Heyneke Meyer has maid it very clear in all his interviews and media briefings over the last couple of months that he is set on winning every test as Springbok coach starting with the first test against England on 9 june 2012. The question is to what lengths will he go and at what cost is he prepared to win?

Oregan Hoskins yesterday came out and made a statement that any player or coach that verbally or physically abuse a referee should be banned for life from all rugby. This comes after two incidents recently in school rugby
where referees have been physically abused. 
 
The first was a school boy who head butted a referee during a game. The boy has been given a 3 year suspension from rugby. The second incident involved a assistant coach from EG Jansen High School in Boksburg. The coach
shoulder charged the referee after a game against a Kemptonpark school. The coach has since pleaded guilty and is awaiting the outcome from the hearing. 

It was reported on Wednesday, 23 May 2012, that SARU, in their report to Parliament, once again gave assurance that the Southern Kings will play Super Rugby in 2013. They went further and said it would not be at the
expense of any of the 5 current franchises. Jurie Roux made it clear that they are working with all 6 the franchises in South Africa to get a solution to the problem they are facing and that this will be tabled at the next SARU meeting in July.

The Cheetahs will face the Sharks on Saturday afternoon at 17h00 in Bloemfontein. This is always a good entertaining game to watch as both teams tend to play running rugby. Add to this the fact that both teams have won 4 games against the other in Super Rugby and you are in for a treat. 
  
The Cheetahs are coming from narrow loss to the Stormers in Cape Town and will turn that in to a win this week. Riaan Smith has been drafted into the starting line up in place of a struggling Ebersohn. Smith made a huge  difference when he came on against the Stormers. Ashley Johnson will also be looked to, to make a difference once he takes the field. 
 
The Sharks will have to gaurd against being over confident after run away victory the weekend in Durban. They will know that it is not easy to travel to Bloemfontein and that the Cheetahs is out to proof a point. Pat Lambie will be pivotal in their attack and Keegan Daniel will once again want to lead from the front as he does every week. There is not much room for improvement from last week. 

The game will also see arguably the two best hookers in South Africa facing of against each other. Bismarck is the current holder of the Springbok Jersey in this position and many will still rate him as the best. He is playing like a man possessed and adds to the Sharks loose play. He tackles hard and secures many turn overs and is looking good with ball in hand.   
 
Then there is Adrian Strauss, the Cheetahs captain. He is leading his team from the front and when given the ball breaks the advantage line time and time again. He doesn't back down on defence and is always close to where the
ball is. Turnovers are bound to happen when he goes for the ball in the loose. 
  
Both hookers are brilliant at finding there jumpers in the line outs. Their scrummaging is good if not the best in the world. Not much seperates them and Saturday will proof who is the better player. My money is currently on
Strauss. 
 
I'm going with my gut feel and will be backing the cheetahs to  take this by a very small margin. Probably no more than 7 points. 
  
Kick Off local: 17:05 
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan 
Assistant Ref: Rasta Rashivenga
Assistant Ref: Tiaan Jonker 
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee
 
Teams:
Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 George Earle, 4 Izak van der Westhuizen, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen 
 Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Philip Snyman
Sharks:
TBA

The Reds will be taking on the Lions this weekend. Probably a prospect that any team in Super Rugby is looking forward to giving that the Lions have only managed one win this season. Overall the Reds have out played the Lions over the years winning 12 from 16 games. The last 5 encounters saw both teams winning two games with a draw thrown in. 

The Reds will welcome back Quade Cooper to their starting line-up. It has been nearly 7 months since the Wallaby fly-half last played a game of rugby. Even if he is a bit rusty after his long rest, Cooper will still be a threat to the lions. Add to this Digby Ioane and Will Genia and the Lions might just be in for another very long afternoon. 
 
The Lions are not only going through a rough patch on the rugby field, but off the field it is though times as well. They are uncertain as to their future in Super Rugby and SARU is seemingly dragging their feet to clarify what is going to happen. Already some of their players are starting to look for opportunities elsewhere. Doppies le Grange will be leaving shortly for Italian club, Benetton Trevisio. 

While all this is going on John Mitchel and his men will be fighting even harder to show that they can indeed compete at this level. To be honest they should just throw all caution and care into the find and come out playing for the love of the game and each other. Forget about the critics and doomsday profits out there and just enjoy the ride. 
 
Well expect some good running rugby from the Reds and the Lions will try their utmost to do the same. This might be a high scoring game with both teams opening it up. Never write of a wounded Lions team, but I won’t go
against the Reds sealing this one with anything between 1-25 points.

