The following from the NZRU: All Blacks first five–eighth (#10), Dan Carter is to undergo ankle surgery ruling him out of rugby for up to eight weeks.

The surgery means Carter will be unavailable for the All Blacks final Investec Tri Nations match against Australia in Sydney on 11 September.

All Blacks Doctor Deb Robinson said Carter had been troubled by niggling pain in his right ankle throughout the year but had still managed to play rugby to his typical high standard.

“However, it’s reached the point now where it is restricting his ankle flexibility and, in turn, affecting his calf muscle strength, so now is the right time to have surgery,” Dr Robinson said.

Dr Robinson said the surgery, which will take place in Christchurch on Tuesday afternoon, would involve removing loose material from the joint at the back of his ankle.  A bone spur would also be removed from the front of his ankle.

Carter said he was remaining positive about the need for surgery and the resulting layoff from rugby.

“Given that movement in my foot is being affected, it’s obviously in my best interests to have the surgery now.  I’ve been in this situation before and understand what is involved so will get through the surgery and rehab and then look forward to getting back into rugby,” he said.

Dr Robinson said Carter would initially be in a cast to allow the ankle joint to settle before he could resume rugby training, with a recovery period of up to eight weeks required.

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said:  “Dan is the ultimate rugby professional when it comes to injury rehabilitation and, with the help of the All Blacks medical staff, he will be getting the best treatment possible and we look forward to his return to rugby.”

Henry said if the rehabilitation timeframe went to plan Carter would be available for selection for the All Blacks end of year tour to Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

“Looking ahead to the Sydney Test, the selectors will look at a replacement player for Dan so we will be watching a bit of ITM Cup rugby over the next two weekends and confirm the player in due course,” Henry added.

The GRLU have today announced that an extra train has been added for the travel to FNB Stadium, Soweto, for the Springboks VS All Blacks test match on 21 August 2010. The train will be leaving from Pretoria.

The schedule for the train is:

• For the rest of the complete travel and parking information, click here

The Sharks vs Vodacom Western Province

Saturday, 21 August 2010

The Absa Stadium Durban

Kick off: 19h10

The Absa Currie Cup’s best attacking and defensive sides for 2010 goes head-to-head in Durban on Saturday evening when The Sharks host Vodacom Western Province in this top of the table clash at 19h10.

Province boast’s the best defensive record of all eight teams competing in the Premier Division and like their Durban opponents, have been one of the form teams this season. The Cape side has conceded 62 points which includes only six tries.

However The Sharks, who accumulated 219 points after six games which includes 29 tries, have been the best attacking team this season. The hosts are also undefeated at home this season after they secured victories over the Vodacom Blue Bulls (34-28), Xerox Lions (48-19) and the Barloworld Toyota Pumas (27-17). The Durban side scored 14 tries from their three home games in the 2010 Absa Currie Cup.

Vodacom Western Province though have been impressive on the road as they achieved away wins over the GWK Griquas (50-3) in Kimberley, Vodacom Free State Cheetahs (25-11) in Bloemfontein and the Platinum Leopards (42-23) in Potchefstroom. The visitors have also only conceded four tries during these three games.

The hosts will have the chance to end the Cape side’s undefeated run in this season’s competition and claim pole position on the log. Province though will be aiming to stretch their lead at the top of the standings by securing their seventh consecutive victory of the season.

Head to Head: The Sharks v Vodacom Western Province (since 2005)

Read More >>

Feel it, it is here... Boom!

Here is everything you need to know regarding the travel and parking information for the Tri Nations test between the Springboks and All Blacks at FNB Stadium on 21 August 2010:

(For teamsheets and fixture times, click here)

Supporters are advised to travel early to the venue in the light of the large numbers of supporters who will be making their way to the stadium from outside the area.

