http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Rugby...62,00.html

my condolences with his family and close friends.

he is a massive loss.

i still cant believe hes gone.

I am back with a vengance, or I would be if I didn't have a horrid :cold:... :mad:

Let's start this thread off with Fact or Fiction:

The roadrunner is the fastest bird on land.

Although Springbok coach Jake White has approached his second season at the helm of the national side with much the same gameplan as the first, his selection criteria have clearly changed.

At first, White's main aim seemed to be to identify a competitive first XV which would re-establish South Africa's battered rugby credentials - based on forward dominance at set-pieces and relentless pressure from the defence - and once again make Australia, New Zealand, England and France approach a Test-match against SA with some trepidation.

The end of season tour, however, showed that the first XV could not fight off the battle fatigue of a long season indefinitely and that more depth was needed.

This season, with respect regained and a Tri-Nations trophy in the cabinet until Saturday, White seems to have broadened his selection horizons. He has tweaked and replaced some members of that first XV with a longer-term plan towards building a squad of around 30 players able to cope with Test-match intensity and challenge for the 2007 World Cup.

White is blessed with a multitude of midfield riches
In that respect, White has succeeded admirably with some risky selections - who, for instance would have thought that Enrico Januarie could have overshadowed one of last season's stand out performers in Fourie du Preez?

André Pretorius's re-emergence, together with Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie as a threequarter line of real power and pace, as well as potentially adding the subtlety and sleight of hand that is needed to unlock top international defences, has been the other major feature of this season's transitions.

White is blessed with a multitude of midfield riches. Should De Villiers and Fourie continue their burgeoning partnership then few teams in the world could lay claim to the calibre of De Wet Barry and last season's Ellis Park hero Marius Joubert as back up centres. Wayne Julies and the under-21 talent of Thabang Molefe are waiting in the wings should injury strike.

John Smit is set to continue as captain and his Tri-Nations performances have taken the heat off him as first choice hooker.

White's problem areas, though, are whether veterans Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse and Os du Randt will have the legs to make the World Cup as they did in 2003, or whether replacements should be blended into the side now.

As backs Montgomery and Paulse should make it, but Du Randt, always seemingly carrying a multitude of knocks, might not. Luckily in Du Randt's case White has a tailor-made replacement in the immensely strong Gurthro Steenkamp.

Montgomery seems set to remain the first choice fullback, not only for his goalkicking prowess but also because, despite his errors in Dunedin, he remains a safer option than Brent Russell. Conrad Jantjes also cannot be ruled out of the No 15 equation.

Although White has backed Paulse's experience, two years in the cold of the French league might see him lose the No 14 jersey, especially since Jantjes can also be effective on the right-wing. With Ashwin Willemse battling long term injuries Tonderai Chavhanga seems to have the inside track as back-up winger, with the blindingly fast Bryan Habana untouchable, and irreplaceable, on the left-wing.

It seems Pretorius and Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Januarie and Du Preez will continue to alternate in the half back spots, with Pretorius' susceptability to injury the major worry. Morné Steyn and Ruan Pienaar seem the brightest young talents able to challenge.

The loose-forward cupboard is, as always, well stocked with Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Joe van Niekerk a world class back row and any number of worthy replacements with Solly Tyibilika and Jacques Cronjé at the forefront.

A POSSIBLE WORLD CUP BOK SQUAD
(with alternate positions in brackets)

15: Percy Montgomery, Brent Russell (wing, flyhalf)
14: Conrad Jantjes (fullback), Tonderai
Chavhanga
13: Jaque Fourie (wing, fullback), Marius Joubert
12: Jean de Villiers (wing), De Wet Barry, Wayne Julies
11: Bryan Habana
10: André Pretorius, Jaco van der Westhuyzen (fullback)
9: Enrico Januarie, Fourie du Preez
8: Joe van Niekerk, Jacques Cronjé
7: Juan Smith (lock), Pedrie Wannenburg (lock)
6: Schalk Burger, Solly Tyibilika
5: Victor Matfield, Albert van den Berg
4: Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw
3: CJ van der Linde, Eddie Andrews
2: John Smit (prop), Hanyani Shimange
1: Gurthro Steenkamp, Lawrence Sephaka

By Jacques van der Westhuyzen

Springbok coach Jake White's wish to have 10 key players sit out the Currie Cup has come true - for how long, though, remains to be seen.

To ensure the core of his Bok squad are fresh for the end of year tour and next year's expanded Super 14 and international season, White earlier this week requested some of his players be exempt from playing in the Currie Cup.

This request was met with mixed feelings by the unions affected - the Blue Bulls, Cheetahs, Western Province and the Sharks. None of the Lions' players - Lawrence Sephaka, Ricky Januarie, André Pretorius and Jaque Fourie - was included in the list.

'The request is unacceptable and unreasonable'
The 10 players are Percy Montgomery, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Joe van Niekerk, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, CJ van der Linde, John Smit and Os du Randt.

