SA Sprint Champs

Gauteng paddlers Shaun Rubenstein and Jen Hodson walked away with the top honours from the long weekend’s Mazda SA Sprint Championships at Nagle Dam outside Pietermaritzburg, and both content that their plans to challenge on the world stage later in the year are well on track.

Rubenstein was deservedly the Men’s Victor Ludorum, having won all the K1 titles on offer, as well as the blue ribbon 500m K2 gold medal with Olympian Alan van Coller. It was the first time that Rubenstein has raced all the races as a senior, and he was excited at his results, and more importantly, he felt that his conditioning was ahead of where he expected it to be.

”I really feel like my base training has been solid, and I am really not that tired, despite racing every race I could enter. So it feels like ‘Mission Accomplished’ for the national champs, and I can focus on the coming World Cup season with some confidence,” said Rubenstein.

Jen Hodson took Victrix Ludorum title, after three days of racing that reaffirmed her decision to relocate to Gauteng and train with coach Nandor Almasi full-time. She also swept the boards in the 100m, 500m and 200m races, and enjoyed a competitive K2 partnership with Carol Joyce.

The KZN K4 combination of Matt Bouman, Ant Stott, Shaun Biggs and Michael Arthur were also impressive, even if they did dilute their performance by racing a lot of K2 races as well. Stott and Arthur won the key 1000m K2 gold, while Biggs and Arthur took the 200m title, however this came at a price.

The highly respected K4 was dumped in the 200m final by the untested crew of Shaun Rubenstein, Alan van Coller, Nick Burden and Cape coach Robbie Hegedus. Stott was adamant that their competitiveness had been blunted by their decision to tackle a full programme of K2 races as well.

”Its been tough,” admitted Stott after having dig deep to take the 500m K4 gold, from another pick-up crew on the Saturday. “There is no doubt that the K2 races took a lot out of us, but we felt that this event was part of our broader training, and we decided to race more than usual.”

The most popular result of the weekend, which was raced in two days of glorious weather before the cold front arrived on Sunday, was the 500m K2 gold that Alan van Coller won with Shaun Rubenstein.

Van Coller hung up his paddles after the Athens Olympics, and was baited out of retirement by Rubenstein, to race on a largely social level. However it was abundantly clear that he is still in great shape, and has lost none of his competitiveness.

“It’s a disease,” said Van Coller with a broad grin that bristled with the obvious pleasure from three days of top level competition. But don’t expect him to throw himself back into training, as he has a commitment to his family and Waterberg farm that preclude that happening.

The sprint season now turns to the Mazda SA Schools regatta at the same venue next weekend, where a record entry of scholars from around the country is expected.

I was going to say....

I was going to say that this weekend's Super 14 rugby was a surprise weekend. That teams won that didn't deserve to, it was. The Bulls didn't deserve the win against the Sharks, the Cats didn't deserve a draw against the Force and the Cheetahs should have won against Blues.

In case you just woke up from a day of boozing....

	Vodacom Stormers	28 - 17	Crusaders	Cape Town
	Vodacom Bulls	34 - 27	Sharks	Pretoria
	Vodacom Cheetahs	33 - 34	Blues	Bloemfontein

Just on a quick aside, don't you find it totally stupid that there could be a fixture as follows: The Vodacom Cheetahs host the Vodacom Bulls at Vodacom Park in the Vodacom Super 14????

Moving on. The Sharks proved that the Bulls aren't fit enough to play 80 minutes of rugby. If there were another 10 minutes in the game, the Shraks would have run all over them. Blue flags at Loftus or not. The Cheetahs were unlucky and if it were not for a bad kick or two, the Free State side would have won. And all I can say about the Stormers is WELL DONE!

Earlier I did not that the Crusaders had fielded a 2nd string side. That was obviously a bad dicision.

The top 4 stay the same, just in a different order:

1	Waratahs	11	9	0	2	315	136	179	34	10	6	42
2	Crusaders	11	9	1	1	344	190	154	40	17	4	42
3	Hurricanes	11	8	0	3	283	190	93	34	18	7	39
4	Brumbies	11	8	1	2	297	208	89	36	16	3	37

With only 2 games to go, what could change? I will leave that to the two jockeys and Naas Botha.

Some Badminton News

South Africa has suffered a double blow on the opening day of the Yonex Thomas and Uber Cups - the World Team Badminton Championships in Sendai, Japan.

In the first of three group matches the men's Thomas Cup team, were thrashed 5-nil by Denmark, and the women's Uber Cup side, also lost 5-nil to Japan.

In 10 games South Africa failed to win a set.

FULL RESULTS ON DAY 1
THOMAS CUP
China (defending champions) 5, India 0
Korea 5, New Zealand 0
Malaysia 5, USA 0
Denmark 5, South Africa 0

UBER CUP
China (defending champions) 5, South Africa 0
Japan 5 South Africa 0
Hong Kong China 3, The Netherlands 0
Korea 4, Singapore 1;

SATURDAY ROUND ROBIN MATCHES (3 in each group of 4)
THOMAS CUP
Germany v India
Indonesia v New Zealand
Japan v South Africa
England v USA

UBER CUP
Chinese Taipai v USA
England v Hong Kong
Germany v Singapore
New Zealand v South Africa.

The Technology Circle: FIFA Wold Cup coming soon

So, for a whole month, you are going to be stuck in front of the TV watching 22 men running after a white ball, except in the final when yhey will be chasing a golden one. Now, instead of watching you can do it yourself, virtually....

The Technology Circle: FIFA Wold Cup coming soon

Once again, a story for no reason

Here is a quote from Supersport again. Remember that the only time you get to see Super rugby on telly is on Supersport or some rediculous time on SABC 2 on a Wednesday night.

The Crusaders have produced a major surprise by leaving both Daniel Carter and Leon MacDonald on the bench for Saturday’s Super 14 clash with the Stormers at Newlands.

Now, I might not know a thing or two about rugby, but are we in any way, surpised at this move?
The Stormers are 4th from bottom on the Super 14 table, the Crusaders are 1st. The Stomers have won only 3 matches this season while the Crusdars have won 9. The Crusaders will play 2 more matches at the end of the season when they reach the semis and then into the final, while the Stormers are almost finished. The Crusaders have depth in talent, the Stormers are still looking for one.

Any more question?

