The Six Nations Rugby Tournament Explained

Comprising the ‘big boys’ of Northern Hemisphere rugby, the Six Nations is one of the premier international competitions on the rugby calendar. There have been many famous battles between teams and players alike since the tournament’s inception. Be it Brian O’Driscoll’s brilliance, Martin Johnson’s brute force or the flair of Frederic Michalak, fans have witnessed some of the game’s best over the years.

Will the Southern Hemisphere powerhouse, South Africa join the six nations tournament in years to come? Nobody seems to know for certain, but it remains a hot topic world over.

When did the Six Nations begin?

The Six Nations as we know it today began as the Home Nations Championship. This competition began in 1883. This makes it the first international rugby union tournament that took place. The Home Nations Championship consisted of teams from England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. In 1910, France joined the competition, and the Five Nations was born. This remained the status quo until 2000 when Italy joined the party. This is how the competition has remained ever since. With the addition of Italy, the name changed to the Six Nations.

How does it work?

Each team plays each other once during the Six Nations. The team who enjoys home ground advantage alternates each year. The Championship Trophy goes to the winners of the tournament. Teams that win all their matches win the ‘Grand Slam’. England led the charge here, having achieved this on 13 occasions. The home nation teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales all compete for The ‘Triple Crown’ which is a sub-trophy. This dates to the original Home Nations Championship. The team who win all three of their matches against the home nation opposition wins the trophy. By managing this on 26 occasions, England again are the team that has accomplished this feat the most times.

Additional trophies

There are various other competitions that the Six Nations teams compete for amongst themselves. These contests mainly take place during the competition itself. The oldest of the individual competitions is the Calcutta Cup. England and Scotland first contested for this trophy in 1879. The second oldest competition is the Millennium Trophy which were introduced in 1988 and is competed for by Ireland and England. Ireland and Scotland compete for the Centenary Quaich which was brought into being in 1989. Since the Six Nations as we know it began in 2000, the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy (between Italy and France), the Auld Alliance Trophy (between France and Scotland), and the Doddie Weir Cup (between Wales and Scotland) have all been introduced.

Recent Results

Since 2000, the team that has won the most titles are England with six wins. France and Wales have both won the competition five times, while Ireland have won it on four occasions. Scotland last won in 1999 when the competition was still in the Five Nations format. Italy have not yet managed to win a title. In fact, they have finished last on 14 occasions, and so are clearly the weakest of the teams (on average) in the competition. Wales won the title in 2019 and were subsequently one of the favourites for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Eventual winners South Africa defeated the Welsh in a closely contested semi-final.

The 2020 Six Nations still needs to be concluded after the competition was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic with a round to play. The tournament is set to resume in October. As it currently stands England and France occupy the top spot with 13 points a-piece. Each team have one more game to play.

Will South Africa join the Six Nations?      

Rumours of the South African rugby team joining the Six Nations have been around for a while now. The Boks are currently part of the Rugby Championship, a Southern Hemisphere tournament between South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina. Widely considered to be the most prestigious annual rugby tournament around, the Rugby Championship’s future is uncertain. Domestic teams, the Cheetahs and the Kings from South Africa have recently joined the Pro14. This is an annual competition featuring teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Italy (and now South Africa).

There is uncertainty around the future of the Super Rugby competition, and rumours of a possible South African exclusion. If this does occur, it won’t come as a surprise if all South African domestic teams join Northern Hemisphere competitions. Time zone challenges will be a thing of the past (along with jet lag). One feels that if South African domestic competition plies its trade with Northern Hemisphere teams, it will only be a matter of time before the Springboks follow suit.

The Six Nations is a widely respected rugby tournament, should South Africa join however, the level of competition will increase substantially. The three times world champions would only bolster the already successful format. The real losers in all of this would be New Zealand and Australia. What comes of this, only time will tell.

Hollywoodbets Sponsors the Dolphins

Hollywoodbets first entered the fray with the Dolphins as associate sponsors in the 2015/ 2016 season. Since the 2016/ 2017 season Hollywoodbets have progressed to becoming the full title sponsors of the Dolphins cricket franchise. This partnership has gone from strength to strength over the years. Hollywoodbets also acquired the naming rights sponsorship of Kingsmead stadium in Durban from October 2019.

