www.TheSportingPost.co.za
16 – 22 March 2009
With less than a week before the first Formula One race, controversy surrounding the new changes is causing more than a little stir. Lewis Hamilton, the current reigning world champion, is less than pleased with the changes, Pic: Rowan Le Roux having stated “It’s hard to believe that these recent decisions will improve things.”
Formula One takes controversial turn By Christopher Kemp
Lewis Hamilton, the reigning world champion, has joined in the debate about recent rule changes in Formula One, saying that it is hard to see how they would improve the sport for spectators. McLaren’s defending champion pulled no punches today in giving his opinions on the reforms. “I think it’s a shame what’s happening to formula one.” “It’s hard to believe that these recent decisions will improve things for the trackside spectators and TV viewers, who should always be our number one priority, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see.” The governing body of international motor sport, the FIA, announced on Tuesday that this year’s F1 championship would go to the driver who won the most races, rather than the most points. Hamilton adds his voice to criticism previously aired by the seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher, now an advisor for Ferrari. The views of the two drivers
effectively express the opposition of the sport’s two most powerful teams to the governing body’s changes. Hamilton won last year’s crown by a single point in a nail-biting finale despite winning fewer races than his Ferrari-driving Brazilian rival Felipe Massa. The 24-year-old Briton starts his title defence in Melbourne next weekend. The FIA has also said that it will give teams the option to compete with greater technical freedom in 2010 provided they accept a £30m budget cap. Those teams who wish to continue with unlimited budgets – and some spent more than £200m last year – would be subject to technical restrictions. Critics say this brings the threat of a two-tier formula one that will only confuse fans, as some teams next year will be running under one set of rules and others a different system. The Formula One Teams Association (FOTA), chaired by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and in which McLaren also play a major role, had made their own proposals to halve costs in 2010 compared to 2008. They
had also suggested amending the points structure to give race winners 12 points rather than ten, to provide an additional incentive to win. The new rules astounded many of the teams, who have been working together in recent months for the future of the sport. Following the announcement about the cap di Montezemolo, derided the FIA as his unified body now faces the prospect of being split. Di Montezemolo felt the new regulations ran “the risk of turning on its head the very essence of formula one and the principles that make it one of the most popular and appealing sports.” Hamilton further added, “Whatever the points system, I know all formula one drivers will always race their hearts out. For the first time in recent years we have the teams, drivers, sponsors and fans all working together for the good of our sport – now we just need the governing bodies to listen to us and help us. “Formula one is the pinnacle of motor sport, we should all be working together to maintain that.”
Form left to right: Lewis Hamilton, the current reigning Formula One world champion, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo and seven-times world champion Michael Schumacher, all of whom are very unhappy about the new Formula One rules. Pics: Supplied
Bulls remain unbeaten By Peter Douglas
Flyhalf Morne Steyn kicked four penalties in a match in which six yellow cards were issued to lift South Africa’s unbeaten Bulls to a 19-14 win over the Wellington Hurricanes in Super 14 rugby on Friday. Australian referee Matt Goddard handed out three yellow cards in each half – a total of three to each team – to become the dominant figure in a match between the tournament’s first and fifthplaced teams.
He showed the yellow card twice to Bulls flanker Deon Stegmann, the second of which became an automatic red card which left the South Africans with 14 men for the last 30 minutes of the match. Goddard reduced the Hurricanes to 13 men during the same period, sin-binning All Blacks Scott Waldrom and Jason Eaton. The Bulls adapted best to the conditions, defending strongly and playing a sound kicking game, which brought them their fifth win in New Zealand and their first in Wellington since 2005.
How F1’s new rules will work By Alan Baldwin
Formula 1 has rewritten the rule book this season with the cars looking very different to last year and the drivers’ title to go to the man who wins most races rather than most points. In terms of points, the driver who wins the most races will be champion, even if someone else scores more points. If two or more drivers end the season with the same number of wins, the championship will be decided by total points scored based on the existing 10-8-6-5-4-3-2- 1 system. With regards to Aerodynamics, most add-on aerodynamic elements have been stripped off the cars. Changes have also been made to rules regarding Engines. Drivers are restricted to eight race engines each per season, plus four per team for testing, in a move to cut costs. The rules state that “should a driver use more than eight, he will drop 10 places on the starting grid”. However, drivers may use their engines in any sequence they choose, unlike last season’s requirement for them to be used for two races in a row. Further rule changes were also made regarding Tyres, testing and safety cars, leaving many unhappy.
2010 tickets go on sale today By Mazola Molefe
Tickets for the 2010 World Cup go on sale across the world today. These can be bought on the website www.fifa.com or at FNB branches. Fans can buy tickets to follow certain teams and if these fail to qualify for the next round, they will get a refund from Fifa or be able to change their tickets and follow other teams. In South Africa the cheapest tickets will cost R140 – except for the opening match
on June 11, which will cost R490 – and the most expensive will be R6300. Tickets are divided into several categories. For instance, there can be tickets bought for all Bafana Bafana games, or Brazil games. And fans can also buy tickets for single matches. The cheapest tickets for the last 16 stage will cost R350 each; the quarterfinals will cost R525 each; the semifinals at R700; the third-place play-off at R525. The cheapest seat at the final will cost R1050. Fifa last year agreed to fix the exchange
rate at R7 to the dollar for local fans last year, even though the current rate is just over R10. The organisers have set aside 120000 discounted tickets for South Africans, including 40000 free tickets for the stadium construction workers. One person is allowed to apply for only four tickets a game for a maximum of seven matches, an amount they feel will be more than adequate. Fifa has estimated there will be 3701741 seats for the 64 World Cup.
2
PREMIER LEAGUE SPOT Bookies back Man-U Gamblers back Manchester United to beat Liverpool in Champions League. British bookmakers have indicated that they have received a flurry of activity from gamblers who believe Manchester United will be paired with Liverpool in the semi-final of the Champions League. The bookies also added that Liverpool are the popular choice at present to go all the way in the competition and bring yet another Champions League trophy to the bulging cabinet at Anfield. The odds of a United and Liverpool semi-final are 13/2. For the Merseyside outfit to win the tournament outright, the price currently offered is 4/1. There are eight teams left in the current stage of the competition: Arsenal; Barcelona; Chelsea; Bayern; Porto; Liverpool; Manchester United; and Villarreal.