Stormers move De Villiers to the Wing

Springbok centre Jean de Villiers will play on the left wing for the Stormers in Saturday's Super 14 match against the Crusaders at Newlands.

The move comes after two poor performances at centre, while coach Kobus van der Merwe also did not have wing Jongi Nokwe or fullback Tonderai Chavhanga available due to injury.

Marius Joubert thus returns at outside centre after sitting out the 24-20 win over the Reds. De Villiers replaces Nokwe, while Joe Pietersen is in for Chavhanga.

The Stormers will also field a new halfback pairing in Neil de Kock and Peter Grant. Lock Ross Skeate is fit again and replaces Gerrie Britz.

"Jean is being moved to the wing because we feel we need more experience in our back three. He has played there successfully for the Springboks and we feel it was a natural shift. It worked well in the last 20 minutes of the match against the Reds," said Van der Merwe.

The Crusaders, meanwhile, have confirmed that they will not start star flank Richie McCaw against the Stormers.

Stormers: Joe Pietersen, Rayno Benjamin, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry (capt), Jean de Villiers, Peter Grant, Neil de Kock, Joe van Niekerk, Schalk Burger, Luke Watson, Andries Bekker, Ross Skeate, Eddie Andrews, Schalk Brits, JD Moller. Substitutes: Hanyani Shimange, Neil Fullard, Gerrie Britz, Adri Badenhorst, Bolla Conradie, Naas Olivier, Chumani Booi.

ENGLISH SOCCER LEGENDS COME TO SOUTH AFRICA

The celebrated English Premiership Club, Manchester United, is to be part of the line-up for the 2006 Vodacom Challenge Cup.

The annual event was launched yesterday, at a glittering star-studded event at Vodaworld in Johannesburg.

Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Manchester United will battle it out on the soccer field for the coveted cup. For one week in July all the country will be focussing on is soccer once the challenge commences on 15 July. The cup-winning match will be played on 22 July.

Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Barbara Creecy, Kaizer Chiefs chairman Irvin Khoza, Orlando Pirates chairman Irvin Khoza, Kaizer Chiefs boss Kaizer Motaung, Vodacom head Peter Matlare and Manchester United legend sir Bobby Charlton, were some of the high-powered personalities at the launch. The spirit of competition and soccer enthusiasm was evident in the atmosphere.

"We are honoured to have Manchester United playing on South African soil. In the years leading up to 2010, the plan is to bring other top international teams to battle it out against Chiefs and Pirates, and to create a sustainable event that will be recognised on the local an international soccer calendar," said Shilowa.

The Cup Challenge is a major stepping-stone in the build-up to 2010 and confirms Gauteng's place in South Africa as the home of champions. Events such is these are aimed at nurturing the province's sporting talents and achievements and making Gauteng a preferred home for competitive sports.

"When the final whistle blows on the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany, the build-up to the 2010 World Cup (in South Africa) begins. The Challenge will be one of the first large-scale international soccer events in our country with the potential to attract thousands of international visitors. In addition to the overwhelming support for Chiefs and Pirates, Manchester United has tens of thousand, if not millions, of supporters in our country," said Shilowa.

He also said that the four planned matches will give all South Africans the opportunity to experience the best football the country can give.

Gauteng will also host another major international soccer club FC Porto which will visit South Africa next month for matches against Mozambique, Jomo Cosmos and Bloemfontein Celtic. The former Uefa winners will stay for eight days and South Africans will have the chance to see one of our favourite sons, Benni McCarthy in action again but unfortunately, playing for the Portuguese side.

Khoza said soccer in the country was experiencing exciting times. "Every week there is a new announcement about soccer, and now we are hosting one of the greatest clubs in the world," he said. He added that the plan is to invite an international soccer-bigwig every year in the run-up to the 2010 Soccer World Cup. "We want to show the world what we can do with a soccer ball," said Khoza.

The Vodacom Challenge is a joint initiative between the Gauteng Provincial Government, Vodacom, Absa, SABC, SAA and Naspers.

The starting match will be played between Pirates and Manchester United in Durban on 15 July, followed by the second match between Kaizer Chiefs and Manchester United on 18 July in Cape Town. The third match will be played between Pirates and Chiefs on 20 July in Rustenburg, and the winner of the third match will battle it out for the cup against Manchester United on 22 July at Loftus Versfeld in Tshwane.

Khoza said ticket prices have not been confirmed yet, but they should be announced about three weeks before the Challenge starts.

Spears in the Currie Cup, for now

The somewhat controversial Currie Cup format for this year was given the green light by the Board of SA Rugby after their meeting in Cape Town.

The Southern Spears are expected to participate as a franchise team, comprising players from the Eastern Province, Border and South Western Districts.

However, there is a possibility the franchise may decide to challenge for a top eight Currie Cup position as individual teams, but that decision is in the hands of the three unions, who will meet on Saturday to discuss the various options.

The Board further announced they would be taking steps to rectify the shortcomings of the five Super 14 sides, calling their performances so far, "far below expectation".

Lehmann save puts Arsenal through

Lehmann was mobbed by his team-mates at the final whistle

Jens Lehmann saved Juan Roman Riquelme's last-minute penalty to send Arsenal into the Champions League final at Villarreal's expense.

Villarreal looked set to send the game into extra-time when Gael Clichy fouled Jose Mari, but Lehmann dived to his left to save Riquelme's spot-kick.

Arsenal survived a siege, with Lehmann saving well from Guillermo Franco.

Diego Forlan also missed a glorious chance as Arsenal sealed a final clash with AC Milan or Barcelona in Paris

That game is played tonight with the Barcelona taking an away goal into thier home match. Will we see the Milan fight back and how are they going to stop the boring Barcelona back 10 from just standing in front of the goal all day?

We wait and see.

I need to play Soccer

Brazilian Ronaldinho has overtaken David Beckham as the world's highest-paid player, according to France Football magazine.

England and Real Madrid midfielder Beckham, who has topped the list for the last three years, is now second behind the Barcelona forward and FIFA World Player of the Year.

Ronaldinho enjoyed an annual revenue of 23 million euros ($28.47 million), said France Football, which added up the salaries, bonuses, sponsorship deals and other sources of income for each player.

