Compliance Reports for these FSPs cover the period 1 January 2011 until 31 December 2011 and need to be submitted ELECTRONICALLY to the FSB before 28 FEBRUARY 2012.

The workshop will be a telematics broadcast to various centres around the country, so there should be a venue close to you.

Why attend?
This workshop will provide you with adequate time in which to finalise your own submission.
You will be provided with a paper copy of the Board Notice and will be able to follow and complete their own submission manually, or if you are able to bring a computer with internet access to the venues, you would be able to complete the document electronically.
You will also be able to send queries through to the studio and I will answer them where I am able to do so.

In addition
There seems to be a lot of confusion amongst FSPs regarding competency requirements; experience, regulatory examinations and qualifications and when is one exempted from having to do one or the other. This topic will also be covered during the telematics broadcast.

Cost
Non-moonstone compliance clients – R500 excl. VAT
Moonstone Protector clients – no cost

To register
Go to our Events page,  select your venue and complete the registration form.

That loss by the Proteas did more good than a win would have done. My reason for saying this is that it created public and media pressure on individuals and the team as a whole to up their performance to the required level. This alone will add a lot of value when we tour England later this year, as the media pressure on that side of the pond will be immense. England is currently the number 1 test side in the world, and the “Poms” will be talking up their chances and having a go at our established players.

A few suggestions to Cricket South Africa:
1. Get rid of Kingsmead please – the place has bad karma for us! The Proteas never perform well there (they were knocked out of the World Cup in 2003 on this ground and everyone beats them there in Tests . Bulldoze the ground and put up some flats for Gerald Majola and his committee.

2. It might be worth including the Cobras’ keeper , Vilas, in the Proteas squad. It is not necessary for him to play yet but he could learn some valuable lessons from the international scene and being Mark Boucher’s understudy might just do everyone a bit of good.

All hail King Kallis, or as they refer to him on twitter JK150!

Let 2012 commence – good luck everybody!

Paul’s Perspective

King Kallis! #JK150

It was gratifying seeing the old guard reclaim their status and stature amid claims for their demise. Locally, Kallis did a royal two-finger salute to those who wanted to write him off, and on the international scene, Ponting and Mike Hussey did the same. I sometimes think it is more the media who publish these suggestions to create sensation than the knowledgeable cricketing public.

Two players currently under the cosh of the press are Mark Boucher and Sachin Tendulkar.

The latter is in a class of his own, and I have no doubt that he will come good and get the elusive ton soon, hopefully against Australia in the test starting on Friday. Who in their right minds would consider criticising a batsmen who regularly scores in the eighties and nineties?

As fas as Boucher is concerned: for once I agree with Graeme Smith. He drops two catches and everyone is baying for his blood, forgetting some brilliant catches taken just the test before. Like Kallis, he will bounce back. If I had to choose a player to guts out an innings to save my life, Boucher would be on my shortlist.

Lastly – have a look at this awesome catch: http://youtu.be/9Wq5MHIRWqQ

The significance of the test series will be for Kirsten to settle himself and his team. Firstly, they will want to win the series, something they have not done in three years at home! Secondly, they will want to settle a few places within the side. By that I mean the likes of Jacques Rudolph and Imran Tahir who would want to cement their places with good performances – Mark Boucher will aim to remove any doubt that he is still capable of being the number 1 keeper/ batsmen in SA for the test side and Graeme Smith has some “making up” to do with supporters for his “World Cup” disappearing act.

As mentioned above, this series is the ideal opportunity to prove and settle a few things for many involved – Sri Lanka might just provide the perfect platform to do so.

From a Sri Lankan point of view, they have a few players that can keep them competitive, unfortunately for them it’s only on the batting front Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene are both world class acts – and I am afraid if they don’t come to the party it might be short “tests”. I sincerely hope they do though, we’ve not had much test cricket in the last year and a good series could just make our summer that bit hotter!

Dale Steyn - 249 test scalps!

Look out for Dale Steyn: He requires one more wicket to reach the magical 250 wickets in test cricket. He has promised the Sri Lankans batsmen a torrid time in this series and seems really revved up for the encounter.

Enjoy the cricket, and have a wonderful festive season – until next year, take care.