West Ham fight Sheffield United players’ compensation claim West Ham United will resist any attempts by Sheffield United players or Neil Warnock, the Yorkshire club’s former manager, to seek compensation for their relegation from the Premier League in 2007. West Ham stayed up that year thanks largely to the contribution of Carlos Tevez, the Argentina forward, who was playing despite a breach of rules on third-party ownership. The London club were fined by the Premier League, but had no points deducted and therefore retained their place in the top flight at Sheffield United’s expense. On Monday West Ham agreed to pay Sheffield United compensation of £15 million, and yesterday Neil Warnock, who was Sheffield United manager at the time of their relegation, claimed that he could also take legal action. Around 20 members of the relegated Sheffield United squad have also threatened legal action, but West Ham yesterday made it plain that they will fight any such move – if it ever materialises – in order to prevent ‘legal anarchy’.
Wigan Winger On His Way To Man United? Ecuadorian International Antonio Valencia is set to leave Wigan Athletic for Premier League Champions Manchester United in the summer for a fee in excess of £5 million claim The Daily Mail. It is understood that 23-year-old winger Valencia, whose tracking by Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been well documented, will leave the JJB Stadium, with Latics boss Steve Bruce already resigned to losing the player to his former club. Valencia has been at Wigan since joining from La Liga side Villarreal in 2006, with the winger spending an initial 18-months on-loan before becoming a permanent fixture at the JJB in January 2008 on a three-and-ahalf year deal. Bruce said: “Come on, we have to be sensible about this. If Man United come knocking at the door, how the hell can you refuse them, you just can’t. “This club never wanted to sell (Pascal) Chimbonda, but players want to go and you can understand that, so we have to be realistic as well.”
16 March 2009 • The Sporting Post
Soccer
SA world ranking drops two places By Paul Holiday
Bafana Bafana have dropped two places, from 70th to 72nd on the Fifa world rankings released yesterday. In the previous rankings released in February, Bafana climbed four places to 70th – their highest ranking since September. Their 2-0 loss to Chile in an international friendly on February 11, was the reason for their fall. However, this was not the teams only fall of the year, they also dropped one place to 16th, on the African rankings. European champions Spain stay at the top of the rankings for the ninth straight month and neighbours Portugal, return to the top 10. The top five are unchanged, with Euro 2008 runner-up Germany at No2 ahead of the Netherlands. World champions Italy keep their fourth spot despite losing 2-0 to fifth-placed Brazil in a friendly last month. Argentina and Croatia are next and Russia climb a place to eighth, replacing England, who dropped one place. Portugal move up two places to 10th, nudging Turkey down to No 11. Cameroon are the top African country, unchanged at No 16. The US rise for the fourth straight month, climbing three spots to 17th. The US are now six ahead of Mexico for supremacy in the Concacaf region, after beating their traditional rival 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier last month. Australia are the best of the Asian Confederation nations, though they dropped five places to 32nd. New Zealand are the leading Oceania country at No 79.
Among the improvers are Norway, who beat Germany 1-0 in a friendly last month and climbed 11 places to reach 45th. Cyprus rise 14 places to No 84. The biggest move was by Equatorial Guinea: up 15 notches to 109th. Slovakia have the sharpest drop, falling 11 places to 53rd. As the June Confederations Cup ticket debacle continues to totter and stumble, a source close to the tournament, designed as a precursor to the 2010 World Cup, has disclosed that less than 1000 direct ticket applications have been made for the game at Ellis Park between Iraq and New Zealand. And of the modest 170000 applications received for the total of 640000 tickets available for the Confederations Cup, a number of eye-catching games, such as that between Brazil and Italy at Loftus, have been over-subscribed. Most of the matches not featuring the glamour teams or Bafana Bafana, will be watched by what has been described as “a man and his dog.” No one directly involved in ticket sales or media communications, was prepared to comment on the appalling ticket sales for the Iraq-New Zealand game in particular. Bafana Bafana coach, Joel Santana comented on Bafana’s two point drop. “We’re not worried about the two point ranking, we have a strong and promising team this year, its was only one game and people are making a bigger deal than necessary. I’m proud of the guys, we’ll be fine,” he said, “all we need is a little more practice and a tighter game and we will be back on track.”
Fans may be a little less supportive after news breaks about Bafana’s two place drop on the Fifa world ranking. Pic: Lisa Boestra
SuperSport United dismisses talks of pressure
Maritzburg can relax
By Sam Moelman
Maritzburg United’s relegation fears are almost a thing of the past and now coach Gordon Igesund’s men can enjoy their Nedbank Cup second round clash against Santos at the Athlone Stadium on Friday night. Ironically, United’s 1-0 win over The People’s Team in an Absa Premiership clash last weekend, virtually ended United’s relegation worries. They have 28 points with seven matches to play. Said Igesund, “Moroka Swallows have only two more points than us and they were talking about finishing in the top five. So for us relegation is fading away at last.” But Igesund is still cautious. “We need another three points from our remaining six games to clear relegation and it’s important not to lose sight of that, however with four of those games at home I do not see any major problems getting in our way,” he said. But Igesund said the pressure would be off his players against Santos, “It will
SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt rubbished talks of his team being under pressure while the likes or Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns aim to close in on the log leaders. “What pressure,” he scoffed, “Teams at the bottom are under pressure but we are not. Why must we panic or feel pressured, we’re in the lead and there are seven games to go and we’ll take it one game at a time.” “The only pressure we have is to play good football. We are expected to play well and in this case, where there is expectation there is pressure,” he explained. One game at a time was Hunt’s attitude last season when they won the Absa Premiership league, and this time around the candid coach is using the same approach. “It worked last season, so why change a winning formula. I don’t think about facing Pirates or Swallows, I’m thinking
By Andrew Kemp
of beating Sundowns on Thursday night,” Hunt repeated. Sundowns are third with 38 points, eight points behind their opponents. The league winning coach did not want to discuss his opponents and rather chose to speak of his team. “The players are fit, they’re focussed and they know what is expected of them. We’ll see what happens against Sundowns. We all know the quality they have and who their players are,” he said. Midfielder Lance Davids will miss the match due to suspension and defender Ricardo Katza is not yet ready according to Hunt. He said, “We’ve got players that are fit and ready for this match. We have a strong team, there is no need to worry.” Sundowns host United at their own stadium, the Super Stadium on Thursday night as their usual home ground Loftus stadium is under construction for the Confederation Cup.