Beckham follows with a total of 18 million, down from 25 million the previous year. Brazil and Real Madrid forward Ronaldo is in third place, having pocketed 17.4 million euros while England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is fourth in the list with an income of 16.1 million euros.

France Football also published a top-10 list for managers and coaches, headed by Chelsea's Jose Mourinho on 10.9 million euros. England's Sven-Goran Eriksson follows with 6.9 million.

The weekend Baby

Half way through the weekend and I am tired of sport already. Is that possible? All I can think about right now is how the Sharks are taking over the South African version of the Super 14. Don't you find it amazing that we, here on the southern tip of Africa, seem to be ignoring the top 4 sides in the competition? There are four great sides who are going to be contesting the semi-finals and all we can think about is how the Bulls better beat the Cats to get on top of the Sharks. Of course, the Bulls did beat the Cats, we all saw that coming and the Sharks are now the 2nd best SA team.

Remember back in the begining of the season please, when the two jockeys and other enlightened sports reporters on Superport were predicting that the Cheetahs and the Sharks were going to be the sides looking at relegation????

The more I am writing in the blog, the more I realise that one should never ever predict sport. There are so many things that can change, go wrong or be bet on, that it's not worth it. The journos would say that it takes a man to predict and then stand by your argument. Ha! Just talk about the sport, why predict?

And could someone please bring Brian van Rooyen back to SA Rugby to sort out the KAK!!

Fridays

My busiest work day is on a Friday. Not surprising in any way, as there is so much sport on on a Friday these days and I have to look ahead to the weekend. When last have we had a weekend like this one?

• Formula 1 in San Marino, well, actually not, but it's close.

• Super 14, including a local derby in Pretoria/Tswane

• PSL season ending action with the bottom teams fighting it out to stay in a spot where they can actually make some money

• English football/soccer coming to an exciting conclusion with Chelsea probably sealing it up and Alan Shearer is gone forever but Michael Owen is back.
  

• Golf in China and Texas,(Texas is a country) and boxing and, I am sure, some arb sport that the TV people think we should be watching.

OK, I am exhausted, I need a beer and some quality TV time.

Sports Journos

OK, I am one. I write and report on sport, so that makes me a sports journalist. I think that the difference is that I don't take myself seriously. Sport is supposed to be fun. One thing that irritates me is when a hack like me writes something, then surely, these esteemed journalists who don't even greet me when I walk past them, writes something that I said ages ago.

If you have an MWeb subscription you can read Dan Retief's article on how it just dawned on him that SA rugby players aren't fit enough. Well done Dan, I wrote that back on the 5th of March! Did it really take you that long to work it out? Were you not really watching the games or did you have your head so far up your ass that you didn't see the fat, slow and just plain exhausted "rugby" players, falling all over the rugby field?

I am not saying that I am better than Dan in any way. In fact, I think that he writes some clever stories but don't come here with your amazing insight when every rugby fan in the world already knows it.

The Spears

The future of the Southern Spears as a Super 14 rugby team will be decided on Friday. The readiness of the Southern Spears franchise to participate in next year's Super 14 competition was discussed at length during a Board meeting of SA Rugby in Cape Town today.
Submissions from the recent SA Rugby fact finding mission was considered as well as presentations by the Spears franchise and other stake holders. After lengthy deliberations it was decided not to announce a decision before receiving further input from the presidents of all the provincial unions. Chairman of the Board Mpumelelo Tshume said SA Rugby is not dragging the matter out nor will it make hasty decisions. He said it's important to emerge with a decision that takes into account the total picture of the South African rugby environment. The presidents council will meet on Thursday to discuss the matter further and a final decision will be announced on Friday.

The Spectator Experience at the Cape Epic 2006

The Cape Epic is the largest full service mountain bike stage race in the world. When the event kicks off for the third time on 22 April 2006 in Knysna, spectators along the eight stage route can expect thrilling entertainment, making each day memorable and exciting.

A spectator zone has been identified along each of the stages, allowing spectators an opportunity to cheer the riders on as they make their way towards the finish. All of the spectator vantage points will feature music, an announcer and vendors from the local towns providing light snacks and refreshments.

The spectator points are as follows for each of the stages:

Stage 1: Knysna – Saasveld. Water point 2, Karatara. This point will be signposted from N2, Karatara/Barrington turnoff. Spectators can expect music, and an announcer at this point which is also a nutrition and medical point for the riders.

Stage 2: Saasveld – Mossel Bay. Marshal Point 15, Robinson Pass Road (R328). Spectators need to look out for signs from the N2, Robinson Pass Road turnoff. An announcer, music and light snacks and drinks will be available at this point.

Stage 3: Mossel Bay – Riversdale. Water point 3, Soetmelksrivier. Signs will be posted from the Langenhoven High School, Riversdale. Spectators can look forward to music, an announcer and light snacks. As this is a designated feed zone, it’s the perfect opportunity to support the cyclists.

Stage 4: Riversdale – Swellendam. Water point 3 at Suurbraak. This is in a designated feed zone, so support of the cyclists is possible. Spectators can enjoy the music and an announcer will keep them updated.

Stage 5: Swellendam – Greyton. Water point 2, Tygerhoek. This water point is a nutrition service and marshal point with music and an announcer. Light snacks and refreshments will also be available from local vendors.

Stage 6: Greyton – Hermanus. Water point 1, Greyton/Genendal turnoff. Spectators need to look out for signs from the N2, Greyton / Genendal turnoff. This is a lovely remote area, so take in the scenery and support the cyclists as they make their way through. There will be music and an announcer at this point to keep spectators entertained.

Stage 7: Hermanus – Boschendal Estate. Water point 3, Franschhoek Pass. On the R45 at the base of the Franschhoek Pass, spectators will see the first of the signposts directing them to the water point. This is a designated feed zone with spectacular views to be enjoyed while you listen to the music at this water point.

Stage 8: Boschendal Estate – Spier Wine Estate. Water point at the Vigne à Vigne short course start in Jonkershoek. This is a great scenic area with lunch and drinks available from the shop. There will be music and an announcer as the longer distance riders make their way through and the shorter distance riders get ready for their 32km ride.

Spectators can look forward to additional infotainment at the finish line of each stage. The programme features a line up of world class entertainment including dirt jump riders, the adidas soccer dribbling competition for the local schools, music and the awards ceremony once the top riders have come in.

