Sias du Plessis

The lowdown on the MTN40 tournament

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:05:26 GMT

MTN continues to set new trends regarding sport in South Africa – the cellular giant recently announced changes to the format of the domestic 45-over game and launched the new MTN40 competition, which sees the cream of South Africa’s domestic talent go head to head for Ayoba honours!
Sponsorships Manager Bernard Pieters chats to DESTINY MAN about the MTN40 tournament.

The new MTN40 format is full of new innovations and ideas. Give us a brief rundown of the changes to the new format of the game.
The MTN40 sees a host of rule changes designed to make matches even more exciting than in previous seasons. The biggest change, as the name suggests, is reducing matches to 40 overs a side, instead of the traditional 45 overs. There will also be a five-minute strategic time-out after the 20th over in each inning. Day/night matches are scheduled to start at 16:00 and finish by 22:00, with a 30-minute dinner break between innings. Day games are scheduled to start at 10:00 and finish by 16:00, with a 30-minute lunch break between innings.
Additionally, rain delays will see an immediate reduction in overs, instead of extending the hours of play. There will be three Power Plays per innings, the first of which is compulsory during the opening 10 overs and the remaining two (of five overs each) to be taken at the behest of the batsmen at any time during the innings, except between the 36th and 40th overs. A first in cricket will see the ability to use all 12 players in the squad during the match. These will take the form of rolling substitutions, with captains being able to bring on a designated batsman, fielder or bowler when needed.
As in previous seasons, the MTN40 will have the MTN Cricket Challenge during the innings break at the semi-finals and final, which will see the two non-playing members of the teams and lucky fans compete in a series of cricket challenges to test their fielding, bowling and batting prowess. Fans will also have the opportunity to bowl the opening delivery for their favourite franchise. One lucky fan will take the field with the bowling side and deliver the opening ball before the batsman takes guard before the start of the match.
Another new introduction will be the MTN40 Autograph Zone to allow for more interaction between players and the fans. There will be specific autograph zones around the field during the game, where non-playing squad members will be on-hand to sign autographs for the fans and interact with them. MTN will also be continuing its Backyard initiative to invest money back into the development of the game. It is our aim to get as many children as possible to become part of the cricket family and take part in one of the greatest South African pastimes. To this end, MTN will be donating R100 for every four hit during the MTN40 and R250 for every six hit during the tournament. MTN will increase this to R200 for every four and R400 for every six hit during the one-day international home series against Zimbabwe and England.

What got MTN thinking about changing the format?
The changes have been designed to take out the quiet period during the middle of the 45-over competition. As we are trialling it in South Africa, it also puts our cricketers in a very good position should the International Cricket Council decide to change the 50-over game to 40 overs.
We are very excited about the MTN40, as it builds on our long-time involvement in one of South Africa’s favourite summer pastimes. The new format and rule changes herald an exciting time for cricket in South Africa as we want fans to come and experience first-hand the action that takes place on the field and not the sidelines.

Pro20 cricket has grabbed the attention of the world. Do you think it has been a good thing for cricket?
There is no arguing the fact that Pro20 has changed the way many people view cricket. The entertainment on the side of the field has been good, to give young people a taste for the game. However, with 40- and 50-over cricket, spectators get to experience cricket on the next level. While there are plenty of things happening on the sidelines, such as the MTN World of Cricket where kids of all ages can test their cricketing skills, the new playing conditions have been designed to almost guarantee the excitement stays on the field of play and the real heroes are the cricketers.

Santana must stay

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:29:50 GMT

The debate has been raging on for weeks now whether or not to get rid of Bafana Bafana coach, Joel Santana

With the new president being elected at SAFA, we could well see the Brazilian being axed from the setup. The problem is that with less than 9 months to go until the World Cup here in South Africa, a new coach has little time to fix the wrongs and improve the side. I personally think it would be silly to sack Santana now, but then a new approach at this stage might just be what the side needs. I think it is clear that Benni McCarthy needs to be included in the mix and to be left to play upfront. I think a local brains trust needs to be set up – a panel of experts made up of former players, current coaches and sport scientists. The panel can consult with the national coach and give him added information, and also give the squad expert advice.

