Category: South Africa

The South Africans have made two changes to their team which will play the All Blacks this weekend.

Flanker Juan Smith has been ruled out through injury, with Joe van Niekerk confirmed as his replacement.

Jean de Villiers returns to the South African midfield at second five after being out for few months with a rib injury.

South Africa: Percy Montgomery, Akona Ndungane, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Fourie du Preez, Jacques Cronje, Joe van Niekerk (probable), Solly Tyibilika, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, CJ van der Linde, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.

Reserves: Chiliboy Ralepelle, BJ Botha, Albert van den Berg, Joe van Niekerk, Pierre Spies (probable), Ruan Pienaar, Wynand Olivier, Andre Pretorius.

Sanzar have released the schedule for the 2005 Tri Nations.

Tri Nations champions South Africa will kick off the competition at home with a game against Australia on July 30. Followed then by a game against New Zealand.

Next Australia host two matches at home. New Zealand host the final two games.

Draw works out best for Australia, who start of with a game in South Africa. Then have a two week break before their two home games. And another two week break before travelling to New Zealand to play their final game.

Tri-Nations schedule for 2005

July 30: South Africa vs Australia, Securicor Loftus, Pretoria, kick-off 15:00 (13:00 UTC)
August 6: South Africa vs New Zealand, Newlands, Cape Town, kick-off 15:00 (13:00 UTC)
August 13: Australia vs New Zealand, Telstra Stadium, Sydney, kick-off 17:00 (04:00 UTC)
August 20: Australia vs South Africa, Subiaco Oval, Perth,
August 27: New Zealand vs South Africa, Carisbrook, Dunedin,
September 3: New Zealand vs Australia, Eden Park, Auckland,

South Africa 23 defeated Australia 19 in the last game of the 2004 Tri Nations.

South Africa - Tries: Victor Matfield, Johann van Niekerk; Conversions: Percy Montgomery 2; Penalties: Montgomery 3

Australia - Tries: Lote Tuqiri, Stirling Mortlock, George Smith; Conversions: Matt Giteau 2

On Saturday, South Africa host Australia for the last game of the 2004 Tri Nations series. The game is of great importance for both teams as the winner of this game will win the Tri Nations.

The Wallaby team remains the same as the one that defeated New Zealand two weeks ago.

South Africa: Percy Montgomery, Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Jean de Villiers; Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Bolla Conradie; Joe van Niekerk, AJ Venter, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Eddie Andrews, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.

Replacements: Hanyani Shimange, CJ van der Linde, Gerrie Britz, Jacques Cronje, Fourie du Preez, Gaffie du Toit, Brent Russell.

Australia: Chris Latham; Clyde Rathbone, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri; Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain); David Lyons, Phil Waugh, George Smith, Nathan Sharpe, Justin Harrison, Al Baxter, Brendan Cannon, Bill Young.

Replacements: Jeremy Paul, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, John Roe, Chris Whitaker, Matthew Burke, Wendell Sailor.

In the fifth game of the 2004 Tri nations series, South Africa defeated New Zealand 40 points to 26.

South Africa - Tries: Marius Joubert (3), Breyton Paulse, Jean de Villiers; Conversions: Percy Montgomery (3); Penalties: Montgomery (3)

New Zealand - Tries: Mils Muliaina, Joe Rokocoko; Conversions: Andrew Mehrtens (2); Penalties: Mehrtens (4)

In the third rugby match of the 2004 Tri Nations, Australia defeated South Africa 30 points to 26.

The Springboks lead at half time 16 points to the Wallabies 15. During the second half the lead seesawed between the teams. Until Australian winger Clyde Rathbone tip-toed down the sideline to score a try against his nation of birth. Rathbone’s try gave Australia a 4 point lead, which despite a sprited attack from South Africa, was enough to give Australia the win and a bonus point for scoring four tries.

Australia - Tries: Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, Chris Latham, Clyde Rathbone. Conversions: Matt Giteau, Matt Burke. Penalties: Giteau (2).

South Africa - Tries: Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Jean de Villiers, Gaffie du Toit. Conversion: Percy Montgomery. Penalties: Montgomery (3).

Australia and South Africa have both named their sides for the third Tri Nations game of 2004.

The big changes for the Wallabies is the return of cpatain and halfback George Gregan. Hooker Jeremy Paul starts the game as Brendan Cannon is serving a suspension for punching. Flanker Radike Samo is dropped form the squad in favour of George Smith.

The main change for the Springboks is the return of Gerrie Britz who has been out since breaking his nose while playing against the Pacific Islanders.
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New Zealand defeated South Africa in the second rugby match of the 2004 tri series 23 points to 21.

South Africa lead for most of the game after scoring the first try within the first minute of the game.

It was not until the last minute of the game that New Zealand took the lead by a try Doug Howlett.

New Zealand Try: Doug Howlett; Penalties: Daniel Carter (5), Carlos Spencer

South Africa - Tries: Jean de Villiers, Jacques Cronje, Fourie du Preez; Conversions: Percy Montgomerie(3)

New Zealand host South Africa in Christchurch for the second rugby match of the 2004 tri series.

The Springboks under new coach Jake White are on a four game winning steak having defeat Argentina, Wales and Pacific Islands this year. However the All Blacks have won the last seven matches played against the Springboks.

New Zealand is the firm favourite with the bookmakers with a win at playing $1.18, while South Africa $4.50 for the win. The All Blacks have been given a 16 point start over South Africa.

During the week five memebers of the All Black squad were effected by a stomach bug and pulled out of training. However they have all recovered and will suit up for the game on Saturday.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina; Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga (captain), Daniel Carter, Joe Rokocoko; Carlos Specer, Justin Marshall; Xavier Rush, Marty Holah, Jerry Collins, Simon Maling, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Keven Mealamu, Kees Meeuws.

Reserves: Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock, Ali Williams, Craig Newby, Byron Kelleher, Sam Tuitupou, Nick Evans.

South Africa: Percy Montgomery; Breyton Paulse, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Jean de Villiers; Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Fourie du Preez; Jacques Cronje, AJ Venter, Schalk Burger, Albert van den Berg, Bakkies Botha, Eddie Andrews, John Smit (captain), Os du Randt.

Replacements: Danie Coetzee, Faan Rautenbach, Quinton Davids, Joe van Niekerk, Bolla Conradie, Gaffie du Toit, Brent Russell.

South Africa won a one-off rugby test match against a combined Pacific Islands team.

South Africa got out to an big lead scoring 33 points before the Islanders first scored.

Pacific Islanders - Tries: Sitiveni Sivivatu (2), Sione Lauaki, Sireli Bobo. Conversions: Seru Rabeni (2)

South Africa - Tries: Jacques Cronje, Breyton Paulse (2), Jean de Villiers; Conversions: Percy Montgomery (3); Penalties: Montgomery (4)