Jake has ‘no doubt’ that Carr can drive Bulls
THE pending departure of Marco van Staden from Loftus Versfeld is set to result in a battle for his Bulls No 6 jersey – and Nizaam Carr has been given the first bite at it.
Bulls boss Jake White, in announcing a much changed side yesterday for tomorrow's encounter against Eastern Province, conceded that his fight to keep Springbok flank Van Staden in Pretoria is over. The 25-year-old was in outstanding form last season, adding a powerful ball-carrying element to his renowned fetcher skills, as the Bulls charged to the Super Rugby Unlocked and Currie Cup titles.
Had the Boks been able to play any Tests, Van Staden was sure to be part of the squad.
But perhaps the looming arrival of another international loose forward in Marcell Coetzee may have swayed Van Staden’s thinking. A number of French clubs were chasing his signature, but it has been rumoured that he has signed for Leicester Tigers in England.
It is unclear when he will join the East Midlands side at Welford Road, but with the Rainbow Cup on the horizon, White will use the Preparation Series over the next few weeks to identify a suitable figure at No 6, with Coetzee only expected in Pretoria in July.
And despite Carr stating earlier this week that
he sees himself as a No 8, White was adamant that the five-cap Springbok, who will also lead the team at Loftus Versfeld, has the ability to operate at openside flank.
“With us not having Marco van Staden going forward, we are going to try to find a back-up as an openside flanker as well, to take that role. I’ve got no doubt that a guy like Nizaam can do it,” the former Bok coach said.
“I see a guy like Nizaam, who could probably play at six, seven and eight. He has unbelievable skills in the line-out … I would like to see Nizaam play as an openside, because if he can do that position as well as I think he can, he offers so much more for me on the bench as well. I’m not saying he won’t start, but then at least he will be in every 23 because then I’m comfortable that we have a guy who can cover all those positions.”
White added that he feels Tim Agaba, who also previously operated from the back of the scrum, is better suited to blindside flank “that can jump at the back of a line-out”.
Meanwhile, star wing Kurt-Lee Arendse has rejoined the Blitzboks to prepare for the Tokyo Olympics, which sees new signing Madosh Tambwe starting at No 14.
BULLS TEAM
15 David Kriel 14 Madosh Tambwe 13 Marnus Potgieter 12 Marco Jansen van Vuren 11 Stravino Jacobs 10 Chris Smith 9 Embrose Papier 8 WJ Steenkamp 7 Tim Agaba 6 Nizaam Carr (captain) 5 Janko Swanepoel 4 Jan Uys 3 Mornay Smith 2 Joe van Zyl 1 Gerhard Steenekamp. Bench: 16 Janco Uys 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels 18 Gerhard van der Merwe 19 Raynard Roets 20 Uzile Tele 21 Keagan Johannes 22 Jandre Burger 23 Diego Appollis 24 Reinhardt Ludwig 25 Werner Gouws 26 Dawid Kellerman.
HollywoodBets Dolphins 151/6 (Miller 49*. Ngidi 3/21)
Multiply Titans 144/6 45. Frylinck 2/26)
(Galiem
THE Warriors will meet the Lions in the play-off of t he Betway T20 Challenge this afternoon after a tense final round-robin match saw the Dolphins eliminate the power-packed Titans.
The team from Tshwane’s woes with the bat continued yesterday, in what for them was a virtual eliminator.
Their top order has struggled throughout the competition, and yesterday they threw the experienced Grant Thomson into the mix to try and solve a problem that has seen them use Henry Davids and Theunis de Bruyn without success earlier in the round-robin stage.
Once again, the Dolphins adapted magnificently to conditions with their spinners, Prenelan Subrayen (0/15 in four overs) and – until his last over – Keshav Maharaj (0/32) keeping a vice-like grip on the scoring.
The Titans came into the game knowing they had to win after the Warriors had secured a bonus point victory against them earlier in the week, and they would have been pleased to have restricted the Dolphins to just 151.
David Miller was very good again in making 49 not out, although unlike the usual pyrotechnics for which he is known, yesterday’s innings was more about resilience, as he marshalled the second half of the Dolphins innings to get them through to a defendable total.
Sarel Erwee provided an explosive start, scoring 33 off 20 balls, but his dismissal was a turning point in the innings.