Who is Hollywoodbets?

Hollywoodbets is a sports betting company, that operates in South Africa, Ireland, Mozambique and the United Kingdom. The company is based in South Africa, with its headquarters situated in the city of Durban. In 2000, Hollywoodbets opened their first retail branch and now operate more than 80 branches as well as online.

Cricket, rugby, football, and horse racing are a few of the sports that Hollywoodbets offers betting on. The horse racing track, Hollywood Park Racetrack in Los Angeles is where inspiration for the name came about. The company has continued to gain momentum over the years. In 2019 iGaming Business Magazine published the top 50 gaming sites worldwide. Hollywoodbets ranked number 8 on this list. It is clear to see that while the company has humble South African beginnings, it is making waves globally too.

Hollywoodbets and sports sponsorships

Hollywoodbets does not only have an affiliation to the KZNCU Dolphins. The company has been involved in multiple other sports sponsorships over the years.

In the football world, the 2019 COSAFA Cup held in Durban was an event that Hollywoodbets played a part in from a sponsorship perspective. In horse racing, the company is the naming rights sponsor for both the Greyville, and the Scottsville race courses. This is a three-year deal, which began in 2019. From a rugby perspective, Hollywoodbets has been the title sponsor of the Kwazulu-Natal interclub competition, the Murray Cup since 2018. The event has been around since 1890, and this makes it the oldest knockout rugby union competition in the world. More recently Hollywoodbets has become an associate sponsor to the Sharks rugby team. The deal will run for 3 years ending in 2022. The company logo will appear on the players kit in both Super Rugby and Currie Cup games.

The KZNCU Dolphins cricket franchise

The KZNCU Dolphins cricket franchise is one of the most successful South African cricket teams. Over the years they have won competitions in all three formats of the game. Most recently they shared the spoils of the 2019/ 2020 Momentum One Day Cup with the Warriors. The final match got abandoned due to rain, and thus no outright winner could be decided.

Along with domestic success, the franchise has also been a breeding ground for many cricket stars. Former players such as Lance Klusener, Jonty Rhodes and Shaun Pollock all went on to have successful careers playing for the national team, the Proteas. When not on national duty, Proteas players, Imran Tahir, Andile Phehlukwayo and David Millar are all part of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins squad .

The relationship between the franchise and Hollywoodbets has flourished since the initial associate deal was penned in the 2015/ 2016 season. The current title sponsor deal is set to expire at the end of 2020. It would not be a surprise if both parties extend the deal further into the future.

Hollywoodbets Sponsorship in South Africa

Hollywoodbets was nominated as sponsor of the year for the 2020 Momentum gsports Awards. The nomination was for the title sponsorship that Hollywoodbets has with the KwaZulu- Natal coastal women’s provincial cricket team. What is significant, is that this is the first female cricketing franchise that has ever received title sponsorship within South Africa.

The award ultimately went to SPAR, who has a long-standing affiliation with netball and road running. The nomination for Hollywoodbets however was still a cause to celebrate. It provides justification to a company that has so heavily invested in various sports, particularly within Kwa-Zulu Natal. With positive publicity such as this, Hollywoodbets will most likely continue to pursue sponsorship opportunities within the sports it offers betting on.

The sponsorship of sporting teams is a growing trend among sports betting companies. More and more betting companies are joining the party on a local and global level. While perhaps traditionally viewed as taboo, the affiliation with these companies seems to be more accepted nowadays. With a changing sports environment and the current global economic environment, one feels that the acceptance of non-traditional sponsors will become more common.

For the KZNCU Dolphins, the relationship with Hollywoodbets has been fruitful up until now. A common feeling is that both parties will be looking to extend this positive relationship into the future.

