| April 09, 2005 |
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 SA teams need wins after box office flop Special Correspondent JOHANNESBURG – The South African teams in the Super 12 will try this weekend to make a new beginning in the competition as all four of them come back from their two-week break looking to redeem themselves after a miserable start. The Stormers front the South African challenge with eight log points, but are now several points off the pace after all the results went against them last week. But in reality all four local sides are in the same position – they have won just one game in five starts, which means that the show so far has been a box office flop. There could be some respite though from the sniping, criticism and general cynicism of the opening weeks as the two more favoured sides, the Stormers and the Bulls, are returning to South Africa to start a long home run of matches. If either of them gets its momentum up it could be difficult to stop and will be in with a good chance of making the semis. The Stormers must be favoured against the Reds, who have struggled this year, while the Bulls did beat the Crusaders last time the two teams met. The game in Pretoria could well depend on the attitude of the Crusaders, who have been in compelling form so far but have been known in the past to occasionally take their foot off the accelerator in some games. One of the big questions of the weekend concerns the Sharks. It was all dark and gloomy down Durban way before the Easter weekend, but the shock win over the Brumbies and the fresh face of Dick Muir in the coaching dug-out has brought renewed hope. The Sharks would probably agree that while no game overseas is easy, the Chiefs might be a preferred opponent to some of the other teams. Stormers coach Gert Smal has confirmed what has become increasingly apparent over the past couple of weeks – it is going to take a major emergency situation to develop in his team for Jean de Villiers to be shifted into the No 10 jersey. There are many who believe that De Villiers, who may be wasted on the wing, should be moved closer to the action. He is one of the more creative players in South Africa, but almost unbelievably, Smal appears to believe his best positions are in areas where he would be primarily a finisher and those creative talents would be wasted. “I see Jean’s best positions as being outside centre or wing,” said Smal when he was asked on Wednesday if he would consider moving De Villiers to flyhalf, as was planned by Springbok coach Jake White before a Test against Ireland last year. Former Bok coach Nick Mallett said in an interview a few weeks ago that he saw De Villiers as a possible answer to the Stormers’ problems at flyhalf, while former Springbok and Canadian international Christian Stewart said his “mouth watered” at the prospect of De Villiers in the pivot position. Today’s fixtures: Chiefs v Sharks (Hamilton 7.30am), Blues v Cats (Auckland 9.30am), Stormers v Reds (Cape Town 3pm), Bulls v Crusaders (Pretoria 5pm) Tomorrow: Hurricanes v Waratahs (Wellington 4.30am).
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John Paul II a true saint among men AND so the suffering Pope, the Pope who inspired millions in the Roman Catholic Church and in other faiths too, has been laid to rest with honour, loving tributes and thanksgiving in the presence of hundreds of world leaders of every religion and race, and pilgrims from all corners of the Earth. Many will remember the drama of his election, one which broke a long succession of Italian popes and brought to the Vatican a man who had experienced the suffering of his own people in war at the hands of the nazis and subsequently under the iron yoke of communism.... 
World mourns as people’s Pope is laid to rest VATICAN CITY – The poor and powerful joined in a final farewell to Pope John Paul II yesterday at a momentous Vatican funeral watched by hundreds of millions of people across the world.... 
Club hits the bull’s eye for trigger happy Historical gun enthusiasts are recreating a long-gone era in the shadow of Lady’s Slipper – and making history come alive, writes Brett Adkins. Mike Holmes took the pictures.FOR the little boy lurking in every man who ever dreamed of being a pirate, Davey Crockett or even an Eastern Cape frontiersman, you just got lucky.... 
Sectional title home an option for retirees By Business Reporter THE spate of new sectional title developments that have characterised the property market over the past few years is not only catering for those in pursuit of a secure, lock-up-and-go lifestyle, but has also broadened the options available to the retirement sector.... 
Barriers still exist but Karoo festival gave hope By Gary van Dyk ANOTHER Little Karoo National Arts Festival has come and gone and the tents have come down in Oudtshoorn until next year – but once again there are questions about its standing as an arts festival, a language festival, or just a saamtrek for the volk.... |
