Fourie Du Preez Scoops SA Rugby's Top Prize

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The annual South African rugby awards were presented on Monday night at a banquet in Johannesburg.

The main award for SA player of the year was won for the second time by scrumhalf Fourie du Preez.

Also nominated were Morne Steyn, John Smit, Victor Matfield and Heinrich Brussow. Any of these players would have been deserving of this award.

du Preez has had an outstanding year, and is the fulcrum behind which both the Springboks and Bulls have been able to base their winning campaigns this year. He is a consistent player, who is rewarded for his hard work, and dedicated attitude.

His option taking this year has been superb, not being afraid to take quick taps and chance his arm, as evident in creating Francois Hougaard's opening try in the Currie Cup final.

Add to that his solid positional play, safety under the high ball, crisp pass and pin point kicking game, and it is not hard to see why Fourie du Preez has been the world's premier scrumhalf since he first won the SA rugby player of the year award in 2006.

Du Preez was also pleased with the inclusion of his Bulls teammates Heini Adams and Francois Hougaard in the Bok squad. "They deserve it. I think Francois is the guy who will take over from Heini and myself when we finish playing in a year or two."

After the 2011 World Cup du Preez may leave South Africa to play overseas, "I'm still looking around, but it's definitely an option. It will not just be about rugby, but will also be a lifestyle choice when I go overseas."

Whilst du Preez has had a great year, the man I thought deserved the main award was Morne Steyn.

Steyn has had a superb year, being a large reason behind the Bulls and Springbok successes this year. He has played his way into the Springbok side and smashed his way into the record books. To become the fastest Springbok to 100 points against the hardest opposition he could, including having to play off the bench, speaks miles of his achievements.

He is an incredibly humble man, and it is his attitude that allows him to enjoy massive success today. A few years ago his kicking was very wobbly, but one can see how hard he has worked with kicking coach Vlok Cilliers, to become the World's most accurate kicker.

Morne Steyn captured three awards, the prestigious Players' Player of the Year Award as well as the Test Player of the Lions Series Award and the Player of the Super 14 Award.

Like Steyn, Heinrich Brussow was a newcomer in the Bok team this year and won the award of Best Provincial Player of the Lions Tour and the Young Player of the Year Award.

Coach of the year went to Peter de Villiers, and in my view he has certainly gotten better and better, and is now one of the world's leading coaches. However I would have given the award to Paul Treu who has had an outstanding year, and made the Springbok Sevens world title holders.

The Springboks were the SA Rugby Team of the Year, although they would have been pressed hard by the Bulls and the Springbok Sevens.

Sanjay Deva

http://www.Rugby.SanjayDeva.com

"My blood is green"

Sanjay is a passionate South African rugby supporter. He supports all South African teams, and the Springboks and Bulls are his favourites. Sanjay used to be a physio for elite sports teams including rugby, which has given him a great insight into the sport from the inside.

2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Venues - Polokwane

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The countdown to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa has begun in earnest and the spotlight falls on the venues as soccer fans from around the world check out the destinations from where their favoured teams begin the adventure which they all hope will lead to the Final at Soccer City, Johannesburg on July 11th.

Polokwane, previously known as Pietersburg, with a population of more than half a million is the capital of Limpopo Province and is bordered by three of South Africa's neighbours: Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Situated on a plateau 1300m above sea level Polokwane has a pleasant climate and World Cup daytime temperatures would be in the range 20-25°C. The area is mainly grassland surrounded by scenic granite hills. Fans taking time out from the football can visit the mystical Lake Fundudzi and the surrounding Thathe Vondo Forest, sacred to the Venda people. In the city you can visit the historic Irish House which houses the Polokwane Museum and for later there's the Meropa Entertainment and Casino Complex with its slot machines and gaming tables.

The newly constructed Peter Mokaba Stadium, situated 5km from the city centre, with a capacity of 45,000 will play host to four group matches from June 13th to June 24th. First up on June 13th Algeria play Slovenia in a Group C match timed to kick off at 13.30. The evening of June 17th sees the Group A clash between France and Mexico at 20.30. Greece and Argentina are paired for a Group B match at 20.30 on June 22nd. The final match takes place between Paraguay and New Zealand at 16.00 on June 24th in Group F after which interest moves on to the Round of 16 which kicks off on June 26th at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth.

Polokwane is served by Polokwane International Airport (PTG). South African Airways, operated by Airlink, with connections to Johannesburg is the only major carrier.

The distance from Polokwane to the other World Cup 2010 venues is as follows:
Johannesburg 331 Km, Nelspruit 320 Km, Rustenburg 376 Km, Bloemfontein 750 Km, Cape Town 1736 Km, Port Elizabeth 1393 Km, Pretoria 273 Km, Durban 929 Km.

Dan has been writing articles on sports and other subjects for some time. His guide to 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Venues can be found here World Cup Venues and for games on a smaller scale USB Missile Launchers.

Sexy Italian Mama gets ready for the football world cup

Sexy Italian Mama gets ready for the football world cup



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8LXpnt5h_Y&hl=en

The Cradle of Humankind

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An hour's drive from the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg one can find the Cradle of Humankind, a truly remarkable place that is sure to leave you dizzy trying to grasp the developments of life and our species on this planet. Occupying 47,000 hectares of land and an official World Heritage Site since 1999, the Cradle of Humankind consists of 15 major fossil sites - sites where fossils of our ancestors have been discovered that date back over 3 million years! The most famous of these sites, Sterkfontein Caves has produced over a third of early hominid fossils ever found. Most scientists now agree that all humanity has a common heritage that begun in Africa, and nowhere else is this more evident than at the Cradle of Humankind.

Being such an important place not only to Johannesburg and South Africa, but to the entire world and everyone alive, the Cradle of Humankind has become a huge attraction to people from far and wide. To this effort there has been a dual effort to add tourism infrastructure in the forms of exhibition and recreational facilities, hotels, and restaurants, while maintaining ongoing scientific explorations and conservation efforts. This is evident in the Maropeng Visitor's Centre, a highlight of any trip to the Cradle. Maropeng, a Setswana term that literally means 'returning to the place of origin', is a state of the art exhibition centre that will take its visitors on a ride from the creation of the universe during the Big Bang 14 billion years ago all the way to the present. On the way we stop and examine how the Earth came into being from a ball of burning gas 4.6 billion years ago and then move forward to 3.8 billion years ago when life first emerged on the planet. Moving swiftly along we found out how the earth has been rocked by 5 major extinctions, the last being only 65 million years ago when a giant meteor killed off the giant reptilian dinosaurs.

By all accounts nothing very exciting happened for the next 60 million years or so, the dinosaurs were dead and gone. Larger, stronger and better adapted mammals developed and took their place. Nothing exciting that is, until some primates began to shake things up. This is where the Cradle of Humankind and Maropeng really come into their own. From our 3 million old relative, Australopithicus Africanus, discovered in the Sterkfontein Caves, all the way to modern humans, Homo sapiens, that emerged only 200,000 years ago. May seem like a long time, but in the grander scheme of things, as this brilliant exhibit demonstrates, it's just a blink of the eye. Maropeng, with its state of the art displays and unrivalled collection of human and early hominid fossils, tells the unbelievable story of humanities development and growth, development of language and technology. Perhaps the greatest story ever told, and Maropeng does it amazingly.

From the riveting history lesson at Maropeng, one can visit Sterkfontein Caves for a more 'in depth' and close up look at where and how these amazing discoveries were made. After learning about the famous fossils that came out of these caves and their historical significance, visitors can then take a tour of these magnificent caves. Some of the more incredible finds here have been evidence of controlled fire that is 1 million years old as well as 'Little Foot', an almost complete Australopithicus Africanus skeleton that is over 3 million years old.

Frank Latter is a content writer for Allabout City Guides, an online and touch screen city guide featured in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and Birmingham City. Allabout City Guides is an excellent resource for anyone visiting or living in these cities.

