Mvovo set to step up in Orlando

FOR Springbok and SA ‘A’ wing, Lwazi Mvovo, stepping onto the turf at Orlando Stadium tonight to face the French Barbarians will be like going into enemy territory.

But for tonight and tonight only, Mvovo will call Orlando Stadium home and along with his SA ‘A’ teammates, will be looking at securing a 2-0 series whitewash.

A passionate Kaizer Chiefs fan, Mvovo, has embraced South African rugby’s venture of playing a rugby match in the township which also happens to be the home of Orlando Pirates.

However, Mvovo will put aside all his personal feelings, especially on the football front, and will look to put in another match-winning performance.

Along with fellow Springboks Lionel Mapoe, Francois Venter, Trevor Nyakane, Jano Vermaak and Handre Pollard, Mvovo says the team will be looking at landing the fatal blow against a stubborn French team in the same way they did at Moses Mabhida in Durban last weekend.

“I am a Kaizer Chiefs fan but I am looking forward to playing here,” said Mvovo.

“Everyone is excited in the same way they were about last week when we made history in being the first team to play rugby at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. This week will be no different and the team will be going out to express themselves. All of the guys haven’t played here before but we are very excited and looking game.”

SA ‘A’ head coach Johan Ackermann echoed Mvovo’s words in seeking a step up in performance from his troops.

With the benefit of another week together, Ackermann believes that they will be better with their structure both on attack and defence.

“The reality is that most of the players had gone three weeks without any contact and match sharpness. I do believe we were a bit soft in our ball collision and carries but that comes with match fitness ... This week Monday was one of our better trainings and we got things going as opposed to last week where we did a lot of planning and explaining to players what it is we want from them,” said Ackermann. forward to the THE Youth Day long weekend was a treat. Well, if you had listened to the bones it was, and Sunday’s game out of London town would have pleased you. Pakistan played out their boots as “Shaba’s rank” outsiders in a top 8 tournament at the price of 20/1.

Oh, how our dear Proteas are in the dwang nowadays. First it was the Champions Trophy and now it’s back to the England tour.

It all started with a poor show in the ODI series and now we’re staring at a T20 loss, but good old Charlie, the cricket lover, will tell you it’s all about the Tests.

I can tell you that the Test series will follow as a loss, or draw at best. Tonight the Proteas need to turn it around, otherwise fear the worst. Beware of the whitewash.

Talking about whitewashing, let’s talk Boks. They are up to it against France, which is commendable.

The game looks better and with more game breakers coming to the fore and a couple youngsters being considered, we could be building up lekker for 2019 in Tokyo. South Africa are 2/10 and France are 9/2.

The handicap is 13 points. Go for green and gold on the spread.

The British and Irish Lions have peaked at the perfect time and Warren Gatland has chosen to go with form players in the 23-man first Test line-up.

It has justifiably altered over the past two weeks after victory over the Crusaders and the Maoris. Some midweek madmen played their way into starts, including a new skipper, who wasn’t even starting for Ireland in their record stopshow of England.

It shows where persistence and some luck will get you. Peter O’Mahony will have to bring the thunder and some Irish luck to Eden Park to get up in game one if they are to make a series out of it. Game two in Wellington may be a shutout if the All Blacks win this weekend.

The atmosphere in Auckland is immense and bars will be running dry in the midst of a red sea. Let’s hope the players can bring that passion tomorrow. Lions are 33/10, which is worth a squint, while the All Blacks are 3/10 with a point spread of 10 Points. If you’re going Red, this is your best go at it, but if you’re Black then go in with 1/1 on a 20-point margin.

The Confed Cup in the mighty land of Putin looks an entertaining prospect and could produce a name of interest for the transfer windows. Look for a sneaky upset here along the way with possible tournament winners in Chile, who are joint favourites with Portugal at 9/4.

As you know, the bones like the juice, so look into Mexico with a sauce of 7/1 at the minute, and couple it with your Wimbledon favourite, or just put on a pound and go play around.

A shout out to Brooks Koepka and a first Major of many. Tennis grass court season is on the go and many an upset this week with Andy, Stan and others being knocked out.