Road Closures:

The followings roads will be closed from 6am, and only those with valid parking tickets will be able to access these roads:

• Golden Highway
• Soweto Highway
• Nasrec Road
• Landbou Road

Park & Ride Tickets:

Park & Ride tickets cost R50 per person and will only be sold through Computicket channels. Park and Ride will be running from the following venues:

• Emperors Palace – 64 Jones Road, Kempton Park
• Wits Campus – Wits University, Enoch Sontonga Street, Braamfontein (enter from the main gate at Wits on Enoch Sontonga near the Metro Bus Depot. GPS: 26 degrees 11’34.89’’S; 28 degrees 01’36.10’’E)
• Constitutional Hill – Joubert Street, Braamfontein (between Hoof and Empire Roads. GPS: 26 degrees 11’34.89’’S; 28 degrees 01’36.10’’E)
• Gold Reef City – Data Crescent, off North Park Way, (Area across the road from Gold Reef City. GPS: 26degrees 14’20.93”S ; 28degrees 00’28.66”E)

Put the co-ordinates in the Nuvi and you should be set.

For more information on purchasing Park & Ride tickets, visit www.computicket.co.za .

• Note: An additional cost of R10 will be charged to park at Emperor’s Palace.

Train Services:

A train service will be running from Pretoria to Nasrec and back at a cost of only R50 per commuter. The schedule for the train is:

• Tickets are available at Computicket channels.

Parking Tickets:

• Parking tickets are still available from Computicket and prices range from R50 to R80.
• To purchase your tickets, simply visit www.computicket.co.za
• Or any Computicket outlets or go to any Money Market Counters at Shoprite Checkers stores. Those who prefer to purchase parking tickets on the match day can drive to Nasrec to buy their tickets. Parking is approximately 500m from the stadium entrance.
• For more information, call the Computicket hotline on 083 915 8000.

Bus Parking Tickets:

• Limited bus parking tickets are still available at R160 per bus, and can be purchased through Computicket.

Opening Times:

• Gates will open at 1pm, and the stadium will close at 9pm.

Game Day Activities:

• A Guinness Book of World Records attempt will be made on the day when a group of 260 Elvis Presley impersonators will descend on the stadium. They will be singing Elvis songs throughout the day, dressing up as Elvis and trying to break a record for the most Elvis’s in one place.
• Beer gardens will be situated around the stadium in easy-to-access areas and will be able to accommodate the fans.
• A Coke Fan Park will also be situated at the stadium, allowing supporters to enjoy some time outside the stadium before the match kicks off.
• No braai facilities will be available at the stadium and no braaiing will be allowed. Regrettably, no refreshments will be permitted. There will be ample refreshments available for purchase at the stadium.  (As if we’re living in North Korea)

For more information, call the Golden Lions Rugby Union on 011 402 2960.

Stock the fridge and chilax to the max!

A true great of the game

John Smit is set to play his 100th test for the Springboks this weekend, when he takes the field to face the All Blacks. He will become only the second Springbok, after Percy Montgomery, to accomplish this milestone. Smit will go down in the history book as one of the greatest Springboks, and certainly the greatest Springbok captain of all time.

Although he has come under fire in recent weeks regarding his fitness, let’s not forget all that he has accomplished, and what it has meant to us as proud Springbok fans

Smit made his Springbok debut at the age of 22 in 2000, when South Africa beat Canada 51-18 at Basil Kenyon Stadium in East London. He is the most capped test captain of all time, and has had a decade long test career, which has seen him set numerous records in the Green and Gold.

Between October 2003 and June 2007, Smit played in a record 46 consecutive Test matches for South Africa. His record-breaking sequence of appearances came to an abrupt end with South Africa’s first match of the 2007 Tri Nations, against Australia, when he suffered an injury that prevented him taking any further part in the tournament.

Luckily for the Springboks, Smit recovered from his injury in time to take part in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, in which he started in 6 out of 7 South African matches and where his inspirational leadership qualities as his “calm under pressure” attitude played a massive role in allowing the Springboks to lift the William Web Ellis Trophy for the second time.

The accolades didn’t stop there though, in 2009, John Smit led South Africa to a series victory against the visiting British and Irish Lions, and followed this by leading his team to success in the 2009 Tri Nations, in which South Africa won five of their six matches, including a clean sweep of three wins against New Zealand.

John Smit has also lead the Springboks to a record number of test wins as captain, reaching 50 test wins as captain, a figure that has seem him win more Tests as captain than any other Springbok has played as captain.

John Smit smashes Brad Thorn: [trinations2009]

Aaah, revenge, how sweet the sound…!