2010 FIFA World Cup songs Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) [www.ee-india.tk]

www.ee-india.tk FIFA World Cup - 2010 The 2010 FIFA World Cup is the 19th FIFA World Cup, the premier international association football tournament. It is being held in South Africa, beginning on 11 June and scheduled to conclude on 11 July 2010. The tournament is the culmination of a qualification process that began in August 2007 and involved 204 of the 208 FIFA national teams. As such, it matches the 2008 Summer Olympics as the sports event with the most competing nations. The final is forecast to be among the most-watched events ever, possibly behind only the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games.[1] This is the first time that the tournament has been hosted by an African nation, after South Africa defeated Morocco and Egypt in an all-African bidding process. Italy are the defending champions, having won the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. The draw for the finals took place on 4 December 2009 in Cape Town. List of qualified teams (32 teams) • Australia • Japan • Korea DPR • Korea Republic • Algeria • Cameroon • Côte d'Ivoire • Ghana • Nigeria • South Africa • Honduras • Mexico • United States • Argentina • Brazil • Chile • Paraguay • Uruguay • New Zealand • Denmark • England • France • Germany • Greece • Italy • Netherlands • Portugal • Serbia • Slovakia • Slovenia • Spain • Switzerland www.ee-india.tk



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJpwWXQAqHA&hl=en

FIFA World Cup 2010: France Versus Uruguay Preview

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Controversies notwithstanding, France's manager Raymond Domenech can be credited with taking his team to the final in 2006.

The 2006 performance was against low expectations. Especially after the fiasco in 2002 when France, the then defending champions, and reigning European champions, were expected to retain their crown. But the weight of expectation proved too heavy and France faltered.

The expectations are even lower, this time around, in South Africa. So will France do as well as, or even better than in 2006, where they got to the final?

Domenech says his team will bid him a fitting farewell before he hands over charge to Laurent Blanc.

Against Uruguay, in France's opener in Cape Town on Friday, an unfit Thierry Henry is likely to be rested, and Nicolas Anelka is likely to take his place, partnered by Andre-Pierre Gignac, in the forward line, and backed by midfielder Franck Ribery.

Ribery missed playing in the Champions League final for Bayern Munchen owing to suspension. He will be looking to make amends at the World Cup, and his form will be crucial to France's fortunes.

Like France, Uruguay needed a play off to qualify for South Africa 2010. The South Americans did well in their home qualifiers, especially a memorable match against Peru that they won 6-0. Their away performances left much to be desired.

Uruguay striker Diego Forlan did well for Atletico Madrid this last season, an opened their scoring against Fulham in the Europa League final.

France and Uruguay were locked in a goal-less draw, the last time they met, which was at the 2002 World Cup. Neither team made it past the group stage.

Coach Domenech recently shifted to an attacking 4-3-3 combination, changing from the old 4-2-3-1, but that has had mixed results, so far -- aA win, a draw and a loss against Costa rica, Tunisia and China, respectively.

Twice champions in the 1930s, Uruguay are capable of upsetting France's applecart, given that the European team haven't played well in the last two years. As opposed to France's 1-0 loss to China last week, Uruguay are coming into this match from a 4-1 walloping they gave Israel.

France are plagued by injury and age concerns. Fortunately for them, defender William Gallas has recovered somewhat from his calf injury.

Their best asset in this World Cup is arguably their 23-year old goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, who is already considered among the world's top ten.

Uruguay's best chance is to score early, and hang on. That said, France start the match as favourites.

For the latest sports gossip, including the FIFA World Cup, click http://www.sportingattitude.com

Suresh Iyer is an avid sports fan and blogger.

Sculptor from Zimbabwe: Collen Nyanhongo

Follow artist Collen Nyanhongo through the creative process as he sculpts one of his works of art.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMvzNUZxvmk&hl=en

FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final Preview - Argentina Vs Germany

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Argentina and Germany have been arguably the most aggressively exciting teams at this World Cup, making this match at Cape Town on Friday, a mouth watering prospect.

In contrast to their qualifying campaign, Argentina have been on top of their game, whether passing, or retaining the ball or finishing.

After cruising through the group matches with easy wins over Nigeria, South Korea and Greece, Argentina ran into Mexico in the round of 16. Contrary to expectation, Mexico disappointed, and barring the first 10 minutes or so, Argentina ruled, with Tevez's twin strikes deciding the issue. Higuain also got his name on the scorecard thanks to a blunder by Osario.

Messi has been the creative hub, despite not scoring himself, and Tevez and Higuain have benefited. the midfield has been in capanble hands, led by Javier Mascherano, and Angel di Maria and Maxi Rodriguez have supplemented the attack whenever possible.

The back-line led by Martin Demichelis is the only weak area, with a goal gifted to the South Koreans a case in point. Concentration lapses have also occurred too often for comfort, such as towards the end of the Mexico game.

