Most New Zealanders believe winning the Rugby World Cup is their destiny, but one glaring hole in their packed trophy cabinet and the taunts of George Gregan say otherwise. Instead, the All Blacks are saddled with the twin tags of being the world’s top-ranked side and top-ranked chokers.
On what was deemed a ”champagne occasion”, Bidvest Wits University on Monday launched a new team emblem as well as the arrival of five new players for the coming Premier Soccer League season. ”All five have been training with the squad for some time,” said coach Roger de Sa.
After being down almost 1% earlier, the JSE managed to claw its way back into positive territory by midday on Tuesday as the weaker rand lent some support to resources stocks and Dow futures were up. A trader said that the Dow futures were looking positive — up 30 points — which is an indication of a firmer start on Wall Street later this afternoon.
Springbok coach Jake White will get his first opportunity to see his World Cup side in action when South Africa face lowly Namibia in a warm-up match in Cape Town on Wednesday. It will also be the first match the Springboks play after former Australia coach Eddie Jones joined the squad a few weeks ago.
Wallabies Lote Tuqiri and Matt Dunning have been slapped with a midnight curfew for Australia’s Rugby World Cup campaign after a controversial late-night drinking session, officials said on Tuesday. Australian Rugby Union boss John O’Neill said both players, who had a prior history of drink-related incidents, had also received a formal warning about their conduct.
Rahul Dravid didn’t score a hundred during India’s 1-0 series win against England, and nor did his fellow star batsmen Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman. But far from being disappointed, India captain Dravid was elated after leading his country to only their third series win in 15 tours of England following a draw in the final Test at the Oval on Monday.
Six people were injured and 30 were arrested during a protest over housing delivery in Sebokeng on Tuesday morning, Vaal Rand police said. Captain William Mcera said about 800 protesters burned tyres and stoned vehicles from about 4am, opposite the Sebokeng Hospital in Zone 14.
Karl Rove’s departure from the White House to spend more time with his family and to write his memoirs marks the end of the dominant political partnership of the past decade in United States politics. Rove took George Bush under his wing when he was no more than the figurehead of a Texan baseball team.
A road bridge under construction across a river in southern China collapsed, killing 22 people and injuring 22, state media reported on Tuesday, but witnesses expected the death toll to rise substantially. At least 39 people were missing after the 320m concrete arc bridge spanning the Tuo river in Fenghuang county, Hunan province, collapsed on Monday during the evening rush hour.
Twenty-three Vodacom employees were suspended on Monday in a sequel to a month-long strike, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said. The employees were a part of a strike in July and August, in which the CWU demanded recognition from Vodacom.