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Dippenaar, Ulengo ruled out of South Africa 7s

5 December 2013 By Rugby News

Blitzbokke coach Neil Powell today announced two changes to the 12-man squad for the BlitzBokke’s home tournament, the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens. The tournament takes place this weekend, 7 – 8 December in Port Elizabeth. Steven Hunt replaces Jamba Ulengo while Albertus ’Kwagga’ Smith will make his HSBC Sevens World Series and Springbok Sevens debut in place of Stephan Dippenaar. Ulengo (foot) and Dippenaar (hamstring) were injured last … [Read More...]

Earl Rose on comeback trail

5 December 2013 By Rugby News

Thu, 05 Dec 2013 12:31 PMEarl Rose during his time with Griquas. GettyEarl Rose is hoping that playing for Western Province in the Premier League Sevens in George will help resurrect his provincial rugby career. The controversial utility back was a Springbok tourist in 2008 and 2009, but his career which also saw him represent Western Province, Griquas, the Cats, Lions and Stormers has been marred by off-field controversies. He last played … [Read More...]

Home Boy Steven Hunt back in Springbok Sevens team for home tournament

5 December 2013 By Rugby News

The Springbok Sevens have made two changes to their 12-man squad for their home tournament, the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens, which will take place on 7 – 8 December in Port Elizabeth. Steven Hunt replaces Jamba Ulengo while Kwagga Smith will make his HSBC Sevens World Series and Springbok Sevens debut in place of Stephan Dippenaar. Ulengo (foot) and Dippenaar (hamstring) were injured last week in Dubai, where South Africa finished as … [Read More...]

Die Son gee gratis Sewes kaartjies!

5 December 2013 By Rugby News

Alven du Plessis in vandag se Die Son DIS nog nét drie slapies totdat die Blitsbokke dié naweek op die veld uitdraf. Die Sewes-rugbytoernooi wat Saterdag en Sondag in die Nelson Mandelabaai-stadion gespeel word, het duisende Baaienaars opgewonde. Gister het tientalle Blitsbok-fans tougestaan vir ’n kiekie en ’n handtekening van Bokkie, die gelukbringer, en die span se kaptein, Kyle Brown. Bokkie en Brown het harte gesteel by die … [Read More...]

Hunt, Kwagga & Speckman called up for PE Sevens

4 December 2013 By Rugby News

Mike Jansen @blitzbokke on Twitter The Blitzbokke have called up Steven Hunt, Kwagga Smith and Rosco Speckman as injury cover for Stephan Dippenaar, Jamba Ulengo and Frankie Horne. The Springboks will be in action over the weekend in the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens, Round 3 of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Port Elizabeth. Stephan Dippenaar was ruled out of action with a hamstring injury, while Jamba Ulengo is doubtful because of a foot … [Read More...]

Springbok Sevens call up trio as injury cover

4 December 2013 By Rugby News

The Springbok Sevens have called up Steven Hunt, Kwagga Smith and Rosco Speckman as injury cover for Stephan Dippenaar, Jamba Ulengo and Frankie Horne. The South Africans will be in action over the weekend in the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens in Port Elizabeth. Dippenaar was ruled out of action with a hamstring injury, while Ulengo is doubtful because of a foot injury and Horne suffered a blow to the leg this past weekend in Dubai where the … [Read More...]

On tour with the BlitzBokke: Dubai7s

3 December 2013 By Rugby News

Mike Jansen @blitzbokke on Twitter A couple of behind-the-scenes video clips of the BlitzBokke at last weekend’s Emirates Dubai7 Sevens surfaced on YouTube this week. The Springboks are currently in Port Elizabeth where they are preparing for this weekend’s Nelson Mandela Bay SA Sevens. The senior Springboks have their now famous roomies Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield. Did you know that the BlitzBokke equivalent is undoubtedly Stephan … [Read More...]

Super conferences may be abandoned

3 December 2013 By Rugby News

Enabling Cookies in Internet Explorer 7, 8, 9 + Open the Internet Browser Click Tools (or "gear" icon at top right hand corner) Internet Options Privacy Advanced Check Override automatic cookie handling For First-party Cookies and Third-party Cookies click Accept Click OK and OK … [Read More...]

