BAVUMA SMASH ODI CENTURY ON DEBUT

Proteas Batman, Temba Bavuma

Temba Bavuma (26) became the second South African cricketer after Colin Ingram to score a century on ODI debut as South Africa defeated Ireland with 206 runs at Benoni Yesterday.

The 26-year old, Kwa-Langa born batman dropped on one by Kevin O’Brien ,and went on to became the 12th cricketer to score a century on ODI debut. Bavuma scored 113 off 123 balls as South Africa reached 354 for five. He smashed 13 fours and 1 six.

Cricketers who scored ODI Century on debut

Dennis Amiss   vs Australia (1972)

Desmond Haynes vs Australia (1978)

Andy Flower vs Sri Lanka (1992)

Saleem Elahi   vs Sri Lanka (1995)

Martin Guptil vs West Indies (2009)

Colin Ingram vs Zimbabwe (2010)

Rob Nicol vs Zimbabwe (2011)

Phillip Hughes vs Sri Lanka (2013)

Michael Lumb vs West Indies (2014)

Mark Chapman vs United Arab Emirates (2015)

K.L Rahul vs Zimbabwe (2016)

Temba Bavuma vs Ireland (2016)

For anyone who has kept an eye on Bavuma’s career, this has hardly been a surprise. Just a few weeks ago he scored a century in the Ekasi Challenge for the Lions and despite a modest List A average over the last few seasons, Bavuma has already proven that he has what it takes to cut it at international level.

One-day cricket might not be Bavuma’s preferred format, but lest we forget, there was a time when Hashim Amla was not considered a one-day player either. And therein lies the rub. Transformation, as previously written on these pages, is not about taking the game away from white people, it's simply about giving white players of colour an equal opportunity to succeed.

BEING THE MOST EXPENSIVE FOOTBALLER IN ENGLAND

Paul Labile Pogba

Being the most expensive footballer in the English Premier League (EPL),  comes with its own pressure and most footballers fail to handle it. Shouldn't British media be blamed for the footballer's failure?

I strongly believe the problem is not with the players, but British media should be blamed for failures of footballers like Angel di Maria and Fernando Torres at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge respectively.

Apart from England,  where else in the world is a player judged with just five games into the season?  La Liga BBVA doesn't, Bundesliga doesn't,  Serie A doesn't and Ligue 1 doesn't.

if Spanish media was like British media Gareth Bale wouldn't be still at Real Madrid, the Welsh forward didn't have the best of starts at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi didn't either have the best of starts at Parc de Franc after their
move from Napoli.

Maybe, British media should look at itself as the reason for unsuccessful spells of players like Di Maria and Torres.

Paul Pogba wouldn't have been in 2015 FIFA team of the year if he was overrated, as English media say.

Jose Mourinho wouldn't have bought a player who doesn't have the potential to bring back the glory days at Old Trafford.

WOUNDED SPRINGBOKS READY FOR ALL BLACKS CLASH

Springboks vs. the All Blacks

The Springboks would be hoping to beat the All blacks for the first time on home soil in seven years when the two sides lock horns at Ami Stadium, Christchurch on Saturday.


The All Blacks’ last defeat to the Springboks on home soil was in the 2009 Tri-Nation in the 32-29 defeat at Waikato Stadium, under the guidance of Peter de Villiers.

Speaking at a media conference Springboks assistant coach, Johann van Graan said this match is what they might need to turn the tables around.

“We have a few strengths that we want to use and each rugby match has its own character,” Van Graan said.

He said maintaining a high start for the entire game is what they would need to defeat the All Blacks who have only lost twice to the Springboks since 2009.

“We have to be able to take the pressure and apply pressure and the team that is able to do that for the full 80 minutes will win the Test.

The two rugby rivals have huge respect for each other and it's always a special occasion when the two sides meet. Whether you on the coaching staff or playing, you want to test yourself against the best in the world and on Saturday this will be such an occasion,” Van Graan said.

