Sports
Eight-try Boks send out World Cup warning
The Springboks sent out a massive Rugby World Cup warning in Cardiff on Saturday, demolishing a young and inexperienced Wales side 52-16 in their biggest-ever win in Cardiff just weeks out from the defence of their World Cup title.
While the writing may have been on the wall ahead of the game with a number of big-name withdrawals from Wales, the Boks showed they aren’t the finished article just yet and have a number of issues to work on ahead of their opening World Cup game against Scotland on September 10.
Jake White famously coined in 2004 the line of “men against boys” when England demolished the Boks and it was hard to look past that statement for the difference between the two sides in Cardiff. This was the biggest win, eclipsing the 38-point win in 2004 in Cardiff and signalled that perhaps the hoodoo of Welsh teams over South Africa is over for a while.
But looking at the positives, the Boks will enter the World Cup with two packs that can demolish virtually any opposition in the setpieces, they have two lock combinations that can compete with the best in the world while there is a wealth of backline depth that can flummox defences almost at will.
KRIEL A MONSTER
The emergence of Jesse Kriel – who easily could have been man of the match ahead of Canan Moodie – out of the shadow of Lukhanyo Am is a massive bonus for the Boks, especially as Kriel not only was a monster in defence but his brace was a just reward for the hard work he put in, in the midfield.
Moodie continues to grow to the point that it is still difficult to believe that he is only 20. Back to back man of the match performances – and a brace of tries on the night – reminded us all that the selection process will be a very difficult one for the Bok management in the back three when the World Cup comes around.
It’s hard to find a lot of criticism in a record-breaking win with eight tries where the Boks were never in doubt, and there isn’t much. But in realising the Boks title defence will be in the pool of death against the No 1 team in the world, Ireland, as well as tricky opposition in Scotland and Tonga, these warm-up games are about exposing issues that can be fixed ahead of the tournament.
DISCIPLINE AND GOALKICKING A CONCERN
In this case the Boks would need to work on their discipline – conceding way too many penalties for their own liking, while their work under the aerial bombardment was poor by their own standards, and would give opposition teams a lot of hope.
That, as well as Damian Willemse’s yellow card – an awkward clash of heads that could easily have been a red card – and may still see intervention by the citing officer – were the negatives from a win that would have sent out more than a warning to the teams hoping to take the Webb Ellis trophy away from the Boks.
Manie Libbok’s goalkicking remains a worry – less so on a night where the Boks were so dominant, but it is hard to argue that it isn’t concern when the games get tighter and every point is at a premium. Libbok’s accuracy is not off by much, but inches count in test rugby and in that he will be disappointed in his own performance.
While it is hard to gauge too much from this game – it was clear from early on that this Welsh side would be outmuscled by the Green and Gold, in terms of momentum and confidence this was a good day at the office for the Boks.
KOLISI CAMEO WILL BUOY BOKS
The fact that both Siya Kolisi and Ox Nche got through the game without incident would have left a smile on the faces of many – especially the management – with both putting in massive games and Kolisi showing in 40 minutes of rugby that he is ready to lead his team in their title defence.
Make no mistake, that in itself is massive for the Boks as they look towards the tough road ahead.
Even though they were under pressure with penalties in the first half they struck the first big blow when a dominant maul saw a blindside attack that gave Kolisi an opportunity in the tramlines to surge forward and give the perfect offload to Malcolm Marx to score.
But two penalties to young Sam Costello saw Wales take the lead again – even though it was the last time in the game, as the Boks showed their width and versatility with a beauty of a try for Moodie – which started with RG Snyman snatching the ball from the ruck,and darting forward, then doing a one-two with Jaden Hendrikse before recycled ball was deftly sent wide under pressure by Libbok for Moodie to have an easy run in.
CONTROVERSIAL DECISION
The Boks then struck two quick blows that basically took the game away from the Welsh before halftime, even though the first was a tad controversial. Another Bok attack led to a kick pass to Moodie, who looked to have overrun the ball, with Rio Dyer knocking the ball deliberately into touch.
A dozen replays later and television match official Joy Neville could not find that Moodie’s hand touched the ball, and Dyer, who deliberately smacked the ball into touch received a yellow card, and Wales had a penalty try awarded against them.
Minutes later it was the quick thinking from an up and under that sent the ball wide to Damian de Allende, who punted the ball ahead into space with Kriel and Cheslin Kolbe motoring after it. While midfielder Mason Grady won the chase, in the tackle from Kolbe he inexplicably threw the ball in the air, allowing Kriel to grab it and get his first score.
After that 24-9 at the break, it seemed an uphill battle for Wales and it would only get worse.
After the break a promising Welsh attack, Kieran Hardy’s pass was intercepted by the Boks and saw Kriel scorch the defence as he ran more than 40 metres to score.
Du Toit scored after the Boks battered the Welsh line from close out to extend the score before another intercept – this time when Johnny Williams did a no-look pass into the hands of Moodie, who had a clear run to the posts.
Damian Willemse scored a late try and Sam Parry got a consolation for Wales but this was a day when it was men against boys. And the Boks were the ones to send out the warning that many other sides will heed this close to the tournament.
Scorers
Wales – Try: Sam Parry. Conversions: Cai Evans. Penalties: Sam Costello (3)
South Africa – tries: Malcolm Marx, Canan Moodie (2), Penalty try, Jessie Kriel (2), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Damian Willemse. Conversions: Manie Libbok (5)
© Brendan Nel / SuperSport
Arsenal kept their Premier League title dreams alive by ending an Old Trafford hoodoo to grind out a 1-0 win at Manchester United on Sunday to move back top of the table.
Leandro Trossard scored the only goal on 20 minutes as Arsenal won for just the second time in 17 games away at United to go a point clear at the summit.
Manchester City still have the destiny of the title in their own hands as the defending champions have two matches left to Arsenal’s one.
However, the Gunners kept the pressure on Pep Guardiola’s men ahead of their tricky trip to Tottenham on Tuesday.
Defeat further dented United’s chances of competing in Europe next season.
Erik ten Hag’s men showed more spirit than in a dismal 4-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday, but have now won just one of their last eight Premier League games.
United remain eighth in the table, three points adrift of both Newcastle, who they face on Wednesday, and Chelsea.
Arsenal have been in scintillating form in 2024 to remain in the race for their first league title in 20 years.
Mikel Arteta’s men have won 15 and drawn one of their 17 league games since the turn of the year.
But Arsenal were far from their flowing best as the expected onslaught of an injury-ravaged United never materialised under unusually stifling heat in England’s north-west.
The manner of defeat at Palace had increased the scrutiny on United boss Ten Hag.
He made three changes to the team swept aside at Selhurst Park as Scott McTominay, Sofyan Amrabat and Amad Diallo came in.
The Dutchman’s options were again hamstrung by a lengthy list of absentees with captain Bruno Fernandes among those sidelined and a bench littered with youngsters.
But his decision to retain Casemiro as a makeshift centre-back after his woeful showing against Palace will become another stick to beat the beleaguered coach with.
The Brazil captain was dropped from their squad for the Copa America in midweek due to his terrible form.
After United had managed to keep the free-scoring visitors at bay for the opening 20 minutes, Casemiro was culpable for the opening goal.
The 32-year-old was laboured in pushing up from a United goal-kick to play Kai Havertz onside and Trossard then stole in on the blind side of Casemiro to tap in the German’s cross.
United’s new co-owner Jim Ratcliffe was in attendance at Old Trafford rather than at Wembley to see the club’s women pick up their first ever major trophy in the FA Cup final.
The work that lies ahead of Ratcliffe has been laid bare in recent weeks, but the home side did manage to keep the majority of the 74,000 crowd onside by taking the game to Arsenal after the break.
Arsenal, though, were rarely seriously troubled as they held out for a sixth clean sheet in their last seven away league games.
Alejandro Garnacho was United’s one live wire but smashed into the side-netting with his best chance to equalise.
Gabriel Martinelli and Declan Rice were denied by brilliant Andre Onana saves to prevent Arsenal the second goal they craved to avoid a tense finale.
The visitors desperation to see the game out was evident as Martinelli took the ball to the corner with 10 minutes of the 90 still to play.
But Arsenal did just enough to ask the question City, who host West Ham on the final day of the season after their visit to north London in midweek.
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Real Madrid snatched an incredible semi-final victory as two late goals defeated Bayern Munich and set up a Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern looked to be heading to the final when Alphonso Davies cut in and blasted past Andriy Lunin after England captain Harry Kane had found him with a superb pass.
But Joselu grabbed an 88th-minute equaliser when he reacted quickest after Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who had been excellent up until then, fumbled Vinicius Jr’s effort.
There was even more drama to come two minutes later when Joselu, a former Stoke City striker, swept home from six yards after Antonio Rudiger’s square pass.
The goal was initially ruled offside, only for a video assistant referee (VAR) decision to show that Joselu was onside, sparking incredible scenes of celebration in the Bernabeu, with Real hanging on to win 4-3 on aggregate.
Real, 14-time European champions, will face Dortmund on Saturday, 1 June at Wembley.
There was controversy in the 13th minute of injury time at the end of the second half as Bayern’s Matthijs de Ligt thought he had taken the game to extra time.
A ball was played up to Noussair Mazraoui and the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside, with a number of Real defenders stopping before Bayern’s De Ligt fired into the net.
Television replays suggested the original decision may not have been correct and that had the flag not been raised it would have needed to be checked by VAR, with Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel and a number of players including Kane and fellow Englishman Eric Dier strongly protesting against the decision.
Delight for Bellingham but heartbreak for Kane and Dier
For England midfielder Jude Bellingham, the outcome continues an incredible first season at the Bernabeu and he will face his former side Dortmund in the final in London.
Bellingham left the German team for Real in an £88.5m move in June 2023 and has a chance to complete a double, having already helped Real win La Liga.
“At Wembley, against Dortmund… It’s a weird one, I can’t believe it,” Bellingham told TNT Sports. “When I was seven years old in Birmingham, I was dreaming of nights like this.”
While it was a dream come true for Bellingham, there was heartbreak for his fellow England players Kane and Dier.
Kane has scored 44 times for Bayern since moving in an £86m transfer from Tottenham last summer, but this loss ends his hopes of winning a first major title in his career.
Both Kane and Dier played in the 2019 Champions League final as Tottenham lost 2-0 to Liverpool.
Kane had put Bayern 2-1 ahead in the first leg against Madrid, only for Vinicius Jr to grab his second to leave it at 2-2 after the opening match in Germany.
The second leg was played in a fantastic atmosphere at the Bernabeu. The hosts almost scored early on, only for Neuer to make an excellent double save – pushing Vinicius Jr’s effort against the post and then stopping Rodrygo’s follow-up effort.
Vinicius Jr was a constant threat for Real down their left but again saw Neuer twice make excellent saves.
But Bayern, against the run of play, took the lead in the 68th minute.
Kane, in the centre circle, sprayed a superb pass to Davies on the left flank, and the Canadian ran at Rudiger, cut inside on to his right foot and unleashed an unstoppable strike for what looked to be the winner.
Boss Tuchel, who is leaving Bayern at the end of the season, took Kane off with five minutes to go, before Joselu swung the game in Real’s favour.
The striker took advantage of a rare Neuer error and then scored again three minutes later as Real clinched an incredible victory.
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti, who has reached his sixth Champions League final as a manager, said he is going to “enjoy this week”.
“[My players are] unbelievable. I’m really grateful to them,” Ancelotti added. “They work really hard and I think this is the best squad I have ever had in my career.”
© BBC Sport
Crystal Palace sealed a first league double over Manchester United with a rampant 4-0 win at Selhurst Park.
Michael Olise ran 20 yards under no challenge to eventually slot beyond Andre Onana to put Oliver Glasner’s side in the lead after 13 minutes.