HongKong7s tickets: What you need to know

3 December 2013 By Rugby News

Mike Jansen @blitzbokke on Twitter Earlier today, I posted, on social media, news that former Tonga international and current IRB Sevens World Series commentator Willie Lose (pictured in the foreground below) will be the guest speaker at the Southern African Association in Hong Kong’s annual Sevens Dinner 2014. Commentators Willie Lose South African Gavin Cowley at the 2013 Dubai7s (pic: @IRBSevens) Soon after posting the news, several people … [Read More...]

RUGBY : Springboks versus Scotland – 17 November 2013

2 December 2013 By Rugby News

The big topic in the week before the test was how Bakkies Botha will fit back into test rugby after 2 years playing in France. One thing that did seem the case is that there must have been a shortages of gyms in France as Bakkies has lost at least 10kg in muscle weight since 2011. Due to this he is no longer the imposing figure he used to be and can longer be considered an enforcer. Bakkies has changed his game a lot in that he now steals more … [Read More...]

Stephan Dippenaar out of Springbok Sevens team

2 December 2013 By Rugby News

Stephan Dippenaar was ruled out of next weekend’s Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament in Port Elizabeth with a hamstring injury and his replacement will be named on Tuesday, the Springbok Sevens have confirmed. Dippenaar was one of three South African players injured in Dubai while taking part in Round 2 of the HSBC Sevens World Series. South Africa lost only one match during the two-day event, on Saturday in the final against … [Read More...]

Dippies ruled out of PE Sevens

2 December 2013 By Rugby News

Mike Jansen @blitzbokke on Twitter As is customary after an HSBC Sevens World Series tournament, the BlitzBokke management released a list of ‘casualties‘ following the Emirates Dubai7s this past weekend. Thankfully for the South Africans (and fans of Frankie Horne who hobbled off the pitch on Saturday) this list only contained one name. Stephan Dippenaar was ruled out of next weekend’s Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament in Port … [Read More...]

South Africa 7s: Fixtures & Results

1 December 2013 By Rugby News

Mike Jansen @blitzbokke on Twitter The IRB has confirmed the pool draw for the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay SA Sevens, the third round of the HSBC Sevens World Series in Port Elizabeth on 7-8 December. The draw (pictured below) was conducted just before the Cup final of the Emirates Dubai Rugby Sevens, won by Fiji in fine form. After their blistering Cup win at the second round of the Series in Dubai, Fiji are top seeds in Port Elizabeth and head … [Read More...]

Bok Sevens go into Port Elizabeth leg 3rd on the log

1 December 2013 By Rugby News

Despite a courageous fight back in the second half, which saw them scoring three tries, the Springboks Sevens were outplayed by Fiji who deservedly won their first Dubai Sevens title on Saturday evening. They beat South Africa 29-17 in an absorbing final after leading 19-0 at halftime. Fiji were the odds on crowd favourites to lift the cup they have never managed to win in 14 attempts after their thrilling 44-0 semifinal win over New Zealand. … [Read More...]

3 Chances to see Springbok 7′s team to play

1 December 2013 By Rugby News

On the first day of the Nelson Mandela Bay Cell C 7′s tournament the team from South Africa, who are currently 3rd on the Log, will play against Canada (13:12), Spain (16:18) and the last game of the day against Kenya (19:58). Kenya is being coached by former Springbok Sevens coach, Paul Treu. The opening game of the tournament is between New Zealand and Portugal. Day One Schedule – Saturday 7 December 2013: New Zealand v Portugal 11:00 Wales v … [Read More...]

BlitzBokke finish second in Dubai

1 December 2013 By Rugby News

After a disappointing Gold Coast 7s campaign hampered by travel problems, the BlitzBokke came back with a vengeance this weekend at the 2013 Emirates Dubai7s. However, despite a courageous fight back in the second half, which saw them scoring three tries, Kyle Brown and his BlitzBokke were outplayed by Fiji who deservedly won their first Emirates Dubai Sevens title on Saturday evening. Fiji beat South Africa 29-17 in an absorbing final after … [Read More...]