FIFA World Ranking
be nice to have a good cup run but our priority is still the league.” Igesund is now targetting a middle of the table position. He said, “We do not even talk about relegation anymore. My goal when I took charge at the start of the season was to finish in the middle of the table and if we get a bit of luck and win our four home games, we might just sneak into the top eight. That would be a huge bonus.” Igesund will be without his defensive strongman Dikulu Bageta, who is suspended, while he has the option of resting his two main strikers, Fadlu Davids and Brice Aka, who are both on two bookings and a third would mean they would miss the next home league match against BidVest Wits at the Woodburn Stadium on April 24. Said Igesund, “I will have to weight up my options - currently I am not sure it is worth risking one or both of my strikers getting a third yellow card and missing the match against Wits, which is a vital league game for us.”
Confederation Cup 2009
Ranking Team
Event
Location
Date
Time
1
South Africa vs Iraq
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
14/06/2009
16:00
Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg
14/06/2009
20:00
Spain
2
Germany
New Zealand vs Spain
3
Netherlands
USA vs Italy
Loftus Versfield, Pretoria
15/06/2009
20:00
Brazil vs Egypt
Free State, Manguang/Bloemfontein
15/06/2009
16:00
4
Italy
5
Brazil
South Africa vs New Zealand
Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg
17/06/2009
20:00
6
Argentina
Spain vs Iraq
Free State, Manguang/Bloemfontein
17/06/2009
16:00
7
Croatia
Egypt vs Italy
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
18/06/2009
20:00
8
Russia
USA vs Brazil
Loftus Versfeld, Tshwane/Pretoria
18/06/2009
16:00
9
England
Iraq vs New Zealand
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
20/06/2009
20:00
10
Portugal
Spain vs South Africa
Free State, Manguang/Bloemfontein
20/06/2009
20:00
11
Turkey
Egypt vs USA
Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg
21/06/2009
20:00
12
France
Italy vs Brazil
Loftus Versfield, Pretoria
21/06/2009
20:00
13
Czech Republic
Semi final
Free State, Manguang/Bloemfontein
24/06/2009
20:00
14
Ukraine
Final
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
28/06/2009
20:00
15
Paraguay
Bronze final
Royal Bafokeng, Rustenburg
28/06/2009
15:00
3
Cricket
16 March 2009 • The Sporting Post
SA pin hopes on new opening pair By Sarah Mills
South Africa will pin much of their batting hopes on a new opening pair in the third and final test against Australia which starts on Thursday. Imraan Khan has been brought in for his debut and opens with the recalled Ashwell Prince, who normally operates in the middle-order. They come in for captain Graeme Smith (broken finger) and Neil McKenzie (dropped) and South Africa, 2-0 down in the series, want the two left-handers to nullify Mitchell Johnson after the Australia paceman shone in Johannesburg and Durban. “It will be interesting to see how Johnson goes against two left-handers at the top of the order,” coach Mickey Arthur told reporters on Tuesday. “It might force him to change his tactics. He’s pulled the rug out from under our feet a couple of times and we haven’t been able to make a proper first-innings score and that has put us under pressure. However we have high hopes for the new opening pair and hope that they will be able to give the Australians a run for their money.” Khan, 24, made a century at the weekend and also hit 100 against Australia in a
tour match at Potchefstroom last month. Arthur believes Imraan and Prince will be up to the task of facing dangerous leftarmer Johnson. “They are both quality players, and we couldn’t be more happy to have them on out team,” said the coach. “Imraan has done fantastically well domestically.” “He’s had a phenomenal season and Ashwell knows exactly what we strive for, he’s very excited to be back.” Prince was initially named as captain in the absence of Smith but a day later Cricket South Africa announced Jacques Kallis would lead the team in Cape Town. Arthur said there were no serious disagreements among the selectors. “There are a couple of grey areas that needed to be ironed out but no major issues,” he said. South Africa have also dropped all-rounder Morne Morkel but Arthur is confident the team can end the series on a high. “We’re all realistic enough to know you can’t be perfect in every game,” said the coach. “But we are a very settled and stable unit, the players all know their roles and I have no doubt they will step up in this test, we are all feeling very confident about the up-and comming game.”
Ashwell Prince is going to have to hope his lucky hat is working with high expectations on him and Imraan Khan to perform well Pic: Taryn Oats this weekend, as the opening pair.
Arthur’s team captured the threematch series 2-1 in Australia in December and January but Ricky Ponting’s side have now won the last three tests against South Africa. “I see it as a blip,” said Arthur. “It is a good reality check to experience defeat and the team will push on and work harder. “Cool heads are what is needed when you’ve lost a series and it’s something we haven’t experienced in the last 10 series. But the players don’t become bad players overnight.”
