If history is the best guide, South Africa’s nine-match winning streak will end in Brisbane tomorrow.
Australia have won their past seven Brisbane matches against South Africa by an average of 20 points, including a 21-9 victory in 2009 which was the Wallabies’ only Tri-Nations win that season and 2009 champion South Africa’s only loss.
Australia have only one win in five tests this year, including two losses in a row to New Zealand to start the Rugby Championship. South Africa have beaten Argentina twice and have the early lead in this year’s tournament.
Halfback Ruan Pienaar, whose 68 tests include that 2009 loss, says he can not explain the reason for South Africa’s poor record in Brisbane. Or that on Australia’s east coast for that matter; South Africa have also lost all six matches they have played in Sydney since the code went professional in 1996.
“I don’t think you can put your finger on that,” Pienaar said. “For us, we take a lot of pride in playing back home and it’s the same for Australia — they want to put in a big performance.”
Pienaar said a victory on Saturday would be a big confidence booster for the Springboks in their second season under coach Heyneke Meyer.
“I know the record isn’t great, but that’s the exciting thing now for this group,” he said. “If you want to grow as a group and go forward you would like to get a result here. We are a fairly young squad ... so this would be a massive step in the right direction.”
South Africa’s record at home against the Wallabies is near-
perfect; the team has lost only once to Australia in South Africa.
The Wallabies broke a 47-year drought on South African soil with Kurtley Beale’s late penalty goal at Bloemfontein in September 2010 giving the visitors a 41-39 win.
“At home on the Highveld, it is more of a continuity game and you get that continuity,” Meyer said. “Away from home it is more of a contesting game where you get the teams contesting every single lineout, so we have to be disciplined.”
South Africa’s chances improved with news yesterday that Australia captain James Horwill has been ruled out of the match.
The Australian Rugby Union said Horwill strained a hamstring in a training run on Tuesday. Kane Douglas will replace him in the second row and scrumhalf Will Genia will take over the captaincy.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely