Sports Wrap: Let Robin celebrate, Proteas grab series, Nadal vs. Djoko & Bakkies

Celebrate  Robin, celebrate!

Van Persie’s goal might have been the difference between the United-Arsenal match-up on the weekend but it would have to be Wayne Rooney’s unbelievable ability to create and track back that gave United the edge. There were also massive displays from Jones and Smalling who remained solid at the back when Arsenal did advance. Surprisingly, United managed to take Ozil, Giroud and Ramsey out of the game and with Mertesacker absent in defence, United’s set pieces seemed more threatening.

There has been a lot of ooh-and-aah about Van Persie’s passionate celebration following his heading goal and while Gunner fans look ready to grill the Dutchman, there seems to have been no lines of respect for Van Persie following his move to United. Makes sense when a player moves to a rival club but the brutal chants and comments from former fans of the striker won’t exactly give Van Persie an avenue to respect scoring the winner. Go on Robin – keep on celebrating!

Proteas more stable

With a dismal, half-hearted series loss against Sri Lanka a few months ago, The Proteas have bounced back and secured a 4-1 ODI series drubbing against Pakistan. The squad seems to be enforcing themselves more and more and you can see the swing in team chemisty as well. With De Villiers finding his form with the bat again (115 off 102 in the 5th ODI) as well as looking the part with the captaincy, the team looks a more menacing force. A few months back, it seemed the batting order always looked on Amla to steady proceedings but with De Villiers finding touch and Faf as well as youngster De Kock stabilising with a few good spells out in the middle, there is some momentum going into the last stretch of 2013.

Bakkies is back

The Springboks will face up against Scotland this weekend and fans are excited at the prospect of a returning Bakkies Botha. Just as Etzebeth’s enormous presence on the field, Bakkies brings a new physicality at the breakdown and Meyer will want to test out different players against the Scots.  He also brings with him buckets of experience and holds the ball very well going forward. With a win behind them versus Wales, Meyer could have more room to explore his options. On the weekend against Wales, I didn’t quite see the promise Lambie had been showing in the Currie Cup so if Steyn is fit, the fixture could see a little more consistency in the kicking department. I think the Fourie Du Preez factor was a major plus for Meyer’s end-of-year tour – the man is creative and intelligent in play and there was no one more deserving of the man of the match award vs. Wales then him.

Who is number 1?

Novak Djokovic reigned supreme at the ATP World Tour Finals against Rafael Nadal yesterday with a 6-3, 6-4 win. It’s Novak’s 7th title of the year and his 22nd consecutive win since losing to Nadal in the US Open final. With Federer slowing but surely bowing out to the top spots with age (no doubt, there’s still titles in him), the rankings are hotly contested between Nadal and Novak with Nadal still holding the number-one ranking despite the loss.

The Finals are a definite showing for the coming 2014 season and we all know how well Djokovic shows on Australia’s hard courts. Both players harness a never-say-die attitude and with both finding some of their best form in the last few months, I foresee a few more finals between the two next year.

 

 

Loftus gets the Goose

Loftus won’t see their liefling Steyn and we can all breathe easier knowing that Meyer is turning things around. Whether its media and public pressure or a revolutionary game plan from Meyer to pick Goosen, the Springbok game won’t be in tatters because Steyn is out of touch. But can we rely on the 20-year-old to put things right?

No longer will I take a deep breath before a conversion and pray before Steyn aims with no reward. Step up, young Johan Goosen in the Springbok flyhalf position when Meyer’s men take on the Wallabies on Saturday. Steyn quite desperately needs time away from the game with Elton Jantjies a great go-to on the bench. The Boks will be looking to be more clinical and score the points they deserve. Goosen is a talented kicker and will hopefully bring the Boks into a game where they can rely on him to get the penalties. In running play, Goosen also provides a lot of pace toward the back line so his appointment could also give Meyer a point to run the ball more instead of aimless kicking.

Hopefully Pienaar’s over-the-top scrum-half kicks to the open opponents are disregarded. It has been to predictable from a kicking point of view and I know that a lot of Bok supporters were looking for a bit of diversity at fullback with Lambie but it seems he’ll ave to wait. Kirschner is a little lacklustre but perhaps Loftus will give him the gusto to perform.

Our play at the breakdown has improved and our roaring mauls forward has been inspiring at times but without a kicker to turn to, The Boks have disappointed with advantageous possession. Time will tell if we have a new flyhalf at the realm.

PREDICTION: SOUTH AFRICA 26 AUSTRALIA 17

Boks: Make or break

Let’s be honest, The Springboks’ last outing in Argentina was cringe-worthy.

I remember my Dad and I using as many curse words as possible to describe the lack of gusto and control the Boks had with the ball. No balance, no oomph forward and silly at the breakdown. And now, Meyer and co. have a formidable task against the wounded Wallabies who are under a lot of pressure to grab a win. The All Blacks have shown their world dominance in epic wins against the Aussies so Saturday’s match-up will be a test for both Meyer and Robbie Deans.

Meyer says the Boks will start as underdogs in Australia and with good reason: we haven’t beat the Wallabies in the last four attempts. New boy Duane Vermeulen will have a look in with Pienaar taking scrum-half position with the ever-feisty Hougaard on the wing. I don’t think Meyer could have left Hougaard out anyway – his creativity and pace can always be a threat going forward. Vermeulen, too, is one that can win ball in the breakdown – a disappointing aspect of The Boks’ game in recent weeks – especially with the injury to Bismarck who has always been a mean machine in winning turnovers.

Steyn, too, is one who has to improve and is dipping in and out of form of late. Kirschner has much to show at full-back while the front row will have to secure set pieces for the Boks to gain any ground against a strong Aussie pack.

Right now, I’m a little pessimistic but hopefully the Bokke will show the magic down under to keep them in the game against the ever-dominant All Blacks who seem unbeatable at the moment. If its a kicking game, let’s hope Frans and Morne find their touch with some wing advances from lacklustre Habana and speedy Hougaard.

South Africa:
15. Zane Kirchner, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 Jean de Villiers (captain), 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Francois Hougaard, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Willem Alberts, 6 Marcell Coetzee, 5 Juandre Kruger, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Beast Mtawarira.

Substitutes: 16 Tiaan Liebenberg, 17 Pat Cilliers, 18 Flip van der Merwe, 19 Francois Louw, 20 Johan Goosen, 21 Patrick Lambie, 22 Lwazi Mvovo

My pessimism: SOUTH AFRICA 19 AUSTRALIA 25

My optimism: SOUTH AFRICA 28 AUSTRALIA 24