It’s amazing how the world of sport ebbs and flows. This time last week I was drunk. Wait, that’s still the same. This time last week I was perched proudly on my soapbox, preaching to the world about Springbok infallibility.

When days are dark, friends are few.

I was also quietly optimistic about Bafana’s match up against Deutschland and very confident about their chances against the Republic of Ireland. But if I’ve learnt one thing it’s that in the world of sport, one week is an awfully long time.

Rest of the story and TV times after the jump

As my gout-riddled fingers type these words, the 2010 stadia forge ahead with gritty determination in cities around South Africa. The progress is beautiful to watch and our very own Greenpoint Stadium is going to be something that we, as Capetonians can be truly proud of. With six losses from their last six starts I am beginning to seriously doubt whether pride is something we’ll feel for Bafana Bafana after the crowds have gone and the dust has settled in July next year. To be fair, I doubt many people expected them to beat Germany in Leverkusen on Saturday. The Germans have only lost twice: once in 1918, and then the rematch in ’45 (their captain was sent off in that one). The defeat to a second string Republic of Ireland side on Tuesday, however, was a bitter whiskey to swallow. I have seen a Kobus Wiese haircut with more style than our current national football side. I’m not shy to admit that rugby is my first love but I also desperately want to see Bafana excel. At the moment we sing the praises of the Bokke and Proteas and rightfully so: they are the best in the world. They win games. The World Cup is a mere 9 months away and there is a rumour currently doing the rounds that Joel Santana looks set to get the chop. Ja, well, no fine. He has hardly showered himself in glory. In fact, it looks as though he has hardly showered at all. But would a new coach necessarily achieve better results? Or are we past the point of no return, and would it not be better to stick with what we have so that we don’t pawn it completely? I can’t help but feel the players need to shoulder some of the responsibility here as well because there doesn’t appear to be that hunger, which is ultimately required to win games. We’re going to have to come right faster than Seth does after appearing in YOU magazine if any form of pride is going to be salvaged in 2010.

The loss to the Wannabies last week showed the world that the Boks are indeed human. I think it’s fair to say that the Cons conned us at our own game. I can’t help but wonder if the loss might have been avoided had we not delayed our departure from Jhb until the last minute. If any of you have accidentally watched Australia with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman you’ll know that it’s massive country with wild, savage inhabitants. It takes 6 hours to fly from Perth to Brisbane. Combine that with an 8-hour flight from SA and all of a sudden time zones start to take their toll. Bob Skinstad’s informed me that silver ferns across the Tasman are bristling with excitement at the thought of playing the Boks, but are a bit miffed that they decided to shun New Zealand hospitality (their version of ‘hospitality’ defined as baked beans drizzled over a sheep) to rather chillax out on the Gold Coast. Hopefully the loss to the Criminal Cavalry eradicated any complacency that might have been burrowing its way in, and they can now go out on Saturday and collect a trophy that rightfully belongs to them. The All Blacks basically need to win with a bonus point (or beat them 21-6) and deny the Boks a bonus point to have any chance of winning the Tri Nations.

Full-scale pykie war has thankfully been averted after England exacted revenge; beating Croatia 5-1 to qualify for the World Cup. That’s about as far as the highlights go for the pale-faced poms. They’re 3-0 down in the ODIs against the Aussies (with the 4th ODI coming up this weekend) and Andy Murray is out of the US Open. Roger Federer, though, looks in sublime form as does Abu the Monkey- a.k.a Rafael Nadal.

So, basically, it’s another weekend of fantastic sport. Twists and turns no doubt await us. We bid Chris Jack farewell- he plays his last game for Province against the Cheetahs on Saturday. I just hope he’s had the chance to sample a South African sheep- a nice merino, perhaps- they’re down to earth and renowned for being great listeners. A friend told me that, just in case you were wondering. ‘Til next week: stay cool. More importantly though, stay off the gin- it makes you weepy.

UN….BELIEVABLE!

BLADES

TV TIMES

Catch more of Blades at www.overtohugh.co.za

Thu 10/09

17.00 Tennis US Open ESPN
21:00 Golf US PGA Tour: BMW Champs Day 1 SS5

Fri 11/09

14:50 Rugby Absa Currie Cup: Boland v Griquas SS1
19:00 Rugby Absa Currie Cup: Lions v Platinum Leopards SS1

18:00 Tennis US Open ESPN
21:00 Golf US PGA Tour: BMW Champs Day 2 SS5

Sat 12/09

09:00 Rugby Vodacom Tri-Nations: New Zealand v South Africa SS1

14:50 Rugby Absa Currie Cup: FS Cheetahs v Western Province SS1
17:00 Rugby Absa Currie Cup: Blue Bulls v Sharks SS1

11:00 Cricket England Cricket: England v Australia 4th ODI SS2
18:00 Tennis US Open ESPN
21:00 Golf US PGA Tour: BMW Champs Day 3 SS1

15:30 Soccer Premier League: Man City v Arsenal SS3
18:00 Soccer Premier League: Tottenham v Manchester Utd SS3

13:45 Motorsport Formula 1 Gran Premio Santander I’Italia Qualifying SS7

Sun 13/09

13:30 Motorsport Formula 1 Gran Premio Santander I’Italia Race SS2
20:00 Golf US PGA Tour: BMW Champs Day 4

02:00 Tennis US Open: Ladies Final ESPN
22:15 Tennis US Open: Mens Final ESPN

12:30 Soccer Premier League: Birmingham v Aston Villa SS3
17:00 Soccer Premier League: Fulham v Everton SS3