Before the Rugby World Cup, South Africa would have viewed today’s game against Samoa as an opportunity to stamp their authority on Pool B and virtually seal their place in the quarter-finals.
Now, the Springboks head to Villa Park — the home of English soccer club Aston Villa — simply looking to stay alive in the tournament.
Their shocking opening-game loss to Japan is still reverberating through the competition, nowhere more so than in the South Africa camp.
The jibes, the cruel cartoon sketches, the abuse from back home — they are all still flying around. It was a defeat that a proud rugby-playing nation could take years to get over.
However, the team has had a week to recover and there will be no letup from traditionally powerful Samoa in what is set to be a brutal clash in the Midlands.
“We’re expecting massive warfare, but in saying that, we can’t come to a war with our hands and a pocket knife. We’ve got to bring all we’ve got and face up,” Samoa coach Stephen Betham said on Thursday.
Of course, South Africa are no strangers to physicality — they pride themselves on it — and they will not be lacking motivation this weekend. They might have underestimated Japan in Brighton, but coach Heyneke Meyer has restored his frontline players for the team’s second game and is expecting a reaction.
There has to be.
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