Rugby in general.

I think that this could be interesting:

Johannesburg – The involvement of former Springbok flank Rassie Erasmus in the new International Super Rugby (ISR) competition will not affect his job as director of coaching at the Western Province Rugby Union.

Capetonians can therefore rest assured that Erasmus will still put the interests of the Stormers and WP first and foremost and will still strive to make these two teams the most successful in the country.

Erasmus, his namesake Frikkie Erasmus, a Cape Town lawyer businessman, and two very well-known names in South African rugby are in the process of founding a new international competition in South Africa – something that will change the look of SA rugby dramatically.

The new competition will begin in January 2012 and is based on the Indian Premier League cricket series with shorter matches lasting only half as long as a normal game, and adjustments to rules to make the game faster.

More than 200 of the world's finest rugby players will fight it out at the city's brand new World Cup Soccer stadiums in Cape Town and Durban, playing in a series in which eight teams with a lot of international flavour will compete for about three weeks for handsome prize money.

Springboks like John Smit, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers, Juan Smith, Jaque Fourie, Heinrich Brüssow and Bismarck du Plessis, All Blacks stars like Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter and the Aussies Phil Waugh and James O’Connor, as well as several other top players from England, France and Argentina will be part of the new competition.

Erasmus has already discussed his future, and ISR plans, with the WP rugby bosses and they are satisfied that he will stay on as the Cape Town director of rugby.

The planned ISR competition will however force the country's provincial unions to review their current players' contracts. South Africa, New Zealand and Australia's Super Rugby franchises may also have to think about their preparations for this annual competition between teams of the Southern Hemisphere.

Super rugby teams usually start training early in January but in 2010, coaches may have to wait until February before they can begin preparing as players may be involved with the new competition.

All the international players who have been earmarked to play in the first ISR competition, have contracts with their national bodies and relevant provincial unions and teams that expire at the end of 2011.

According to Sport24's information, they will only sign new contracts with their countries and any provincial unions or teams if they are allowed to take part annually in the ISR competition from 2012.

But the new competition Could also be of great benefit for the South African Rugby Union as local players will be able to earn extra money in the series and therefore not have to leave the country for better pay overseas.

The expectation is that top players will earn millions – more than their current annual salaries – in the ISR series and will have no reason to seek greener pastures outside of South Africa.
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News24

So, any thoughts? Will the Currie Cup still have a place in SA rugby? With Super Rugby until August, and talk of the CC being cut to 6 teams, plus this new series in January, what will happen to it?
 
Just read that myself and thought "what a pile!"

For almost all of the rugby fans I know, their passion is from and for supporting their team. This kind of arrangement would take away that passion and just have a lottery to see which team gets which players. And then they go and play in the Toilet Bowls of Cape Town and Durban. Sorry, no interest and no support.

And the we can face the very real prospect of critical players being injured before the real season begins. Rassie, this is stupid...
 
RE: IPL type tournament

I'm currently running a "poll/opinion" post on our Rugby15 Facebook and Twitter accounts.

After a few early votes it looks like the majority support the idea.

Will let you know what the final score was.
 
I know that this will never happen, but a conversation with some friends about the fate of the Currie Cup and news of this new 'IPL style' rugby tournement, make me feel like posting this. If I could set up how pro rugby worked in SA, and SANZAR to and extenet, this is what I would want. Take all 14 unions, and put them in the Currie Cup, Divide them into 2 pools, based on strength, so pool A has 1,4,5,8,9,12,13 Pool b has 2,3,6,7,10,11,14. Pools to be redrawn each year. Each team then plays every team in their pool twice, and ever team in the other pool once, which gives 19 games, This would be followed by semis and a final and 3rd place game. This can be done in about 23 weeks.

The top 3 teams would then qualify for the Super tournement, which should run during the season like the Heineken Cup. The top 3 teams from SA and NZ, and the top 2 from Aus and Argentina. The teams are drawn into 2 pools of 5, play each team in your pool once for 4 games, and then semis and a final.

The teams involved in Super Rugby would extend the Currie Cup, but in total I think that this could be done in about 30 weeks.

I like it, but I know it's never going to happen, just my ideas.
 
Nou is die Cheetahs in die kuk!

Earl Rose to join Cheetahs

Johannesburg - Springbok fullback Earl Rose could be heading for Bloemfontein to join the Cheetahs if an ambitious player swop between last year’s Currie Cup finalists and the Lions comes to fruition.

Rose, who fell out of favour and was dropped from the Lions squad by coach Dick Muir earlier this year in the Vodacom Super 14, is in the Cheetahs sights as they start moving to replace Lionel Mapoe, who looks almost certain to win his fight to join the Sharks.

With Danwell Demas heading to Italy, Rose will be hoping to get a new lease of life in the Absa Currie Cup if the negotiations are successful and could be a straight swop for another Springbok – No8 Ashley Johnson who may head to Johannesburg.

Lions CEO Manie Reyneke confirmed to Supersport.com that he had received a request to start negotiations for Rose to move to the Cheetahs.

“We have been approached and we are busy negotiating with the Cheetahs about Earl. We have also expressed interest in Ashley Johnson coming to us. Nothing is finalised yet but we are hopeful,” Reyneke told Supersport.com.