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The South African Soccer scene

The South African Soccer scene

Hosting the FIFA Football World Cup in 2010 was a defining moment for South Africa. As a soccer-mad nation, the event brought about a unity that one only sees in sport. Siphiwe Tshabalala’s opening goal of the tournament will be talked about for years to come. It was indeed a proud moment for all South Africans. As one of the big three sports in South Africa, soccer has the largest following. From professional soccer clubs to informal matches played in the townships, the game truly has a reach like no other. Many a young South African aspires to become the next Bafana Bafana star.

When was soccer introduced to South Africa?

Soccer found its way to South African shores via the British nationals travelling to the country in the mid-1800’s. A sport popular amongst the military, soccer soon found its way across culture lines. The first documented games occurred in 1862. These games were contested in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, exclusively by white people. Since the very beginning, soccer has been under the race spotlight. Initially the sport was only played by whites, and the associations formed thereafter were exclusive to the white population. Organizations specific to the Indian, black, and coloured populations were formed thereafter. However, the different races did not mix. The apartheid system enforced further segregation and disallowed racially mixed teams from competing. Due to these policies, FIFA suspended South Africa from international competition from 1961 until after the fall of the regime in 1992.

A new dawn

As the apartheid system crumbled, a new single non-racial organisation formed. In December 1991, the South African Football Association (SAFA) was born. The separate organisations of the past were no longer necessary. In 1992 South Africa played its first international football match in 30 years. The inclusive national team, referred to as Bafana Bafana managed to defeat Cameroon 1-0 in the match played in Durban. The excitement and support for the national team progressed steadily from 1992. Even nowadays the Bafana Bafana team of that era are still considered to be the best ever. Certainly, from a results perspective it would be difficult to argue against this sentiment. The 1996 team are still the only South African team to have won the African Cup of Nations. The team of 1998 was also the first South African team to have qualified for the FIFA Football World Cup. A feat only accomplished twice since, in 2002 and 2010 (there was automatic qualification in 2010 as South Africa was the host nation).

South African leagues

The main league in South Africa is the PSL (Premier Soccer League). Watched by an estimated 13 Million people, the league is one of the most popular seasonal events in the country. Established in 1996, the PSL is the administrator of professional soccer in South Africa. The PSL consists of two club divisions, the PSL and the NFD (National First Division). Teams in the lower NFD league aspire to promotion into the much more lucrative PSL. Conversely, relegation to the NFD is something teams in the PSL are wary of. Mamelodi Sundowns are the most successful team, with ten titles to their name. The two most popular clubs in the country, Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have both only won the title four times each. From a coaching perspective, Pitso Mosimane the current Sundowns manager has won the most titles, with five to his name.

Other competitions

Aside from the leagues, there are a few cup competitions competed for each season. The three main cup competitions are the MTN 8, the Nedbank Cup and the Telkom knockout. The MTN 8 features the top eight teams of the previous PSL season. Played in the beginning of the season, the structure is such that the top placed team plays the bottom placed team, and so on. The semi-finals occur over two legs. The winning team takes home 8 million rand in prize money. The 16 teams of the PSL compete for the Telkom knockout cup. The competition takes place in the first half of the season. The prize money for the winner is 4 million rand. The Nedbank Cup, like the FA Cup in English football, consists of lower league clubs that compete with clubs from the top leagues. The competition consists of 32 teams. The 16 PSL teams, along with eight NFD clubs and eight clubs from SAFA’s regional leagues make up the contingent. The winners of the Nedbank Cup receive 7 million rand.

South African soccer has come a long way from its racially segregated origins. The domestic league is one of the best in Africa, and many players have gone on to realize overseas success with large clubs. South Africa’s most popular sport still has some way to go in terms of international achievement. One feels that another African Cup of Nations triumph and FIFA Football World Cup qualification would both be steps in the right direction for a proud soccer nation such as South Africa.

Esports Betting Strategy & Tips

More than 350 million people watched esports events in 2019. More and more South African bookmakers are now also offering and taking bets on Esports. Read our Esports betting strategy and tips if you are interested in betting on Esports.

Why Bet on Esports

Esports popularity is increasing year on year. Bookies are getting more involved from sponsoring tournaments to even sponsoring professional teams. Prize pools in some tournaments run into 7 figures and this alone makes it exciting enough to bet on.

