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‘Saviours of rugby’ All Blacks slammed
South African journalist Craig Ray argues the All Blacks want teams to play their high-tempo style, yet the world champion Springboks have shown they don’t need to. betsport24.es
The first of four Tests in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series kicks off at Ellis Park on Saturday, with Dave Rennie’s men riding high after wins over the Stormers, Sharks and Vodacom Bulls, the latest a 50-19 rout in Pretoria last week.
Writing for the Daily Maverick, Ray comments on Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber’s early recognition that matching the Kiwis’ skill level was unrealistic, prompting a shift toward tactical kicking, set-piece dominance and defensive pressure instead.
OPINION: Rassie’s Boks no Loftus pushovers
He notes this approach has delivered eight wins from 15 meetings against New Zealand since 2018, alongside a broader record of 31 wins from their last 34 Tests.
Ray is critical of All Blacks assistant coach Tana Umaga’s recent comments urging teams to “speed the game up”, arguing this reflects a belief that New Zealand’s style is the only legitimate one, despite South Africa’s sustained success playing differently.
He also pushes back on suggestions from Umaga and former winger John Kirwan that referees are unfairly targeting the All Blacks, arguing these views overlook how effectively the Boks and other sides have adapted to how the game is officiated.
ICYMI: All Blacks casualty ward back home grows
“There is a suggestion from the All Blacks coaching staff that they are the ‘saviours’ of rugby, that theirs is the only style worth pursuing and that fans, administrators and most importantly, referees, should take the same view,” Ray writes.
“There is nothing the All Blacks would like more than for rugby to be played like it was in 2015 when they ruled the world with superior skills and superior conditioning.
“[The Boks] had to find another way to beat New Zealand. Going toe-to-toe in a running battle with the All Blacks was never going to cut it.
“So it’s no surprise then that the narrative coming from the All Blacks camp since they arrived in South Africa nearly two weeks ago for the Greatest Rivalry tour has been to paint themselves as the saviours of rugby.”
Photo: Johan Orton/Gallo Images
The post ‘Saviours of rugby’ All Blacks slammed appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
PORTRAIT — Farès Bouzid : Le profil idéal que le football algérien ne peut plus ignorer
Par la rédaction de ShootAfrica Alors que le football algérien cherche à se restructurer en profondeur et à moderniser sa politique de formation comme ses cadres techniques, un nom s’impose de plus en plus au sein des observateurs avertis : Farès Bouzid. Ancien directeur du centre de formation de l’ESTAC Troyes, récent vainqueur aux Émirats […]
L’article PORTRAIT — Farès Bouzid : Le profil idéal que le football algérien ne peut plus ignorer est apparu en premier sur Shoot Africa.
Nyali’s Nduva, Rwandese Nsanzuwera share lead at Ruiru Sunshine Development Tour
RUIRU, Kenya, Aug 17 – After the second round of the fifth leg of the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, Nyali Golf Club’s Daniel Nduva and Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera took control of the Absa Ruiru Invitational tournament.
The two are tied on 5-under par overall, setting up a closely contested final round tomorrow.
Nduva, who won the Royal Nairobi Golf Club leg earlier this season, produced a composed round, carding 3-under par 67.
He made birdies on the second, ninth, 13th and 17th holes, with his only dropped shot coming on the final hole.
“It was another solid round. I managed to hit some good shots and convert a few birdie opportunities. The bogey on 18 was a bit disappointing, but overall I am happy with the way I played. I am in a good position going into tomorrow and I just need to stay patient and focus on executing my game,” Nduva said.
On his part, Nsanzuwera, who started the day tied for fifth on 1-under par, also produced a near-flawless round of 4-under par 66, featuring five birdies on the third, fourth, ninth, 12th and 16th holes. His only blemish came on the 14th hole.
“It was a very good round for me. I stayed patient and managed to take advantage of the opportunities I got. The birdies gave me good momentum and I was able to keep my focus throughout the round. I am happy with where I am going into the final round and will just try to play my game and see what happens,” Nsanzuwera stated.
Taking third position on 4-under par overall is Nyali professional Samuel Njoroge Chege, the winner of the Absa Invitational at Nyali last month.
Chege carded a 3-under par 67 despite an early setback, dropping shots on the fourth and fifth holes before recovering strongly with birdies eighth, 12th, 13th and 14th holes, adding to an earlier birdie on the second.
“I had a difficult start and the two early bogeys could easily have affected my round, but I managed to settle down and get myself back into it. The birdies in the middle of the round gave me the momentum I needed. I am happy to be in contention again and looking forward to tomorrow,” Chege underscored.