SAWomen Select7s finish second in Dubai

1 December 2013 By Rugby News

The LadyBlitzBokke, playing as the SA Select Women on Saturday suffered a disappointing defeat against the Kazakhstan Almaty in the final of the International Invitational Sevens tournament in Dubai following an impressive run throughout the series. The team registered a clean-sweep of victories against Sweden’s West Coast Vikings, (South Africa’s) Tuks and Moscow Region respectively on day-one to advance to the semifinal against the Kenya … [Read More...]

Played 3, Won 3 for the BlitzBokke in Dubai

30 November 2013 By Rugby News

Coach Neil Powell’s BlitzBokke have scored three wins on Friday to top Pool D and book a quarterfinal spot against Kenya at the Dubai Sevens, Round 2 of the HSBC Sevens World Series. South Africa outscored powerful Samoa by four tries to one in their final pool encounter to register a comfortable 26-5 win and book a clash with Kenya, nowadays coached by former Springbok Sevens coach Paul Treu. Kick-off time (South Africa vs Kenya) on Saturday is … [Read More...]

Played 3, Won 3 for Dazel’s SA Select7s

30 November 2013 By Rugby News

Follow @ladyblitzbokke on Twitter The SA Select Women’s team on Friday started the International Invitational Sevens Tournament in Dubai with a bang by registering victories in all three of their round-robin matches to advance the semifinal on Saturday. The team got their campaign off to an encouraging start with a convincing 28-0 victory against the West Coast Vikings from Sweden and supported this with a 36-5 victory against fellow South … [Read More...]

Jaco van Heerden: An elite ref

29 November 2013 By Rugby News

Fri, 29 Nov 2013 1:24 PMThe retired Jonathan Kaplan inspires top refs. Gallo.SA Referees recently released their new panels for 2014. There are the established referees and there are newcomers. All but one of the newcomers will be well known to those with an interest in refereeing in South Africa, one perhaps less so - Jaco van Heerden of Pretoria. Born in Johannesburg, Van Heerden turns 31 next January - young but with 10 years of refereeing … [Read More...]

Springboks: A year of misled refs and superior skill

29 November 2013 By Rugby News

Comeback of the year: Fourie du Preez One of the reasons South Africa did not progress beyond the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 2011 was that Du Preez was never fit. He carried a shoulder injury for too long, and it showed. But two years on a Japanese pension scheme sorted him out and, as soon as he took the field against Argentina in Soweto in August, what we had been missing became obvious. Crisp clearing at the breakdowns, unerring … [Read More...]

Message from Neil Powell

28 November 2013 By Rugby News

From Neil Powell, coach: Springbok Sevens Team in Dubai It is a huge honour for me to coach the Springbok Sevens team. We have an experienced management team and squad and I am fortunate to work with such a passionate and committed group of people. I realise that everyone expects us to win whenever we take the field, and together with the rest of the management I shall do my utmost best to ensure that our team is well-prepared and ready to face … [Read More...]

LadyBlitzBokke has ‘eye on Rio’

27 November 2013 By Rugby News

(From: GulfNews, Dubai) A year after they reached the first IRB Women’s Sevens World Series final, South Africa return this year to take part in the Invitation tournament from November 28 to 30 with an eye on the World Series ‘core’ line-up and the Rio Olympic Games. Coach Renfred Dazel accompanies a squad that balances experience and youth as he sets about building for the future. “As ever, we are looking forward to Dubai and to the … [Read More...]

Etzebeth nominated for IRB award

27 November 2013 By Rugby News

Gallo Images The SA Rugby Union congratulated Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth, after he was nominated for the IRB World Player of the Year Award. Picture: Carl Fourie/Gallo Images Related Stories Eben, Bismarck set for epic duel Du Toit, Etzebeth should be WC … [Read More...]

Bubba gets behind the Sevens

27 November 2013 By Rugby News

Port Elizabeth is champing at the bit ahead of the the third leg of the 2013/14 International Rugby Board’s (IRB) World Sevens Series which brings a fast-paced rugby spectacle to the NMB Stadium on 7 and 8 December 2013. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this week touted the economic value of the event, the “honour of being the South Africa city which is privileged to host the event” and the importance of it for … [Read More...]