Betting on Esports is the same as betting on any other sport. You are either betting for fun while watching a thrilling tournament live or for making money. Whatever your reason, please gamble responsibly.

How do you pick a league to bet on?

There are plenty of leagues and tournaments around the world. Online bookies in South African mostly offer markets on the top 10 Esports games. The list includes CS:GO (Counter Strike: Global Offensive), Dota 2, Hearthstone, Overwatch, LOL (League of Legends), and StarCraft 2.

There are suggestions that you should play the game before you bet on it. Personally, we do not feel that playing a game is necessary for punters to place a bet. Skill and knowledge could however prove valuable in the long run. We think overall knowledge of the teams in a specific game or league will be more valuable to start with. You can always grow from there.

As with any sport and subsequent sport betting, if you do not have a baseline understanding of the sport, the players and teams, your bets are going to be a shot in the dark.

Create a Betting Strategy

It is important that you have a strategy to work from. Below are some tips on creating an Esports betting strategy.

Look for the leagues you can find the most information on. Some of the smaller leagues follow a round robin format. This means you get to see the teams competing multiple times on route to the finals. You get to know the players and teams’ strengths and weaknesses. This gives you data to work with, the more recent the data the better to identify the value.

Some leagues also supply team and player information, for example in China. Compared to some of the South Korean leagues whereas a result of there not being a gambling culture, data is not freely available.

Build different esports betting strategies

Each tournament is different. Work on a strategy for each of the tournaments you plan to bet on.

Understand the number of events in each of the tournaments. Some tournaments might have a series of qualifiers leading up to major events. This again gives you an opportunity to place more bets. You might lose more bets, but in the long run you could still be making a profit.

Other tournaments, for example in China, have massive prize pools but there are not a lot of rounds to bet on leading up to the main event. As a result, chances of recouping losses are slimmer although the reward might be much bigger.

Where there are new tournaments or games try to get involved early. You are bound to get good odds as there is not a lot of data available for the bookies just yet. This makes it harder for them to properly set the odds.

Review your betting history. Look at what worked for you and what did not. Again, use the data available to you to drive your strategy and decisions going forward.

Underdogs or Favourites

Never underestimate the power of the underdog. The markets are still not 100% efficient in Esports. It does not mean always back the underdog. You should look for value. If the value lies with the favourites – great. If there is value in the underdog – even better. There is an old saying in the betting world, “bet on favourites early, bet on the underdogs later”. Odds on the favourites, as in any sport, change rapidly whereas with the underdogs you can always get in on the action later down the line with still good value.

Create and Stick to a Budget

Create a betting budget and stick to it. A budget helps you manage your spending, especially when you are on a losing streak.

Put a betting plan in place. With a betting plan, you know how much you can stake on each bet. Sticking to your betting plan will help you manage your budget and have a more calculated approach to betting.

Look to spread your bankroll across multiple bookies. Some bookies will offer different markets and odds compared to others and you could use these to your advantage.  

And always remember: Gamble responsibly. When the fun stops, stop.

Esports betting strategy & tips in a nutshell

Betting on Esports can be very exciting. If you create and stick to a betting strategy, picking a winning bet is probably not that difficult. Use the data available to you to drive your decisions, including your own historical bets and outcomes.

Stick to your budget and betting plan, keep it fun. Ensure you do not bet more than you can afford to lose. Don’t chase your losses.

Picking the right bookie to bet with is important. Look for one who is actively pushing Esports, is involved in esports events or sponsors teams. This gives some credibility that they understand this sport and betting markets.

We hope our Esports betting strategy & tips guide helps you to get started. Now it is your turn to pick an online bookmaker. Read our reviews on the best betting sites for Esports in South Africa and enjoy the esports excitement.

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All about T20 Cricket

All about T20 Cricket

Modern day cricket is known for intelligent bowling, superhuman fielding and outlandish shot making. Matches are more competitive and exciting than ever. This current healthy state of the game is widely attributed to the introduction of the Twenty20 (T20) cricket format.