I am not sure if a local coach or foreign coach is the answer, but one who speaks fluent English and who has coached at international level will do. Forget about the Brazilian approach and focus on the African approach – that is, after all, how we know to play football. Forget the fancy samba moves and get down to percentage football when a string of passes result in a goal.

SAFA are to blame for listening to Carlos Parreira in the first place and not going with another candidate. I am not sure if the former Bafana coach would be in the same position, but Santana has not worked out. SAFA need to make a big call and either sack him or find the right people to help Bafana perform at the World Cup, because at this stage we are in danger of not winning a single match and facing a very early exit at our World Cup.

The best Springbok side ever

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:57:00 GMT

Sports Network’s Howie Kahn gives his views on the Boks and their recent success

Are these Springboks the best in the modern era?
It is tough to compare teams from different eras, especially as the game has evolved so much – even from our last Tri Nations win in 2004. But, that said, with the likes of Smit, Botha, Matfield, Habana, Du Preez and Fourie in the mix – all of whom will go down as true Bok greats – I would have to say, yes. I just hope the core of this side can stay together until 2011.

Should John Smit hang around until the 2011 World Cup?
Absolutely. He is the glue that holds this Bok side together. Look at how the All Blacks fell apart when Sean Fitzpatrick retired at the end of 1998, and England are still recovering from Martin Johnson’s retirement in 2004.

Has Morné Steyn solved the Bok fly-half problem?
The guy averages a little over 12 points per Test – so on that alone, yes! But at the same time, what he has done is to add some much-needed depth to a position that has always been an issue for South Africa – to me, that is more important than “solving the position”. He is a good all-round player, and shouldn’t be pigeon-holed as a kicking fly-half only. With him and Ruan Pienaar, the Boks have the luxury of making a horses-for-courses selection, depending on their opposition.

How do you rate Peter de Villiers’s performance to date?
It is great to see how De Villiers has learnt from his mistakes – both on and off the field. His “defence” of Schalk Burger after the second Test against the Lions didn’t win him many friends abroad, but I think his players appreciate his trust in them and he lets them run the show. Having a strong captain like John Smit and leaders like Victor Matfield and Fourie du Preez in the mix are obviously to his advantage. His biggest test will come when he needs to replace icons like Smit, Matfield and Du Preez.

Top 10 Springbok moments

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:51:35 GMT

Howie Kahn from the Sports Network shares his top 10 Bok moments

1. Winning in Dunedin during last year’s Tri Nations – something no previous Bok team had ever managed to achieve.

2. Morné Steyn’s nerveless, series-clinching penalty kick against the Lions in the second Test. We might have been lucky in that Test, but the ’97 series loss to the Lions had given me many sleepless nights!

3. The first half of the Bok-Wallabies clash in Perth this season. The Boks had been criticised for their boring brand of rugby, but three first-half tries shut the Aussies up as we put one hand on the Tri Nations trophy.

4. Aside from losing to the Lions in 1997, South Africa’s 53-3 loss at Twickenham in 2002 was also a bitter, bitter pill to swallow for Bok fans. Revenge, however, was to be ours as the Boks handed the English a 42-6 drubbing at the venue some six years later.

5. Putting one over the Aussies is always great… Putting 53 points past them, however, is more than just great. SA’s 53-8 win over the Wallabies in August 2008 deserves a mention here.

6. Just this year, five players have passed the 50-cap mark for the Boks: Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana, Fourie du Preez and Jaque Fourie – it’s been a pleasure watching them grow into world-class players.

7. Sharks front rower John Smit became the most-capped Test captain ever when he led the Springbok team out against the All Blacks in Durban this year. It was a great feeling to see a legendary Springbok captain fêted for once, as opposed to rushing him into an early retirement!

8. Morné Steyn’s 31 points against the All Blacks in Durban – he scored all his team’s points in their 31-19 triumph in what was a fantastic display in the No.10 shirt.

9. Percy Montgomery’s 100th Test, against the All Blacks at Newlands in August 2008, making him the first-ever South African (and ninth-ever in the world) to reach that mark. Percy reinvented himself after a stint in Wales and was probably SA’s most consistent performer during Jake White’s era and at the World Cup.

