The Lions’ long journey to the final
The foundations for this season’s success were laid in 2012
Johan Ackermann
The man who unleashed the Lions
Having roared into the Currie Cup final, coach Ackermann must take the credit for turning a group of unsung players into winners.
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Super 14: The ins and outs
South African rugby will enjoy an auspicious season this year. We begin the year as the envy of the rugby-playing nations, champions of both the world and the Super 14. Even the internecine wrangling for power in the South African Rugby Union (Saru) has failed to dim that envy.
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SA teams face tricky Super 14 build-up
The early stages of the 2008 Super 14 competition could be especially challenging for the five South African franchises — three of the teams have new coaches, and the training of all five has been affected to various degrees by the resting of their Springboks after the United Kingdom tour.
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Muller to lead Boks in Baa-baas clash
South Africa have made three changes for Saturday’s non-cap international against the Barbarians at Twickenham — Jake White’s last match as coach of the world champions. Bismarck du Plesis takes the place of World Cup-winning captain John Smit after the hooker’s French club, Clermont Auvergne, refused to release him for this fixture.
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Ackermann called as cover for injured Botha
Johan Ackermann joined South Africa on Monday as cover in case injured lock Bakkies Botha was unavailable for the Springboks’ season finale against the Barbarians this weekend. Botha hurt his ankle in the Boks’ 34-12 win over Wales at Cardiff on Saturday.
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Sharks secure home Currie Cup semifinal
The Sharks secured themselves a home semifinal berth in the Currie Cup when they came back from behind to beat the Blue Bulls 26-18 at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening. The Sharks almost let it slip in the first half when they found themselves trailing 18-9 and with only 14 men on the park.
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Province sneak home against Sharks
Western Province at last recorded a win over Absa Currie Cup rugby frontrunners when they beat the Sharks in a hard fought match at Newlands on Saturday. The first half belonged to the men in the hooped jerseys and the home team led 16-6 at halftime with the WP looseforwards dominating at the breakdown.
