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Mallett: All Blacks won’t let Boks scrum
Nick Mallett says the Springboks’ key strength could be negated by the All Blacks’ new approach, making set-piece opportunities crucial in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series.
In a wide-ranging interview by Rapport, the former Bok boss believes New Zealand’s approach under Dave Rennie is aimed at limiting scrum opportunities.
The Kiwis have increased their attacking breakdowns, passes and carries while kicking less in Rennie’s first three Tests. newsbetting.cv
“Our problem may lie in a shortage of scrums against the All Blacks,” Mallett said. “Referees are playing to the advantage of tackles and trying to avoid interruptions.
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“That won’t suit us as we have great depth in the forward positions.
“With our ball they will do their best not to concede a penalty,” he added. “We need a lot of scrums on our ball to put pressure on their pack and win penalties.”
Mallet also backed Rassie Erasmus’ mobile forward options, including Thomas du Toit and Zach Porthen, while remaining confident in the Bomb Squad despite the absence of Kwagga Smith and RG Snyman.
“The Bomb Squad is here to stay,” he said. “It’s about playing with all 23 players, but especially with a fresh starting five for the last 35 minutes that makes the difference.”
Photo: Marcos Brindicci/Getty Images
The post Mallett: All Blacks won’t let Boks scrum appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Kaizer Chiefs targeting 16th MTN8 title
Kaizer Chiefs will be targeting a 16th MTN8 crown when they meet Golden Arrows in the quarterfinals at the FNB Stadium this evening (kick-off is at 6pm).
Since their first participation in the Top 8 tournament in 1972, Chiefs have won the competition 15 times and will now go in search of a 16th crown.
Speaking ahead of the game against Arrows, Chiefs captain Brandon Petersen said the mood in the camp is good after their win against Kruger United last weekend.
“The new guys have been settling in nicely and we are adapting to the coach’s style. So far, so good. After our performance against Kruger United, we are all enthusiastic about the season ahead,” Petersen told Chiefs media.
Petersen is expecting a tough encounter against Abafana Besthende, who qualified for the MTN8 by finishing sixth last season.
“Playing them is always a tough challenge. They are well structured and tactically disciplined. We know we’ll have our work cut out,” he admits before adding, “but come Sunday, I know the guys will be up for it.”
The match marks the first opportunity for Chiefs to play in front of their fans this season and Petersen encouraged the Amakhosi faithful to join them at FNB stadium on Sunday.
“We’d love to see all our supporters come out to celebrate Women’s Day with us and get behind the team in our first home game. They make a big difference in lifting the atmosphere and energising the players,” concluded Petersen.
Rabada ready to defend home fortress at World Cup
The Proteas spearhead believes home conditions and recent tournament progress can fuel South Africa’s push for a maiden 50-over world title.
Kagiso Rabada says South Africa will embrace home advantage rather than pressure when they chase a maiden 50-over World Cup title in 2027.
South Africa will stage the tournament alongside Zimbabwe and Namibia. Expectations will follow, but Rabada views the familiar conditions and home support as sources of freedom.
Speaking to the ICC at the venue announcement in Johannesburg, the fast bowler said South Africa would be ready to “defend this fortress”.
Rabada has represented the Proteas at the 2019 and 2023 editions. South Africa struggled in England before reaching the semi-finals in India, where Australia ended their campaign.
That progression, combined with their World Test Championship triumph over Australia at Lord’s in 2025, has strengthened belief within the squad. Rabada played a central role in that final and believes the side has proved it can handle knockout matches.
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“The confidence is there. The belief is most definitely there,” he said.
South Africa’s task now is to take the final step in a white-ball tournament. They have reached five men’s 50-over World Cup semi-finals without advancing to the decider, making the opportunity on home soil significant.
Rabada also pointed to Wasim Akram’s match-winning spell in the 1992 final as one of his defining World Cup memories. The Pakistan great dismissed Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis with successive deliveries, turning the match against England at the MCG.
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The South African quick admired the pace, skill and presence Akram brought to the occasion. He hopes to produce a performance with similar weight when the competition arrives in southern Africa.
Rabada will be 32 during the tournament and should remain central to the Proteas attack. His experience, strike power and knowledge of local conditions give South Africa a bowler capable of deciding the biggest matches.
After conquering Test cricket, the Proteas will now aim to carry that belief into a home World Cup.
Photo: Sameer Ali/Getty Images
The post Rabada ready to defend home fortress at World Cup appeared first on SA Cricket Mag.
FC Barcelone : Flick annonce le départ de deux joueurs
Le FC Barcelone s’apprête à tourner la page avec Marc Casadó et Roony Bardghji. Les deux joueurs ne devraient pas poursuivre l’aventure en Catalogne, une situation désormais assumée par Hansi Flick.
L’entraîneur du Barça a reconnu avoir eu une discussion délicate avec les deux éléments concernant leur avenir. « Ce n’était pas facile pour moi de parler avec Casadó et Roony de leur avenir, mais je l’ai fait », a confié le technicien allemand.
Flick a ensuite expliqué que ces décisions s’inscrivaient dans la gestion de l’effectif barcelonais. « Ces choses arrivent dans les clubs, surtout ici, où nous devons faire de la place aux joueurs de La Masia », a-t-il déclaré.
Le Barça souhaite ainsi continuer à donner davantage de responsabilités aux jeunes issus de son centre de formation. Pour Casadó et Bardghji, cette orientation devrait donc conduire à un départ durant le mercato estival.
The post FC Barcelone : Flick annonce le départ de deux joueurs appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.
Gor Mahia boss Rachier optimistic ahead of club’s return to Caf Champions League
NAIROBI, Kenya, August 9, 2026 – Gor Mahia chair Ambrose Rachier is optimistic of the club’s chances on their return to the Caf Champions League.
Rachier says the team have grown in unity and confidence thanks to the just-concluded Cecafa Club Championships in Rwanda.
“We played the champions or the league champions (APR) in this country and won. It was a very good achievement, took many people by surprise, but what is important is being together for slightly over one month, the whole team being together. That has served to achieve cohesion, also the infusion of rules and discipline that we talk about,” Rachier said.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions returned to the country on Saturday evening, after a month away in Rwanda.
K’Ogalo reached the finals of the regional championships, ultimately losing 2-1 to hosts Rayon Sports on Friday night at the Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
It was second meeting between the two sides in less than a month, following their pre-season friendly in July in which Francis Harigingo’s side emerged 2-0 winners on that occasion.
Rachier says their pre-season preparations couldn’t have started on the right note, notwithstanding the loss.
“When we came here we had not even started the pre-season. So our first friendly match on the invitation of Rayon was a useful invitation. We started the preparation at that time,” the supremo said.
The 1987 Confederations Cup champions begin their continental campaign against Egyptian giants Pyramids FC on the weekend of September 4-6.
Having played other regional giants in Kigali, such as APR and Rayon Sports (Rwanda), Vipers SC (Uganda) and Al Hilal (Sudan), head coach Charles Akonnor will be hoping that the confidence garnered will be enough to stand up to the North African giants come the day of reckoning.