Top of 2012 to you! May it be a year filled with success and due celebration …
It’s a big one for me as I depart the safety of full time employment and start the media and communication business I have been wanting to get going for a while now … I have named it Tankman Media and my first assignment is a column for that iconic sporting brand, Sports Illustrated … It’s due today, but only goes “Live” in the March edition which comes out in mid February …
Rugby only gets going proper in SA on Monday the 6th of Feb with the start of the 5th edition of the Varsity Cup, but Cape Town will get a little warm up with the now legendary Castle Tens taking place at Hamiltons Rugby Club the weekend before that …
Of course there are plenty of Super15 warm up matches to whet the appetite, with a few of those making up the Tri-Series tournament between the Stormers, Lions and Cheetahs (who are late replacements for the Sharks) taking place in Cape town on the same weekend as the Tens …
But the big news this week is the fact that the full Saracens squad arrived in Cape Town this morning for a week of warm weather training in advance of their Heineken Cup match against Biarritz, at Vicarage Road on Sunday January 15th.
Given the embarrassing carnage that took place at that haven of amateur hour, the WPRFU, which resulted in the Saracens vs Biarritz game NOT taking place at the CT Stadium, it is pretty cool to still see the London side in the Cape this week …
Saracens itinerary:
- Monday: Travel to Kayamandi to attend the opening of the ‘Saracens Field of Dreams’, a newly laid artificial turf area jointly funded by the club’s players and directors.
- Tuesday: Training in Cape Town (not sure where).
- Wednesday: The Storm team (their B side) play a match against Maties (kick-off is at 16h30 at the new Stellenbosch Academy of Sport).
- Thursday and Friday: The squad train at the Cape Town Stadium (not sure of times).
- Friday: Host a breakfast at the Cullinan Hotel for Cape Town sports and business leaders before returning to London.
The team arrive in the fairest Cape on a winning note, having beaten Bath 26-19 at their home ground Vicarage Road in a Premiership clash, but given the importance of the match against Biarritz (Sarries currently lead pool 5 of the Heineken Cup, but lost to Biarritz in the first round match), it seems a few supporters are a little concerned regarding their 5 day jaunt to Cape Town, the following comments having been posted on the website:
“This Biarritz game is crucial so hope they don’t get too spoilt in SA!”
“This sounds like a corporate shareholder necessity rather than the ideal preparation for the must win Biarritz game, to me. But if it is truly a necessity then it must be done, as we are all enjoying the fruits of the shareholder’s investment.”
“How is training in 30deg heat, preparing for a match over here? They’ll all be jet lagged and probably have colds next weekend…. personally I think this is a bad idea…”
*ahem*
Harlequins 11 – 19 Saffacens
Make mine a double. 😉
*Ahem* indeed Biobot …. #boozefreejanuary in full swing though … Do you mind if I hold out till the Tens in early Feb?
Hi Tank, will you please give us the venue and time of their practice tomorrow, as soon as you know. I’d really like to watch them.
What a pity the match can’t be played at the Cape Town stadium. I think both parties made mistakes in the process of “negotiations”: Saracens should have contacted the WPRU before approaching the City of Cape Town directly – having said that, as you mentioned it was indeed a huge AMATEUR HOUR. I suppose you have read Mike Greenaway’s article in SA Rugby on the possibilities of a breakaway group of (rugby) players – because of the amateurs running a professional sport !! Tobie Titus is a perfect example of an amateur being a president. I don’t think Rob Wagner is innocent either !!
Another matter: do you have advice ? I have successfully completed my IRB Level 2 coaching course at the end of 2011. It seems that there is a problem getting into the Level 3 due to the lack of trained personnel to present a Level 3 course. It is possible to do it overseas but it will cost an arm and a leg.
Regards Charles
I will indeed Charles, but they are being a little scarce with their information … I offered to do a daily diary for them for the week that they are out here, but got vetoed … I got this info from their website – http://www.saracens.co.za …
You are 100% right re the procedure they should have followed, and they were indeed a little naughty. But WPRU really cut off their noses to spite their face though. Have heard about the breakaway, and I would support that fully. Cannot have this amateurism in the pro era. Actually writing a column on it for the next edition of SI …
Will try find out more about the coaching clinic. I know they had one toward the end of last year … Pieter Rossouw and Rob Fleck went on it I think …
I have to agree with some of the comments given the logistics and timing of this little trip to our shores. For one, I would not be happy if say the Stormers did something similar before playing the Reds or Crusaders, for example.
Too bad you got vetoed when approaching them to do the diary. Would have loved to read about it. I’m wondering if part of their with the B side in Stellenbosch is to identify future talent. They are the club most representing South Africa in England after all.
Good luck with the media and SI columns.
Maties won the game 28-26. Stoked!