Records and honours:

• John Smit will play his 100th test match for South Africa, of which 74 would be as captain, a world record.
• Should John score a try, he will equal the Springbok record for most tries in tests as a hooker. The current record is jointly held by James Dalton and Bismarck du Plessis with five career tries. (By my calculation Smit has scored 6 test tries to date)
• John will be playing in his 26th Vodacom Tri-Nations test as captain, the most capped captain in the tournament.SA Young Player of the Year nominee, 1999Tri-Nations winner, 2004 & 2009
• Players’ Player of the Year, 2009
• Captain of the World Cup winning Springbok squad, 2007
• Currie Cup winner with the Sharks, 2008
• British & Irish Lions series winner, 2009
• SA Player of the Year nominee, 2009
• Holds Springbok records for most capped captain (74), most capped hooker (86), most capped forward (99) and most consecutive Test matches (46)

Springboks VS All Blacks

21 August 2010 17h00 [GMT+2]

FNB Stadium – Soweto

Springboks: 15. Gio Aplon, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Morne Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Pierre Spies, 7. Juan Smith, 6. Schalk Burger, 5. Victor Matfield, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. John Smit (capt), 1. Gurthro Steenkamp.

Reserves: 16. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17. CJ van der Linde, 18. Danie Rossouw, 19. Francois Louw, 20. Ricky Januarie, 21. Butch James, 22. Wynand Olivier.

All Blacks: 15. Mils Muliaina, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 11. Joe Rokocoko, 10. Daniel Carter, 9. Jimmy Cowan, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (capt), 6. Jerome Kaino, 5. Tom Donnelly, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Ben Franks, 2. Keven Mealamu, 1. Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. John Afoa, 18. Samuel Whitelock, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22. Israel Dagg.

• Date: Saturday 21 August 2010
• Kick-off: 17h00 [GMT+2]
• Venue: FNB Soccer City, Soweto
• Referee: Nigel Owens [Wales]
• Assistant referees: Alain Rolland [Ireland], Simon McDowell [Ireland]
• TMO: Shaun Veldsman [South Africa]

My two cents:

• Both teams look pretty decent.
• I’m glad to see PDV didn’t do anything silly with the selections.
• I thought Weepu has been good so far, I would have retained him.
• Why the hell do the Springboks get Northern Hemisphere referees AGAIN?

A blessing in disguis

The following from SARU: The Springbok medical team is monitoring three players in the squad who have injury concerns ahead of the Test against New Zealand at the weekend.

A squad of 24 assembled in Johannesburg on Sunday to prepare for the first home Test of the Vodacom Tri-Nations at the FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.

Lock Danie Rossouw is receiving on-going treatment for a hip flexor injury sustained last week. Addressing a media conference today, team Doctor Craig Roberts, indicated that Rossouw was responding well to treatment and should be available for selection.

Flank Dewald Potgieter has whiplash sustained in an Absa Currie Cup match at the weekend whilst fullback Zane Kirchner twisted his knee in Absa Currie Cup action at the weekend.

Roberts said Potgieter was receiving treatment whilst Kirchner was to undergo a scan to provide clarity on the injury. He has since been ruled out with a knee cartilege injury

The remainder of the squad that is assembled in Johannesburg is available for selection. The match 22 will be named tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Springbok conditioning coach Neels Liebel has clarified the situation regarding the fitness levels of Springbok players.

Liebel told a media conference that whilst there were concerns over certain contracted Springboks regarding the amount of rugby they had played he was satisfied that these and other players were being effectively managed.

Liebel said that the rest period between the away and home legs of the Vodacom Tri-Nations campaign had come at the right time and was beneficial to the squad.

He added that several players would participate in an extended conditioning programme at the conclusion of the Tri-Nations tournament.

Vodacom Western Province VS Vodacom Blue Bulls

Saturday, 14 August 2010

Newlands Stadium, Cape Town

Kick off: 17h05

Head to Head: Vodacom Western Province v Vodacom Blue Bulls (since 2005)

Vodacom Western Province’s recent form at home:

• The hosts are currently the only undefeated side in this year’s competition and have secured victories over the Xerox Lions (32-0) and the Barloworld Toyota Pumas (54-13) in their only home games of the season thus far.

• Vodacom WP conceded one home defeat (a 21-19 semi-final loss to the Vodacom Blue Bulls) during last year’s Absa Currie Cup.