ICC tEST cRICKET Teams rANKINGS and rATINGS Teams Australia
Ranking
Points
Rating
25
3106
124
2
30
3672
122
3
24
2852
119
India
4
28
3327
119
England
5
33
3258
99
Pakistan
6
17
1424
84
7
22
1794
82
8
25
1910
76
9
19
255
13
South Africa Sri Lanka
New Zeland West Indies Bangladesh
1
Matches
Ponting and Hughes continue to punish SA
SA focuses on playing better
By Neil Wallace
By Williem Schutter
Ricky Ponting became the second-highest Australian run-scorer in Tests as Australia continued to build a huge lead over South Africa on the third day of the second Test at Kingsmead on Sunday. Australia were 203 for one in their second innings at tea, a lead of 417 with two days and a session remaining. Ponting was on 78 not out and on 61 he reached 10 928 career Test runs to overtake his predecessor as captain, Steve
Waugh. Alan Border is Australia's top run-scorer with 11,174. Opener Phillip Hughes, who made his first test century in the first innings, had scored an aggressive 86 not out. The visitors needed just three balls to wrap up South Africa's first innings for 138 and gain a first-innings lead of 214, but captain Ponting chose not to enforce the follow on. Jacques Kallis claimed the one Australian wicket to fall before lunch as he made a delivery jag away from Simon Katich,
Standard Bank Pro20 Series February Results Date
Teams
Score
1-02
Chevrolet Warriors vs Nashua Dolphins
Warriors won by 8 wickets
1-02
Nashua Cape Cobras vs Nashua Titans
Cobras won by 16 runs
4-02
bizhub Highveld Lions vs Nashua Cape Cobras
Match tied
6-02
Nashua Titans vs Gestetner Diamond Eagles
Titans won by 6 wickets
6-02
Chevrolet Warriors vs bizhub Highveld Lions
Warriors won by 4 wickets
8-02
Gestetner Diamond Eagles vs Chevrolet Warriors
Warriors won by 18 runs
8-02
Nashua Dolphins vs bizhub Highveld Lions
Dolphins won by 8 wickets
11-02
Gestetner Diamond Eagles vs Chevrolet Warriors
Eagles won by 9 wickets
13-02
Nashua Cape Cobras vs Nashua Dolphins
Dolphins won by 14 runs
15-02
Chevrolet Warriors vs Diamond Eagles
No Result
15-02
Nashua Dolphins vs Nashua Cape Cobras
Cobras won by 38 runs
16-02
Chevrolet Warriors vs Diamond Eagles
Warriors won by 10 wickets
18-02
Chevrolet Warriors vs Diamond Eagles
Match tied
18-02
Nashua Dolphins vs Nashua Cape Cobras
Match tied
21-02
Nashua Cape Cobras vs Diamond Eagles
Cape Cobras won by 22 runs
Nashua Titans dominate on day two The Nashua Titans gained an important advantage on the second day of their Super Sport Series match against the Nashua Cape Cobras at Paarl on Friday when they took a first innings lead of 50 runs with four wickets still in hand. The Titans went into this match heading the log by five points over the Gestetner Diamond Eagles who appear to have a much harder task on their hands in their home match against the Chevrolet Warriors.
In the third match, runs continued to flow at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom, where the Nashua Dolphins, after something of a runs drought, produced three centurions in Imraan Khan, HD Ackerman and Pierre de Bruyn. The Dolphins managed to amass a total in excess of 500 with the bizhug Highveld Lions losing two wickets in their reply before the close in getting to the threefigure mark.
who offered a sharp catch, well taken low in the gully by Paul Harris. Katich had stroked three fours and a six as he breezed to 30. South Africa failed to add a run to their paltry overnight score of 138 for seven, as Dale Steyn chased a wide delivery from Peter Siddle and was caught behind for eight off the second ball of the day. Makhaya Ntini was then trapped leg before by the first ball he faced. Australia will win the three-match series if they triumph in the second Test.
South Africa captain Graeme Smith said on Thursday his team would put video analysis to good use. Smith said the South Africans had spent “more time than usual” studying footage of the first Test in Johannesburg, which Australia won by 162 runs. Australian newcomers Marcus North and Phillip Hughes both made big contributions to their team’s win, North with a first-innings century and opener Hughes
with 75 in the second innings. “We’ve got a good view of them now and we’ve got some plans,” said Smith. “It’s a matter of putting them into practice and applying them.” Australia captain Ricky Ponting acknowledged that he expected the South Africans to have done their homework and said it would be a challenge for his young players. “We know the South Africans will be ready for us. One Test match doesn’t make a series or a career,” he said.
Antigua ground banned By Tiffany Dean
The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua will not be allowed to host international cricket for at least 12 months following the pitch fiasco last month, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Tuesday. The second test between the West Indies and England was abandoned after ten balls when the ground was deemed unfit and dangerous for play. A third test was hastily arranged at the nearby Antigua Recreation Ground, the old test venue, and the ICC has handed the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) an official warning for not preparing the ground effectively. The sport’s governing body has ordered for “extensive remedial work” to be carried out at the stadium, to be monitored by the WICB, before the ICC conducts an official inspection. “Such inspection will be conducted no earlier than 12 months from yesterday, the day the ICC informed the WICB of its decision,” an ICC statement said. “The decision is in accordance with the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, which was introduced in 2006 to ensure international cricket was played in conditions of a suitably high standard,” the statement added.
A lot more than just a little bit of rolling will be required in order to get the Antigua Pic: Lauren Brown cricket ground back into shape.
4
16 March 2009 • The Sporting Post
Rugby
Lions forward coach Boshoff suspended The Lions will be preparing for the Super 14 rugby match against the Brumbies on Saturday without a forward coach after the suspension of Leon Boshoff, pending further investigations. Boshoff’s suspension flows from allegations made by some of the players in the aftermath of the 56-18 loss to the Stormers at Newlands on Saturday. The Golden Lions Rugby Union is not prepared to comment further until the investigation has been completed, but it has been learnt the Lions captain and vice-captain will be meeting with Lions CEO Manie Reyneke later on Tuesday. The coaches, including head coach Eugene Eloff and backline coach Timmy Goodwin, have been in the fans’ firing line for some time now, and the drubbing on Saturday has further increased their disenchantment with the team’s performances. The Lions, who were last on the 2008 Super 14 log, have won only three matches from their last 22 Super 14 encounters - twice against the Cheetahs and once against the Chiefs.
Bulls stay unbeaten with win over Stormers The Bulls maintained their unbeaten start to the Super 14 with a 14-10 win over rivals the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. the Super 14 with a 14-10 win over rivals the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The home side joined fellow South Africans the Sharks and Australia’s Waratahs as the only unbeaten teams after four rounds of action. The Bulls stay top of the standings on points difference over the Waratahs with the Sharks in third place. Bulls flyhalf Morne Steyn contributed nine points with two penalties and a drop goal, while centre Wynand Olivier scored the home team’s only try of the match. The Stormers scored a try through replacement hooker Deon Fourie while flyhalf Willem de Waal slotted a drop goal and his replacement Peter Grant added a conversion. The match failed to live up to the hype – especially in a dire first half. It took 23 minutes for the first points to be scored when Steyn slotted a penalty. The infringement earned Stormers hooker Schalk Brits a yellow card and while he was off the field Olivier scored for the Bulls.