Referee: Keith Brown 
Assistant Ref: Angus Gardner 
Assistant Ref: Damien Mitchelmore 
TMO: Steve Leszczynski  

Teams: 
Reds:
15 Ben Lucas, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James
Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes 
Substitutes: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Eddie Quirk, 20 Nick Frisby, 21 Chris F'sautia, 22 Luke Morahan
 
Lions:
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Grant Hattingh, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg 
Substitutes: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 CJ Van der Linde, 18 Cobus Grobbelaar, 19 Jaco Kriel, 20 Tian Meyer, 21 Ruan Combrinck, 22 James Kamana

Saturday morning sees the Highlanders taking on the Bulls at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin. The Highlanders are coming off a bit of a bad run with only 2 wins in their last 5 games. They lost a close encounter against the Hurricanes and probably feel that they should have won that game. 
 
Andrew Hore at 2 will need to be watched by the Bulls as he as  the ability to just add that little something extra to any team he plays for. In the backs Hosea Gear and Tamati Ellison will be the game makers and breakers for the Highlanders. Also expect to see Jamie Mackintosh back to lead his team. The Highlanders might not be having the greatest season, but when they are playing at home they are always a dangerous side. They are just outside the top 6 on the overall log and a win here can see them back in play-off territory. 

The Bulls are on a magnificent run of form with 5 wins in their last 5 games. Two of these games have been on tour. They will however be weary of the Highlanders as they have not won a game in Dunedin for a while against them. That they have the better of the Highlanders in the last 5 outings against them is true. Over all however they have only managed a record of 5/16 with one draw. 

The Bulls will welcom back Dean Greyling, Wynand Olivier and Dewald Potgieter. Add to this the fact that Morne Steyn is playing his 100thgame in a Bulls jersey and they have something to play for. Milestone games for SA Players have not gone so good however and they will want to change this. Steyn is also the leading point scorer this season in Super Rugby. The Bulls have shown over the last couple of weeks that they have the attack to cut through most defences. It is their own defensive line that is their biggest worry. They are allowing teams to bring the game to them and then have to either fight to remain in front or to get the lead and win. Last week against the Waratahs it was again a thing of coming from behind to win.

Although the Bulls are on a winning streak, I am backing the Highlanders to win this game by anything from 7 to 17
points.

Referee: Ian Smith 
Assistant Ref: Garratt Williamson
Assistant Ref: Kane McBride
TMO: Matthew Muir

Teams:
Highlanders:
Tba
Bulls:
15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Wynand
Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies
(captain), 7 CJ Stander, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der
Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean
Greyling
Substitutes: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp,
19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 JJ Engelbrecht

This weekend sees 7 Super Rugby games being played once again. We have one game on Friday, 5 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. The games that features South African teams are thankfully all on Saturday. But let’s get to the dirty stuff and my predictions.

Hurricanes vs. Brumbies in Wellington
These two teams have met 17 times in Super Rugby competition with the  Brumbies winning 9 and the Hurricanes 8. The average winning margin between the two teams is 14 points. The last 5 games have seen the Hurricanes get the better of the Brumbies with 4 wins to 1. The average winning margin has however decreased to 5. Both teams have also won 3/5 of their last games. Not an easy game to pick, but I’m going with the Hurricanes by 5 purely on home ground advantage.

Highlanders vs. Bulls in Dunedin
The Highlanders have had the better of the Bulls throughout the years winning 10/16 with 1 draw thrown in. The Bulls in their last 5 meetings has however come out on top 3 times. Funny enough the average winning margin overall and for the last 5 games have been 17. The Bulls are on a winning streak and would want to keep it that way. The Highlanders in Dunedin is however a difficult team to beat. Like Naas would say: “My heart says Bulls, my head says Bulls.” Unfortunately I’m not Naas and I’m going Highlanders on this one. Full preview
to follow on Friday.

Crusaders vs. Blues in Christchurch
It has always been close between these two teams with the Crusaders just sneaking it with 11/20. In their last 5 games the Crusaders have taken 4 wins. The margins have been tight with only 5 points separating them in the last 5 games, but overall it is about 14 points. The Blues are coming of a win and the Crusaders a loss, but I won’t read too much into that. Here I’m going with the Crusaders by 10 minimum

Reds vs. Lions in Brisbane
Not much one can say about this game. The Reds have 12 out of 16 games with 1 draw. The last 5 years however things have been all square, 2 wins each and a draw. The margins have also been tight with an overall winning margin of 10 and in the last 5 years a margin of 7. It is however the Lions playing and I can’t
see the Reds losing this one. A Proper preview to follow on Friday.