Vodacom Blue Bulls’ recent form on the road:

• The defending champions secured one away victory over the Xerox Lions (32-18) in Johannesburg but also conceded one defeat on the road against The Sharks (34-28) in Week two of the 2010 Absa Currie Cup.

• The Vodacom Blue Bulls conceded four defeats on the road during last year’s competition against Vodacom Western Province, Vodacom Free State Cheetahs, The Sharks and the Xerox Lions. The visitors though defeated WP in their 2009 Absa Currie Cup semi-final clash at Newlands.

Player/match stats:

• The Vodacom Blue Bulls defeated Vodacom Western Province (21-19) during last year’s Absa Currie Cup semi-final clash at Newlands.

• Vodacom WP flyhalf Willem de Waal has accumulated 1295 points in his Absa Currie Cup career – 259 points for the Platinum Leopards, 811 for the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs, and since joining WP in 2008, has notched up 225.

• De Waal has twice scored 212 points in a season, back in 2006 and 2007, for the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs.

• Vodacom Blue Bulls winger John Mametsa has played 134 games for the Pretoria side since 2002. He has scored 41 Absa Currie Cup tries in his career for the Loftus Versfeld team.

• Gerrit-Jan van Velze captained the successful Vodacom Blue Bulls side who claimed the 2010 Vodacom Cup. He also previously captained the SA Under-20s in 2008.

• WP flanker Rynardt Elstadt and flyhalf Lionel Cronje both represented the SA Under-20s during the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship in Japan.

• Vodacom Blue Bulls loose forward CJ Stander captained the SA U20s during this year’s IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina and was a member of the Baby Boks’ squad of 2009 in Japan. He also captained the SA Schools team in 2008.

• Vodacom Blue Bulls reserve flyhalf Francois Brummer and winger Gerhard van den Heever both competed at the 2009 IRB Junior World Championship in Japan for the SA Under-20s.

• Vodacom WP scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage represented the Baby Boks during the 2008 IRB Junior World Championships.

Referee: Marius Jonker (SARRA)

Assistant referees: M Mdashe (Valke), M van Zyl (WP)

TMO: S Veldsman (Boland)

Read More >>

The following from the ARU: Australia’s second row stocks for next year have been boosted by the return of Dan Vickerman, who has re-signed with Australian Rugby from June next year until the end of 2013.

The country’s third most capped lock forward, with 55 previous Test appearances to his name, Vickerman debuted against France in Sydney in 2002, having previously represented South Africa in the Under-21 age group.

A member of the Australian squads at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups, the 31-year-old last appeared for the Qantas Wallabies during the 27-15 win over South Africa at Durban in 2008.

A shoulder injury, sustained during that match, forced Vickerman home from the two-Test tour, bringing an early end to his involvement in the Tri Nations series.

He then left the country before the end of that year to commence a period of study at Cambridge University in England.

Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans welcomed Vickerman’s return to Australian Rugby.

“Dan will have to earn his place, as any player does, but his return to Australia is great news for the game and potentially the Wallabies,” Deans said.

“Regaining a player of his wide ranging experience can only have benefits, especially given that he plays in a position where our depth has been tested in recent times. We have some promising young locks emerging but you can’t buy experience and Dan certainly brings that to the table.”

Vickerman, who has been sidelined from rugby in recent months due to injury, will return to Australia on a fulltime basis once he has concluded his studies.

While he will arrive back in time to potentially play in a third Rugby World Cup, Deans says no guarantees have been offered in terms of selection.

“Dan knows that he will have to earn a place in the Wallabies like everyone else. He will have to make the most of the playing opportunities that he has once he gets back to Australia, prior to our first selection.”

Vickerman has also re-signed with the NSW Waratahs, whom he represented between 2004 and 2008, having started off in Super Rugby with the Brumbies in 2001.

“It was a big decision to leave Australia in 2008 but I wouldn’t change a thing,” said Vickerman. “Rugby has given me the opportunity to play and study abroad but next year is the right time to come back.

“I’ve been in communication with the coaching staff at the Waratahs and the Wallabies for a while now and collectively we’re all on the same page in terms of where we want to be at and what we want to accomplish.

“I know there’s a lot of hard work to be done over the next 12 months to push for a place in the World Cup squad but that’s what I’m focusing on and that’s what I want to achieve.”

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