Boks moment of truth The fifth Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament will be played this weekend at a purpose-built stadium in Dubai and South Africa is among the favourites. Times have certainly changed. Up until 1993 South Africa had never fielded a national Sevens team and, until the beginning of the new millennium, the idea of coaching a format regarded with thinly disguised contempt in the corridors of power was laughable. Now Paul Treu, the coach of the Springbok Sevens team, is held in high regard all over the world and has even earned the grudging respect of the South African Rugby Union. With four tournaments on the annual IRB schedule gone South Africa top the log with England and are therefore serious contenders for the title. This years Sevens are a definite must see this season.
Rugby brings R1-billion boost to SA economy By Rob Dalton
The year’s British & Irish Lions rugby tour is expected to boost the country’s economy to the tune of at least R1-billion, with direct foreign exchange revenue reaching the R250-million mark. This makes it the biggest international sporting event ever to be hosted by South Africa. The British & Irish Lions (commonly known as the Lions) feature the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and tour New Zealand, Australia and South Africa on a four-year rotation basis. This year’s tour – the 28th the Lions have made to South Africa in the past 119 years – brings the Lions back to South African for the first time in 12 years. “The recent R25-million deal signed by SAB as the 2009 Lions Series sponsor is the richest in the history of Springbok rugby,” says Andre Homan, SA Rugby’s project manager for the Castle South Africa 2009 Lions Series. The interest in the event has amplified the ability of SA Rugby to enhance commercial sponsorship and deliver increased income for the future development of the game. Homan, said 50 000 international rugby supporters are expected to follow the
Lions to South Africa, with most staying at least three weeks, despite the global credit crunch. “With packages valued at £3 400 per person, the current economic times have undoubtedly had an impact on ticket sales. To counter this, we have been appointed to sell within non-EU countries to drive visitor numbers,” said Jaco van Noordwyk, divisional director of sports and tours division of Indo Jet Travel. To prevent ticket’s becoming available to the general public at inflated prices, SA Rugby is working with all the relevant government departments and agencies to clamp down on counterfeiters and unofficial agents. “A successful Lions series will certainly help South Africa’s chances in the bid for both the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups, the third largest global sporting event behind the Soccer World Cup and Olympics Games. The smooth-running of the event, coupled with the excitement generated on international media, will profile South Africa showing that we are capable of hosting major future sporting events,” adds Homan. There are also expected to be longerterm economic benefits as a result of
The Springboks make the country proud on-and-off the field, this time boosting the country’s economy by an expected R1-billion. Pic: Lucas Mole
business opportunities arising though exports and inward investment. Research shows that large events do have impact on tourism numbers post the event, primarily through promotion spin-offs and the likelihood of repeat visits. “As the Lions last toured South Africa in 1997, we have no doubt that the
Bekker loss massive blow for Stormers
nation will get behind the Castle South Africa 2009 Lions Series in a big way. The 10-match adventure sees the Lions take on four provincial teams, two invitational combinations, the Emerging Springboks as well as the Springboks in three tests between May 30 and July 4. The next tour is scheduled for 2021.
Vodacom Super 14 Results Event Reds vs Cheetahs
By Tina Warren
The loss of Andries Bekker, probably for the remainder of the Vodacom Super 14 season, is a massive blow to the Vodacom Stormers’ hopes of doing well in the competition. The Springbok lock had the worst confirmed on Monday when he was found to have broken a bone as well as torn a ligament in a toe, so ruling him out of the tour of Australasia, which is to start with the squad’s departure on Thursday. The Stormers management were casting about late on Monday for a replacement, but finding one won’t be an easy thing to do. A couple of other overseas based options were also considered, but late on Monday
it appeared that the Stormers were going to stick with players already in the Cape, with loose-forwards Francois Louw and Duane Vermeulen both capable of covering second row if required. “Francois has played there and we believe Duane can play there. He certainly has the height and he has the weight. He is around the same size as Adriaan Fondse,” said Gold. “Obviously losing Andries is not ideal, particularly in view of what he gives us in terms of explosiveness. He has become an important part of our attacking weaponry. But these things happen in rugby, particularly in this competition, and we are just going to have to make other plans. Still, it is a giant blow for the Stormers on the eve of their tour, particularly as
Bekker was in such outstanding form. It was also cruel luck for it to happen just as the Stormers appeared to be coming right following their big win over the Lions in Cape Town last weekend. Bekker is an influential player in the squad, and it will be far more than his lofty presence in the lineouts or his omnipresence on attack that will be missed, as he was also part of the leadership group. “It does not look good for Andries. We are expecting him to be out for at least two months so we are unlikely to see him playing Super 14 rugby again this season.” Of course that means he is also in doubt for the series against the British and Irish Lions, where he is expected to be a key figure as the back-up lock to Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.
Score Date 01/03//2009
22 - 3
Chiefs vs Western Force
31 - 13
06/0332009
Waratahs vs Reds
15 - 11
06/03/2009
Hurricanes vs Cheetahs
29 - 12
07/03/2009
Blues vs The Sharks
31 - 35
07/03/2009
Highlanders vs Crusaders
6-0
07/03/2009
Bulls vs Stormers Blues vs Cheetahs Brumbies vs Waratahs
14 - 10 46 - 12 21 - 11
07/03/2009 13/03/2009 13/03/2009
Crusaders vs Western Force 23 - 23
14/03/2009
Highlanders vs Chiefs
10 - 14
14/03/2009
Reds vs The Sharks
25 - 13
14/03/2009
Stormers vs Lions
56 - 18
14/03/2009
This weeks Trivia question:
Which country has won the last two rugby gold medals at the Olympics?
