Big Vic: It’s Bulls scrum vs Leinster attack

The Vodacom Bulls’ powerful scrum and Leinster’s clinical attack are set to determine Friday night’s Vodacom URC final at Croke Park. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports. trojkonferencja2024.pl

According to former Bulls captain Victor Matfield and ex-Leinster skipper Isa Nacewa, both sides possess a clear strength capable of deciding the contest.

“If you only had to pick one weapon for the Bulls, it would be the scrum,” said Matfield on Tuesday.

“They’ve got the same front row that really destroyed Ireland on the end-of-year tour. They’ll want penalties and maybe even yellow cards from their scrum.”

Nacewa agreed, saying: “The Bulls scrum is the uppercut, the left hook and the right hook against most teams. It’s a huge strength and they use it as a weapon consistently.”

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Leinster’s threat, meanwhile, lies in their ability to punish teams inside the opposition 22.

“When Leinster get into your 22, their execution is unbelievable,” Matfield said. “Their conversion rate is excellent. If you give them too many opportunities there, you’re in trouble.”

Nacewa highlighted scrumhalf Jamison Gibson-Park as the key figure behind Leinster’s attacking game.

“He’s the heartbeat of their attack. The tempo he brings is massive and when Leinster are firing, a lot of it starts with him.”

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Both men also believe the opening exchanges will be critical.

“I think Leinster will be aware of the start they got in last year’s final [a 19-0 lead after 22 minutes],” said Nacewa. “The first 20 minutes really intrigues me.”

Both Matfield and Nacewa noted how the Stormers physically challenged Leinster in the semi-final two weeks ago which nullified the Irish club’s renowned fast start.

“The Stormers made them grind for large parts of that game. The Bulls have been one of the most consistent teams in the competition over the past five years and they’ll look to do something similar,” Matfield said.

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But he warned that if the Bulls allow soft entries into their 22, they could be punished.

“If Leinster start building a lead, you’re in big trouble. That’s why the start and the physical battle up front are going to be so important.”

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Photo: Vodacom Bulls

The post Big Vic: It’s Bulls scrum vs Leinster attack appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Surendetté principalement auprès de la Chine, de banques africaines et sur le marché des eurobonds, le Congo-Brazzaville demandait le 11 mai un nouveau programme d'appui au Fonds monétaire international (FMI), un an après la fin du premier. Un soutien sollicité pour « soutenir la relance économique et renforcer la maîtrise des finances publiques », selon le gouvernement. Des discussions sont donc engagées et le FMI a formulé des « recommandations », ou plutôt a réitéré des recommandations. Car, pour l'essentiel, les efforts demandés par cette institution restent les mêmes, au grand dam d'observateurs.

The Springboks team to face the Barbarians features a total of 18 capped internationals, with the only two players in the starting lineup who have yet to make their Test debuts being Junior Bok captain Riley Norton (lock) and Carlu Sadie (prop).

Among the replacement, the uncapped players among the replacements are JJ Kotze (hooker), Paul de Villiers (loose forward) and SA U20 flyhalf Vusi Moyo.

The backline has a strong international flavour to it with Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe and Edwill van der Merwe forming the back-three, while Andre Esterhuizen and Jesse Kriel will combine in a hard-running midfield combination, and Quan Horn will take over the No 10 jumper alongside Grant Williams at halfback.

Up front, Ox Nche and Sadie will form a front row trio with Andre-Hugo Venter, while Norton and Franco Mostert will run the engine room, and the familiar loose trio of Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese completing the forward pack.

The replacements bench, which features six forwards and two backs, will see Kotze, Ntuthuko Mchunu and Zachary Porthen serve as the back-up front row, while Ben-Jason Dixon, De Villiers and Evan Roos will provide additional forward reinforcement. The two backline players on the bench are Faf de Klerk and Moyo.

Springbok team to face the Barbarians in Gqeberha:

15 Aphelele Fassi
14 Cheslin Kolbe
13 Jesse Kriel
12 Andre Esterhuizen
11 Edwill van der Merwe
10 Quan Horn
9 Grant Williams

8 Jasper Wiese
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 Siya Kolisi (captain)
5 Franco Mostert
4 Riley Norton
3 Carlu Sadie
2 Andre-Hugo Venter
1 Ox Nche

Replacements:
16 JJ Kotze
17 Ntuthuko Mchunu
18 Zachary Porthen
19 Ben-Jason Dixon
20 Paul de Villiers
21 Evan Roos
22 Faf de Klerk
23 Vusi Moyo

SA ‘A’ team to face Zimbabwe in Gqeberha:

15 Luan Giliomee
14 Jaco Williams
13 Markus Muller
12 Lukhanyo Am
11 Zekhethelo Siyaya
10 Yaqeen Ahmed
9 Haashim Pead

8 Phepsi Buthelezi
7 Bathobele Hlekani
6 Emmanuel Tshituka
5 Ruben van Heerden
4 Vincent Tshituka (captain)
3 Neethling Fouche
2 Siphosethu Mnebelele
1 Boan Venter

Replacements:
16 Liam van Wyk
17 Oliver Reid
18 Hanro Jacobs
19 Adre Smith
20 Siba Mahashe
21 Nico Steyn
22 Imad Khan
23 Jurenzo Julius

Mamelodi Sundowns have moved swiftly in the transfer market, announcing Antonio van Wyk as their first signing ahead of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season.

The newly crowned CAF Champions League winners confirmed the arrival of the former Stellenbosch FC attacker on Tuesday morning, bringing an end to weeks of speculation surrounding his future.

Van Wyk returns to South African football after a two-year stint in Europe with Austrian side SV Ried, where he featured alongside former Kaizer Chiefs captain Yusuf Maart in the Austrian Bundesliga last season.

The 24-year-old made a name for himself during his time at Stellenbosch before securing a move abroad and will now add further depth to an already formidable Sundowns attack.

Speaking in a video released on the club’s social media platforms, Van Wyk expressed his excitement about joining the Tshwane giants.

“Spending time away has been an incredible experience that helped grow both as a footballer and as a person,” Van Wyk said.

“This is one of the biggest clubs on the continent and a club with a rich history, high standards and a winning culture.

“To the supporters, your passion for this club is unmatched and I can’t wait to experience that energy of match day as I’m excited for this journey.”

Van Wyk joins a star-studded Sundowns squad that already boasts attacking talent such as Tashreeq Matthews, Monnapule Saleng, Kutlwano Letlhaku, Arthur Sales and Thapelo Morena.

With domestic and continental honours once again on the agenda next season, Sundowns have wasted little time strengthening their ranks as they look to build on their recent success.

Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken is backing star striker Erling Haaland to make a decisive impact at the FIFA World Cup, describing him as the best goalscorer in the world.

The Grass Stallions are set to make their return to the World Cup stage for the first time in 28 years.

Norway are scheduled to take on Iraq in their opening Group I encounter when they meet at the Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.

Solbakken revealed that Haaland has returned refreshed after a short break and has looked sharper with each training session, expressing confidence that the prolific forward will deliver if Norway can provide him with the chances he thrives on.

“Hopefully he’ll have a very big impact,” said Solbakken.

“He’s our goalscorer. I think he’s the world’s best goalscorer. He’s physically fit, he was given a little bit of a break towards the end of the season,” Solbakken told reporters on Monday.

“I think gradually he has played better and better in training here. I think he’s where he wants to be and hopefully the team can also give him the service he needs to score goals.

“If you give Erling chances, he has a tendency to score, so hopefully that continues.”

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