The provincial unions, in spite of having plenty to say this week, have allowed all 10 players to sit this weekend out. Whether it is because of White's request or the fact the individual unions themselves feel the players need a break after a gruelling Tri-Nations campaign and long flight back to South Africa, is unknown.

But whether the provinces will be so accommodating next weekend and in the lead up to the semifinals is doubtful. All the unions are paying good money for the players and have a Currie Cup they want to win. And then there are the sponsors, like Absa, and fans who obviously want the top men to be seen in the province's colours.

To complicate matters White and the South African Rugby Union (Saru) have threatened the 10 players with omission from the Bok squad for the end of year tour should they play in the Currie Cup. This move has especially infuriated the provinces. The majority of the players, too, want to at least play some role in their teams' Currie Cup challenge.

Free State Rugby Union president Harold Verster, in spite of getting the green light to use two of his Boks - Michael Claassens and Juan Smith - will not be allowed to call on his first-choice props, Van der Linde and Du Randt.

"I think the request is unacceptable and unreasonable," said Verster. "CJ has played only 12 matches this year, he's still young and wants to play. In the case of Os, I fully understand. He's getting on in years, but I also think we could use him in a few games ... he also needs to stay active and involved."

The Lions, while not affected by White's request, say they will in any case not play their Boks in all the games. "We've got a squad system going here and all the players will be rested at some stage during the season," said Chief Executive Officer Andy Turner. "We've done well up to now without our Boks, so we'll use the guys sparingly."

Coach Frans Ludeke commented: "The Boks in our team are special players, game-breakers, and they can make a difference, but right now they need a break." None has been included in the Lions team for this weekend's clash with Western Province, who've included Eddie Andrews and De Wet Barry and have Hanyani Shimange on the bench.

The Bulls have Pedrie Wannenburg in their line-up, while Gary Botha, Danie Rossouw and Fourie du Preez are on the bench. The Sharks are resting Smit and Montgomery, but have included Albert van den Berg in their team.

White and Andy Marinos, the recently-appointed manager of national teams, met with officials of the WP Rugby Union on Thursday to further discuss the matter of resting key international
players. They will meet with the other three provinces - the Cheetahs, Sharks and Blue Bulls - on Monday.

Burkina Faso (2) 3
Cisse 33, 48, Kebe 40

South Africa (0) 1
Zuma 76

On a night of shame on Saturday, Bafana Bafana were all but dumped out of World Cup 2006.

Bafana were suddenly all over the place
If Ghana beat Uganda at home on Sunday, a probable result, Bafana's dream will officially be over. Coach Stuart Baxter may as well resign himself to defeat right now. In fact many will say he may as well resign, full stop.

It seems highly unlikely that Baxter will last even until next month's final World Cup qualifier at home to the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is now not even beyond the realms of possibility that Bafana could get knocked out of the African Nations Cup slated for Egypt next year.

In fact, if the Stallions of Burkina Faso win in Uganda, and Bafana lose to the DRC next month, the ultimate humiliation will be complete.

The Burkina Faso Football Federation put a most gracious message to Bafana on their big screen before the start of play: "Welcome to our brothers and friends of South Africa," it read, "Good match in fair play."

But that is where their generosity ended, as the Stallions simply ripped Bafana to shreds with almost nonchalant ease. Baxter's men were a shambles in defence - Mbulelo Mabizela abysmal on his return to centreback, nowhere in midfield and lethargic in attack with Benni McCarthy only waking up when it was far too late.

It took around 50 minutes for Bafana to truly test Abdoulayre Soulama's goal, and by then, they were already three goals down. When the impressive Sibusiso Zuma did notch a goal, lashing in Bartlett's cross, it was scant consolation.

Yet it had all started fairly promisingly for Bafana on a typically humid evening in Ouagadougou.

Cheered on by a small block of their own fans, they had the first decent break of the game, Bartlett finding McCarthy on the edge of the area. But just as a shooting chance opened up for him, McCarthy chose to square, and failed to find Siyabonga Nomvete. Nomvete's burst of pace then found him some space, but he shot tamely at Soulama.

Burkina Faso, however, were beginning to find their feet, particularly in the centre of midfield where Florent Rouamba was a colossus. And they nearly had a goal just before the 20-minute mark, when Yaya Kebe, who had his own fan club among the crowd, crossed, and Nasief Morris somehow diverted the ball wide of his own goal.

Bafana were suddenly all over the place, their goal under siege, and coach Baxter had one heated exchange with Mabizela.

But it had little effect, and the Stallions duly scored when Boureima Ouattara burst into the penalty area and crossed for Abdoulaye Cisse to slot home. Bafana's woes were doubled within seven minutes when Yaya Kebe, - he had his fan club in raptures - burst clear of the Bafana defence after an awful mix-up between Mabizela and Benson Mhlongo, and chipped the ball coolly over Hans Vonk.

Any motivating team talk Baxter may have given at halftime was then destroyed, as Mabizela, caught ball-watching, tripped Cisse in the area, and the Montpellier striker stepped up and converted the spot kick.