10. The emergence of high-quality Test players like Beast Mtawarira (2008), Heinrich Brüssow (2008) and Morné Steyn (2009) – three players who have taken to international rugby like ducks to water.

Top 10 moments from the British and Irish Lions tour

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:51:41 GMT

Former Springbok centre Robbie Fleck shares his top moments of the fiercely contested series which the Springboks won 2-1 to avenge their defeat from 1997

1. The first 20 minutes of the 1st test match in Durban
Who could forget the scrum where the Beast mauled Vickery!

2. The last 20 minutes of the 2nd test match in Pretoria
Morné Steyn’s penalty at Loftus won the clash.

3. The hiding the Lions gave the Boks in the 3rd test in Johannesburg
Going 28-9 to a hungry Lions outfit, on a day where the Boks learnt several lessons.

4. Innovative Lions back play
Sensational running and passing from the Lions backline had me in awe.

5. The intense physicality of all three tests
The blood, sweat and tears – it was so intense. Some huge tackles to boot.

6. Brian O’Driscoll’s hit on Rossouw!
Danie Rossouw will remember this one.

7. Jacques Fourie’s try in the 2nd test
A super try from the best number 13 in the world currently, setting up the win in the process.

8. P Divvy’s comments during the entire series
Something about tutus and eye-gouging...

9. The Lions’ supporters
The Red Army descended on South Africa’s stadiums, creating a red tide of support.

10. The party after the 3rd test
Many cold beverages were drunk to celebrate the series win for the Boks and drown the sorrows of the Red Army.

A look at the British and Irish Lions series

Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:07:35 GMT

Former Springbok Robbie Fleck chats to us about the British and Irish Lions series

What are your thoughts on the British and Irish Lions series?
I thought it was an incredibly tough series with some great rugby action. I felt the British and Irish Lions brought out the best of the Boks. The level of international rugby went up a few notches after the series. The British and Irish Lions were an impressive outfit who played a brand of rugby which I believe will pioneer new developments in the modern game.

Do you think it is was a dirty series?
Not at all – it was a typical Lions series. Tough, uncompromising and helluva physical, with a huge amount of passion and pride thrown into the mix. There’s nothing better! It’s a do-or-die series.

How did you rate the Boks throughout the series?
I felt the Boks were impressive in the first test for 60 minutes and impressive in the second test for the last 20 minutes. Other than that, I felt we were outplayed by a very impressive and exciting Lions outfit. As I mentioned, the Lions brought something different to the table, which surprised the Boks and they struggled to manage them at most times. I felt we were quite lucky to come away with a 2-1 series win – it could have easily gone the other way. But the experience has helped the Boks develop into the best team in the world.

Ticket prices copped some stick – do you think it should have been cheaper?
They should have done their homework in order to get the fans there! There were more Lions supporters than Boks supporters, which is bizarre.

Jean de Villiers and Adi Jacobs or Jean de Villiers and Jacques Fourie? Why?
It’s tough… all three are great players and uniquely different. I guess it all depends on who the opposition is. My gut says De Villiers and Fourie, from a physical point of view, but Jacobs has something special in that he can create space for the men outside him.

Can the Boks win the Tri Nations?
Definitely! They are the best team in the world at the moment.

Morné's Magic

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:08:04 GMT

Another hard-fought win for the Springboks over the All Blacks in this year’s Tri Nations, but the day did not belong to John Smit and his captaincy record, or to Bryan Habana and Jean de Villiers for their 50th tests – it belonged to 25-year-old former Sand du Plessis High School scholar Morné Steyn

Steyn carved his name into the record books on Saturday with his 31 points against the All Blacks to hand the Springboks a well deserved win over a vulnerable looking New Zealand team. The Blue Bulls number 10 kicked superbly and his pinpoint accuracy is exactly what is needed from an international fly half. Look at Dan Carter – deadly from anywhere and can run when needs to, but his sole job is to score points for the All Blacks.