Cheetahs vs. Sharks in Bloemfontein
The Cheetahs and Sharks have been evenly matched over the years with an equal number of wins between them. The last 5 years the Sharks have 3 wins from 5. The margins have also been tight with 11 points overall and 14 on average the last 5 years. Bloemfontein is not an easy place to win and the Cheetahs have a lot of pride when playing South African teams here. I’m going against the majority here and back the Cheetahs. A full review on Friday.

Stormers vs. Waratahs in Cape Town
The Stormers have won 8/15 with 1 draw between the teams. In Cape Town the Waratahs has had it difficult over the years and their last success was back in 2006. The winning margin has been 10 points on average between these two teams. The Waratahs are coming of a loss to the Bulls and had to travel. The Stormers will want to sort out their attack and second half play. In the end I can’t see the Waratahs winning. The Stormers should win this. Full review on Friday.

Force vs. Rebels in Perth
An Australian derby, yawn! But this time between the bottom two teams in Australia. And both these two teams like to play running rugby. They have faced each other 3 times in the past with the Rebels winning 2 and the Force only one. It has been tight as the biggest winning margin was only 3 points. Do expect more of the same with both teams throwing everything at each other. I’m going Force on this one by 2 points.


But as always this is just my view……………….

I must say this is the quickest response I have had in a long time. (Last time was when I phoned the cops and threatened to kill my neighbour for playing Steve Hofmeyr's "Blue Bulls" song for a week on end). I'm glad to
see those old rugby injuries are not slowing you chaps down at your age. 
 
Thanks for taking the TMO matter so serious and giving the man a bit more to do. Now he will really start to earn that pay check he gets. Yes, I know it is only a trail but I'm sure this is one of the laws that will be
excepted in this form by all and sundry out there. (If there is some one against it, refer them to Fifa. Those guys will welcome him.)

I was going to write to you regarding the scrums but you are one a head of me here. Thanks for shortening the sequence at the scrum. The "pause" bit never really made sense. Still I'm wondering what is with this "touch"
story. What are you guys trying to achieve with it? These guys are going to touch in just a moment in any case. Please let me know regarding this. 
  
The law change that made my day however is the one on the rucks. Thanks for this. But I still think 5 seconds is too long to allow a scrum-half to clear the ball. They can get in about 20 words in this time. But at least you
are trying to stop the debates and tea parties they have with the referee. Currently we are losing about 20 minutes a game due to this. 
  
I'll be off now and leave you to do some more work. Expect some more letters from me as the season progresses. 
  
Your friend
 
Dave

In Afrikaans they have a saying: "Te veel van 'n goeie ding is ook nie goed nie." Translated it means: "Too much of a good thing isn't good."  What am I trying to say? I hear you ask well exactly that. Too much of something is bad for you. It takes away from the joy of it and the taste and flavour becomes ordinary and stale. Give me a chance and I will explain my position better. 

I'm an avid sports fan that watches just about every major sport that is played or competed in the world. Rugby, cricket, soccer, golf, F1, tennis and so the list goes on. Every season one of these grabs my attention and hooks me into watching every game, but there has always been one that I followed no matter what: Rugby. Now however it has become stale. Especially Super Rugby. It has become an everyday taste with no flavour. 

When it all started it was a delicacy found only in a specialist deli, a wine produced and only obtainable from the estate. Now it is an everyday sweet bought in any supermarket or corner cafe. A commercial wine that you can
get at any liquor store and Pick 'n Pay. What was once a successful competition has become a bore. 
 
When Super Rugby started as the Super 12 in 1996 I looked forward to seeing my team play against the best in the Southern Hemisphere and that once a year derby against their local rivals. Later in the season the Currie Cup
would see them pitch against each other twice in a home and away fixture. Now I see them play only 2 Australian and 2 New Zealand sides away and 2 of each at home with one local derby after the other. 
  
Come the Currie Cup it is more of the same. In the past I would at least see some new teams compete in the Currie Cup with fresh talent. Now I have to hope that Super Sport will show some Vodacom Cup rugby to see those new
faces in rugby. And it is all because of money. Sponsors and television money only go to the top competitions. Viewing is also determined by this. 
  
I remember the days when the All Blacks came to tour South Africa for 3-4 weeks with 3 tests and a couple of mid weeks games thrown in. It would happen only once every 3 or so years and everybody got talking about it. Now it
is fly in, fly out and we will see you the same time next year, maybe just at a different venue. Talk about the test starts the week before and two days after it is forgotten. Now what is the fun in that? 

The England tour of South Africa this year brings back memories of this. A three test serious including two mid-week games. A proper tour like a rugby tour should be. Already talk is starting of how it will go and who will
reign supreme. But super Rugby stays the main topic. Gone are the days of Springbok trails and selectors choosing a team. The trails are now the games played the week before hand. The coach selects who he believes to be the best.
And with that a piece of rugby has died. 
  
