| July 09, 2005 |
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 Bok rookie ready for war against Oz Special Correspondent SYDNEY – Australian rugby captain George Gregan can expect some antagonistic treatment from his opposite number – rookie halfback Ricky Januarie – in today’s Test tie at the former Olympic stadium. Januarie, 23, a surprise selection for the South Africans this year after missing the entire Super 12 season, aims to do what top No 9s do well: be annoying. “You’ve got to be cheeky, you’ve got to stand up against players,” said Januarie, who has played just two Tests for South Africa. “I want to upset George Gregan and (flyhalf) Stephen Larkham,” he said. “I won’t do that the whole game. I’ll do it once, stop and do it again. I’ll do it when they are not expecting it.” Januarie, a former Springbok under-21 star, said he has learned much from Gregan, a 108-Test veteran. “He’s someone who’s like a role model to me,” said Januarie. “I love the way he plays. I am playing against one of the best scrumhalfs in the world (and) it is going to be a huge thrill for me.” Meanwhile, Wallaby coach Eddie Jones says his side needs to show more discipline on defence. Australia beat France 37-31 last weekend, but let in four tries. “Sometimes when you loosen up your attack, you loosen up your defence and that’s something we’ve got to be conscious about – that we still need to have that rigidity and discipline in terms of defence,” Jones said. Jones brushed aside a reported spat with rival coach Jake White, mostly centred around allegations of illegal scrummaging tactics by the Wallabies. South African players today will wear the number 46664 on the sleeves of their uniforms, in honour of former SA president Nelson Mandela’s campaign against Aids. The number was Mandela’s prisoner number during his 27 years in detention. More than 65 000 tickets have been sold for the match, the first of four matches between the teams in the next six weeks. The sides will meet again in Johannesburg for the second match of the Nelson Mandela Challenge Plate on July 23, then play in Pretoria on July 30 in a Tri-Nations game. The fourth match, also in the Tri-Nations series, is scheduled for August 20 in Perth, Australia. Australians have shown their grudging respect for the Springboks by buying record numbers of tickets for the Mandela Cup match at the Telstra Stadium today. By yesterday morning 72 000 tickets had been sold. “I think that shows that South African rugby has some respect again,” coach Jake White said. “Part of the brief this team has had is to restore the image of Springbok rugby. We couldn’t have been any lower than we were a couple of years ago. “A crowd of 72 000 shows that we are on the right track and what better opportunity to go out there and win our first away game in Australia in seven years.” – Sapa
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A world in need of unity and peace THURSDAY’s terror outrages in London have shaken the security of the world as did the September 11 horror in the US and the Madrid bombings, which took such a toll – and ended Spain’s involvement in Iraq. For the British, now, the instinct is to go on as before, to increase vigilance, to encourage people to be observant and report suspicious circumstances – and to refuse to surrender to the forces that spread confusion, terror and mayhem.... 
PE man’s miracle: ‘How I survived London bus blast’ By Karen van Rooyen A PORT Elizabeth man who was a passenger on the ill-fated double-decker bus when it was blown up in a terror attack in London this week has told how he miraculously escaped with his life.... 
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Township entrepreneur brings business to people By Derrick Spies RICHMOND Vantyi is the head of the Vantyi family and, at 71 years young, still controls the family businesses in Port Elizabeth’s townships.... 
Art in Eastern Cape sitting pretty, thanks Features Editor Babalwa Shota chairs her views on a local art project THE much-hyped Cow Parade might have passed by the Eastern Cape, but Port Elizabeth fans of quirky art can console themselves by visiting the Cuyler Street Gallery in Central for something almost as interesting.... |
