favourites to win and represent South-Africa at the Champions league trophy later this year.
Replacement for King Kallis?
The Proteas board of selectors announced that the favourites for the position are all-rounders Ryan Mclaren and Wayne Parnell. According to a Sport 24 voting poll in this regard, fans back Knights all-rounder Ryan McClaren. I have little faith in either of the candidates to fill the shoes of our beloved Kallis. Fans should face the fact that Kallis is seen as the best all-rounder to ever play cricket and to replace him within such a short time is near impossible.
Divan Kleynhans
Bafana Bafail
I think we all had high hopes for our national soccer side, but once again they failed to make it further than round one. The loss against Nigeria was doubly sad as the visitors were minus most of their prominent players. Gordon Igesund’s record now reads: Played 28, won 14, lost 7 drawn 7. I suspect this is better than the record of any of his predecessors, and trust that his contract, which is up for consideration in June, will be renewed.
Pienaar Man of the Match
Ruan scored all the points for Ulster, including the only try of the match, and was duly recognised. I watched him play last weekend, and must say that looked a lot better than he did in the Springbok jersey last year. Is it possibly because international rugby may be a step to far for his talents, or am missing something?
Enjoy the week ahead, and remember to stack up your Brownie points with the wife and family, including the dog, for when the Aussies pitch up, and Super Rugby makes a welcome return.
Paul Kruger