German youth overwhelmed English experience, 4-1, in their round of 16 match, the worst defeat england have suffered in any World Cup finals.

This was a repeat of their group match against Australia, but that was followed by a shock defeat to Serbia. But Germany soon erased the memory with a 1-0 win over Ghana in their last group game to top the group.

Germany have looked complete in every aspect: Per Mertesacker and Arne Friedrich in the back line, Sami Khedira filling in for Michael Ballack, Bastian Schweinsteiger champion in the midfield, Mesut Oezil the brightest spark of the tournament for Germany, Klose a man for big occasions, the list looks non-ending.In fact, Germany's biggest enemy against Argentina could be overconfidence.

Lionel Messi is undoubtedly the key for Argentina. Without his selfless team spirit, apart from his supreme ball skills, Tevez and Higuain wouldn't have been half as effective.

Mesut Oezil was unknown before the World Cup. Here is the star of the future; mature beyond his years, he uses his prodigious talent to devastating effect.

Maradona is unlikely to tinker with his starting eleven. He will rely on Demichelis and Burdisso to counter Klose.

Germany Manager Joachim Leow could also opt for an unchanged side from the one that played against England. Klose, at their spearhead, rely on support from Oezil, Mueller and Podolski. The defence will be led by Lahm who is an additional attacking option, and the back-line will have Freidrich and Mertesacker.

This is a game of classic contrast in that Argentina have individual stars who can rule a game on their day, and Germany have youngsters with talent and energy but lack experience, at these rarefied heights. This lack showed up for the 15 minutes leading up to half-time against Lampard and company in the Ehgland game. For me, the result of this match will revolve around the question: can Germany's inexperience can weather the Messi storm?

For the latest sports gossip and news you will not find anywhere else on the Internet, and to download a FREE eBook on the 2010 FIFA World Cup, click http://www.cricinfosite.com

Suresh Iyer is an avid sports fan and blogger.

FIFA World Cup 2010 - Amazing Facts You Might Not Know

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The Federation Internationale de Football Association proudly brings the FIFA World Cup to the soccer world every four years. The men's national football teams of many countries vie to take part in this esteemed event. A nation that plays football must first qualify for the qualifier matches that are held prior to the big event if they want to qualify. As of now 32 teams are chosen for the competition that lasts for one month.

The 19th FIFA World Cup Series will be organized and launched in South Africa, taking place from June 11th until July 11th, 2010. The first African nation to hold the World Cup is going to be South Africa. Zakumi, the event's mascot, is an adorable leopard-like cartoon animal with green hair and a yellow body. A perfect slogan was selected to suit this occasion: "Zakumi's game is Fair Play."The matches will be played over a one-month period in ten different venues. Much money has been spent on building five new football stadiums, and additional moneys have been spent on renovating five old stadiums.  The renovation work is going on in the following locations:

Port Elizabeth: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
Durban: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Johannesburg: Ellis Park Stadium
Cape Town: Cape Town Stadium
Pretoria: Loftus Versfeld Stadium
Bloemfontein: Free State Stadium
Nelspruit: Mbombela Stadium
Polokwane: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Rustenburg: Royal Bafokeng Stadium
Johannesburg: Soccer City

The public will greatly benefit from the construction of new roads and the improvement of transportation services.

An incredible number of fans are expected to arrive in South Africa before the opening ceremonies even begin because the FIFA World Cup Series is, without a doubt, a major event for all football enthusiasts. There are four groups in this year's world cup in which the 32 nations are divided into for the competition.

Group A consists of the following: Action will take place in the folllowing venues: Spain, the Netherlands, England, Brazil, South Africa, Italy, Germany and Argentina.

Group B consists of the following: Ghana, Nigeria, Uruguay, Cameroon, Algeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Paraguay, Chile,

C Group: Korea DPR, Australia, Japan, Honduras, United States, Korea Republic, New Zealand,Mexico.

Fourth group: (Denmark, France, Greece, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland)

The last match will happen on July 11, 2010 and the beginning and ending ceremonies for this event will be done on a big scale with various popular celebrities and performers participating in these celebrations.

About the World Cup 2010
Jim K. Harrisson is a passionate about soccer and the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2010.
For the latest world cup results visit www.World-Cup-Results.net