After this has taken place, spectators can make their way through the Expo area to purchase Cape Epic souvenirs and the chill zone where they can speak to the riders who are enjoying refreshments at the end of the day.

From 17h30, the evening programme commences with local town entertainment, the overall leaders who are awarded their leader jerseys, the regional mayors welcoming the Cape Epic to town, sponsor activities, and an opportunity to view the photographs and TV footage filmed on the day. The Bicycle Empowerment Network (BEN) bikes will also be presented in the evening and mountain bike enthusiasts can stay on to watch the interviews with the day’s top riders.

Spectators, please look out for the Cape Epic 2006 Road Book at the spectator vantage points along the various stage routes. The Road Book is a guide to the event from a spectator’s perspective.

Altech Porsche Challenge Series

The official launch of the Altech Porsche Challenge took place at Wesbank Raceway on the 8^th & 9^th April. The launch of this newly sponsored Porsche Series was part of the Autodealer Racing Spectacular event, which offered spectators a busy line up of motorsport racing and entertainment

Leading technology convergence group Altech made the decision to sponsor the Porsche Challenge Series to become more involved in local motorsport. There are two Porsche racing series within the Altech Porsche Challenge being the Altech Porsche Unlimited and Altech Porsche 924 series

The Wesbank crowd were entertained to thrilling qualifying rounds for both classes on the Saturday. 50 Cars took part in the various races, which resulted in supercar racing of the highest calibre and highlighted the event to be the most exciting series in Regional Racing

The launch of the Altech Porsche Challenge Series was a huge success and all involved are looking forward to the entertainment value that this series will bring to the South African motorsport fan and competitor alike in the up and coming rounds

The next round of the Altech Porsche Challenge Series takes place on the 27^th May at Kyalami circuit.

International mountain bike elite starts at The Cape Epic 2006

With some of the world’s best mountain bikers at the start, the Absa Cape Epic is one of the most prestigious mountain bike stage races on the planet. Due to the power density of the top teams, the 2006 race promises to become one of the tightest Epic battles ever with good chances for the South African top team to achieve eminence.

Specialized riders Christoph Sauser (SUI), two times overall World Cup Champion Cross Country and Bronze Medallist at the Olympic Games in Sydney, and Silvio Bundi (SUI), 8^th at the UCI World Championships Cross Country 2005, are the hot favourites to win the third Cape Epic. To climb the top of the podium, however, they must not only defeat their fellow country men Sandro Spaeth and Thomas Zahnd who placed fourth at last year’s Epic and came in second at the European adidas Bike TransAlp Challenge 2005.

All African Champion Mannie Heymans who won the inaugural Epic with Karl Platt (GER) will team up with Kevin Evans this year (both team Raleigh adidas), the highest placed South African rider at The Cape Epic 2005. They will form the strongest African team ever in Cape Epic history and start with the goal to win the third edition of the Magical and Untamed African Mountain Bike Race.

Having won all three major mountain bike stage races in 2004 (the Epic, TransAlp and TransRockies) Germany’s Karl Platt and his Rocky Mountain team partner, Marathon Worlds Bronze Medallist and dual TransAlp Champion Carsten Bresser (GER), are also ranked among the favourites to win The Cape Epic 2006.

Marathon specialists Silvio Wieltschnig (AUT) and Andi Strobel (GER) of team adidas Fiat Rotwild, TransRockies Champions 2003 and second at The Cape Epic 2004 also fancy with a place on the podium. Their team mates, TransRockies Champion Sabine Grona (GER) and World Games Marathon Champion Kerstin Brachtendorf (GER), are hot candidates to win the Women category, despite being Cape Epic virgins. To gain the red leader jersey they must beat the American Go Fast Girls Team with Christina Begy, TransRockies and 24 Hour Solo World Champion and Barbara Kriesle, a TransRockies Champion herself.

In the Mixed category, the battle is on between Anke Erlank, SA Mountain Biker of the Year, SA Road Champion, X-Terra World Champion and last year’s Epic Mixed Champion, who has team up with South African Fourie Kotze (adidas Willie Engelbrecht) and the German-Australian couple Anna Baylis-Scheiderbauer and Jörg Scheiderbauer (Ghost International) multiple TransAlp champions who aim to win all three major stage races this year.

The reigning Cape Epic Master Champions Dough Brown (RSA) and Fred Coleske (RSA) will also face tough international competition but are confident to defend their title.

Equality from a stange Place

Women are being discriminated against by not receiving the same prizemoney in theBelgrade Marathon as men, said a national gender equality group on Sunday.

"Why does the male winner of the marathon receive Ç8,000 (US$9,600), while the winner of the women's race gets only Ç6,000 (US$7,200)?" said the gender equality group attached to Serbia's ruling G17 Plus party in a statement. "It's one and the same marathon, the same race, the same course."

The group called on the organizers of the annual Belgrade Marathon - which will be run this year on Apr. 22 in the Serbian capital - to offer equal prizemoney.

I would love to know the ratio of prize money for some of South Africa's marathons. I know that the Argus Cycle Race uses a ratio. The more women enter, the larger the prize money for the women. It doesn't make sense, though, as only a small group of men and women actually CAN win the race and earn prizes.

Do women deserve the same as men if they don't put on as much of a show?

Super 14 Update

Hello Rugby Fans

5 days short of 2 months ago, I wrote an article about just how boring the Super 14 is. Nothing has changed. The reason I write this post is because I found a blog on Mweb that has the balls to predict game by game, just who is going to do what in the competition. Stange thing is that he is based in Canada!

Back in February, the 19th to be precise, I wrote that the top 4 teams would be the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Waratahs and the Brumbies. The log, right now has the following:

1	Crusaders	8	8	0	0	251	122	129	28	10	3	35
2	Waratahs	9	7	0	2	258	119	139	28	8	5	33
3	Brumbies	8	6	1	1	226	155	71	27	11	2	28
4	Hurricanes	8	6	0	2	203	146	57	24	13	4	28

So who is the man????

Go back to the post I wrote. It makes for some interesting reading. With all of the talk and waffle we hear from the rugby "experts" on the telly, does any of it mean anything? If someone like me can predict the top 4 as early as February, why have a competition at all?

SHARKS AT FULL STRENGTH

With an 8-2 winning ratio with one drawn over the past 12 years in encounters with their Ellis Park rivals the Sharks return to Johannesburg Saturday for a crucial Super 14 rugby match against the Cats.