Springboks coach, Allister Coetzee is likely to replace injured Free State Cheetahs lock, Lood de Jager with versatile forward, Willem Alberts for the All Blacks clash.

Despite the Springboks’ failure to get impressive results under Allister Coetzee, All Blacks Flanker, Jerome Kaino said undermining the Springboks would be their biggest mistake.

“We know that every time the All Blacks play the Springboks it's always been tight. They'll want to bounce back and they want to get a win so we'll be preparing as we always do and we'll be expecting something tight," Kaino said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

VAN NIEKERK AND SIMBINE RECEIVE HERO'S WELCOME

Wayde van Niekerk and Akani Simbine

Olympic 400m champion Wayde van Niekerk and 100m finalist Akani Simbine arrived home to a hero' s welcome at OR Tambo International Airport yesterday.

Van Niekerk and Simbine had spent some time in Europe after the Rio Olympic Games and were welcomed by hundreds of supporters, a reception that seemed to catch them by surprise.

According to Van Niekerk, the winning the 400m medal in a world record would have been impossible without support from South Africans.

“The support I received prior to the Olympics was the reason for my success at the Olympics, the medal I won is something special to me and I will cherish it and use it as my motivation to keep moving forward,” Van Niekerk said.

On his return to South Africa, Van Niekerk was surprised with Audi R8 worth R1.8million at OR Tambo International Airport. This was the 3rd car to be won by Van Niekerk in a period of a year after he won two cars at the South African Sports Awards in 2015.

Van Niekerk and Simbine - who finished fifth in the short sprint final in Rio, said they will take a break now in the off-season and start planning for the 2017 campaign, which includes the IAAF World Championships in London.

Simbine, who is an Information Science student at the University of Pretoria said his mind is now focused on achieving impressive results at school.

“I would give myself enough time to recover from the fatigue of preparations for Olympics and once I have chilled a bit all my focus would be on my studies,” Simbine said.

Athletics South Africa (ASA) President, Aleck Skhosana said South Africans should be proud of the performances of two of the country’s fastest men.

“I was privileged to witness first-hand the excellent performances of both Wayde van Niekerk and Akani Simbine at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. It is with great pride and joy that we receive these athletes back in South Africa. They have been great ambassadors for our country,” Skhosana said.

TWITTER REACTS TO STRAUSS EXIT

Adriaan Strauss to retire from Test rugby when  2016 season ends

The announcement by Springboks captain, Adriaan Strauss to retire from Test rugby at the end of the 2016 season has been received by mixed reactions on Twitter.

Strauss who became the 57th Springboks captain against Ireland in June would leave the Springboks in search of their fourth captain in less than a year. 

His retirement from International rugby comes after a spell of disappointing showings by the Springboks under his belt.

Tim(@Timotheos) said: “So Adrian Strauss took the cowards way out by quitting as Springbok captain?The fact is he was never up to the task, to begin with”.

GODFIDENCE(@AthenkosiMaseti) said: “Dankie Adrian Strauss, you served the nation well! On the brighter side now, I'm looking forward to the tenure of the next skipper”.

Diana Van Jaarsveld (@JaarsveldDiana) said: “Comparing Adrian Strauss Captaincy to John Smit and Jean I can safely say the #Springboks doesn't have a Captain at all. Someone, please tell me what is Bryan Habana and Adrian Strauss doing in the team?”.

Phillip Mago(@Phil_Mago) said: “Adriaan Strauss did what everyone who can't handle the heat should do... #QUIT. Hopefully, #Zuma is taking notes’’.

According to Strauss, the plans to retire when the season ends was set clear to Allister Coetzee before appointed as team captain.

“The plan was for me to serve and lead a team in transition as well as I can and take things week by week, but back then I already told him that I was thinking of retiring at the end of the season,” said Strauss.

Coetzee lauded Strauss for the role he played in empowering a new generation of Springbok players and developing a new team culture.

“I’ve known since day one that Adriaan was planning to retire at the end of 2016, but he is a vital component in our team and his role has been part of our succession planning in any case,” said Coetzee.