Writer with an appetite for travel, rugby, and cricket.
Cape Town
Joined May 2010
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After 2023, I did a projection of RWC winners' ages in 2027 – 27/35 will be 32 or older at the next tournament.
Revisiting that now 🧐
Interesting to see who's been phased out, and after the statement win in RGR, which Bok veterans still have what it takes.
Full analysis below
The Bulls and Stormers put on an attacking show, while a young Sharks side claimed a last-gasp win in Lyon.
But it's hard to look past the Lions' spirited display in La Rochelle, even if it ended in defeat.
My take on an emotional weekend for SA rugby.
rugby365.com/tournaments/eur…
Heartbreaker for the Cheetahs in Bayonne... and it was a long-range try by Herschel Jantjies that made the difference in a 29-27 result.
At least the Free Staters will come away with a losing BP
Lions go down fighting in La Rochelle.
Difficult circumstances to say the least, but they made a statement on Champions Cup debut.
Brutal physical contest, as you'd expect in a French rugby cauldron.
The Lions promised to do Hyron Andrews proud, and they've done exactly that in the first half in La Rochelle.
Have thrown absolutely everything at the European giants, and against all odds, they're only down by 5 at HT.
Gutsy, gutsy performance
Great start to the game by the Stormers, and at one stage it looked like it might be a one-sided blowout.
Made to fight either side of HT, though... cards stalled their momentum.
Good hustle to regain initiative and clinch the BP. Scrum again dominant, kicking game on point
Bulls thrash Stade by 36 points... and fair to say they left a few on the park.
Sublime solo finishes by Jooste, Rudolph, Wessels et al, but the Bulls attacking shape is causing opposition defences problems.
BP win in the bag – great start to the Bulls' Champs Cup campaign
Stunning win for a young Sharks side on the road. Definitely a different energy about this team this season, and they've carried their URC form through to the Challenge Cup. Older recruits (Van Zyl, Lewies, Roelofse) made an impact, but Siyaya, Bester and co outstanding
Meanwhile in Lyon, Jaco Williams has just picked off a pass to score an incredible intercept try for the Sharks.
Good start for the SA young guns in the European tournaments. This country has speed to burn
Bledisloe Cup 2026 aggregate score: NZ 93 Aus 40.
All Blacks attack on fire in the first half in Sydney.
Wallabies defence a perennial issue – missing 30 tackles over the course of the game; tackle completion rate just a touch over 70%.
Can the leading SA teams (read Bulls and Stormers) break the Champions Cup semi-final ceiling this season?
My piece ahead of the first round for @dailymaverick
dailymaverick.co.za/article/…
Rudolph very good for the Bulls at the breakdown, and finished that last try well.
Overall, the Bulls' game management was poor. Munster made loads of errors but were rarely punished.
Munster will be thrilled with this result after the past week. Gutsy
Good BP win for the Sharks against Leinster. Champs came back in the third quarter, but the returning Boks made a big impact at the death.
Leinster head back to Ireland with 3 log points from 2 matches.
Jon Cardinelli retweeted
Have wanted to write this piece for awhile about the Boks' record and how some critics and fans have started to lose perspective.
Despite all they've achieved, Boks always seems to be 1 loss away from being denounced as a boring, old or overrated team.
dailymaverick.co.za/article/…
Have wanted to write this piece for awhile about the Boks' record and how some critics and fans have started to lose perspective.
Despite all they've achieved, Boks always seems to be 1 loss away from being denounced as a boring, old or overrated team.
dailymaverick.co.za/article/…
After all Boks have achieved, we can't suddenly say Rassie is wrong to experiment with a RWC in mind.
That said, a lack of balance across the 23 was exposed in Perth.
Rassie got some answers re fringe players, but missed a chance to tick results box too
rugby365.com/countries/south…
Comms chaos, Bok fightback, Aus discipline implosion and 4 yellows... the most bizarre Test in Perth!
Want to say Aus deserved are winners, but that frantic finish will have given Les Kiss a few more grey hairs.
Boks will regret their own mistakes and flat start.
Boks converted what few chances they created – but a largely disappointing first half. Aus made plenty of handling errors but still scored 3 tries.
But is 24-17 a big enough lead, with the Bomb Squad to come?
Big test for the Wallabies now, although they do have a 6-2 bench