John Smit and his men will want nothing less than a maximum five points to keep on track for a possible semi-final berth while the Cats, bolstered by the input from national coach Jake White at the start of the week, will want to again hit the winning trail after a run of losses in Super 14 rugby that sees them entrenched firmly at the bottom of the five South African Franchise teams and in grave danger of having to face the horrid prospect of a boardroom decision relegation.

Unless the impasse is resolved and the Spears of the Eastern Cape are offered an acceptable alternative.

Needless to say the Sharks will show them no mercy and taking a run through their respective home matches against the Reds in recent weeks it would appear that the Cats have a more than major task on their hands to avert a humiliating defeat at the hands of the rampant Natalians.

The Sharks lineup is: Percy Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, Adrian Jacobs, Andries Strauss, Henno Mentz, Tony Brown, Ruan Pienaar, AJ Venter, Jacques Botes, Warren Britz, Johann Muller, Johan Ackermann, BJ Botha, John Smit (captain) and Deon Carstens

Reserves :Bismarck du Plessis, Heinke van der Merwe, Albert van den Berg, Keegan Daniel, Scott Mathie, Bradley Barritt and JP Pietersen.

ZA vs NZ (Boys vs Teenagers)

South Africa and New Zealand have the chance to make up ground on the top four sides in the ICC Test Championship table when they start their three-match series at Centurion on Saturday.

The two sides are lying side-by-side in mid-table with just three rating points between them but fifth-placed New Zealand are eight points behind Pakistan, the side immediately above them.

New Zealand can close that gap with a series victory over the Proteas and if they win all three matches they will reduce it to just two points.

South Africa, of course, will have other plans and there is plenty on offer for them if they can win the series. Any success will see them leapfrog New Zealand and move into fifth place themselves and if they win all three Tests they will have 102 rating points, seven behind Pakistan.

Both line-ups have just one player each in the top 20 Player Rankings for Test batsmen with the home side's Jacques Kallis in second place behind the leader, Australia's Ricky Ponting, while New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming is in 20th spot.

Behind Fleming are the South Africa duo of Herschelle Gibbs (21st) and captain Graeme Smith (24th), who missed the final Test of the recent series against Australia because of a hand injury.

The two sides are much better represented on the list of leading Test bowlers with South Africa's Makhaya Ntini now in second place behind Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralidaran thanks to his recent 10-wicket haul against Australia in Johannesburg and Shane Warne's modest return in the first Test against Bangladesh.

Below Ntini are his fellow seam bowlers Andre Nel (11th) and Shaun Pollock (12th) while two New Zealand bowlers feature in the top 20 - Shane Bond (9th) and Daniel Vettori (19th).

Vettori is fifth in the ICC Player Rankings for Test all-rounders, a table headed by Kallis, England's Andrew Flintoff (the leading ODI all-rounder) and Pollock.

The schedule for the South Africa - New Zealand Test series is as follows:

First Test, Centurion - April 15-19

Second Test, Cape Town - April 27-May 1

Third Test, Johannesburg - May 5-9

Full details of the current ICC Test Championship and how future results will impact on the table, as well as the Player Rankings can be found at: http://www.icc-cricket.com/rankings/lg.html

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All aspiring Mountain Bike riders welcome at annual Cape Times Vigne à Vigne

On Saturday 29 April The Cape Epic race organisers will host another premium Mountain Bike race that follows the same route as the last stage of The Cape Epic. The 2006 race also sees The Cape Times come on board as the title sponsor of the Vigne à Vigne.

Any riders interested in taking part in this fun race can register online or, pending availability, at either of the start points on the day. Interested riders are encouraged to enter online as early as possible as there is only a limited amount of entries permitted. Entrants can choose between riding the long route, which starts at Boschendal and ends at Spier, or the short route, which starts at Jonkershoek and ends at Spier.

Jonkershoek is the first watering stop on the last leg of The Cape Epic. If the riders choose to do the short route, they will only have 32 km’s to ride, whereas the longer route is a more challenging 67 km’s. In previous years the Vigne à Vigne has been ridden along a separate route to The Cape Epic. Due to the huge increase in logistics and staff requirements that this entailed, it was decided that the same route would be used for 2006.

All riders of the Cape Times Vigne à Vigne will finish in Spier Wine Estate very close to the official finish line of The Cape Epic. This gives all riders the chance to be a part of the festive atmosphere at Spier and the crowds cheering the riders on for the last few grueling minutes before crossing the finish.

Riders in the Cape Times Vigne à Vigne will receive their race finishing times on the day and have a sense of what exactly riding The Cape Epic entails.

“We hope that participants in the Cape Times Vigne à Vigne become inspired to compete in the following year’s Cape Epic after experiencing the atmosphere and enthusiasm that comes with the event,” says Kevin Vermaak, Cape Epic Director.

Ellis Park Victims not remembered

Not enough was being done to remember the victims of the Ellis Park Stadium stampede, their families complained at the fifth commemoration of the tragedy on Tuesday.

Some families had not even been invited to attend the prayer service, said their spokesman Veli Mpungose.

They had travelled from as far afield as Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape just to be there.

"When we see in the media reports of the anniversary we relive the pain. Now imagine if you didn't know that there was an anniversary. The experience is even more traumatic," Mpungose said.

Imploring the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to do more than just promise to help the victims, he said he would like a game to be organised to remember the victims.

"I want the PSL to remember that we supporters are bigger even than those who own the teams, because without supports in the stadium no-one would enjoy the games."

Mpungose's son Siphiwe was among the 43 people killed on April 11 2001 in a stamped to get into the stadium at the start of a derby between Chiefs and Pirates.

His daughter was among the 85 people injured, he said.

"I remember my son's last words when he said: 'Dad I want to sit with the Chiefs' fans because I want to see Brian Baloyi, my favourite goalkeeper.' I didn't know that those (would be) his last words to me."

Chiefs and Pirates described those killed as true soccer supporters, whose love of the game would always be remembered.

Sadness was etched on the faces of hundreds of people gathered at the stadium for the memorial as the names of the dead were read out by Mphuthumi "Putco" Mafani, former Kaizer Chiefs public relations officer.