The origin of T20 cricket

T20 cricket was first introduced in 2003, after the English and Wales cricket board (ECB) came up with the concept. The T20 idea came about in response to dwindling crowds, a decline in sponsorship opportunities and a decreased level of interest from the younger generation. The game of cricket was under pressure to bring about a change that would positively influence the game.

And what a change it was to become! The first official games played between English county teams in an inter-county competition were a success. A record audience attended the final played at Trent Bridge.

From 2003 onwards, the new format of the game spread across the domestic scene in all cricketing nations. International competition followed in 2005. Australia emerging as victors in the inaugural match played against New Zealand.

How does the game work?

T20 cricket is essentially a shortened version of the 50 over game. As the name suggests, T20 games last 20 overs per innings. Bowlers’ spells are now only four overs, and there are restrictions on the placement of fielders to encourage higher scoring.

This condensed version of the game has made for an increased focus on ways to score runs quicker, and conversely how bowlers have had to change their approach to keep the score down. The attacking and aggressive nature of the game has changed how players traditionally approached a game of cricket. Cricketers who have made a success of T20 cricket, are generally the ones who have been less risk averse.

The one major success of T20 cricket is its popularity. Within a short space of time, the new format was attracting fans in record numbers. The shorter, more exciting version of the game was a perfect recipe for introducing new fans to the sport. It also seemed to get jaded fans interested once again.

T20 successes

Since the introduction of T20 cricket in 2003, many tournaments have been added to the cricketing calendar. Australia’s Big Bash and the Indian Premier League (IPL) are the two largest competitions around. Cricketing superstars have managed to leverage playing in these such tournaments to increase their profiles. In India, where cricket is basically a religion, successful players in the IPL are treated as A-class celebrities. Many a player have used this platform as a swansong for their careers. Shane Warne is a prime example. Following his retirement from international cricket, he captained the Rajasthan Royals team to success in the inaugural tournament in 2008.

There are also many players who move between the various tournaments during the year. Cricketing megastars such as Chris Gayle and AB De Villiers have made lucrative careers out of this. As well as being integral players for their countries, they are some of the most sought-after cricketers on the international T20 circuit.

T20 World Cup

Since 2007 there has been a T20 Cricket World Cup. Initially occurring every two years, the current interval between tournaments is four years. Only the current defending champions, the West Indies have won the tournament more than once. Due to COVID-19 the 2020 edition of the tournament has moved to 2021. Teams will have to refocus and plan accordingly for the delay.

Current state of T20 Cricket

T20 cricket is the most popular and lucrative form of the game. Many purists may dislike it, but they cannot deny the positive impact it has made on the game in general. More people are watching cricket nowadays, and the earning potential for players is undoubtedly higher. Having the option to watch games that are both short and exciting, is ideal for the new fan trying to get into cricket.

While it may not have the prestige of Test or 50 over cricket, the T20 version of the game is here to stay. The way players have had to adapt to the shorter, more explosive cricket offering is noticeable in the general gameplay across formats.

If anything, Test and One Day cricket are both under pressure to reinvent themselves. While this is a work in progress, they will most likely enjoy the attention of some T20 converts who were never fans of cricket.

Love it or hate it, one cannot deny the entertainment value that T20 cricket offers. More cricket on TV and in the media can only be a good thing for the sport in general. With the increased exposure to cricket, one can only hope that the younger generation takes up an interest in the sport we love.

Have a look at our online cricket betting page to learn more about the best bookmakers for cricket betting online and how to place your bets.

Online Betting Bonuses Explained

You have opened your online betting account and you are ready to place your first bet. How can you differentiate your real balance from your bonus balance? What are wagering requirements? Is this bonus attractive? These are all valid questions. Let us help you get to grips with online betting bonuses and bonus terms and conditions.

Your free bet paid out, time to withdraw your winnings…or not.

For once lady luck was on my side. A few of my horse racing bets had paid out handsomely and my balance was up by 4-times than what I had deposited. I could not believe it! Time for me to withdraw my winnings before I lost it on questionable bets like a volleyball game in Brazil or a hotly anticipated Call of Duty match between the Toronto Ultra and the Dallas Empire Esports teams.