Answer: The USA
NEWS IN BRIEF
OPINION
On the couch with Hugh Bladen
I recently came across some shocking statistics while doing research for another article. In the last three editions of the Super 14 South African teams managed to win just 12 out of 67 matches in Australasia. That is less than 18% overall. Last year we managed to win only four matches out of 22, and three of those went to one team, the Stormers. I wanted to share that figure with you first up, because all the observations I want to make about where our teams are now will come back to that. For example, people ask me how I rate the Bulls’ chances in the tournament. Now I think that they have been right on the money so far this year but, frankly, their record in Australasia through the years has been abysmal. I can’t see them as title contenders until they’ve shown the ability to win away from home. On the other hand we have the Sharks who already have two good wins over there. At the very least they would have won half their games on tour, and seen in the light of the statistics I mentioned above, that is very good. If they manage to pick up another four points this com-
ing weekend, they will be very hard to stop when they come home. Then we have the Stormers whose win on Saturday would have been a great confidence booster. You get those days in rugby where everything just clicks, passes go to hand, space opens up and the players really enjoy themselves. The Cape team clicked, but I’ve been in this game too long to make any predictions based on that one performance. Traditionally they have been a good touring side, and now they have a bit of confidence. Let’s see how it goes for them. Now to that other question I get asked so often: “What’s wrong with the Lions?” I haven’t had a chance to speak to my good friend Loffie Eloff after Saturday’s game, but it is clear to me that the Lions will have to re-assess the way they play. You simply can’t do every thing at a hundred miles per hour and expect to be successful. You must be able to change the pace of a match, slow it down, speed it up and slow it down again. On Saturday they scored two brilliant tries through Ludik and Mentz, but instead of settling down and consolidat-
Things aren’t looking too promising for SA in the Super 14 this year. Bladen reveals his thoughts on the subject. Cartoon: Cherise Van Coller
ing the lead, they continued their frenzied approach, and before they could blink Burger and Louw had scored against them because of sloppy mistakes. The lead was gone, the momentum switched, and we all know the rest. Lastly I have to say that I feel for the
Sharks. It’s always tough to time things like resting players or just gearing back a little. It is understandable that they would have seen the Reds as less of a threat going into the match, but on Saturday the men from Queensland just wanted it more and fully deserved the victory.
5
News
16 March 2009 • The Sporting Post
Malinga in most important fight of his life By Shannon Dalton
Vusi Malinga is facing the most important fight of his life when he challenges WBC bantamweight king, Hozumi Hasegawa at the World Memorial Hall in Kobe, Japan, on Thursday. Malinga will enter the fight as the underdog, due to Hasegawa’s experience gained from 27 professional bouts with only two losses. The Japanese champion has defended his WBC title seven times since capturing it from Thai Veeraphol Sahaprom in April 2005. Malinga and his father Jabu, who is also his trainer left for Japan last week and they have been in regular contact with promoter Branco Milenkovic, who on Tuesday said the boxer was ready to take up the challenge. Although the odds are stacked against Malinga, Milenkovic believes his charge could spring a surprise and dethrone Hasegawa. “I am always hopeful when my fighters
face opponents who have lost before and the fact Hasegawa has already lost twice in his career, is good enough for me to believe he can lose again,” Milenkovic said. Malinga is used to being regarded as an underdog in his fights. However, he rose to the occasion and sensationally bludgeoned Sahaprom to a fourth round defeat and earn the right to challenge Hasegawa. Now following in the footsteps of his uncle, Thulani “Sugarboy” Malinga, who was the first fighter in the country to win the WBC crown when he beat English star Nigel Benn for the super middleweight crown in 1996, the younger Malinga is confident of bringing back the WBC crown from Japan. “I have always prayed for a chance against Hasegawa, that chance is finally here,” Malinga said. “Although I would have loved to get into the ring with Hasegawa earlier, I had to wait for my promoter to pull the strings. Now the fight is on.”
Ricardo Dominguez (top left) packs Vusi Malinga (top right) a heavy punch in a fight that took place in 2008. Hopefully Malinga will be Pic: Aboo Kalla prepared for his fight against WBC king, Hozumi Hasegawa. The fight takes place on Thursday in Japan.
The “blade runner” back in action
All eyes on Semenya
By Tony Edelson
By Theresa Gifford
Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius will compete at the Paralympic World Cup in Manchester after recovering from injuries sustained in a boating accident in South Africa. Organisers said on Tuesday that Pistorius will run the 100 metres and 400 metres at the Manchester event on May 24. The 22-year-old South African sustained head and facial injuries in a boating accident near Johannesburg on Febraury 21 and underwent surgery. He was released from a hospital on February 26. “I am recovering very well from the accident, better than anticipated,” Pistorius said. “If everything keeps on going at
this rate... I will be at full strength at the BT Paralympic World Cup. “This competition is vital in my preparation and it gives me that vital indication as to where I am lying in my season and my ranking amongst other top athletes.” Pistorius won three gold medals at the Paralympic Games in Beijing last year. He had his legs amputated below the knee when he was 11 months old because he had no calf bones. Last year, an appeals court overturned a ban by the IAAF, athletics’ governing body which had ruled that his carbonfibre prosthetic racing blades gave him an unfair advantage. The ban was overturned in time for the Beijing Olympics, but Pistorius failed to make the qualifying time for the 400 metres.
Pistorius prepares himself for the Paralympic World Cup. Pic: Julian Swart
Nothing goes well for SA at Indian Wells By Mark Lanham
In spite of encouraging Davis Cup performances, South Africa’s leading tennis players continue to come up against a brick wall as they bid to break into the top echelon of players on the ATP circuit. And the trend has continued at the current R45-million Masters Tournament at Indian Wells, with both South Africa’s representatives in the men’s singles, Kevin Anderson and Rik De Voest, bowing out in the first round. South African number one Anderson, a wildcard entry into the main draw, went
down 6-3 6-3 to German journeyman qualifier Michael Berrer as the ongoing slump that has resulted in his ATP world ranking slipping 50 places to 141th, showed no sign of abating. De Voest, despite an inferior ranking to Anderson of 176th and a qualifier into the main draw, was a good deal more impressive while extending 54th-ranked Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in a nail-biting encounter that hung in the balance until the second-set tiebreaker. De Voest, the star of South Africa’s recent 5-0 whitewash Davis Cup victory over Macedonia, again looked tantalis-
ingly close to raising the level of his competent, all-round repertoire to a point where he could break into the world’s top 100 players - and progress beyond this barrier as well. And with Anderson’s slump continuing to cause concern, it might not be long before De Voest overtakes his Davis Cup teammate and becomes South Africa’s number one player. But the days when Wayne Ferreira among the men and Amanda Coetzer in the women’s world rankings were able to force their way into the top ten positions remains only an increasingly distant memory.