Die Kompas is van Koers af – deur Paul
Die feestyd, en spesifiek die gees van Kersfees, noop mens om hierdie tyd van die jaar eerder op die mooi en goeie dinge in die lewe te fokus, veral as rugby nuus so skaars is.

Dalk, juis as gevolg van hierdie droogte, wou ek iets skryf oor hoe die kersgety mens se morele battery weer herlaai en jou sinisme verdryf, al is dit net tydelik, totdat die realiteit van die nuwe jaar mens tref.

Daar is ’n groot beroering by die opposisie oor die Suid-Afrikaanse dwelm muil wat in China tereggestel is. Van die kommentaar is dat die regering meer moes doen om versagting vir haar te beding. Handel met China is belangriker as die lewens van ons landgenote. Een “ingeligte” segsman het selfs so vêr gegaan om te sê China behoort ons landswette, wat die doodstraf verbied, te respekteer.

Hallo?

Sal ons ’n Chinese burger wat moord pleeg in ons land teregstel omdat die doodstraf nog in China geld?

Het ons plaaslike beswaardes vergeet watter ellende die dwelms wat die muil vervoer het, sou veroorsaak? Hoeveel duisende lewens word nie daagliks verwoes word as gevolg van dwelmmiddels nie?

Hierdie argument word geriefshalwe vergeet wanneer die goodie-goodies hul menseregte maskers opsit.

In die finansiële dienste bedryf vier hierdie verwronge moraliteit ook hoogty. Dit het nou al so kromgetrek dat diegene wat die meeste beskerming nodig het, dit waarskynlik die minste gaan kry en finansiële advies slegs beskore gaan wees vir die rykstes.

En, om sout in die wonde te vryf, word die simptome van die siekte aangespreek, nie die oorsake nie. Diegene wat byvoorbeeld agter die skerms adviseurs betaal om polisse te dop, sit met ’n arsenaal van aktuarisse en regskundiges om binne die wet te bly, terwyl hulle die aandeelhouers om die bos lei met pragtige nuwe besigheid syfers.

Enige voordeel wat die polishouer toeval, is dikwels bloot toevallig.

Ek glo mens moet nie net kritiseer nie; jy moet ook met werkbare alternatiewe kom. Op hierdie stadium van die geveg is my kreatiewe beursie leeg.

Hopelik is dit net tydelik, en kom ons na die feestyd terug met hernieude ywer en insig. Die uitnodiging tot deelname aan die gesprek oor die afskaf van kommissie, of die betaal van fooie deur kliënte, lyk tans soos ‘n bedreiging.

Volgende jaar sien ons dit sekerlik as ’n geleentheid om die reguleerder te help om te verstaan wat regtig in die bedryf aan die gang is.

My grootste probleme, van môre af, is of ek vars sardyn gaan kry, of die water se temperatuur reg is en of dit woelig genoeg is vir die vis om te byt.

Hoop om dieselfde van jou te verneem.

Lekker rus ou Grote. Jy verdien dit na hiérdie jaar.

Richard Levi

The Cobras, as predicted, won the Final of the 1-Day Cup. What was refreshing from this win for the Cobras was that Richard Levi stood up in this all important game and played a controlled innings to lead his side to a well-deserved victory. Owais Shah supported him well and can only commended for his part. His experience assisted greatly in guiding the young Levi through his valuable knock. Stalwart Charl Langeveldt bowled exceptionally well to claim 5 wickets.

The Cobras added the 1-Day Cup to their cabinet and are now the holders of all the trophies on the domestic scene for the franchises teams. They boast the 2010/2011 Super Sport title as well as the Standard Bank Pro-20 cup which they won last season.

Aussies come another Cropper
The “Black caps” won a nail biting test in Australia by seven runs to level the two match test series one all. This was the first test win for New Zealand in Australia since 1985.

The much awaited return of Shane Warne in the Australia “Big Bash League” (the Australian version of the IPL) is in doubt after he burnt his bowling hand in a cooking incident…

That’s not Cricket
Cricket South Africa is washing its laundry in public again as current CEO, Gerald Majola, publicly attacked Ali Bacher for his role in receiving bonuses for the 2003 Cricket World Cup held in South Africa. Bacher was never a favourite of mine due to his role in the “HansieGate” affair in 2001.

Nevertheless, what is clear from this whole debacle is that Cricket South Africa is in a mess and their behaviour is an embarrassment for the whole country. This influences sponsors negatively and can only have a detrimental effect on development programs.