Mike Kisia of VetLab Sports Club occupies fourth position on 3-under par overall after carding an impressive 4-under par 66 to recover from his opening-round 1-over par.
A three-way tie for fifth position on 2-under par features John Karichu of Limuru Country Club, David Wakhu of Golf Park and Nigeria’s Godwin Okoko.
Following the second round, the top 30 players and ties will proceed to the final round on Tuesday, with a Sh2 million prize purse up for grabs. The winner will take home Sh400,000.
Referees keep missing clear red cards – please can we have VAR?
The painfully slow road to implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system has come into focus again following some shocking challenges that have gone unpunished at the start of the Premier Soccer League season.
Pirates and Sundowns hurt
Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena and Orlando Pirates midfielder Sihle Nduli have both been left in the treatment room after abysmal tackles that should have seen red cards for Polokwane City’s Suprise Manthosi and AmaZulu’s Thando Ngwenya.
For a long time in football now the studs-up, over-the-top tackle has been punishable by instant dismissal so it is inexcusable that Manthosi and Ngwenya were not given their marching orders.
Mokoena has been absent from Sundowns’ subsequent two games against TS Galaxy and Kaizer Chiefs. Nduli, meanwhile, only returned from a long-term injury against AmaZulu and has now been confirmed as out for about four months with damage to his ankle ligaments.
Mathonsi and Ngwenya have been able to play on, with the AmaZulu forward netting his fifth goal of the season in Saturdays’ 2-0 Betway Premiership win over Siwelele on Saturday.
No one wants to begrudge the 23-year-old Ngwenya his fantastic start to the season, and to his credit he has issued a public apology to Nduli. But the fact remains that he should be serving a two-match ban.
To be fair to AmaZulu, they also had a perfectly good goal ruled out for a non-existent offside in their 1-1 draw with Pirates. But that only adds to the feeling that the Premiership needs VAR as soon as possible.
Referees need VAR help
Clearly VAR is far from perfect – it is amazing how often the video evidence is looked at and the wrong decision is still arrived at. This is particularly the case in the English Premier League and it was far from perfect too at the 2026 Fifa World Cup finals.
But implemented properly, VAR in South Africa can provide much-needed help to referees. It is a difficult job and it is not always easy to make the correct decision in real time.
The South African Football Association have confirmed that they have received the money promised by government for the implementation of VAR. Now they need to get a move on.
Chiefs’ Phili on why scoring against Sundowns was ‘huge’
Kaizer Chiefs’ Langelihle Phili says his goal celebration against Mamelodi Sundowns showed exactly what it means for him to don the colours of Amakhosi and hit the back of the net in such a big match.
Chiefs’ Phili’s goalscoring delight
Phili fired Chiefs in front in the 63rd minute at FNB Stadium, and embarked on a full-blooded celebration that involved him ripping his shirt off and jumping into the arms of ecstatic teammates.
The 21-year-old has made an impressive start since joining Chiefs from Stellenbosch, winning Man-of-the-Match in a 2-0 win over Sekhukhune. He then netted his first goal for Chiefs against Sundowns, though Amakhosi were ultimately pegged back in a 1-1 draw.
“Obviously, being at such a great football institution as Kaizer Chiefs you want to play in the big games, so being able to play and score against Mamelodi Sundowns, the African champions, was huge for me, as could be seen from my celebration,” Phili told Chiefs media.
“For me to represent Kaizer Chiefs is an honour and a privilege, and being able to help the team is a testament to the people within the club and the organisation who have welcomed me with open arms.
A fine start for Amakhosi
“They have provided me with the environment to give something back through doing my best and putting in good performances.”
Chiefs’ have had a good start to the Premiership campaign, with Fernando Da Cruz’ side sitting on seven points from their opening three matches.
Their only real setback so far came in their 1-0 defeat by Golden Arrows in the MTN8 quarterfinals. But one positive is that this has given Da Cruz plenty of time to work with his side on the training field ahead of their next match.
Chiefs’ next match is in the Premiership at Richards Bay on August 26.
Da Cruz did say after the Sundowns game that there is still plenty of room for improvement with Phili, and this is something the talented youngster seems to understand perfectly.
“In order to maintain my form consistently I must just keep listening to the coach and the technical team, learning from my teammates and just keep trying hard every day to become a better version of myself,” he added, while adding a word of appreciation for Chiefs’ fanbase.
“It’s the best feeling ever to be loved by supporters. When I arrived at the club my priority was to earn the love of the fans. I’ll keep on trying to please them through maximum effort, which is something they appreciate.”