flymango

With all the Boks back in the mix this will be an interesting game. I predict weepee over Sharks.

Please don't get me onto my hobby horse. Would love to see Brussow back in the mix ...

So it's you against me this weekend, Big H. I see the Cheetahs might include Goosen on the bench depending on how he shapes at the captain's run on Friday. The midfield clash will be interesting to watch. Must say, I'm glad we've got Strauss and Oosthuizen back in the front row. Bulls will try run an expansive game - to take 5 points without conceding a bonus point is a tall order, but stranger things have happened before. I'll throw a naartjie from the stands for you.

You bloody agent!! Thought this was a rugby thread ... sharp indeed.

I was wondering about that myself. I thought it was red card based on the TMO replay. My own biased, Bok-supporting opinion, of course.

And I'm going to the game!! The way I understand the log, the Cheetahs only need a bonus point to secure a semi-final spot, whereas the Bulls need a full house without conceding a bonus point.

I still think the difference between the two sides is at the breakdown. I read that HM says they've got it sorted now, although I read that to mean they're not giving away penalties on defense. But on offense, we still concede penalties for holding on, i.e. the opposing fetcher is contesting at the breakdown. Francois Louw has been up and down in this department. Coetzee and Kolisi are both great players at provincial level, but are neither fetchers or carriers. I think this is a weakness, that that freak Richie MaCaw exploited yet again on Saturday. He surely must be the best rugby player in the world. The All Blacks are a class act, and thumped the Boks at fortress Ellis Park with 14 players for 20 minutes. There were three defining moments for me on Saturday: - when McCaw ran onto the field - that crazy substitution of the the Du Plessis brothers in the 50th minute with a scrum on the All Black's tryline and a man down - Zane Kirchner's mistake kicking out on the full from the "carry-back".

In my opinion sport and politics are intertwined and is one of the great nation-building tools globally. The Olympics, World Cup Soccer, Wimbledon, F1, Ryder Cup, you name it - nothing more gratifying for a nation to boast about it's sports persons and teams reaching the highest accolades in the biggest sporting arenas. Unfortunately in South Africa because of our history, we had supporters based on racial lines, and racial and ideological affiliations. Whilst I don't see a lot of dying support for the lilly white Russian soccer team, we all have freedom of choice to support whom we want. But that was then. I struggle to accept why the racial and political bias from yesteryear needs to perpetuate itself in post-apartheid South Africa. The supporter waving the old South African flag at Brisbane upsets me just as much as the All Blacks supporters club from Uitenhage. Provincial teams? Sure. National teams? Not so sure. But that's me.

Well said. I'd be content if we won the game but lost the Championship. I'd hate to lose at Ellis Park ...

I'm actually going to be at the game in Bloem - my first visit to the new stadium since the old Vrystaat Stadium. Can't wait ...

Yip. My wife and I too. Base training for W2W ...

Indeed, although the ref made some marginal decisions that were wrong both ways. Most obvious being the last penalty against the Bulls that cost them the game. Suites me though as my Cheetahs are under pressure for 4th position on the log. Hopefully no slip-up agaist the Griquas on Saturday.

Found two ticks on my body in the shower after Hoogekraal last Sunday. I think those bushes in purple flower at the moment are riddled with ticks. Gin and tonic. Wait - no. Mozzies?

Unfortunately no thumbs up. But almost. Thought the ref had a good game, but that last penalty was marginal. Hard luck.

For the record I'm a firm believer that toys must only ever be paid for in cash. My emphasis is more on life-changing. Car? Bicycle?

I share your sentiments ... and here's the but - haven't we all bought life-changing goods on credit at some stage of our lives? Think university degree based on a student loan, or house based on a mortgage bond, or car based on a lease agreement, etc., etc.

Welcome to the world of capitalism. Credit is the steroid for growth. Nothing like consuming out of future income. Think of the USD 16 trillion USA budget deficit, the bastion of global capitalism. Wishing Terence Hope everything of the best with this business venture, honestly. They'll be taking the credit risk on your desire to have a bicycle you actually can't afford to pay cash for. Most of us fall into that category.

Lesson #12 (only applicable if you're diabetic which it seems you might be from your well written story) ALWAYS have some high GI carbs with you should you go hypo.

Some serious riding talent in that clip, but unfortuntely also some very questionable riding behaviour. Mixed feelings ...

Fourie du Preez again showed the importance of having a scrummie that can do the basics fast and accurately. I see real warning signs for Bok rugby if they continue to allow foreign-based players to play. I'd be looking to Sarel Pretorius, and both the Sharks (McLeod and Reinach), to come into the mix soon. And then after Saturday's game I'm convinced that Jan Serfontein should start at 12 with JdV moving to 13, and JJ to the bench. Serfontein's got too much talent, although it's likely that they're keeping JdV at 12 to be closer to the game as captain. With Serfontein at 12, I'd select Strauss at 2 to bring leadership to the forwards, and then bring on JJ and Bismarck at the same time to substitute Strauss and Serfontein. I'm afraid the Boks didn't capitalise on their good start, and taking 5 points off the All Blacks next Saturday will be a tall order. But, All Black jet lag and Ellis Park altitude, together with Bok determination, may yet decide the outcome. Go Bokke!!!!

Now I'm grumpy because my Cheetahs was robbed. I thought Vd Heever knocked on when the TMO was looking for the early tackle - instead it was a WP 5 meter scrum. And since when can you be offside if the ball goes out and you tackle a quick throw in? I might be mistaken. Defining moments in the game. But then the Cheetahs don't have a fetcher anymore to match the Deon Fouries of this world. Who said a team doesn't need a fetcher or somebody to contest the breakdowns? Surely not HM? And then Piet v Zyl has lost all form and confidence in my opinion. Sarel for the Bokke.

Is it just me or is there a whole lot less Hub-hype going into W2W than S2C? By now the S2C thread would be 20 pages long with questions, advice, concerns, banter, you name it. I know I'm quietly pooping myself because I'm still covered in winter cobwebs and there's just five weeks to go!!

Thanks @mayhem. I wasn't aware of that. @Johan - assuming dogs were allowed, it's more the uniqueness of the mast's tarred gradient and the blind corners that begs the question. In fact, when ascending we always make sure we keep left on those blind corners because of the dangers of a collision from the front. I guess the average descent speed on the tar section must be around 50 km/h. But that's all hypothetical. I agree with your point about co-existence with fellow outdoor enthusiasts.

Yesterday whilst descending from the mast we almost had an altercation with a group of ladies (think there were 4 ladies), each with two (or more) dogs that were not on a leash, walking up the tar road. There were four of us descending and we had to take fairly hard action coming round one of the bends to avoid animals and ladies scattering. "Where are your bells?". they shouted. We apologised profusely, and then also suggested that their dogs should be on leashes. Apart from being civil and treating follow hikers and walkers with respect, what are the written or unwritten rules about right of way about descending (at speed) and dogs?

Hublot are seriously nices watches ....