WEDNESDAY, 1.45PM:
DICK Muir captain of the Western Stormers and Springbok centre has announced his retirement from rugby follwing a serious neck injury sustained in a match against the Auckland Blues three weeks ago.
Muir’s career spanned ten years before he was advised to quit the game by Neurosurgeons on Tuesday.
Muir (33) played 150 matches for Natal before moving to Western Province last season where he played 27 matches and led the team to their first Currie Cup victory since 1989.
“The decision was taken out of my hands, I had no choice in the matter,” Muir said. Muir was partially paralysed after the match in Auckland, and does not know whether he would be able to regain the use of his right arm and left foot.
“It is not the way I would have liked to have left. It is sad when you are competing or trying to hold on to your place that you have to forfeit it this way. But I leave with the use of all my limbs. For that I am very grateful.
SPORT BRIEFS
COETZER BATTLES INTO THIRD ROUND
SOUTH Africa’s Amanda Coetzer battled into the third round of the German Open in Berlin on Wednesday. The fourth seed Coetzer beat local girl Andrea Glass 6-0, 4-6, 6-1.
STRAUSS CAN STAY, VOS CAN’T
SOUTH African Tiaan Strauss will be the only overseas player, apart from Argentenian Patricio Noriega, allowed to represent Australia in Super-12 matches in 1999. Australian Rugby Union general manager John O’Neill introduced the new eligibilty rules whereby only players eligible to play for the Wallabys would be allowed to play Super-12. This is good news for South Africans as livewire flanker Andre Vos will make his return to SA rugby because of the law. Strauss and Noriega, however are planning to play for the Wallabys in 1999.
SA TEAM TO PLAY WORCESTER ON THURSDAY
THE South African cricket team to play Worcester in the first match of their English tour is: Gary Kirsten, Gerhardus Liebenberg, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (captain), Jonty Rhodes, Mark Boucher, Lance Klusener, Allan Donald, Adam Bacher, Mornantau Hayward, Adam Bacher (12th man).
FOREIGN LEGION FLOCK TO COMRADES
MORE than 350 foreigners from 38 countries, including some 200 novices will start the 1998 Comrades marathon. The largest contingent of runners is from Britain, with 35 followed by the US with 29, Australia, 27, and Russia with 19 entrants.
NIGERIA SQUAD FOR FRANCE
THE Nigerian Football Association has announced a 25-man squad for the 1998 Soccer World Cup in France. The 25-man squad will be reduced to 22 for the tournament. First choice goalkeeper, Ike Shorunwu broke his arm during the weekend and will be unavailable.
The Squad
Goal keepers: Ike Shorunmu (FC Zurich, Switzerland) , Willy Opara (Orlando Pirates, South Africa), and Uche Akubuike (Jasper United, Nigeria). Midfielders: Sunday Oliseh (Ajax Amsterdam, Holland) Austin Okocha (Fenerhache, Turkey), Karibe Ojigwe(FC Kaiserslautern, Germany), Steven Isa (Saarbrucken, Germany) Godwin Okpara (Strasbourg, France), and Wilson Oruma (RC Lens, France). Forwards are: Finidi George (Real Betis, Spain), Tijani Babangida (Ajax, Amsterdam), Nwankwo Kanu (Inter Milan, Italy), Victor Ikpeba (AC Monaco, France), Daniel Amokachi (Besiktas, Turkey), Rashidi Yekini (FC Zurich, Switzerland) and Mutiu Adepoju (Real Sociedad, Spain). Defenders are: Uche Okechukwu (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Taribo West (Inter Milan, Italy), Mobi Oparaku (Thrnout FC, Belgium), Celestine Babayaro (Chelsea, England), Jero Shekpore (Reggiana FC Italy), Kingsley Obiekwu (Go-Ahead Eagle FC, Holland), Ajibade Babalade (LG Cheetahs FC Seoul, South Korea), Garba Lawal (Roda FC, Holland) and Uche Okafor (Kansas City Wizards, United States).
BIG BUCKS FOR GRISHINE
DEFENDING Comrades “up” run champion, Dmitri Grishine will be spurred on by R1-million in prize money if he succeeds in breaking Bruce Fordyce’s 1988 record of 5:27:43 on June 16.