No image available
/ 12 September 2008
SA’s recent failure to qualify for the African Nations Cup for the first time in 14 years has sent a ripple of panic through the soccer fraternity.
Winger Jongi Nokwe became the first player to score four tries in a Tri-Nations match as South Africa routed Australia 53-8 on Saturday.
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers said he expected Wales to bounce back from their first Test mauling by the South Africans and produce an improved performance in the second Test in Pretoria on Saturday.
Wales coach Warren Gatland said that the physical conditioning of South African players could give the world champion Springboks an edge in the first Test in Bloemfontein on Saturday. ”That’s one of the biggest fears we’ve got — how physical and fit these South African players are from the Super 14,” said Gatland.
The Stormers picked up two second-half tries to keep their hopes of reaching the Super 14 semifinals alive with a 26-16 victory over the Otago Highlanders on Saturday. Hooker Tiaan Liebenberg and his replacement Schalk Brits scored in the space of 10 minutes to break open a game that was deadlocked 9-9 at halftime.