The Springboks might lose a few games next year in the run up to the 2011 Rugby World Cup, because the best team may not always be selected.
Experts at a media workshop in Johannesburg agreed that a number of standout players will have to be carefully managed in the next two years.
Springbok fitness and conditioning coach Neels Liebel and sports scientist Tim Noakes said this would be vital to ensure top players were are fit and in peak condition for the World Cup in New Zealand September 9 in 2011.
Noakes showed a series of graphs on how players used excessively in a season tended to either get injured or under-perform the following year.
Liebel agreed senior players like Victor Matfield, 32, Bakkies Botha, 30, and John Smit, 31, should still be available for the 2011 World Cup – but on condition that they were properly managed.
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England surprised the rugby world on Saturday evening when they beat France in their semi-final clash. England started the game like a house on fire, scoring the only try of the game after just two minutes when Josh Lewsey gathered a lucky bounce to crash over in the corner. France recovered from this early setback and took the lead through 3 penalties by flyhalf, Lionel Beauxis. This secured France a 9-5 lead at half time. England defended well the entire game and with their dominant pack of forwards providing good ball, Jonny Wilkinson kicked them into good field position. Two penalties saw England sneak into the lead with 8 minutes left on the clock. Wilkinson then sealed the victory when he slotted his 5th drop goal of the 2007 RWC. Final score: England 14 France 9
England now have the chance to become the first team to win back to back RWC titles when they defend their title next week Saturday.
Cape Town – The Springboks have moved into second place in the latest IRB rankings following their RWC semi-final win over Argentina. New Zealand remain atop the standings on 89.63 points, closely followed by South Africa on 89.32. England have jumped from sixth to third in the rankings following their shock 14-9 victory over France, who in turn drop from second to fourth. Argentina, beaten comprehensively by the Boks 37-13, have slipped from fourth to sixth.
Top 10:
1. New Zealand 89.63
2. South Africa 89.32
3. England 87.18
4. France 84.83
5. Australia 84.21
6. Argentina 83.16
7. Ireland 78.66
8. Scotland 76.83
9. Fiji 75.82
10. Wales 74.08
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Argentina made history when they beat Scotland in their quarterfinal of RWC 2007. The victory means that Argentina advances to the semi-finals for the first time ever.
The last of the quarter finals did not produce as much drama as the other 3 games. The game never really flowed, both teams made to many errors and relied on their kickers to get them into attacking positions. Scotland took the early lead through Dan Parks, but Argentina struck back through Felipe Contepomi’s boot. The only try of the first half belonged to the Pumas. The try was the result of some great pressure and a kick by Dan Parks got charged down. Scotland tried their best in the second half and managed to close the gap on the score board but to many errors saw their chance of winning the game slip out the back door. Argentina is still unbeaten at the RWC 2007 and deserve all the praise they are getting. Final score: Argentina 19 Scotland 13
Just two days after receiving a surprise call up to the SA squad, Jannie du Plessis is set to start the quarterfinal game against Fiji. Du Plessis will join his team mates on Wednesday and he will pretty much step of the plane and onto the training field. This is all due to CJ van der Linde picking up a knee injury during practise that force him to the sidelines for this weekend’s action. CJ is expected to fully recover and be available for a possible semi-final and final. Gurthro Steenkamp will move onto the bench and John Smit will provide cover for the tight head side of the scrum.
France booked their place in the quarterfinals with a convincing victory over Georgia in their final group match. France dominated the game from the start and opened the scoring after just 5 minutes with the first of 9 tries. The French flyhalf, Lionel Beauxis, contributed 24 points, including a try and 19 points with the boot. Georgia tried hard, but the French kept the ball away from their forwards so the Georgians had no real chance in the game. Georgia did manage to score a consolation try, but the two yellow cards they received for ill discipline cost them. The French Coach, Bernard Laporte, was very happy with his team’s performance although he did admit that the quarterfinal clash with New Zealand would be a difficult clash for his charges. Final score: France 64 Georgia 7
Scotland managed to get revenge for their 6 nations loss to Italy by beating the Azzuri in a winner takes all RWC match. The game was played in wet and slippery conditions and this suited Scotland better. The bigger Scottish pack provided quality possession for their flyhalf Dan Parks to kick them into good field positions. Italy showed a willingness to run the ball and scored the only try of the match, but they made to many mistakes in their own half. These mistakes cost them the game, with Chris Paterson kicking 6 from 6 penalties at goal to score all his side’s points. Italy had a chance to win the game with 3 minutes remaining but their fullback, David Bortolussi, missed his shot at goal. Scotland now plays Argentina in a quarterfinal clash on Sunday. Final score: Scotland 18 Italy 16
England managed to subdue an impressive Tongan team and qualify for the quarterfinal stage of RWC 2007. Tonga started the better of the two teams, showing a willingness to run the ball. This paid off when Sukanaivalu Hufanga scored the opening try of the game and Tonga took the early lead. England were made to defend a lot, and only sloppy play prevented Tonga to build on their lead. England were keeping in touch on the scoreboard thanks to Jonny Wilkinson. Wilko slotted a penalty and then set up Paul Sackey’sfirst try with a brilliant crosskick. A drop goal, another penalty and Sackey’s second try saw England to a 19-10 halftime lead. After halftime the English forwards started to dominate, securing better possession and field position for their team. Two more tries, scored by Andy Farrell and Mathew Tait, secured a bonus point victory for the Poms. Tonga never stopped trying and scored a consolation try in the final minutes of the game to make the scoreline more respectable. Tonga now heads home but they certainly proved that they are not an easy team to conquer. England will now play Australia in the quarterfinals and they will have to improve their game a lot to be a threat. Final score: England 36 Tonga 20
Samoa finished their World Cup campaign with a victory over the USA. Samoa thus restored some pride after losing their first 3 group games this year. Samoa started the game well and played their normal physical game. The USA had no answer to the strong running Samoans and conceded 3 tries before halftime. The second half did not start well for the USA with their 8th man, Fifita Mounga, receiving a yellow card. This seemed to inspire the Eagles and they started to play more constructive rugby. The USA outscored Samoa by 18-3 in the second half, but the half time deficit was just too much. Samoa now heads home after one of their worse performances ever at a RWC, whilst USA still have to play SA on Sunday. Final score: Samoa 25 USA 21
Georgia made history when they beat Namibia in a group D match last night. It was the first time that they walked of the field victorious in a World Cup match. Namibia will be dissapointed with the result and have now lost 12 consecutive RWC games. The game was played in rainy weather and Georgia adapted better to the conditions. The bigger Georgian pack played really well and secured good possession. Their Flyhalf, Merab Kvirikashvili, used this possession to good effect, playing 10-man rugby and kicking his team into good field position. Namibia defended well and denied Georgia a couple of scoring opportunities. Mistakes on attack by the Namibians cost them with Georgia intercepting twice and rounding off with tries under the Namibian posts. Namibia now heads home after finishing last in their group, Georgia still have to play France in their final group game and they will approach that game with a lot of confidence. Final score: Georgia 30 Namibia 0