Lungi Ngidi was magnificent for the Titans, using cutters and slower balls to pick up 3/21.
Aiden Markram failed again, and the Titans made a tactical error in not promoting skipper Heinrich Klaasen to number 3, to give him time to manage their chase.
Instead Dayyaan Galiem struggled to even get the ball off the square until late in his innings and although he made 45, he used up far too many deliveries, 39, in doing so.
Klaasen finished unbeaten on 29 off 14 balls, as if to emphasise the mistake by the Titans brains trust and there will be plenty for them to unpack in the coming days as they try to get to the bottom of why this campaign failed, given all the resources at their disposal.
The Warriors however will be delighted.
They have fought back magnificently in this competition and will not shy away when taking on a star-studded Lions team, who earlier in the day beat the Cape Cobras by seven wickets.
Sinethemba Qeshile’s men are a vastly different team to the one which lost their opening game to the Lions, with confidence now oozing through that squad after back-to-back wins against the Titans and Knights.
but it doesn’t come cheap -
WILLEM VAN DE PUTTE
Erdogan’s PKK
IF YOU’VE been thinking about getting Botox or a brow lift, you aren’t the only one. “Zoom face” has everyone analysing their facial features to the point of being driven to cosmetic surgery.
“Zoom face” is a new term we’ve been hearing more of the deeper into lockdown we venture.
Last March, companies across the globe closed their doors, sending employees home to continue their work.
And, just like that, sweat sets became our new power suits, the couch became the perfect office space and Zoom calls were our gateway to access the world outside our quarantine bubbles.
It sounds like an ideal situation, being able to sink into the couch cushions, cross-legged and comfy in your robe as you tap away on your laptop. Until, you get your daily reminder for the conference call over video chat. This is where the concept of the “Zoom face” becomes a reality.
After having attended countless virtual meetings by 2021, people are starting to realise the pressure to look good on camera.
After looking into a camera all day and being so up close and personal with their own reflection, many are turning to plastic surgery to correct the little imperfections they’re noticing about themselves.
On top of this, there is a profound expectation for people to emerge from this pandemic as better versions of themselves.
If you haven't perfected your banana bread skills, mastered the art of sourdough starters, undertaken DIY home renovations, started a side hustle and exercised your mind and body then you have not made the most of the circumstances, at least according to the bombardment of betterment propaganda flooding social media.
From filling in frown lines to smoothing out crows feet, plastic surgeons worldwide are reporting an unprecedented number of requests for procedures.
However, it is uncertain as to whether this influx is due to a build-up of patients not being able to go during lockdown, the enticing factor of being able to recover from surgeries at home without dipping into annual leave or because of the Zoom face phenomenon.
Regardless, many of the procedures have to do with the face, indicating that it may very well be the latter.
Common facial cosmetic procedures people have include anti-wrinkle injections, brow lifts, face lifts, dissolving injections, chemical peels for glowing skin and rhinoplasties.
If you’ve caught yourself obsessing over how you look on screen, there are ways to look good and feel confident that aren’t so invasive.
7 WAYS TO LOOK GOOD FROM THE WAIST UP Headband
Even if your hair hasn’t been styled, wearing a headband somehow has the ability to make you look put together. By sweeping back flyaway baby hairs, they tie together outfits when colour co-ordinated and happen to complement a variety of hairstyles.
Necklace
Liven things up with a statement necklace. Go for something bold with a pop of colour.
Earrings
A modest pair of studs or something more elaborate with dangly details can be used to express your personality and show that you have a sense of style.
Blazer
There’s no other clothing item that can transform practically any outfit from everyday casual to super smart and professional. Dresses or even T-shirts look more pulled-together when paired with the structured appearance of blazers.
Neck tie
Ties have a way of marking professionalism in the workplace. The presence of one makes you stand out in a sea of unbuttoned collars.
Wristwatch
Apart from being a much classier method for keeping track of time, rather than glancing at your cell phone, watches exude sophistication. They also help you add structure to your work day without being distracting.
Grooming your beard
It may be tempting to take a break from trimming regularly, but, having a manicured beard is a vital part of looking put together. An unkempt appearance can give the impression that you’re sloppy when it comes to your work.