Women athletes in South Africa have been presented with a further opportunity to qualify for the World Championships in Berlin taking place in August, at the Prestige Women’s Meeting in Pretoria on Thursday night. Some of the country’s top female athletes will be taking part in this extra event, but all eyes will be on young Caster Semenya. The shy 18-year-old, ran the fourth fastest time ever for a South African woman in Germiston ten days ago in the 800m when she romped home in 2:00.58 minutes. Although she will probably make the flight to Germany with a comfortable B standard qualification, she was fractions of a second over the IAAF A standard time of two minutes flat. Unused to all the attention, Semenya, who is studying sports science at Tuks and spends five days a week training, said she was determined to succeed for the sake of her family and friends who have given her so much support. “I am the fourth one in a family of five children and started running when I was about eight years old. I don’t know how I became a good athlete because no one else in my family can run. They have always given me so much support. I am so grateful to them, to all my friends and my two training partners and I don’t want to let them down, they have all given me so much.” At the SA Senior Track and Field Championships in Stellenbosch last weekend, Semenya took gold in the 800m as expected (2:03.16) and also competed in the 1 500m, which, she says, she only ran to set a personal best and succeeded.
She finished second (4:16.43), sandwiched between the Phalula twins with Lebo taking gold (4:13.05) and Legogang bronze (4:29.19). At the last minute, she also found herself running in the 4x400m relay where she set another personal best with a time of 53 seconds. Hopefully, the junior athlete will be given pace setters on Thursday night to help her break the two minute barrier. The all-women’s event has been sanctioned by Athletics South Africa (ASA) and consists of a full programme with most of the medalists from the SA Champs taking part - Tsholofelo Thipe (100m), Isabel le Roux (200m), Estie Wittstock (400m), Elizna Naude (Discus) and Janice Josephs (long jump) to name but a few - and all athletes currently in an ASA training camp at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria have also been given permission to compete. This initiative, where most of the officials on the night will also be women, should become an annual event giving junior athletes a golden opportunity to warm up for the following weekend’s SA Junior Track and Field Championships. The Junior Track meet starts at 6.30pm and the last event of the evening will be a men’s 400m race to give athletes like Pieter Smith one last chance to qualify for Berlin on home soil. “The unexpected opportunity to qualify for the World Championships has really been a wonderful surprise, I’m really grateful or the second chance. Training has been very intense recently, and I’m really trying to push myself as hard as I can. There are so many people counting on me, let alone my country,” Semenya said.
Defiant McLean claims Cycle Tour victory By Rick Peters
A very focused McLean keeps his eye on Pic: Nick Geetz winning the Cycle Tour.
Andrew McLean showed that when the going gets tough, the tough just get tougher as he defied gale force winds and a tough work week to ride clear alone and win the Veteran Men’s race at the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour in Cape Town on Sunday. Southeasterly winds recorded at more than 90kph caused havoc in the world’s biggest cycle race and the highly competitive veteran 40-years-plus men’s peloton was forced to spend energy just trying to avoid being blown off their bikes at times!
McLean made national news prior to Sunday’s race when it was alleged that he is involved in a price-fixing cartel in the bicycle retail market. An allegation that McLean has dismissed as false, going as far as to committing his full support to the Competition Commission’s investigation. But on Sunday, McLean’s focus was on giving his Cycle Lab Supercycling Club another victory to celebrate. The strong winds were mostly from the front and side during the first half of the 110km race, making it very difficult for any riders to attack successfully. However 44-year-old McLean, a former
South African professional champion, used the intimidating conditions to his advantage, attacking the pack and riding away alone up the Smitswinkel climb just before half way. With more than 55km remaining to the finish and no bunch in which to shelter from the relentless gale, the move would’ve been deemed foolish had it been any other rider. But such is McLean’s pedigree, that he backed himself, put his head down and actually put three minutes into his rivals, crossing the finish in just under three hours. “These aren’t great conditions for most
people, but for me, the tougher the conditions the better. This race normally ends in a sprint and I am not a quick sprinter, so going for it alone was a natural tactic for me,” said an elated McLean. “I also had a challenging week dealing with these allegations. I’m definitely not involved in a price-fixing cartel, as the investigation will reveal. Unfortunately, the media makes that assumption long before there are even any facts made known. So today I had a lot of anger, which helped inspire me to go for the win. Even with all the anger though I must admit, I’m exceptionally pleased with the win.”
6
16 March 2009 • The Sporting Post
The back page
Stenson reveals a little too much?
Hottie of the week
By Chris Kemp By Tamara Davis
Rosanne Hodge is definitely a face to familiarise yourself with as the only South African representative on this year’s ASP Woman’s World Tour. Pic: Tom Green
Rosanne Hodge is through to Round 3 as rookies dominate Day 1 of Roxy Pro Gold Coast, and the young up-andcoming cannot believe her luck. Rosanne Hodge, South Africa’s only representative on the 2009 ASP Women’s World Tour, is through to Round 3 of the of the opening event of the year, the Roxy Pro Gold Coast. On a day when the newcomers to the Dream Tour dominated proceedings, Hodge finished behind Stephanie Gilmore (AUS), the reigning and two-time ASP Women’s World Champion, and held on to deny wildcard winner Ashleigh Smith (AUS) second place in the heat by a narrow six-hundredths of a point (12.03 vs. 11.97). “I’m very pleased with my performance, I tried my best, and I think it shows,” Hodge said. Organisers relocated the opening day of the event from the primary venue of Snapper Rocks to nearby Duranbah Beach where in small 0.7 metre waves Hodge recorded rides of 6.0 and 6.03 out of 10 to secure automatic qualification to Round 3 despite Smith scoring 6.77 and 5.20. Rookies on the Tour claimed victory in four of the six heats contested with 2008 ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) winner Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) posting 18.77 out of 20, the highest heat tally of the day. Paige Hareb (NZL), Alana Blanchard (HAW) and Bruna Schmitz (BRA) all racked up 15 or more points in winning their first heats at the highest level. Returning former ASP Women’s World Champion Chelsea Hedges (AUS), completed a tough day for the established stars by winning Heat 5. Along with rookie Coco Ho (HAW), the pair relegated former World Champion and defending Roxy Pro champion Sofia Mulanovich (PER) to the elimination Round 2 heats.