Bosses, players and supporters of the soccer teams listened as the strains of a Soweto Gospel Choir rendition of the hymn Amazing Grace filled the stadium.

No-one wanted to remember the day, because no-one had anticipated the tragedy it would hold, said Kaizer Chiefs spokesman Kaizer Motaung.

"This gathering is a gesture to show the families that they are not alone. Their loss is our loss."

Said Khoza: "I know the pain of death in a family because my daughter Zodwa died only a few months ago, but I know it will pass."

His thoughts were with the victims' families. Nothing could be said or done to remove their pain. Only God would wipe it away, he told them.

Khoza's 30-year-old daughter, who was the football club's brand manager, died in February of Aids-related complications on her return from the African Cup of Nations in Egypt. She had been married to former Bafana Bafana vice-captain Sizwe Motaung.

The families of those killed in the stampede were expected to lead the teams and supporters later in the laying of wreaths on the field.

McIntosh retains title in thriller showdown with Cape teenager

Cameron McIntosh retained his SA slalom canoeing title on the Ash River outside Clarens on the weekend, in a ding-dong tussle with Cape junior Michael Watson.

Watson stunned the event by beating McIntosh in qualifying, and went into the semi-final as the fastest boat on the full Ash river course, which had been set up by the visiting French coach Jean Jerome Perrin.

In the semi-finals Watson was less than half a second behind multiple SA title holder McIntosh, with the seasoned Barcelona Olympian Alick Rennie, who was battling with a bad cold, a few seconds further down the leaderboard, setting the scene for a thrilling showdown in the final.

In the final McIntosh turned in another fast run, touching just one gate, while Watson went faster, but touched two gate poles, each costing him a two second penalty, and ended the classic encounter less than three seconds behind McIntosh on the combined scores from the semi-final and final.

Master Cele won the C1 title from Cyprian Ngidi, and produced the fastest clear run in the final, evidencing his strong progression as a top class C1 paddler.

Kate Cornish took the senior women’s title, from Laura Thompson, who battled with the unfamiliar course.

The event was attended by paddlers from Swaziland and Zambia, and was watched by an enthusiastic crowd from nearby Clarens and Bethlehem.

The new course on the Ash river was set up over an exciting stretch of river, but was accessible to the less skilled as well as the experienced paddlers. The offset gates seven through none, which required the paddlers to traverse the full width of the river, through some big waves, caused most of the trouble.

ICF Slalom chairperson Jean Michel Prono conducted a slalom beginner’s clinic on the flatwater near the course, training a number of keen novices. He was impressed by the event, which ran in full compliance of all the ICF rules, and was enthusiastic about the emerging slalom talent on display.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS
SENIOR MENS K1
1.Cameron McIntosh 216.67
2.Michael Watson 219.85

3.Alick Rennie 227.79
4.Guy Collyer 228.03
5.Simon Dube 230.08

SENIOR WOMENS K1
1.Kate Cornish 361.17
2.Laura Thompson 684.53

JUNIOR BOYS K1
1.Michael Watson 219.85
2.Ian Rennie 248.35

MENS C1
1.Master Cele 237.81
2.Cyprian Ngidi 265.54

F1 for normal people

Now here is something that I am JUST GOING TO HAVE to do!!!

"Race fans will able to sample life in the Formula One pit lane at next month’s European Grand Prix thanks to a new initiative launched by BMW Sauber. The team’s ‘Pit Lane Park’ will replicate the team’s actual garage and pit area, allowing the public to get up close and personal with both the cars and drivers.

You will be able to test your skills on tyre changing, virtual races and get to hear thier drivers answer questions from fans and even you!

"The park, which will be able to handle 16,000 visitors per day, will open its doors for the first time on the evening of Thursday May 4 at the Nurburgring. It will then be open from 10am to 6pm every day of the European Grand Prix meeting. After that the installation will be packed away and reassembled at another five Grands Prix in 2006: Barcelona, Silverstone, Montreal, Monza and Shanghai."

How much it costs, no one is saying! It is by no means, going to be free

Germany's World Cup Goalie

Jens Lehmann will be Germany's first choice goalkeeper at the 2006 World Cup, relegating former captain Oliver Kahn to the sidelines, coach Juergen Klinsmann said on Friday.

"It was the hardest decision of my time as coach," Klinsmann said in a statement released by the German Football Association.

Klinsmann decided to pick Arsenal's Lehmann ahead of Bayern Munich's more experienced Kahn after a meeting with his coaching team on Friday.

Both players are 36. Kahn has played 84 times for Germany while Lehmann has won 29 caps.

Kahn captained Germany to the final of the last World Cup in South Korea and Japan, and was named player of the 2002 tournament.

Klinsmann's decision follows days of heightened speculation, fuelled by a couple of bad mistakes by Kahn and Lehmann's faultless performances for Arsenal in the Champions League.

In four games against Real Madrid and Juventus, Arsenal did not concede a goal on the way to the semi-finals.

One of Klinsmann's first acts as coach after taking over in 2004 was to strip Kahn of the captaincy and inform the Bayern keeper he faced a battle with Lehmann for the first choice position. The coach has since alternated the two players, saying he would make a final decision at the start of May.

He may have decided to make an earlier decision due to pressure from Bayern Munich.

The champions' sporting director Uli Hoeness this week accused Klinsmann of waging a campaign of "psychological terror" on Kahn by not announcing his decision sooner.

The uncertainty was to blame for Kahn's two errors in a 2-2 draw with Cologne in the Bundesliga last weekend, the club said.

Germany get the World Cup underway with a Group A game against Costa Rica on June 9 at Bayern Munich's stadium.

SAB Sports Jouno Awards

On 11 May, 2006, "The annual SAB Sports Journalists of the Year Awards will be announced at a fabulous evening event on 11 May 2006 at the Sandton Convention Centre."

Now, I dislike awards evenings at the best of times, but this one just doesn't sit right with me and it hasn't for as long as Ii have been a able to enter them. And there is the rub. It's not an award where people nominate you or a panel of judges go through who they think are the best. Nope, this one, you have to enter yourself. Once you have entered, with demo or article or tv piece, then the judging panel go through and choose the best one.