The only thing that keeps me watching rugby is the fact that there is nothing that comes close to the hard hitting tackles and the beauty of a winger running with the ball to score in the corner.  Only thing is that this week the winger scores a try for your team and next week against your team. 
 
In essence there is just too much rugby without any real substance being played. 132 Super rugby games a season and then a Rugby Championship competition with more of the same. In the end no one goes to live games anymore as it is just too much. Cost is a big problem as well. No more full stadiums with supporters cheering their team on. I rather watch at home where I can change the channel if it gets boring. 
 
And so a beautiful game starts to die a slow death. Call me cynical but I just can't see Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship being good for South African rugby or advancing the game at all. The game I once loved and
craved has become just another garage pie that gives you heartburn and indigestion because you ate too much of it. Another bottle of cheap wine that will leave you with no more than a headache and upset stomach the next day. 
 
It is no longer that delicacy bought at the deli or that wine order from the Estate. It costs an arm and a leg to go watch live, but is like a Citi Golf or a Toyota Tazz. You see one game every 20 seconds.  
 
But this is just my  view...............

In Afrikaans they have a saying: "Te veel van 'n goeie ding is ook nie goed nie." Translated it means: "Too much of a good thing isn't good."  What am I trying to say? I hear you ask well exactly that. Too much of something is bad for you. It takes away from the joy of it and the taste and flavour becomes ordinary and stale. Give me a chance and I will explain my position better. 

I'm an avid sports fan that watches just about every major sport that is played or competed in the world. Rugby, cricket, soccer, golf, F1, tennis and so the list goes on. Every season one of these grabs my attention and hooks me into watching every game, but there has always been one that I followed no matter what: Rugby. Now however it has become stale. Especially Super Rugby. It has become an everyday taste with no flavour. 

When it all started it was a delicacy found only in a specialist deli, a wine produced and only obtainable from the estate. Now it is an everyday sweet bought in any supermarket or corner cafe. A commercial wine that you can
get at any liquor store and Pick 'n Pay. What was once a successful competition has become a bore. 
 
When Super Rugby started as the Super 12 in 1996 I looked forward to seeing my team play against the best in the Southern Hemisphere and that once a year derby against their local rivals. Later in the season the Currie Cup
would see them pitch against each other twice in a home and away fixture. Now I see them play only 2 Australian and 2 New Zealand sides away and 2 of each at home with one local derby after the other. 
  
Come the Currie Cup it is more of the same. In the past I would at least see some new teams compete in the Currie Cup with fresh talent. Now I have to hope that Super Sport will show some Vodacom Cup rugby to see those new
faces in rugby. And it is all because of money. Sponsors and television money only go to the top competitions. Viewing is also determined by this. 
  
I remember the days when the All Blacks came to tour South Africa for 3-4 weeks with 3 tests and a couple of mid weeks games thrown in. It would happen only once every 3 or so years and everybody got talking about it. Now it
is fly in, fly out and we will see you the same time next year, maybe just at a different venue. Talk about the test starts the week before and two days after it is forgotten. Now what is the fun in that? 

The England tour of South Africa this year brings back memories of this. A three test serious including two mid-week games. A proper tour like a rugby tour should be. Already talk is starting of how it will go and who will
reign supreme. But super Rugby stays the main topic. Gone are the days of Springbok trails and selectors choosing a team. The trails are now the games played the week before hand. The coach selects who he believes to be the best.
And with that a piece of rugby has died. 
  
The only thing that keeps me watching rugby is the fact that there is nothing that comes close to the hard hitting tackles and the beauty of a winger running with the ball to score in the corner.  Only thing is that this week the winger scores a try for your team and next week against your team. 
 
In essence there is just too much rugby without any real substance being played. 132 Super rugby games a season and then a Rugby Championship competition with more of the same. In the end no one goes to live games anymore as it is just too much. Cost is a big problem as well. No more full stadiums with supporters cheering their team on. I rather watch at home where I can change the channel if it gets boring. 
 
And so a beautiful game starts to die a slow death. Call me cynical but I just can't see Super Rugby and the Rugby Championship being good for South African rugby or advancing the game at all. The game I once loved and
craved has become just another garage pie that gives you heartburn and indigestion because you ate too much of it. Another bottle of cheap wine that will leave you with no more than a headache and upset stomach the next day. 
 
It is no longer that delicacy bought at the deli or that wine order from the Estate. It costs an arm and a leg to go watch live, but is like a Citi Golf or a Toyota Tazz. You see one game every 20 seconds.  
 
But this is just my  view...............