I go to the cashier and I am ready to request my withdrawal. But it says my withdrawable balance is R0.00. How is this possible? I need to contact the help desk. Sounds familiar?

What the help desk usually responds with in cases like this is enough jargon that confuses you as much as a chameleon on a Smarties box. Words like, in breach of, playthrough or wagering requirements, bonus balance and sticky bonus all come to mind. And to new players, trying to withdraw their winnings, this can be both a confusing and disheartening experience.

But it does not have to be. Read on and let us explain how online betting bonuses work so you don’t have to feel cheated or confused.

Online Betting Bonuses – Terms and Conditions

Before you use your next online betting bonus, take some time to read and understand its terms and conditions. All licensed bookies will clearly show these directly on the promotions page or link to them. Bookmakers, who try to hide them away, are not recommended.

Some of the key questions to ask yourself are:

  • What is the qualifying criteria for you to get the bonus?
  • When is the promotion running?
  • Are any bets excluded from using your bonus on?
  • What are the play through/wagering requirements?
  • Is the bonus withdrawable or only the winnings generated from the bonus?
  • Do additional terms and conditions apply to the bonus?

The Terms & Conditions (T&Cs) Explained:

What is the qualifying criteria for you to get the bonus?

Bookmakers will always have specific criteria for a player to receive or qualify for a bonus. These requirements can vary. They range from the bonuses being available only to new players, how many times a player can receive a specific promotion, minimum and maximum deposit amounts, and more.

So make sure before you deposit to claim a bonus or place a certain bet that you are eligible. If unsure, ask support.

When is the promotion running?

Check the dates of a promotion. These can be the dates you need to place a bet to receive your free bet or when you need to make your qualifying deposit to receive your bonus. In addition, ensure you know when your bonus will be credited. Some campaigns could run over the weekend and hence qualifying accounts might be credited on Monday morning.

Some bonuses might also carry a specific period in which you need to have used it. This can range from 24 hours to 7 days or more. Not complying could result in the bonus, and any winnings you might have generated from playing with it, being removed from your account.

Are any bets excluded from using your bonus on?

There might be some restrictions on what you can use your free bet or bonus on. It’s not uncommon to see conditions such as betting on Lucky Numbers (High/Low) or Powa Numba (one ball) being excluded. Sometimes a bonus cannot be wagered on both/all markets in the same event.

These exclusions aim to ensure fairness. Bets like these can be seen as “no-risk” bets, meaning you can meet requirements without losing. It’s understandable why bookies do this, especially if you are using their money for your gain.

What are the play through/wagering requirements?

Wagering requirements, sometimes also referred to as play through requirements, can be explained as the multiple of times you will need to play with the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings from that bonus.

What you need to remember is that a bonus is in theory the bookmaker’s own money. They are giving you some of their money to play with and they stand the risk of losing. To limit their losses, they will ask you to wager or play the bonus through, for example 2 times.

Once you have met the wagering conditions, you are in the clear. This leads us nicely into our next point.

Is the bonus withdrawable or only the winnings generated from the bonus?

Non-withdrawable bonuses or sometimes also called sticky bonuses can be confusing but are relatively self explanatory. The bookie gives you a bonus, a freebie to play with. You play, meet the wagering requirements and generate some winnings. But before you request a withdrawal, the bonus amount you have received will be removed from your balance. This leaves you with only the winnings generated from the bonus which you can withdraw or place further bets with.

Some bookmaker platforms cater for different balances such as bonus balance and real balance. This makes it easy for a punter to differentiate between the amounts they can withdraw.

Do additional terms and conditions apply to the bonus?

In some instances bookmakers have additional sets of terms and conditions or definitions that might apply to a bonus offer. As these can be rather extensive, they usually include a clause along the lines of “standard terms and conditions apply” or “Sign Up Bet terms and conditions apply”. Be sure to check these and any associated conditions. You might not be eligible to receive a bonus you originally thought you qualified for.

Enjoy your free bets and bonuses!

For a new player it might all sound like a lot. But trust us. Once you get into the habit of reading and understanding the online betting bonus terms and conditions, you’ll enjoy receiving and playing with bonuses a great deal more. And who knows, sometimes even win with them.