Henrik Stenson took 69 shots in the opening round of the CA Championship. He was dressed for 68 of them. Seeking any way to avoid getting his clothes caked with mud after a wayward tee shot on the par-4 third hole, Stenson came up with only one alternative. So off came his shoes, his socks, his shirt and his slacks. “Just the way God created me,” Stenson said. Well, that isn’t entirely true, unless he was born wearing boxer shorts and a golf glove, along with having a wedge in his hands. Stenson hacked the ball out of the muck, got dressed standing in the rough off the left side of the fairway, and wound
up making perhaps the most entertaining bogey of his life. He ended the day four shots off the lead at Doral, but the only thing anyone wanted to talk with him about following the round was the Swede’s striptease. “If you are saving a shot, that has to be worth taking your shirt and trousers,” Stenson said. “I’m sure I’ll hear a few comments and once the pictures get out, I’ll hear a few more, no doubt. I’ll probably take that to my grave with me. I don’t think I scared too many spectators off the course, hopefully.” Although the pictures have caused a substantial amount of controversy, most of Stenson’s fans enjoyed his strip-down and have attributed it to his fun nature.
Damon to star as Pienaar By Werner Potgieter
Matt Damon will star as the captain of South Africa’s 1995 World Cup-winning rugby team in a film to be directed by Clint Eastwood about Nelson Mandela and the transformative effect of the sporting win. Damon will star as Springbok excaptain Francois Pienaar and Morgan Freeman will play Mandela in the film adaptation of a yet-to-be-released book by British journalist and author John Carlin entitled Playing The Enemy: Nelson Mandela And The Game That Made A Nation. Freeman, who had the idea for the film and brought Eastwood and Damon on board, has described the Mandela role as the role of his life. Pienaar admitted to The Sporting Post his wife was especially “pleased” the star of blockbusters such as The Bourne Identity had been chosen to play him. The Springboks’ World Cup victory at home a year after the country’s first democratic elections is seen as a defining
The picture behind the inspiration for both the new book and movie yet to be released. Pic: Ian Brumford
moment in the history of post-apartheid South Africa. The image of then president Mandela clad in a Springboks jersey presenting the Webb Ellis trophy to Pienaar became a symbol of new-found unity. The movie is set to be released by the end of the year.
A year later, Els relieved to talk about autism By Jacob Nicolas
For Ernie Els, last year’s Honda Classic was filled with significance. It wasn’t a major and didn’t come after some epic duel with Tiger Woods. It lacked that dramatic moment on the 18th green where a putt would decide the tournament. In fact, Els learned he won while standing on the driving range, preparing for a playoff that never happened. But for Els, few wins mattered more. Prevailing at the Honda gave Els more than a $990 000 winner’s cheque and his first US PGA Tour victory since 2004. It provided the platform he’d long sought to finally reveal his family is one of many touched by autism, a brain disorder found in about one of every 150 children that hinders their ability to communicate and interact socially. Els’ son, Ben, is a healthy six-year-old – who just happens to be autistic. So his dad’s bag bore an “Autism Speaks” logo that week, and days after winning here at Palm Beach Gardens, Els started speaking about it as well. “It was good timing,” Els said. “It also had gotten to the stage where you’ve either got to talk about what’s happened to Ben or you’re just not. He was so in the public eye, especially not just in the US, but also worldwide. When you travel with Ben, you can really start seeing there’s something going on. I didn’t want to feel like we’re hiding anything.” If that ever was the case, it isn’t anymore.
Els – who’ll defend his title at the Honda Classic this coming week – and his family are now at the front of fundraising and awareness efforts. Els’ wine label helped sponsor a golf outing that raised more than $300 000 last summer for autism research, and here on March 23 he will host a pro-am featuring Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Justin Rose, Raymond Floyd, Ian Poulter, Luke Donald and Tim Clark – who ousted Woods from the Accenture Match Play Championship this week. In the beginning, Els was hoping to lure 18 teams and wondered if he’d draw that many. He wound up having to stop taking entries when the field got to 22 foursomes, even turning some pros down.
“We’ve got our foundation up and running now and we can really start getting involved with finding a cure.” Keeping Ben’s condition silent pained Els for years. At times, he wasn’t the same Big Easy on the golf course, letting emotions get the better of him in certain situations, a far cry from his typical demeanour. It was a strain at home, too, as it is for most families dealing with autism. But Els counts himself lucky: His family is moving forward, not letting anger and frustration override everyday life.
“You can’t help but feel for this kid, Ben,” Els said. “He’s a healthy kid and everything about him is perfect. He’s just not going to be a, call it normal, kid one day. You’re not going to play the same sport and he’s not going to do the same things as you envisioned. That’s the hard part, you have all these dreams for your kid and then you have to realise it’s not goona happen.” In many ways, 2008 was a year of major changes for Els’ family. After seeing one too many snowflakes in London, where the South African made his year-round base for some time, Els packed the family up and moved to South Florida, buying a home in Palm Beach County. Offseason training there is easier, many of Els’ friends live in the area and there’s no shortage of places to play golf. And of course, his son’s condition weighed heavily on the decision to move, with Els saying he finds US facilities involved in autism research “so far more advanced in treating the condition or finding a cure for the condition”. That helped make the decision to uproot the family seem rather easy. “I don’t want to say the biggest factor, but he was the most influential factor for us to come here,” Els said. He also wanted to make sure his daughter Samantha, now nine, would be comfortable. She’s adjusted perfectly, Els said, after finding a football team, new friends, a good school and going horseback riding
Ernie enjoys a beach holiday with his son Ben, after struggling to come to terms with his son’s autism. Pic: Rose Sinfield
in her spare time. Liezl Els, the player’s wife, also was fine with the move – and with her husband’s choice to reveal Ben’s story. She has immersed herself in research about autism, even more so than when Ben was first diagnosed. “What we learned was startling, there is so much information out there,” she said in a public service announcement taped after the family revealed their situation. Everywhere Els goes now, he hears ques-
tions about autism. Fellow players often stop him and inquire how things are going. Some new fathers and fathers-to-be on the various worldwide tours have sought Els’ counsel. NFL great Dan Marino, who has an autistic child and whose foundation has raised more than $20-million to fight the condition, invited Els to tour the research centre in Miami that bears his name. Golf is still Els’ passion. He’s just made room to add another one.