Jean-Philippe Mateta surged beyond Johnny Evans to finish emphatically for his sixth goal in a row on home turf.
Tyrick Mitchell tapped in from close range after a fine cross by Adam Wharton in the 58th minute and French youngster Olise capitalised on a Casemiro mistake to power a strike beyond a wanting Onana.
From the first minute, Glasner’s men looked full of intent against a United side who failed to turn up at Selhurst Park.
As a defensive unit, United put in one of the worst performances of the season with Casemiro and Evans becoming their 14th centre back partnership used this campaign.
Eberechi Eze and Olise were given the freedom of the pitch to control the play and caused United trouble on numerous occasions.
Erik ten Hag’s side threatened in a couple of moments with Casemiro twice having goals ruled out – the first for a foul on Dean Henderson and the second for offside.
Odsonne Edouard almost rubbed further salt in the wounds but his injury-time effort struck the upright.
With title-chasing Arsenal next up, United must greatly improve to avoid another thrashing.
No European football for United a possibility
At one stage in the season, Ten Hag’s side looked as though they could put pressure on Aston Villa for a Champions League spot.
That dream is long gone and United are now at risk of missing out on qualifying for any European competition next season.
They must either finish seventh in the Premier League to secure Europa Conference League football or beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final to seal a Europa League place.
One win in seven has seen United slide down the table into eighth and their fixtures do not get any easier with league leaders Arsenal visiting Old Trafford on Sunday.
A defeat by this scoreline can be hugely damaging but for those United fans who made the trip to Selhurst Park on a Bank Holiday Monday, it is the manner in which the players seemingly looked disinterested that will hurt the most.
Wharton an outsider for the England squad?
All eyes have been on United’s talented youngster, Kobbie Mainoo, and rightfully so but it is hard to ignore the performances being put in by midfielder Wharton since his January move.
Wharton, 20, has impressed since day one at Selhurst Park after his £18m move from Blackburn Rovers on transfer deadline day.
Up against England internationals Mason Mount and Mainoo, Wharton shone with his slick passing between the lines and combativeness in defence.
Positionally, Wharton is excellent. Especially for someone at such a tender age. He has the ability to know exactly where to be on the pitch and when it is best to release the ball for a team-mate.
The former Blackburn man has been a huge addition to a Palace side who have won four of their past five.
A fantastic cross for Joachim Andersen to set up Mitchell’s goal was just a small sample of the quality Wharton brings.
England boss Gareth Southgate was in attendance in London with a preliminary squad for Euro 2024 set to be announced on Tuesday, 21 May and with the Three Lions short of players in the mould of Wharton, could a shock inclusion be on the cards?
© BBC Sport
Toto Wolff and Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner have reignited their war of words over Max Verstappen after the Mercedes boss again hinted at poaching the three-time world champion.
Verstappen’s future at Red Bull was thrown into doubt last month after his father, Jos, said the team was in danger of being “torn apart” if Horner remained its principal.
It came after allegations against Horner of inappropriate behaviour towards a woman colleague. He denied the claims and an internal investigation cleared him of wrongdoing.
Verstappen has publicly committed his future to Red Bull, but following the Dutchman’s dominant victory at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, Mercedes boss Wolff stirred the pot anew.
Wolff told reporters in Shanghai that “everyone is waiting to see what he (Verstappen) is going to do”.
“There are so many factors that play a role for a driver joining,” said Wolff, who needs to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is leaving for Ferrari next year.
“Clearly, from the most rational point of view, that’s the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver,” said Wolff.
“But I don’t think this is the only reason you stay where you are.”
Earlier this season Wolff said that he “would love” to sign the reigning world champion Verstappen if he became available.
His latest comments triggered a prickly response from Horner, who said that Wolff should focus on trying to revitalise Mercedes following a poor start to the season by their high standards.
“Why would you want to leave this team?” Horner said.
“Mercedes are third behind their customers (McLaren and Aston Martin).
“His time would be better spent perhaps focusing on the team rather than the driver market.
“I can assure you that there is no ambiguity about where Max Verstappen will be next year.”
© AFP
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