Rose fell out of favour at Vodacom Cup level but is known to be a talented player favoured by Springbok coach Peter de Villiers. If he manages to find some form in Bloemfontein and sort out his tackling woes, he could well play his way back into contention for the end of year tour.

It is a similar saga with Johnson, who despite a promising Currie Cup last year, failed to produce the same form either at international level or in the Super 14. The Lions already have a number of talented loose forwards, including Wikus van Heerden and Jonathan Mokuena, but Johnson is likely to offset the departure of American Todd Clever.

While initial reports are that Clever is heading to Japan to further his career, Reyneke said the main reason they had released the American was that he was heading back to the United States for a shoulder operation which would keep him out of action for a lengthy period.

Clever needed the operation to ensure he was fully fit for next year’s World Cup but his move will be a loss to the Lions. The No8 told Eaglesxv.com that he was heading to Suntory in Japan to further his career.

“I will always be a Lion, but it is now time to take the next step in my career and explore new challenges,” Clever told the EaglesXV.com website.

“I have decided to continue my playing career in Japan and also focus on helping USA Rugby reach higher plateaus of achievement.”

Clever paid tribute to the Lions after a successful stint with the Johannesburg-based club.

“I am thankful for the opportunities that the Lions have given me.

“I have had three seasons here - two Super 14s and a Currie Cup. I have had three coaches and have won over each of them by showing my dedication and heart. I have been proud to put on the Lions jersey week in and week out.”

“I have had the best team-mates a player can ask for, and I am excited for their future progress. The team is about to turn the corner. Though I am sad I can’t take the ride with them, I will always be a Lions supporter. Thanks to the Lions as I leave with the door open for future opportunities with Super 14!”
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Hahahahahahah Cheetahs are going to be in *** if they let ER join them.

Please say NO to ER. Let him to back to his flat in Yeoville with his tik.
 
AJ to Lions is OK as Cheetahs are the breeding ground for great loose forwards....

But Earl the Pearl????? Eish, no wonder all the youngsters want to leave the Free State!!!
 
APoc84 said:
Hey!!

Don't laugh, it is my team.
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LOL

Thats why I DON'T want Earl there. I really like the Cheetahs & their style of play & I shout for them when they play against any other team, except the Bulls but if Earl becomes part of that line up, it will spoil it for me.
 
ER might surprise if he joins the cheetahs seeing as the cheetahs play style will fit him like a glove. But I am afraid there are better players than ER out there ....
 
I am a big Cheetah supporter and this shocked me a bit, but I have to agree with Devill.

Earl Rose might just fit in with the Cheetahs and their game plan.
The Cheetahs have in recent times turned around numerous players' careers after they couldn't regain form with their old union or weren't given enough game time to prove themselves.
2 easy ones that comes to mind is, Marius Joubert, who have now won the French Top 14 final with Clermont a while back and of course Jacques Louis Potgieter, who played so well that the Bulls asked him to come back.

Rose or no Rose, I will always remain a Cheetah supporter. I am willing to give him a chance and see what he can achieve at the Cheetahs.
 
APoc84 said:
I am a big Cheetah supporter and this shocked me a bit, but I have to agree with Devill.

Earl Rose might just fit in with the Cheetahs and their game plan.
The Cheetahs have in recent times turned around numerous players' careers after they couldn't regain form with their old union or weren't given enough game time to prove themselves.
2 easy ones that comes to mind is, Marius Joubert, who have now won the French Top 14 final with Clermont a while back and of course Jacques Louis Potgieter, who played so well that the Bulls asked him to come back.

Rose or no Rose, I will always remain a Cheetah supporter. I am willing to give him a chance and see what he can achieve at the Cheetahs.
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ER has been poor in the last year or two but he is realy talented (not saying Fourie du Preez talented) as was seen in him showcasing his talents with the u19 boks.

All the best of luck to him where ever he goes an hopefully he finds a place to fit in.
 
Bok team for Saturday's game.

15. Gio Aplon, 14. Jean de Villiers, 13. Jaque Fourie, 12. Juan de Jongh, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ricky Januarie, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Francois Louw, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Bakkies Botha, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. John Smit (captain), 1. Gurthrö Steenkamp

Substitutes: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. BJ Botha, 18. Danie Rossouw, 19. Dewald Potgieter, 20. Ruan Pienaar, 21. Butch James, 22. Wynand Oliver
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APoc84 said:
Bok team for Saturday's game.
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14. Jean de Villiers.... Mmm this will be interesting but I think I would have rather put Fourie on the wing... although fourie and de jong's S14 "combo" is prob the reason why pdivvy has paired De Jong and Fourie :)
 
I feel they could have played Bjorn Basson on the wing and bring Jean de Villiers of the bench. Dropping Butch completely.
 
APoc84 said:
I feel they could have played Bjorn Basson on the wing and bring Jean de Villiers of the bench. Dropping Butch completely.
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Mmm I am scared to drop butch as he is one of those cometh the moment cometh the man type of players. He showed he can in the WC2007. But I guess judging on past form we should also still be playing Os and Kobus Wiesse :p
 
My personal opinion is that Butch is not on form. Had a long injury lay-off he had at Bath, he wasn't the same when he came back. And if Peter de Villiers insists on playing him at centre, then he would also not be a option for me. SA actually has too much player depth in certain positions at the moment.
 
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