There are a couple of issues here. one of the biggest is that people who present small bullitens on commercial radio stations don't stand a chance. There is no award for people who can deliver a 5 minute bully with insight and meaning, so these people don't enter. Many people just can't be bothered with enetering because it is hard work. To take a year's worth of material and put it into a 10 minute demo takes hours of choosing, editing and fixing up. Therein lies another problem. The demo is so not real that it is a little lie. I sound great with an editing machine cleaning up stupid questions and fixing guests to answer right.

So what happens is that the same people enter every year and the rest of us go for a major pissup. Ok, there is nothing wrong with enjoying some of the sponsor's brew, but don't give out awards to people who don't deserve it. Don't get me wrong, I won last year, so this is not sour grapes, but I am sure that there are more deserving the award than I.

I am going to drink, and I am going to enter, so wish me luck.

United and more money!!!

Manchester United signed a four-year, 56.5-million-pound (US$99.3 million; Ç80.6 million) shirt sponsorship deal - a record in British soccer - with New York-based global insurance company American International Group Inc.

AIG is among the world's largest insurance companies.

The deal, which goes into effect at the beginning of next season, extends the American influence on the storied club.

Manchester United is owned by American billionaire Malcolm Glazer, who took over the club last May for 790 million pounds (US$1.38 billion; Ç1.12 billion). Glazer also owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the NFL.

United's playing uniforms are made by Nike Inc., based in Beaverton, Oregon.

AIG will be only the third company to grace United's shirts. Japanese electronics company Sharp was Man U's shirt sponsor for 18 years until telecommunications giant Vodafone took over in 2000.

Vodafone announced in November it was terminating its deal with United two years early, then signed a three-year agreement to sponsor the European Champions League. The Vodafone deal with United was worth 9 million pounds (US$15.5 million; Ç13.1 million) per year.

Thursday's announcement came three days after United broke off talks with betting company Mansion on a potential 70-million pound (US$121.6 million; Ç100.4 million), four-year sponsorship deal.

English club Chelsea signed a 50-million-pound (US$87.8 million; Ç71.3 million), five-year sponsorship with South Korean electronics firm Samsung in April 2005.

Last July, Italian club Juventus signed a five-year sponsorship deal worth 110 million euros (US$135.3 million) with Libyan oil company Tamoil.

In November, Spanish giant Real Madrid agreed to a five-year shirt deal worth 100 million euros (US$122.2 million) with Taiwanese cell phone company BenQ Mobile starting next season.

On the Net:

www.aig.com

www.manutd.com

Slalom in water, not snow, in Clarens

Record prizemoney and a field of international paddlers from across Africa have added to the anticipation ahead of the weekend’s TCTA SA slalom canoeing championships, to be held on the Ash river outside Clarens in the Free State.

For the first time, the national title decider has attracted competitors from African countries, where the Olympic discipline of slalom racing is gradually gathering momentum, with entries confirmed from Swaziland, Kenya and Somalia.

Add to that the attendance of the International Canoe Federation’s slalom chairperson Jean Michel Prono, and top French slalom coach Jean Jerome Perrin, and the event has more lustre than it has enjoyed in many years.

Cameron McIntosh will be under pressure to defend his national K1 title, from the steadily improving talent of junior champion Michael Watson, and seasoned pros like Guy Collyer and Barcelona Olympian Alick Rennie, and Lembethe canoe club star Vela Dube.

The C1 class promises to be just as exciting, where the established pace-setter Master Cele will be put under pressure by the former C2 paddler Lindelani Ngidi.

There is also a strong women’s field entered, where the consistent performers Rosie Gwala and Emily Ngidi will be racing against established marathon performers Kirsten Oliver and Kate Cornish.

Perrin has been involved in a week-long training camp for junior paddlers at Wagendrift dam outside Escourt, where he has been putting the youngsters through their paces on the slalom course at Black Rock.

Both the visiting officials will be involved in ensuring that the national championships on Saturday are run to international standards, and assessing the prospect of future internationals in South Africa.

The weekend-long paddling festival starts with a rodeo under floodlights on Friday, where top local rodeo stars Ross O’Donaghue and Graeme Anderson will be competing.

Then slalom event gets under way on Saturday with heats and semi-finals, with the finals getting under way at 1pm.

Technology in Cricket

I am watching SuperCricket on Supersport right now. Not because I want to because I can't stand Mike Haysman, but that's just me.

They are waffling on, as Supersport do so well, about Hawkeye and technology in cricket. You know what would solve this whole debate about technology in sport? Get rid of it. Some people are saying that Hawkeye didn't work correctly in the final test between South Africa and Australia. If it didn't work, how can you ever trust it again? At least we know that humans are going to make mistakes. It's part of the game!

Hawkeye can't pick up nicks off of the bat. The sound thingy doesn't work with the snikcometer. What is the point? The crowd at the ground don't get any benefit, the players seem to be betwiz and between. Can it, get rid of it!

If an umpire keeps making mistakes, he gets taken off the test panel. If technology doesn't work, so should it!

Team Barloworld Confirmed for Belgium and Holland Classics

With their contingent of South African riders firmly back in the fold after the Commonwealth Games, Team Barloworld have named two strong teams for the upcoming GP Pino Cerami and Profronde van Drenthe.

Enrico Degano, the team’s Italian sprinter, will lead the squad at the GP Pino Cerami in Belgium on April 6. Jock Green, the South African super domestique, will be the workhorse in the squad that includes Giosué Bonomi, Diego Cacci, Mauro Facci, Jeremy Maartens, James Perry and Hugo Sabido. The GP Pino Cerami, held in the Belgian town of Hornu in the honour of the Italian-born racer of the same name, was won by Dutch rider Kai Reus last year after he broke clear of the field on the last climb, the Tienne du Dragon, which was 4 kilometers from the end.

Eddie Serri finished ninth in last year’s race, which has had big-name winners in the past. Eddy Merckx, Joop Zootemelk and Bernauld Hinault are among the famous names on the honours list. There is a tough field for the 2006 race with five Pro-Tour teams: Milram, Davitamon-Lott, Euskaltel-Euskadi, QuickStep and Liberty Seguros, as well as seven of the top European Pro Continental teams. The South Africans in the race will get the chance to gain some revenge on Allan Davis, the bronze medal winner from the Commonwealth Games, and it is also expected that Erik Zabel, the veteran German sprinter will take part.

