I don’t know if Danny Jordaan (CEO of the 2010 LOC) had a chat with his SARU counterpart when the Confederations Cup (Soccer) and British & Irish Lions test (Rugby) were put together, but it’s all working out rosy insofar as testing the SA infrastructure is concerned.  The SA daily newspapers are headlining 2 important issues for FIFA:

(1) does South Africa have enough beds to accommodate the expected 100′s of 1000′s of soccer fans next year and

(2) do the country’s plethora of pubs have the capacity to deliver enough beer to cool the 100′s of 1000′s of hot and thirsty soccer fans next year (bearing in mind that it will indeed be WINTER in the Southern Hemisphere.)

As far as the latter is concerned, apparently not.

The following report appeared in The Argus (a Cape Town daily) today:

Lions supporters drink pubs dry

Emergency beer supplies had to be trucked in to pubs in Durban and Umhlanga to cope with the demand from Lions rugby fans

And one venue ran out of beer not once, but twice on the same day.

“It was completely wild and I had to deliver emergency supplies to venues all over town on Saturday morning,” said SA Breweries sales manager Paul Bartmann.

Some venues had to hire trucks to pick up extra supplies.

Seven hundred extra cases of beer had to be rushed to the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World where restaurants were said to be “a sea of red”.

In Umhlanga, there were so many partying Lions supporters that they were 15-deep in one pub at one stage, with another venue running queues to get inside.

“It was absolutely unbelievable. We were just not prepared for the onslaught,” said a delighted Eleanor Gillies, manager of The George Tapas and Wine Bar.

“The Lions twice drank us dry on Friday and I had to close the doors at midnight as we had run out after getting a resupply at lunchtime,” she said.

Over at the Cotton Fields restaurant, owner and partner Gordon Jestin said the Lions fans had got through about 6 000 beers. He had also had to call for a resupply. Jestin said he did not normally open on a Sunday but had done so to put on a braai for fans.

Would you rather see rugby pics like this or listen to Naas Botha’s comments? No really? Would you?

The Springboks are playing the British & Irish Lions in the first Test today (Saturday June 20, 2009) and no other TV ad encapsulates the feeling of thousands of rugby-loving Saffa expats all over the world as this Castle Beer TV advert.  Images of my own time in Taiwan, watching the Springboks play from a braai on a rooftop way over in Taoyuan City, Taiwan with a smattering of Yanks, Canadians and even a Pommie or two come vividly to mind!

Hope that this is how you feel!

Bokke Bo!

Paul O Connell, Captain of the British & Irish Lions Tour to SA

Rugby pundits across South Africans and the UK are unanimous in their prediction that the British & Irish Lions side selected was done so as to take the Springboks on where it matters: up front. 

The side, made up primarily by Irish and Welsh players are mostly known as tough, hardy ruggers and were picked to take the South Africans on at their own game: the forwards.

The following from Sport24:

By Stephen Nell – Die Burger

Cape Town – The British and Irish Lions are planning to take on the Springboks at their own traditional strengths in the series of three Tests in June and July.

That was the reaction on Tuesday from a panel of experts approached by Sport24 following the announcement of the squad for the tour of 10 games in South Africa.

Alan Solomons, Eddie Jones, Jake White and Cobus Visagie all agreed that Ian McGeechan (head coach) made a good selection and believe the Lions will take South Africa on physically.

“The Lions are not going to be out to entertain. They have picked a very physical squad,” said Solomons, who is a former Bok assistant coach and has also been at the helm of Irish side Ulster.

He believes the choice of Paul O’Connell as captain, as well as three physical scrumhalves – Mike Phillips, Harry Ellis and Tomas O’Leary – underline that point. 

“O’Connell was a very good choice as captain. He has done an excellent job at Munster and has a hard edge,” said Solomons. Mike Phillips reminds me of Robert du Preez (a former Blue Bulls and Springbok scrumhalf). All the scrumhalves are big and physical. 

Mike Blair and Dwayne Peel (who were omitted) are more classic scrumhalves that are perhaps better passers of the ball. This sends a clear signal on how the Lions intend playing.

The two flyhalves (Stephen Jones and Ronan O’Gara) are good at game management. They kick well at goal and their tactical kicking is also good.”

Jones, a former Wallaby boss who coached Saracens until recently, also believes the Lions have picked a squad that can stand their ground physically.

“They have picked big and aggressive forwards. They will definitely be out to take South Africa on physically,” he said.  There are not many surprises among the backs. I don’t think they’ll be out to beat South Africa with flair. I doubt we’ll see high scores in the games. It’s going to be hard and uncompromising. The Lions will have a very recognisable style of play.

“The big question is whether they have enough talent. If you weigh the sides against one another, South Africa will have more talent at their disposal.”

McGeechan surprised by not picking the captains of Scotland (Blair), Wales (Ryan Jones) and England (Steve Borthwick). Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll will play a supporting role under O’Connell.

White, who coached South Africa in their triumphant World Cup campaign, was impressed by the manner in which McGeechan approached the issue of leadership.

“It shows he has his own vision and that sends a very good signal to the players. I have to compliment him on that,” said White.

“He did not fall into the trap of sentimental choices. Some people would have wanted Borthwick there because he is England’s captain and Ryan Jones would have had a lot of support in Wales.

“O’Driscoll is also not the skipper, irrespective of the reverence in which he is held in Ireland. With the squad he picked, McGeechan is also keeping his cards close to his chest with regards the first 15 for the tests.”

Visagie, a former Bok tighthead prop who now plays for Saracens, also sees a physical onslaught coming South Africa’s way.

“The choice of O’Connell ahead of O’Driscoll tells you what the philosophy will be. They wanted a skipper that can impose himself physically,” said Visagie.

“Simon Shaw over Borthwick is a further indication. Shaw is a bruiser and Borthwick a lineout specialist. However, I think South Africa have the ability to dominate the Lions physically.”

For those rugby-mad South Africans out here on this side of the noodle-gordyn, in case you missed it, the touring side for the 2009 British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa has been announced.  Here at Howzit-HongKong! HQ were are chomping at the bit and have subsequently opened a special catagory on the website.  So, as they say in media circles, stay tuned for all the latest, especially where and when we can catch all the games… right here on Howzit-HongKong!

Bokke Bo!

British & Irish Lions onner!