On Wednesday we discuss the Sri Lankan tour, until then, keep your eye on the ball!

Sevens Rugby on the up by Paul
The Blitzbokkies can feel very proud of their fourth place on the log, despite not having won a single tournament to date. But for their early departure against France last week, they may have been even better placed, thanks to the new points system.

What is even more heartening is to see how they improve with each tournament. It seems a pity that there is now a break until February. Let’s hope that they can keep this form going in the new year.

The switch from George to PE as venue for the local leg of the Sevens circuit hurt the Southern Cape undeservedly. They really mustered all the support they could, to the extent that they filled the stadium to capacity.

Soos iemand vanoggend in die koerant skryf: George moet nou die prys betaal vir die wit olifante wat Sep Blatter en sy makkers ons laat bou het.

Hopefully the change will be beneficial to rugby development in the Eastern Cape, with its great following and vast untapped resources.

A knowledgeable friend who grew up in the Border area (like me) observed this weekend that by far the most and best sportsmen and women come from East London, and not PE?

What say ye?

Maans Maanse se Moordkuil
Verbeel jou jy is ‘n krieketkommentator (en ja, party van hulle is maar kommen) en daar gebeur skielik iets waaroor jy vinniger as stadig kan praat om die dag te vul en die speler se naam is Tharanga Paranavitana.

Maans maak sy punt!

Dis die heilige waarheid, ek het ge-copy & paste uit die koerant uit. Ek sweer die meeste van ons SA mans gaan struikel oor die man se van en iets ontoepasliks kwytraak. Veral die ouens wat die grappie ken oor Arafat se seuns wat so van motors en meisies gehou het.

So waar as wat padda manél dra.

Die grootste teleurstelling van die Rugby Wêreldbeker was dat die All Blacks hul greep op die “Choker” titel verloor het. Ongelukkig het verskeie kandidate (of moet dit nou lees kan- nie-date?) hier te lande hul hande opgesteek; amper soos die idioot wat weet hy is onkant, dan steek hy sy arm in die lug om die ref se aandag daarop te vestig.

Wat rugby betref, sluit ons die Bokke uit; hulle is deur Lawless Lawrence verneuk. Die Sharks mag dalk kwalifiseer, met dié dat hul Springbokspan deur die Leeuwelpies oorweldig is, wat dieselfde aan die WP se “big name band” gedoen het.

Op die krieketfront het ons “collapse” soos ‘n kameelperd na ‘n kopskoot teen Australië.

Lesers se mening is belangriker as ons s’n. Ons het drie Kale Hari geskenkbewyse vir die lekkerste opinies in dié verband.

For our English readers: Three Gift Bouchers for the best story on who deserves the title of Choker of the year.

Inskrywings sluit alreeds Dinsdag, 13 Desember teen so 17h00, so moenie talm nie.

Nou ja, vir die tweede laaste maal hierdie jaar sê ons nag ou Grote. Olie solank daai katrol, en maak skerp die hoeke, dat die familie solank kan gewoond raak aan die stilstuipe as die vis nie byt nie, nes verlede jaar.

En vat maar so fynetjie, net vir die wis en die uitvis.

Tomorrow’s final: many believe the Cobras are favourites due to their rich form and the abundant talent they have available. The Warriors bring a few aspects to the table which makes them worthy contenders for the title. They have been finalists in recent times and their team also boasts the experience of past and present Proteas players in Colin Ingram, Aswell Prince, Johan Botha, Wayne Parnell, Nicky Boje, Rusty Theron and Makhaya Ntini, all of whom have performed really well in recent games.

It will definitely not be an easy ride for Kemp and his side but I still favour the Cobras to walk away with the title. My thinking is based on two reasons: Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn. These two world class players will make the difference. Steyn, I expect, will be quite economical at less the 4 an over and might just be able to nip one or two of the top order out plus: he might just be difficult to deal with at the death. Kallis on the other hand can deliver with bat and ball – his ability with the bat is where I forecast his big influence to be. King Kalllis knows how to read a game and how to chase as well as set a target.

Whatever the result, we are in for a great game!

The new 50-over format has received a lot of praise and Cobras skipper, Kemp, commented this week that in his view it’s has been a far better tournament than in the past. He says that one of the many benefits is that it allows a healthy environment for younger players to develop. Players are allowed to be more calculated in their approach, batsmen are able to build their innings and bowlers are not set to defensive lines and lengths. It also allows all-rounders to feature more than in the previous format of 40 overs, which was more geared to specialists.

There also seem to be a bit more excitement surrounding the tournament this year, as opposed to previous years which is evident enough from the huge success and support it enjoyed.

Being an Eastern Cape boytjie, my support will be with the Warriors!

Super Sewes ons laaste hoop deur Paul
As daar nou ooit ‘n tyd is waar rugby liefhebbers swaar kry, is dit hierdie tyd tussen seisoene.

Ek vermoed ons het in die ou dae makliker daarmee omgegaan dat daar nie weer rugby aan die einde van die Curriebeker seisoen, so Augustus/September se kant, sal wees tot April die volgende jaar nie.

Nou begin die Cheetahs al vertoonwedstryde speel ter voorbereiding van volgende jaar se Superreeks, of wat hulle dit ookal noem. Dis mos nie saakmaak-rugby nie, nie eers vir die Cheaters, soos wat die Vrystaatse ondersteuners bekend staan nie.

Mens kan seker probeer opgewonde raak oor die naweek se rugby in die Baai, maar die enigste verskil vir my tussen T20 krieket en Sewes-Rugby is die grootte en vorm van die bal. Diegene wat hulself in hierdie soort “instant gratification” verkneukel, se vrouens is seker ook maar teleurgesteld in hul vertonings in die kooi, of wat praat ek alles?

Maar wag, dalk staan ons nog hier ‘n kans om ‘n wêreldtitel in te palm. Tot dusver hierdie jaar, het onbestendigheid, eerder as onvermoë, ons gepootjie in ons pogings om in die finale te kom, of daar te wen.

Kom ons hoop derde maal is skeepsreg in hierdie jaar se kompetisie.

Ou Maans vertel Dinsdag hoe hy en sy drinkebroer in die kroeg sit en Supersport kyk toe sy oog op twee afgeleefde dronkies oorkant hulle val. Hy sê vir sy pêl: “Oor 20 jaar lyk ons net so.” Waarop dié antwoord:

“Dis ‘n spieël, jou hoender!”

As die ys opraak, moet jy maar ‘n ysvorm invul, ou Grote!

Lekker naweek.

Rahul Dravid - 38 years 328 days

players would not have been faulted if they left the scene a couple of years ago, at a time when things were not going so smoothly for them. Now they all are in sublime form and scoring loads of runs. They, like all cricketers, went through a rough patch at a later stage in their life. This is quite often accepted for a player in his mid-twenties but not in his mid-thirty’s. Many questions were raised at the time about them still being picked. Looking back, I think many of those critics feel a bit silly for thinking, or even saying that out loud.

Is it not the same for players like, Ponting, Hadden and our very own Boucher? Both Hadden and Ponting have had lots of pressure on them for underperforming for quite some time. It seems both had a bit of a revival in recent times and are quite possibly entering a stage in their careers, like Dravid and company, which could see some awesome performances.

Which begs my next question – are we not too harsh on Boucher? We’ve seen him do many good things, even great things! Would patience not be the best way to deal with him? As South African supporters we are very fickle and have absurdly high standards.  Obviously these players have a responsibility to only carry on while they have the passion and energy for it but what we have seen from the likes of Ponting is that they  kept working harder and harder at their shortcomings – a true mark of a champion cricketer. I think as supporters we sometimes can be a bit harsh and unrealistic in our expectations and desires for outcomes – we’re perhaps spoilt and not supportive enough in the bad times to really appreciate the good times.

I remember an English comedian ripping into Flintoff when he retired. In Flintoff’s presence he stated: “You don’t quit! You don’t quit on your country! You wait till you country quits on you!” It kind of detracts from my point but, having said that; if there is a younger player breaking down the door for selection, really pushing for a place, then it is okay for the “country to quit on you” but until then – stick with what you have.

These old dogs may just show the youngsters a few tricks yet. They could well be on the verge of a purple patch in form, and that may just save our bacon – again.

Goodbye Shane and 2011 by Paul
I am unashamedly a little tearful at the start of a test when the national anthems are sung. The Italian or Argentinean versions do not really affect me in that way, but “Flower of Scotland”, “Ireland” and “Land of my fathers” really affects my eyesight badly.

Wales legend - Shane Williams

On Saturday, Shane Williams played his last match for Wales against the Aussies. Quite frankly, this is one match I think he will not remember too fondly, apart from the emotion of the singing at the outset, and scoring a try in the dying moments.

Soos Bobby dit hierbo stel, is daar ‘n tyd om te kom en ‘n tyd om te gaan. Mens wil glo dat die meeste spelers sal verkies om te spring, eerder as om gestamp te word.

Dieselfde kan nie van 2011 gesê word nie. Dié is van plan om sommer vanself binnkort oor die afgrond te spring.

Dit was ‘n jaar van hoogte- en laagtepunte; sommige verteerbaar, and sooibranddraend, afhangend van jou provinsiale voorkeure.

Die absurditeit van die rugby owerhede om twee jaar gelede te belowe dat die Kings, wat nie eens vanjaar die B-liga kon wen nie, in die Superreeks sal speel, gaan nog hoofbrekens besorg vir die nuwe koppe wat tans die kroon dra. Dit is vererger deur die Lions, wat eintlik moes agteroorlê en kapituleer, wat toe die A-liga van dieCurriebeker gaan staan en verower het.

Dan weet ons ook dat die dryfkrag agter die Kings baie politieke steun het, en dat dit heel waarskynlik nie soseer oor rugby sal gaan nie. As hulle dan moet, kan daar gekyk word na ‘n uitspeelwedstryd, maar ek twyfel of dit aanvaarbaar sal wees, want die Kings het, op huidige vorm, geen kans om enige van die bestaande Superspanne te klop nie.

Soos elke jaar glo ons maar weer: watch ons volgende jaar.

Maans Maanse se Moordkuil
As hy moet kies tussen Bryce Lawrence en Julius Malema, dan vat hy, onder protes, vir Paddy O’Brien, seg Maans.

Of dalk nie, want die Kiwi’s se verdagte sin vir regverdigheid is nou finaal in sy maai na die aanwys van Bryce as hul skuitsregter van die jaar – seker vir al die hoendermis wat hy aangejaag het. Glo “stage fright” gekry in die berugte toets tussen SA en die Aussies. Meer soos “lock-eye” as mens Manie kan glo.

Hy sou, as hy ‘n Kiwi was, ook vir Lawrence as Ref van die jaar aangewys het. Was dit nie vir sy vertoning nie, sou die All Blacks dalk teen die Springbokke in die finaal moes speel. As mens kyk hoe hulle geploeter het om Frankryk met een punt te klop, wonder mens wat teen die Bokke sou gebeur het?

Mens moet maar aanbeweeg, vergewe en vergeet, fokus op die toekoms. Ou Manie reken hy is reg om Lawrence te vergewe, hy moet nog net besluit watter gif om te gebruik.

Mooi week, ou Grote.

Please allow a correction to my last blog entry – the format of the 1 Day Cup is not as I described. The new format allows for the top of the log side a guaranteed spot in the final and a playoff between 2^nd and 3^rd placed teams to determine their opponents.

Whoever is going to face the Cobras will need to be at their sublime best as Richard Pybus’s side seem to have too many “guns”! By that I mean they have all their international players available in Smith, Levi, Kallis, Duminy, Boucher,  Peterson and Steyn. Add to that England international and overseas professional Owais Shah, as well as experienced past Proteas players -Gibbs, Langeveldt and Kemp, and it almost seems an unfair contest.

But, as we have seen before, cricket is a funny old game and quite often the mighty is humbled. Still, I wouldn’t bet against the Cobras pulling this one off.

Million Dollar Madness by Paul
Noel Coward coined the phrase “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun”.

It is therefore ironic that an Englishman, Lee Westwood, is the defending champion of what is termed Africa’s major. The favourite, Luke Donald, hails from that same wet land.

The only Yank in the line-up has the unfortunate surname of Dufner. For someone of my ability, this would be akin to using the “S” word (shank) which in golf lore is certain to result in your ball taking off at right angles to your intended line of flight.

What I miss in this line-up, in fact, in golf in general, is a character or two. Yes, Darren Clarke still puffs and duffs (occasionally), but where are the Severianos and Trevinos of the modern game? Has money become such an overriding passion that the Hobdays of this world have departed the scene for greener 19^th holes?

A favourite story about Hobbers tells of how he and Fulton Allem were paired in a two-ball. The latter, from Viljoenskroon, was not the most popular pro on the local circuit, while Hobday was of course equally renowned for his skills on the course and in the pub.

Allem was in contention to win the tournament when he missed a relatively easy put.

“That cost me a small fortune,” he sighed.

Chirps Hobday: “the only way that you can make a small fortune is if you start with a big one.”

Golf is poorer, despite all the money, without these characters.

Please feel free to share your favourite story.

Manie se Moordkuil
Dis deesdae so stil op sportgebied dat ou Maans se gemoed maar self bietjie morbied raak.

Net verlede week sit hy blomme op die graf van sy geliefde moeder. Net toe hy begin terugloop na sy kar, word sy aandag getrek deur ‘n man wat kniel by ‘n graf.

Die man praat hardop met ‘n diepsinnige intensiteit en hou aan herhaal:

‘Hoekom het jy gesterf? Hoekom het jy gesterf?’

Manie kan sy nuuskierigheid nie bedwing nie en sê:  ’Meneer, Ek wil nie inbreuk maak op jou persoonlike leed nie, maar vir wie rou jy so diep? ‘n kind? ‘n ouer?’

Die roubeklaer neem ‘n oomblik om kalm te word en antwoord toe: 

‘My vrou se eerste man.’

Ou Grote, as dit voel of die wêreld ekstra swaar op jou skouers lê, dan is dit bloot omdat die vakansie net om die draai is.

 Vasbyt!

Cape Cobras coach: Richard Pybus

It is no coincidence that the Cape Cobras are doing well this season and head the log in the 1-Day Cup. Apart from the talent they have available, they also boast the services of arguably one of the best coaches in world cricket in Richard Pybus, and that’s no exaggeration!

I was fortunate enough to have him as one of my lecturers at Technicon and was particularly impressed by the way he approached the game and its various facets.  I recall him placing particular importance on the mental approach to the game which wasn’t something cricketers really knew much about in the mid-90’s. That, along with his technical expertise, explains his success as a coach. In my opinion he would have made an excellent Proteas coach.

So far the Cape Cobras, Chevrolet Warriors and Chevrolet Knights have booked their places in playoffs. The 4^th and final team is yet to be determined between The Sunfoil Dolphins and Bizhub Highveld Lions. Disappointingly, the Titans have not been able to repeat their form of past seasons when it comes to the 1-Day Cup and currently have a firm grip on the wooden spoon.

The Dolphins have a slight advantage as they lead the Lions by 3 points on the log and a win against log leaders, the Cobra’s, will be enough to guarantee their place.  The Lions however need to win their game against the Knights and hope that the Cobras do them a favour by beating the Dolphins to win their place in the final playoff spot. Both these fixtures take place on Wednesday.

Leading players: Titans and Proteas middle order batsmen, Faf du Plessis, is leading the total runs scored with 433 runs at an average with 72 runs per innings and Cobra’s swing bowler, Charl Langeveldt lead the wickets taken column with 16 at an average of 23 runs per wicket.

RWC 2011 – An afterview by Paul
I recently read Dan Retief’s overview of  RWC 2011 with great interest: www.danretief,com

Aside from his objective perspective on a number of issues, he also states the following:

On a worldwide scale the gentlemen who run rugby, the IRB, will no longer be able to ignore the fact that they have allowed the game they administer to stray so far from the statutes of its law book that it is at different times unintelligible, puzzling or simply laughable.

There can be little doubt that the application of the laws changed dramatically once the World Cup got underway and it is time that Bernard Lapasset, Bill Beaumont et al stepped in and put a stop to what has become a farce.

It goes further than that: the laws of the game have become so complex that fair application thereof by the referees is a daunting, if not impossible task. While we armchair critics take great delight in pointing out mistakes made by the referee I suspect we often reveal a scary lack of knowledge. Luckily it is normally just the wife, children or the dog who is subjected to our pearls of wisdom.

The phenomenon of “stop-gap” legislation is of course not restricted to sport; every time somebody finds a way around a specific piece of legislation, a set of preventative measures are put in place. The end result is such a clumsy vehicle that it often defeats the purpose of why it was implemented in the first place.

What we need to see is a drastically simplified set of rules governing the game. The experiment in the Varsity Cup with a change in the points scoring system is yet another example of a reactive, rather than pro-active attempt at bringing back running rugby.

We do not need more rules. We need simplified rules that are applied consistently.

This, of course, applies equally to all matters legal in this country, including financial services.

Manie se Moordkuil
Darem nou net daardie tipe kuil wat mens nie van jou hart moet maak nie, sug ou Manie. Die moord en doodslag los hy maar liewer vir die kriminele en die nuwe Sewes span van Fidji.

Die ou is erg beswaard oor die sport al minder raak soos die jaar uitloop. Hy voel amper soos die oubaas in een van Arno van Zyl se stories oor die oom wat so deur sy vrou ge-“henpeck” is.

Saterdagoggend kom die seun by die kombuis in waar die oom met sy beker koffie sit, en die tante staan en stryk. “Pappie, ek het vir ons kaartjies vir die voetbal op Nuweland.”

Die tannie loer so onder haar kuif deur en sê: ”Pappie sal nie vandag Nuweland toe gaan nie.”

Later die middag kom die ander seun daar aan om die rugby saam met sy pa te kyk. “Wat van ‘n lekker biertjie, Pappie?”

Tante: “Pappie sal nie vandag ‘n bier drink nie.”

Eendag, daar die dood die tante af.

Die oggend van die begrafnis sit die oom, met ‘n bier, in sy pajamabroek en frokkie voor die TV, wat op die Lingerie-kanaal gestel is. Die dogter merk hier kan fout kom en sê: “Pappie sal moet begin klaar maak. Die troue is oor ‘n uur.”

Waarop die oom antwoord: “Pappie sal nie vandag begrafnis toe gaan nie.”

Voorspoed vir die week, ou Grote.

I simply can’t agree with quotas! Never have and unlikely to ever do! It’s artificial, degrading to the selected quota players, undermines the credibility of the various sporting codes and ultimately it discriminates. The result is the same as in the past under the previous government – the only thing that differs is the reasoning!  

Mark Boucher

There is some pressure on Mark Boucher to retain his place in the Protea test side. As a fellow East London boy, he is one of my favourite players and I desperately hope that he can return to form  against Sri Lanka.  Batting at number 7 is a very difficult and unthankful position for many reasons.

If the selectors were to consider alternatives, please let them not consider the thought of using AB de Villiers as a test keeper. He is arguably one of the best fielders in world; he is also in the exclusive top bracket when it comes to batting and in my opinion if AB were to keep in test cricket, the Proteas would lose more than they would gain.

If there were an obvious keeper to replace Boucher I would not object, but it seems there is no real favourite which leads me to say: stick with Boucher for the moment as his experience, fight and grit has saved and won many games before. A return to form might not be far off, and the benefit hereof may be invaluable.

Congratulations to Mickey Arthur, the new Australian cricket coach! He has his work cut out and has some serious decisions to make. I sincerely hope Mickey does a good job! He served South Africa in a very difficult time with huge political pressure from the then CSA board, headed by Norman Arendse. Take the time to read his autobiography if you have not done so already. The intrigues and politics add a totally different (dark)side of South African cricket which the supporter knows very little of.  

Hansie Cronje seems to be in the news again for all the wrong reasons. One story discusses the re-opening of the match-fixing case again, and the other concerns the rumour that some of the “extras” in the movie “Hansie” still await payment after 4 years. Comments concerning the Cronje family has definitely not been flattering.  
It reminded me of a quote by Maya Angelou “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.
The feelings of disappointment, disbelief and betrayal are still very real for many people. 

Sport Spot – deur Paul
Dawie skryf onlangs in Die Burger na aanleiding van die agbare Minister se erkenning dat hy oor die tou getrap het:
Wat was mnr. Fikile Mbalula, die minister van sport(s), se laaste woorde voordat sy lewe en politieke loopbaan in ’n nagmerrie omskep is? “Nee, ek is nie Julius nie, ma’ lê ma’…”

Wat Ou Maans herinner aan die juffrou wat vir hom die Engelse “tenses” probeer verduidelik het met behulp van ‘n stuk tou. Sy staan links van die tou op die grond en sê: “I am here.”
Sy beweeg na die regterkant van die tou en sê: “Now I am here, but just now, I was there. Verstaan jy die present en past tense nou, Manie?”
Waarop hy antwoord: “Smaak my, as juffrou oor die tou getrap het, is juffrou in die ander tyd.”

Na die Sport indaba, waarop die dood verklaarde kwotas wonderbaarlik weer uit die dode opgewek is, verklaar die Minister van Sports dat ons nou ‘n Groot Plan het. Hopelik ietwat beter as die vorige een waar hulle na 17 jaar agtergekom het hulle het vergeet om te meet of dit werk.

Een van die ander Afrika wonders van die ou plan was dat ‘n krieketspeler van Pakistan as wit getel is onder ‘n kwota vereiste wat nie bestaan nie, en waar die mees onopsigtelike Springbok voorry, The Beast, nie as swart gereken is nie. Dit in dieselfde kwotastelsel wat nie bestaan nie.

In Animal Farm, Orwell teaches us that all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.

Part of the indaba plan is to take the focus off the big three (cricket, soccer and rugby), hoping that a wider choice will encourage broader participation by the youth.
Manie reckons he will support this, provided that the real big three (murder, r@pe and highjacking) is regulated more strictly in the future, and that appropriate qualifying criteria are set to keep out incompetent amateurs. As the old saying goes: “96% of all lawyers are giving the rest a bad name.”

Hard leer ou Grote.

Although Australia competed adequately against a quality South African side, they will feel that they squandered a golden opportunity to get one over the Proteas, as the home side was truly under-cooked for the contest going into the 1^st test in Cape Town. 

On a positive note; Australia will be very excited about the prospects of Pat Cummins as a test player. The 18-year old fast bowler had a dream debut in this 2^nd test and impressed all.

Kirsten & co will be relieved that it is over and they will be able to enter the next contest against Sri Lanka with a bit more confidence. Steyn has once again proved his value as the premier fast bowler in world cricket. Jacques Rudolph might be a bit frustrated with his comeback as he had “starts” in all his innings, but I maintain my prediction that he will still score loads of runs; he just needs to settle in.

Vernon in action

The pitches didn’t really suite Imran Tahir and we might get a better idea of what he can offer in the coming series against Sri Lanka. Hasim Amla was once again at his best and would be a deserving candidate for the man of the series with two excellent hundreds in a series where the ball ruled the bat. However, the player of the series for me is Vernon Philander. His performance with the ball has been nothing short of excellent and he rounds off the Protea bowling attack, making it one to fear, and for good reason.

In summary, I think the Aussies have issues and a difficult period of rebuilding awaits them. Their neighbours, New Zealand, might just fancy their chances against them for the upcoming tour in Australia.

For the Proteas, I think we are in for an exciting summer and quite fancy our chances against the English in 2012.

But first, the croaching tiger, Sri Lanka, lurks!

Paul se Perspektief by Paul
As the deadline for publication of our newsletter draws nearer, we sit here glued to Cricinfo, waiting for the last day of the test between SA and Australia to start – or not.

On the one hand, rain would ensure a draw and an SA series win, but I am sure that most of my compatriots share my desire that we bowl them out and win the series with a whitewash. Whitewash in a two test series? No, call that a brown, or at best, a beige wash.

A recent interview with Paul Treu enhanced my view of him as a seriously dedicated professional. He works extremely hard to achieve the success that he does, mostly sleeping as little as four hours a night.

Ek is verbaas dat die man kinders het!

His seven-man rolling maul against Fiji in a final last year was a master stroke, and I am sure that he has some more surprises up his sleeve, although this is hard to perceive, want die man se moue is dan altyd opgerol.

Concerning the captaincy of the side, he has an official captain capable of handling the media well, and several senior players each responsible for two or three others. This may not be new (it is for me, though), but it allows him to utilise the leadership skills of his senior players far more effectively.

I wonder if he is developing his own successor? He should fit in wonderfully with the current brains trust in the 22-man code that includes Rassie Erasmus, and be a more than adequate successor to the current backline coach.

Ou Maans reken hy verkies nogal die huidige stand van sake wat die Proteas betref; hulle hoef nie te wen om te wen nie. Eerder dit, as daardie “moet-wen” situasies wat so bevorderlik vir maagsere en kopsere is.

Droog bly, ou Gote.