You might ask what happened to my horse racing winnings. Well, after speaking to a very helpful support agent I learned that I had not yet met the wagering requirements. Luckily I did not have a lot to go. Hence, after placing a few more small bets, I managed to walk away with a handsome amount.

As much as betting is fun, remember that when the fun stops, so should you. Gamble responsibly.

Siya Kolisi voted most influential rugby personality

Every 2 years, Rugby World magazine names the most influential people in rugby. The list that is compiled names 50 of the sport’s biggest movers and shakers. Sitting on top of that list for 2020 is Springbok captain Siya Kolisi. News broke of this achievement when the August edition of Rugby World magazine was released. Since guiding the Springboks to Rugby World Cup glory in 2019, Siya has been on cloud nine. All accolades received are testament to the hard yards he has put in over the years.

Where it all started

Born and raised in the Eastern Cape township of Zwide, Siya has truly made the most of all the opportunities presented to him. Brought up by his grandmother, Siya’s childhood was anything but easy. Living from hand to mouth, there were times he didn’t know where and when his next meal would come from. His interest in rugby was his saving grace.

Other youngsters aspired to the flashy lifestyles of the local taxi drivers. But Siya was more interested in playing rugby at his local club. His talents were soon noticed, and a scholarship to the prestigious Port Elizabeth school of Grey High School followed. According to Kolisi, this was one of the major turning points of his life.

Learning fluent English was just one of the challenges that Siya faced when enrolling at the English boy’s school. The Siya that we all associate with nowadays has no problem conversing in English with statesmen such as Prince Harry. So one could say that he managed the language transition just fine.

Siya’s rugby origins

The transition from township club rugby to competitive boy’s school rugby came naturally to Kolisi. A regular in the Grey first team, Siya also represented the Eastern Province Kings provincial team from 2007- 2009. After attending the U18 Craven Week, Siya moved to Cape Town to join Western Province. At U20 level, he was part of the SA schools’ team for 2 years. At senior level, Siya made his debut against the Golden Lions in the 2011 Vodacom Cup. He followed this up in the same year with game time in the premier domestic league in South Africa, the Currie Cup. In 2012, Kolisi made his Stormers debut. But a thumb injury later in the season forced him to sit out for the majority of the Currie Cup. By earning his first international cap against Scotland in 2013, Siya reached the mark that most South African schoolboys dream of.

Progressing further

Not happy to rest on his laurels, Siya took over the captaincy of the Stormers in 2017. His natural leadership qualities were evident to all. On the international front, Siya steadily progressed through the ranks. After only a couple of appearances in the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he managed to work his way into the starting 15 of the Test squad. In 2018, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus appointed Siya as captain of the team for the first time for the test match against England. This was a historic moment for both Kolisi and South African rugby, as this was the first time that the team was captained by a black South African. It was fitting that the game took place on home soil. It also helped that the team walked away as victors on the day against their Northern Hemisphere opponents.

Siya’s pivotal moments

One would argue that Siya’s career trajectory was aligning perfectly for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. By building a strong relationship with coach Rassie Erasmus, Siya managed to be the catalyst for the culturally diverse team and nation. With team performances improving game by game under the tutelage of Erasmus, the South African public started to believe in the team again. Following the Springbok success at the 2019 Rugby Championship, teams could no longer think of the team as a unit past it’s best. As it transpired, the Springboks took the Rugby World Cup by storm. After losing their opening game against old foes New Zealand, the team made it to the final where they produced a masterclass to outplay a more fancied England team.

Lifting the Webb Ellis trophy is the pinnacle of Siya Kolisi’s career (so far). He has proved to be a true inspiration for South Africans from all walks of life. Speaking after the final, Siya mentioned that the win had a far greater meaning for South Africa, and that he wished that the victory could inspire hope in a country filled with social and political discord.