TEAMS
Burkina Faso: Soulama; Tassembedo, Barro, M Ouattara, Kere (Coul-oibaly 66); B Ouattara, Rouamba, Nikiema, Panadetiguiri; Kebe (Minoungou 82), Cisse.

South Africa (4-4-2): Vonk; Morris (Lekgwathi 60), Mabizela, Mokoena, Rammile (Katza 46); Van Heerden, Mhlongo, Pienaar, Nomvete (Zuma 60); Bartlett, McCarthy.

Referee: Coffi Codjia (Benin).

Assistants: Celestin Ntagungira (Rwanda), Aroudou Adeodjou (Benin).

Johannesburg - Western Province got their Currie Cup campaign back on track with a resounding 38-23 victory over the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Lions led 13-10 at the break.

Province outscored the home team by five tries to two, but more importantly showed that, although they were nowhere near their best, they could threaten at the business end of the competition.

Speedy left wing Zhahier Ryland was the hat-trick hero for the visitors, whenever the diminutive left-winger touched the ball he set pulses racing. He was named man-of-the-match.

Both teams were guilty of squandering possession
The first half was dull, but the second exploded into action and ultimately made for an absorbing encounter.

The Lions took the lead in the 3rd minute via a Tiaan Snyman penalty. Province though replied soon after when flyhalf Peter Grant levelled matters in the 7th minute.

Both teams were guilty of squandering possession in the opening quarter and the sparse crowd had little to shout about.

Whenever a move became promising it inevitably came to nought due to a plethora of dropped passes and wrong options. The defence of both teams more than did their respective duties and played a role in the fact that it took a further 18 minutes before the scorers were troubled.

It came from turnover ball when rapid Ryland, from Bo Kaap in Cape Town, snapped up the loose ball on his 10m line and kicked ahead.

He showed his blistering pace, beating both Wylie Human and a desperate Snyman before dotting down. Grant kicked the extras and the visitors led 10-3.

The Lions were stung into action and replied with their first try virtually from the re-start. Captain Wikus van Heerden, who had a fine game throughout, burst through the defensive line and fed Jorrie Muller who went over under the poles. Snyman's conversion again drew the teams level.

Grant missed a 33rd minute penalty attempt before Snyman kicked his team into the halftime lead with a late long-range penalty.

He increased that lead by three points four minutes into the second half, but it did not last long as the visitors hit their straps in spectacular style moments later.

A purple patch between the 51st and 58th minutes yielded three fabulous tries and took Province from 16-10 down to 31-16 ahead. The pick of that trio was undoubtedly the third to 23-year-old Ryland whose impressive turn of speed flummoxed Human, again.

Lions coach Frans Ludeke brought Nel Fourie on at flyhalf, but it was too little too late and the writing was already on the wall.

Oginga Siwundla did get his team's second try with 10 minutes left, but Ryland put the final nail in the coffin with his third three minutes from time.

Point-scorers:
LIONS 23 (13): Tries: Jorrie Muller, Oginga Siwundla. Conversions: Tiaan Snyman (1), Nel Fourie (1). Penalties: Snyman (3).

WESTERN PROVINCE 38 (10): Tries: Zhahier Ryland (3), Tonderai Chavhanga, De Wet Barry. Conversions: Peter Grant (5). Penalties:

Grant (1). - Sapa

How long is the average human eyelash?

Labor Day was created by England's Labour Party

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray this cushy life to keep

I pray for toys that look like mice
and warm cushions soft and nice

For grocery bags where I can hide
Just like a tiger croucched inside

I pray for gourmet kitty snacks
and someone nice to scratch my back

For window sills all warm and bright
for shadows to explore by night

I pray I'll always stay real cool
and keep the secret feline rule

To never tell a human that
The world is really run by cats.

Seeing a newspaper at the airport in Tanzania, I saw for the first time what happened in Iraq and in the States.

It shocked me and all day flying back to the UK I was pondering about all the major disasters this last year. The Tsunami, the bombs in London, airplane crashes, other floods, etc.

I realised that it is so important for us to take stock of our lives asking do I really know God. Am I having a live relationship with Him everyday, or do I just know about Him - fear Him.... and also blame Him if things don't go right. Am I experiencing His love, and do I walk in obedience.

Do I use Him as the steering wheel of my life.... with reading the Bible as a guide for life - or, am I just using Him as the spare wheel whenever I am in trouble or in need.

He promises us in the Word that He will supply all our needs - gives us our daily bread. Do I trust and acknowledge Him as my only true source. Where is my security..... in my earthly belongings and my bank account, or do I have a heavenly bank account.

I was thinking about keeping short accounts with people.... is there someone that I need to put things right with.....

A scripture verse that I read during my time away was in Revelations 21:6 "... I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beinning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life."

Let us drink from that spring.... to be satisfied with the water of life, and not fear tomorrow because we know where are security is..... in Jesus Christ.

May you be blessed in know Him.... our only true Source!

:daisy: