AFRICA CUP, DIVISION 2, SOUTH

04.07.2015
Lesotho 13, Swaziland 10 in Maseru (Africa Cup 2, South)

Briefly
Malawi pulled out of this tournament leaving these two teams to slug out a final.

TEST RUGBY RESULTS SATURDAY-SUNDAY 24-25 MAY

25.04.2014
Japan 49, Hong Kong 8 in Tokyo (Asia Five Nations)
Argentina 73, Chile 12 in Santiago (CONSUR Cup)

24.05.2014
Korea 52, Philippines 22 in Makati (Asia Five Nations)
Russia 31,Germany 20 in Hamburg (WCQ Europe R5 Playoff)
Trinidad & Tobago 34, Barbados 5 in Port of Spain (Carib. Champ., Sth League)
Swaziland 15, Lesotho 0 in Maruso (Friendly)

TEST RUGBY THIS SATURDAY

24.05.2014
Korea v Philippines in Makati (Asia Five Nations)
Chile v Argentina in Santiago (CONSUR Cup)
Germany v Russia in Hamburg (WCQ Europe R5 Playoff)
Trinidad & Tobago v Barbados in Port of Spain (Caribb. Champ., South League)
Swaziland v Lesotho in Maruso (Friendly)

Briefly
There will be an interesting battle between Korea and Philippines. Whilst the Philippines defeated Sri Lanka away by one point last weekend, and as a result they would have grounds for some optimism, it would be a brave soul to not predict a Korean win.

At steak is a place in the 2015 Asian Elite rugby competition which will feature and home-away series involving Asia three top teams. At the moment Japan is No.1 followed by Hong Kong. Korea is favoured to be the third nation. The game be a close encounter in stages but I just can’t see the Philippines overpowering the Koreans.

Prediction: Korea by 20 points.

Argentina should not experiences any scary moments in their game against Chile. The Chileans have not performed well in 2014 and although playing away from home the Jaguars (well in effect Argentina ‘A’) should have no problems.

Prediction: Argentina by 35 points

The Germany-Russia clash is covered elsewhere on this blog.

Barbados lost 19-48 to Guyana at home last weekend and now have to travel to Trindad for a showdown with the local side. Last year they lost this game at home 6-19 so it will be an uphill struggle for the Barbadians.

Prediction: Trinidad and Tobago by 26 points.

Will it be played? After a number of postponnements, the match awaited Lesotho-Swaziland return game should be played today in Maruso. I’d expect the home side to win a good struggle.

Prediction: Swaziland by 10 points.

THIS WEEKS TEST RUGBY FIXTURES 2 TO ADD

26.04.2014
Swaziland v Lesotho, Swaziland (Friendly)
Mexico v Bermuda, Huixquilucan (Friendly)

TEST RUGBY FRIENDLIES: Saturday 23 February

22.02.2014
Gibraltar 25, Israel ‘A’ 12 in Gibraltar (Friendly)-Status of Gibraltar XV TBC
Lesotho 5, Swaziland 3 in Maseru (Friendly)

Briefly
The Gibraltar-Israel ‘A’ game slipped under my radar this weekend. I am not sure of the status of the Gibraltar team. I’m hopeful that they awarded test caps.

Lesotho caused an upset with this win. This places them firmly on the African rugby map. Now we have to see if both nations can be included in the CAR African Cup competition. Swaziland pulled out of the competition in 2013.

LESOTHO v SWAZILAND TEST RUGBY

22.02.2014

This will be Lesotho’s first test rugby match

Image thanks to https://www.facebook.com/lesothorugby

Venue: Bambatha Tsita Sports Arena, Maseru

Lesotho rugby uniform
Thanks to https://www.facebook.com/lesothorugby

Lesotho logo

There are 4 national club sides in Lesotho

Black Cobras
CAS Wolves
NUL Spears
Maseru Kings

Swaziland Team
Image thanks to https://www.facebook.com/lesothorugby

Prediction: Swaziland by 20 points

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: Friday Saturday 21-22 Feb.

21.02.2014
France v Wales in Cardiff (6 Nations)

22.02.2014
Ireland v England at Twickenham (6 Nations)
Scotland v Italy in Rome (6 Nations)
Russia v Georgia in Tbilisi (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
Spain v Romania in Cluj (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
Portugal v Belgium in Brussels (WCQ Europe R5; ENC 1A)
Lesotho v Swaziland in Maseru (Friendly)

Briefly
The Friday night test match haS caught me out in a very busy work week. I will not be able to cover That match.

Of Saturday’s test matches three stand out and will be covered. Ireland play England at Twickenham in what will be a crucial game in this tournament. England needs to win to keep their 6 Nations aspirations alive. Ireland are undefeated.

Russia v Georgia will be interesting. These two nations were at war only a few years ago. Georgia are expected to win at home as Russia is performing well below par. Of most interest will be how the Russians absorb the fierce reaction from the Tbilisi crowd.

Of more importance will be the Portugal v Belgium clash. This is Belgium’s last opportunity to gain points and stay in ENC 1A for the 2014-16 competition. Playing at home they will be desperate to win against a Portuguese side that has been less than inspiring in their outings.

The third match, and one I’m finding difficult to find information about, is the Lesotho v Swaziland rugby test match. Neither side is going to light up the rugby world but for Lesotho this will be their first rugby test match. I feel it is important to herald in the newest rugby test nation.

WEEKEND TEST RUGBY SCORES

24.11.2012
Botswana 54, Swaziland 20 in Manzini

25.11.2012
French Barbarians 64, Japan 41 in Le Havre

BOTSWANA v SWAZILAND

24.11.2012

This match was postponed from early October. Transport strikes in South Africa was the cause. Looks like all is going ahead.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Botswana 10th, Swaziland 27th

IRB Ranking Points
Botswana 38.65, Swaziland 35.63

Prediction: Botswana by 30 points

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: 6 October

I regret that due to other commitments this Saturday I will not be able to preview this weekends test rugby matches. But I will provide some predictions.

06.10.2012
New Zealand v South Africa in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)
Prediction-New Zealand by 8 points

Australia v Argentina in Rosario (Rugby Championship)
Prediction-Argentina by 5 points
 
Poland v Czech Republic in Prague (ENC 1B)
Czech Republic by 3 points
 
Bulgaria v Hungary in Kecskemét (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2C)
Hungary by 20 points

Luxembourg v Finland in Helsinki (WCQ Europe R1; ENC 2D)
Luxembourg by 7 points

Botswana v Swaziland in Manzini (Friendly)
Botswana by 35 points

Briefly
New Zealand has already bagged the first Rugby Championship trophy. The prospect of them facing up to the old foe South Africa in South Africa is very inviting. If they win it will be their 16th straight test rugby win.

Australia are in all sorts of injury bother as they prepare to face Argentina in Rosario. If Argentina are to register a win in this championship, Saturday could be the day.

In Europe Bulgaria and Hungary have the honour of kicking off the 2015 Rugby World cup qualifying process in that part of the world. Luxembourg and Finland follow soon after. These matches are also part of the European Nations Cup competition.

Poland and Czech Republic face each other in another European Nations Cup match.

Botswana and Swaziland look to playing their friendly test match this weekend.

TEST RUGBY IN AFRICA: Swaziland Host Botswana

29.09.2012
Botswana v Swaziland in Manzini (Friendly)

Venue: Mavuso Sports Centre

Referee: Lourens Van Der Merwe (South Africa)

Preview
Botswana won against Swaziland earlier in the year by a wide margin and it’s difficult to see a different result this time around. Botswana have the advantage of playing in a CAR tournament since that encounter whereas Swaziland hasn’t.

Previous Encounters
30.06.2012 Botswana 69-3 in Gaborone (Friendly)
17.05.2008 Botswana 25-7 in Gaborone (WCQ Africa South, Pre-Qualif.)
19.07.2007 Botswana 46-0 in Gaborone (CAR Trophy South, Group B)
23.04.2005 Botswana 19-12 in Gaborone (WCQ Africa Round 1A, South)
04.09.2004 Botswana 25-22 in Gaborone (CAR Div.2, South)

These two teams first met in a rugby test match in 1998; Botswana winning 23-8. Swaziland has never defeated Botswana. They came close in 2002 with a 10-10 draw.

GWC Rugby Rankings
Africa Table-Botswana 10th, Swaziland 27th

IRB Ranking Points
Botswana 38.65, Swaziland 35.63

Prediction: Botswana by 25 points

 

Teams are not available

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND: Saturday 29 September

29.09.2012
Australia v South Africa in Pretoria (Rugby Championship)
New Zealand v Argentina in la Plata (Rugby Championship)
Bermuda v Paraguay in Asuncion (WCQ Americas; CONSUR B/NACRA Playoff)
Botswana v Swaziland in Manzini (Friendly)

Briefly
After a fortnights break the test rugby scene starts up again. The Rugby Championship sees New Zealand on the road for the last two rounds. New Zealand face a determined Argentinean side at home whilst Australia head for the high veld against South Africa.

The 2015 Rugby World Cup qualifying process continues. Bermuda, as NACRA winner, travel away to play Paraguay, CONSUR B winner, in Asuncion. The winner gets to face Brazil, last Place in CONSUR A in Brazil next month.

Last but not least Swaziland hosts neighbour Botswana in a friendly return test match. Earlier in the year Botswana won 69-3 in Gaborone.

RUGBY TEST MATCH AFRICA: Botswana v Swaziland

30.06.2012
Swaziland v Botswana in Gaborone

Venue: Botswana University Ground

Referee:

Preview
Botswana will host the CAR Division 1C tournament  later in July. To prepare for this tournament they have two games to play. In June they travelled to Zimbabwe and defeated the Matabeleland Invitation XV 30-14. Today they play the visiting Swaziland side.

Swaziland are not down to participate in any of the CAR tournaments this year. If they do it would probably be in Division 2 South. This is a big assignment to take on the Botswanians who are in the same league as Cameroun, Ivory Coast and Zambia.

There is hope from Swaziland RU for a home game against Botswana later this year, and a yearly home-away contest.

Last Five Encounters
17.05.2008 Botswana 25-7 in Gaborone (WCQ Africa, South, Pre-qualifier)
19.07.2007 Botswana 46-0 in Gaborone (CAR South, Group B)
23.04.2005 Botswana 19-12 in Gaborone (WCQ Africa R 1A, South)
04.09.2004 Botswana 25-22 in Gaborone (CAR Div.2, South)
05.10.2002 Drawn 10-10 in Malkem (CAR, South 2)

Swaziland has never defeated Botswana in seven encounters.

GWC Rugby Rankings do not apply. Swaziland is not on the register, not having played a rugby test since 2010.

Prediction: Botswana by 20 points

Teams

Swaziland Squad

Vuma Nxumalo, Michael Dos Santos, Muzi Dludlu, Bheki Mbuyisa, Themba Manyatsi, Sergio Dos Santos, Sifiso Dlamini, Bongani Dlamini, Wilson Dlamini, Malindi Dlamini, Sibusiso Kunene, Mau Gina, Lelo Dos Santos, Phasika Dlamini, Bongmusa Dlamini, Mphumelelo Sondlo, Bandile Vilakati, Thami Msimango, Thando Dlamini, Absalom Shabangu, Ncamiso Dlamini, Wandile Magwaza

http://swazilandrugby.com/?q=node/1412 )

Botswana Squad not available

2008 A Year of Rugby Part 5

CAR Nations 20th-28th

Benin
Benin did not participate in international rugby in either 2007 and 2008 and thus falls off the ladder.

28th Burundi
Burundi played two matches in 2008, both at home in Bujumbura. The first was against a Belgian Club side made up mainly of Congolese. The Kibubu RFC played in place of the side from Congo who pulled out of the CAR Development Cup, South, Pool A tournament. Burundi went on to lose 5-7 to neighbour Rwanda.

27th Swaziland
Swaziland's only game in 2008 was against Botswana in Gaborone to decide who would move on to the World Cup qualifying matches for Africa. The 7-25 loss eliminated Swaziland.

26th Algeria
Algeria played its first ever international rugby test against Tunisia 'B' in Nabeul. The Algerians won 8-7. They also played club sides in France and look set to enter the CAR competitions soon.

25th Rwanda
Rwanda travelled to Bujumbura to play in the CAR Development Trophy, South, Pool A. They defeated the home side Burundi 7-5. Unfortunately they were unable to play the winner of the other CAR South winner.

24th Mali
Mali played its first international rugby test in 2003. Since then they have failed to make much impression in the local tournaments. in 2008 the team travelled to Accra, Ghana to play in the North Zone, Pool B. All the games were low-scoring affairs, and although they drew 3-3 with Niger they lost their other games.

23rd Chad
Chad first played international rugby in 2006. They won their first ever test match 10-0 against Mali in the CAR Development Trophy Tournament in Accra, Ghana. The Chadians lost their two other games.

22nd-Togo
Togo won two of their three games in the 2007 CAR Castel Beer cup matches in the tournament played in Lagos. They won only one match in this years tournament, thus slipping to 22nd on the African ladder.

21st Ghana
As host of this years CAR Tournament for Africa's minor nations, the Ghanese were expected to do well. They lost to Burkino Faso by one point but it was enough to push them out of the final. They won their other two games comfortably.

20th Burkino Faso
Winners of the CAR Castel Beer Trohpy, North Pool B tournament in 2007, the Fasians were expected to challenge strongly for the title in 2008. They defeated Chad easily in their first game but only just won 9-8 against hosts Ghana in the second. Niger was too strong for them in the final.

For a full list of all the above nations international rugby results go to www.rugbyinternational.net.

Next I will cover Africa from 10th to 19th place