Release loyal servant Britz

Mike Shafto|Published

One of the Natal Sharks' most loyal players, Warren Britz has found himself in the middle of a tug of war. After informing Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli and Sharks ...

Failures in the Boks' class of 2002

Mike Shafto|Published

Matric exams for the Springboks are over at last - and for the class of 2002 there were unhappily a large number of failures. Perhaps it's better to look at it the ...

It's the Butch and Brent show

Mike Shafto|Published

Showing on Saturday afternoon at Absa Stadium: Butch James vs Brent Russel. The Sharks and the Pumas are preparing for a clash of the flyhalves at Absa stadium, ...

Get your CVs out, your country needs you

Mike Shafto|Published

WANTED: For South African soccer two good men and true. One to head the SA Football Association, the other to run the Professional Soccer League. Both men must, ...

Elephants never forget

Mike Shafto|Published

EP has old debts to square with Sharks, when they meet on their own turf in Saturday's Currie Cup clash. There is always a needle in matches between these provinces, ...

Putt banks on Argentinian talisman

Mike Shafto|Published

KwaZulu-Natal rugby coach, Kevin Putt, is hoping that a talisman which worked for Ian McIntosh will do the same for him in the Currie Cup. The Sharks play their ...

Andrews prowess may be what doctor ordered

Mike Shafto|Published

Say what you like, a properly fit and motivated Mark Andrews would make an enormous difference to any side in any country. Right now it's South Africa who need him ...

At last Butch gets his chance

Mike Shafto|Published

Butch ...

Wales to step up a gear against Boks

Mike Shafto|Published

A week ago the Welsh rugby team, in the eyes of most South African fans, was not considered to be worth much. But Colin Charvis's team gave the Springboks such a ...

That's Comrades for you

Mike Shafto|Published

Judged purely on the annual number of entries it attracts and the overall multitude of people it involves, the Comrades Marathon has to be South Africa's largest ...

Straeuli aiming to build

Mike Shafto|Published

Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli has made it clear that players must possess a deep desire to play for their country. As the Springbok hopefuls prepare for the Bok ...

Bafana out to end Nations campaign in style

Mike Shafto|Published

It has been a season of great moment for South African soccer, writes Michael Shafto, and even though Bafana have already qualified for the African Cup of Nations, ...

Stick to your guns, Harry

Mike Shafto|Published

Harry Viljoen's decision to explain his selection of Francois Swart and that the 19-year-old won't feature in any of the Tests against France and Italy, was uncalled ...

Coulthard wild in the sack (and on the track)

Mike Shafto|Published

If Scottish racing driver David Coulthard is anything like as hot behind the wheel as he is in bed, he shouldn't have trouble catching drivers' championship leader ...

The sporting week on TV

Mike Shafto|Published

Mike Shafto's review and preview of the sporting week on television.

Sharks cop one in Durban video shop

Mike Shafto|Published

The secrets of a winning Super 12 formula lurk in a Durban video shop, writes rugby columnist Mike Shafto.

The sporting week on TV

Mike Shafto|Published

Mike Shafto looks ahead to the sporting week on TV.

When a reporter turns to miserable supporter

Mike Shafto|Published

Mike Shafto is doing his best to remain as unbiased as humanly possible and admit that, while the Sharks could have won with Butch James's last minute penalty, the ...

The sporting week on TV

Mike Shafto|Published

Mike Shafto's guide to sport on television.

The sporting week on TV

Mike Shafto|Published

Mike Shafto looks ahead to the sporting week on TV.

Time for cricket to go techno

Mike Shafto|Published

Mike Shafto believes it is time that cricket considers using all available technology for the good of the game, and a "third umpire" should be called upon to help ...

Straeuli and his Sharks take a huge gamble

Mike Shafto|Published

Rudolf Straueli, the Super 12 coach in a corner following an injury to his standout captain Mark Andrews, has been forced to gamble that a Sharks pack geared towards ...

The sporting week on TV

Mike Shafto|Published

Mike Shafto's review and preview of sport on TV.

Who'd want to be a Super 12 referee!

Mike Shafto|Published

After watching last weekend's opening Super 12 games, Mike Shafto is convinced there won't be a flurry of applications for referee school.

Stern test for Straeuli's philosophy

Mike Shafto|Published

Rudolf Straeuli, the man behind the Sharks' direct style of rugby, faces a stern test of his playing philosophy when the ACT Brumbies - masters of the expansive ...