Kolisi Foundation

Siya and his wife Rachel launched the Kolisi Foundation in March 2020. While originally planned to launch later in the year, the Covid-19 pandemic presented Siya and Rachel with an opportunity to assist those in need in the present situation. With grand plans of providing support to those in need from disadvantaged areas, the foundation had begun various projects around the country. With the Coronavirus situation, the foundation has changed gears and focussed on providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to healthcare workers, as well as establishing a food parcel programme for the needy in various areas. One of these areas being Zwede, the township where Siya grew up. It is inspiring to say the least that the current Springbok captain and his wife are giving back to communities in need during this difficult time.

While his rags to riches story is truly inspirational, one feels that even when the rugby career of Siya Kolisi comes to an end, there will still be a whole lot more he wants to offer. A true asset to South Africa, long may the youth of today revere to the man that is Siya Kolisi.

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The Proteas Cricket Team

The Proteas Cricket Team

The South African cricket team has had a mixed bag of fortunes over the while. Achieving the most success recently, would be the One Day International (ODI) team. The Proteas cricket team managed a draw against England and beat Australia in the two most recent series contested. Once the pride of South African cricket, the Test team has not managed to replicate the success of the late 2000’s. Add to it administrational debacle that is currently unfolding, and we can all agree that the state of South African cricket is not too rosy.

The current situation of SA cricket

While Quinton de Kock remains captain of the T20 and ODI squads, a new Test captain needs to be named. With the appointment of South African cricket legends Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher into the Cricket South Africa (CSA) setup in late 2019, there was an air of optimism in local cricketing circles. However, the debacle that CSA currently finds itself in has muddied the waters. Corruption and poor governance at the highest levels have distracted from the actual cricket in the South African setup. Paired with substandard performances, CSA finds itself at a crossroads. At least from the outside it appears that steps have been made to remove the cancer at management level. But only time will tell if the ship has been righted. Of course, some strong performances from the Proteas cricket team would go a long way in improving the general perception of South African cricket.

The captaincy

With Covid-19 putting a halt to sport world over, South African cricketers have found themselves in an unfamiliar position. The lack of game time has both delayed and brought into question who will captain the Test team going forward.

Among the candidates are Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma. Both are mainstays of the Test team, and either would bring a breath of fresh air to the setup. Markram has enjoyed a more stable, and one could argue successful start to his Protea career. His brilliance with the bat has been evident on more than one occasion. Therefore, both journalists and past players alike have tipped him to become captain. Bavuma on the other hand has perhaps experienced a more inconsistent start to his international career. While his talent is undoubted, his consistency is at times questionable. On the captaincy front he has been successful at franchise level, something that Markram has not.

Both would be a good fit. Unfortunately we may have to wait until cricket resumes fully until we find out who takes over the reins.

The Proteas cricket team

Once news broke that the ICC T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup was postponed, many player had to reset their focus. Those targeting the World Cup will have to wait until 2021 for the event, which will take place in India.

The speculation around whether AB De Villiers will be available for selection will be a hot topic once again. After he retired from international cricket in 2018, there have been regular rumours around whether AB would

give his all one more time for the Proteas. Any cricket romantic would tell you that a fairy tale win at a cricket World Cup would be the perfect send-off…

The enforced rest that pandemic has brought into play gave regular players in all three formats a good chance to recharge their batteries.. Players such as Kagiso Rabada will have been silently thankful for this period. As cricket fans we can only hope that a pumped up, more focused version of himself emerges from the ashes of lock down.

Recent results and schedule

The Proteas cricket team would not be fully satisfied with the mixed results of the last three series against India, England and Australia respectively. From being the first team to hold the number one ranking in all three formats in 2012, anything but success is below par. It is these high standards that Proteas pride themselves on. They will be looking to get back to winning ways when sport resumes. When this may be remains an unknown. The scheduled tours to India and the West Indies were both postponed, along with the home series planned against Pakistan. As it stands everything is TBC, but many are quietly optimistic of return to cricket soon.

The fiasco in management, poor results and lack of game time all contribute to the Proteas finding themselves in a difficult position. The pressure to perform to expectations is high. Therefore, the team will be looking to get back to winning ways as soon as possible. Hopefully this sort of momentum, along with the refreshed management team can steer the Proteas cricket team into another era of success. South Africa is a proud cricketing nation, and many would argue that a strong performing South African team is better for the game.