Steyn may not be the most attacking number 10, but his kicking game is up there with the best. This means that the likes of Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen will have to rely on opportunist try scoring, instead of a ball down the line. But if you get 15 points from the boot each time, does it matter if the ball doesn’t go down the line every time?

I do feel sorry for Ruan Pienaar because he is a quality player, but he’s being forced into a position where he isn’t comfortable. I think he should be warming the bench behind Fourie du Preez and not at number 10.

One thing the commentators did say that bugged me was the form of Pierre Spies, implying that he was out of form against the Lions and that he was back in form in the Tri Nations. I think the Lions did their homework and prevented the man mountain any room, while the All Blacks clearly allowed him the space to be the destructive player he can be.

The Wallabies will prove to be a different test for the Boks, as they’re a smarter, more creative and physical outfit while the All Blacks need Dan Carter – and if reports are to be believed, Carter will feature for the men in black very soon.

Game, Set, Match

Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:36:09 GMT

So far, 2009 has produced a few dramatic moments in men’s tennis, with debates raging about several players. Robbie Koenig, a retired professional tennis player who reached a career-high world-ranking of 28 in the doubles, currently commentates on the ATP Tour. He shares his thoughts on the 2009 season so far

What’s it like commentating on the ATP Tour?
You have one of the best seats in the house, watching the very best players in the world duke it out and all the while you get to talk about something you have a great affinity for. Currently, with Federer and Nadal, I’m also watching one of the greatest rivalries in all of sport unfold in front of my eyes. I get to travel to all of these great events and locations and talk with players about our shared passion for tennis. It’s a great gig and I’m lucky to have it.

What’s your favourite Grand Slam?
Close call, but it has to be Wimbledon over the US Open.

Who’s the brightest talent on the tour?
I’d have to say Marin Čilić from Croatia – and he’s a great guy to boot. You’ll hear a lot more about him in the future.

Is Roger Federer the greatest of all time?
Yes – results don’t lie! The only other contender would be Rod Laver who twice won all the Grand Slams in one year. He didn’t play between 1962 and 1968, but you can’t speculate on what he could’ve won. Also, Laver has said Federer is the greatest and you can’t really argue with that!

Do you think Rafa Nadal will surpass Federer?
If there’s anybody who will, it’s Nadal, but – and it’s a big but – he needs to stay injury free come the majors.

The sports fanatic

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:14:30 GMT

It’s extremely hard to escape any topic regarding sport these days. Radio DJs, newspapers, television programs and billboards all grab our attention about something that’s happened in the sporting world. Driving around the country, it’s difficult to miss the massive billboards flanking the highways and byways of SA, advertising the Confederations Cup, the Indian Premier League, the British and Irish Lions tour, Grand Slam tennis and local football. For anyone to avoid any form of media that is sports related would be near impossible. The internet is littered with sport websites, blogs, tweets and press releases, even web surfers are bound to crash into a tidal wave of sports knowledge somewhere in cyberspace. As the old cliché goes, time is precious, and few of us these days have the opportunity to sift through the thousands of websites on offer that all give the same sports news and opinion.

That’s why it pays to be selective about your choice of media for the latest in sports news and unbiased opinion. And that’s why you should set your homepage to my blog at Man.DestinyConnect.com. In case you’re wondering who on earth I am, let me introduce myself. I am Sias du Plessis, sports journalist, presenter and avid fan. I’ve been involved in sport all my life in some form or another, and I’m currently involved from a broadcasting point of view. I’m the sports presenter on Gareth Cliff’s breakfast show on 5fm, I host English Premiership matches, Grand Slam tennis and sevens rugby on SuperSport and I’m the biggest Newcastle United fan in the world.

I’ve played sport since I could crawl, and have played rugby, cricket, football, tennis, golf and hockey. I’ve also been known to enjoy the odd game of coinage in the pub and have been rated as “decent” by the Pietermaritzburg Croquet Club.

In all seriousness though, I’m a huge sports fan and if I’m not reporting on a sporting event, I am watching it live or on a television screen somewhere in the world. I will give my opinion on sporting developments from around the world, and throw in interviews with South Africa’s leading sporting personalities. Time is precious folks, so choose wisely – trust me, you won’t be disappointed with Destiny Man Online.