Maartens, who along with Green and Ryan Cox, was part of the team that helped South Africa clinch silver in the Commonwealth Games road race two Sunday’s ago, is expected to be the go-to man at the Ronde van Drenthe race in the Netherlands on April 8. Perry has recovered well from the broken leg he suffered last year and will provide strong back-up to Maartens, as will Briton Tom Southam.

Maartens’ early-race break in Melbourne set up South Africa’s strong showing at the Games and the South African team manager, Tony Harding, said in Melbourne that Maartens was in impressive form after some good training in the Victorian capital.

Team Barloworld’s 2003 World Champion, Igor Astarloa, has moved into the top 10 of the European Pro Continental rankings. He is ninth overall after some high finishes in recent races.

Some interesting facts about the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon

Did you know?

- The Two Oceans Marathon was held over the Easter Weekend for the first time in 1974.

- Only 26 runners took part in the first Two Oceans Marathon in 1970 and only 15 completed the race.

- Theresa Stadler at the age of 40, was the first female runner to enter the Two Oceans Marathon. Although finishing outside the cut-off time, she paved the way for female runners. Ulla Paul, a mother of three, was the first female runner to complete the race within the official six hour limit.

- Derek Preiss became the first and only male runner to win both the Two Oceans and the Comrades in the same year. He managed to repeat this feat in 1975.

- Male nurse, George ‘Goodenough’ Qokweni and eight runners from the Paarl East Athletic Club were the first runners to demolish the racial barriers when they ran in the Two Oceans in 1975.

- In 1988, Thompson Magawana broke two world records and established a course record (3 hours 3 minutes 44 seconds) for the ultra marathon (56km) – a record that has yet to be bettered or equaled.

- The First Friday Run, which caters for runners whose beliefs prevent them from running on a Saturday, was first introduced in 1990.

Some Scottish Football (Soccer)

Celtic can win the Scottish league title with six games left if it beats second-place Hearts on Wednesday.

Celtic is 17 points clear ahead of the match at Celtic Park as it seeks a fourth title in six years. However, its path to a 40th league championship has been smoothed by its rivals' problems.

With George Burley was as coach, Edinburgh club Heart of Midlothian opened up a five-point lead with eight straight wins. At the same time, Celtic had a shaky start and exited the Champions League qualifying stage as a result of a 5-0 loss at modest Artmedia Bratislava.

However, Burley quit in October citing "irreconcilable differences" with Lithuanian owner Vladimir Romanov and his son Roman. Celtic took top spot the next month and Burley's replacement, Graham Rix, also ran into problems with the Romanovs amid reports that they were selecting the team.

With Hearts in danger of losing out to Rangers in the race for second place and Champions League qualification, Rix was fired two weeks ago and Valdas Ivanauskas, the club's Lithuanian assistant manager, appointed coach until the end of the season.

Vladimir Romanov dismissed suggestions that he had been picking the team as "ridiculous" and blamed Rix's grueling training routines for the team's decline.

"He physically killed the team," he told Sky TV on Tuesday. "They were physically weak."

Media reports Tuesday linked former Scotland and Germany coach Berti Vogts to Hearts.

Last season's champion Rangers is three points further back in third place and the top three will have all played 32 games after Wednesday.

Celtic has won 25 of its league matches and lost two under coach Gordon Strachan. The former Scotland midfielder revamped the aging team he inherited in the offseason, his young players even coping without former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane - who rarely played since joining in December because of a hip injury.

However, Hearts are still favorites to win the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park on May 13. They'll be up against Division Two champion Gretna, which has beaten four Division One teams to reach the final, including Dundee 3-0 on Saturday.

BEN official partner of The Cape Epic

BEN, the Bicycle Empowerment Network, and The Cape Epic have once again joined forces to demonstrate their commitment towards the community during the most televised and logistically challenging mountain bike stage race in the world. BEN was The Cape Epic’s first formal partner in 2003, and the association is still proving to be both mutually beneficial and rewarding.

The Cape Epic and BEN have worked together not only on The Cape Epic but have also worked together to send the first ever black African team to the adidas Bike TransAlp challenge in July 2003. They have also sponsored previously disadvantaged riders to participate in The Cape Epic.

The Bicycling Empowerment Network has been active in Cape Town for 4 years; their aim is to promote the use of bicycles in order to address low-cost mobility, health, access to opportunities which would otherwise be inaccessible, including employment, skills and education. They show people of all ages who are constantly exposed to violence and crime that there are other options. Along the way they have changed most kids existing opinion of cycling as an ‘uncool’ mode of transport while at the same time helping to assist local government in developing more cycling lanes and storage facilities for bike riders.

They are partnered by the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) on The Cape Epic. At last year’s Epic they gave out 6 bikes at each of the 9 stage locations, totaling 54 bikes donated to the communities, each of which was sponsored by one of the corporate teams that had entered the race. 2006 hopes to see a 33% increase in the amount of bikes sponsored, which in turn will mean a 33% increase in the number of bikes donated to the communities.

Kevin Vermaak, The Cape Epic Founder and Director, said “The idea behind the programme is to keep increasing the number each year. With the involvement and help of more corporates, both locally and internationally, this initiative is one that will grow each year and as such so will the benefit to the towns that are generous enough to donate their services to help make The Cape Epic what it is.”

CELTIC STILL IN RELEGATION TROUBLE

This weekend's PSL results hav seen some dramatic movement, not just at the top of the table but just as importantly at the bottom where Bloemfontein Celtic find themselves back in the relegation mire.

With bottom placed teams FS Stars and Classic winning and Celtic losing 1-0 to Swallows, the two spots in the Mvela League look far from decided.

The crunch match should come this weekend when Celtic û in 12th spot û host Classic in Bloemfontein. The Tembisa team is still second from last, but their win over Chiefs at the weekend leaves them with a good chance to avoid relegation. They have two matches in hand and are on a roll.

Celtic meanwhile, on 30 points, are only four points clear of Classic and will need at least four points from their remaining three fixtures to be certain of survival. After their six-pointer against Classic they face Bush Bucks û also in the drop-zone û and then come home to face Silver Stars in their last game of the season.

While most of the attention this week will be on Chiefs, Pirates and Sundowns, all chasing the title, spare a thought for the also-rans as they battle for vital and potentially lucrative points, and no game will be bigger than the Celtic-Classic match in deciding who stays up.