Versatile Sports

So I miss the 500 alarms that I set for myself each morning, this not by choice but down to a long night of watching Prison Break (yes, 11 years on, I am still a fan). This is, in fact, the only series I have ever watched until the end and I have just completed it again for a second time. It is absolutely brilliant! I will most probably watch it again before Season 5 is launched next year. With that being said, the only thing I ever watch on TV is, yes you’ve guessed it, SPORT. This is a series like no other, Prison Break, Game of Thrones, Walking Dead; they will all end one day (Ok maybe those of you that watch 7de Laan can’t relate, but you know what I mean). But SPORT? Nah, this will never end. It has it all. Drama, Action, Heroes, Villains. Everything you ever wanted in a series, SPORT has it all. That is why I LOVE it!

I eventually woke up that morning, thanks to a phone call by Mr. Versatile himself, and all he says is, “Write for me. Time for you to step to the plate Ramo and own your slot on www.versatilelyle.com.” Without thinking twice, I said yes. So here goes…

Olympics

The greatest sport spectacle in the world has come and gone, and it feels as though I have missed it all. It went by so quickly, so quick it makes Bolts’ 100m record look slow. There were many highlights to come from this Olympics, even though we were sceptical as to what it will bring, with all the negativity surrounding the host nation Brazil. It did not cease to amaze.

Lightning never strikes the same place twice as the say but if you are Bolt, that simply does not apply. Winning the Triple Triple Gold in 100m, 200m and 100m Relay with Jamaica. A feat which he has accomplished at 3 consecutive Olympic games. Beijing 2008, London 2012 and most recently Rio 2016. Similar can be said about Michael Phelps who is the most decorated Olympian ever, who extended his record medal tally to 28 (23 Gold). Both men are true Olympic legends. They do have something in common, this you will need to find out yourself, let’s just say one of them are Jamaican.
But the true showstopper of the games is definitely Wayde Van Niekerk. The Golden Boy of South African sport. They say you cannot upstage Usain Bolt at the games but the Capetonian certainly did that with an outstanding 400m sprint in lane 8, winning gold in a time of 43.03 secs breaking a 17 year old record set by American Michael Johnson. This will live long in the memory of all South Africans who woke up to watch the race in the early hours of the morning.


Rio 2016 also served as host to South Africa’s biggest ever medal haul, equalling the 10 medals we achieved in Antwerp (1920) and Helsinki (1952). Personally, I feel we can do much better. We should be winning at least 15-20 medals per games as we are one of the greatest sporting nations out there. Calling 10 medals a “haul” is just disappointing. Maybe a better tracksuit will help. Come on SA, we can do it!

Other SA medal winners:
Caster Semenya - Gold (track 800m)
Chad Le Clos - Silver (100m Butterfly, 200m Freestyle)
Cameron Van Der Burgh - Silver (100m Breastroke)
Luvo Manyonga – Silver (Long jump)
Sunette Viljoen – Silver (Javelin)
Keeling/Brittain – Silver (Rowing)
Blitzbokke - Bronze (Rugby Sevens)
Henri Schoeman – Bronze (Triathlon)

Rugby

This is going to be brief as I am too upset to be speaking about this particular Sport that is my life. Springboks asseblief, kom reg! We will never be the best rugby nation again anytime soon if we are going to be playing the way we are. A hard fought 30-23 win over Argentina is okay. Not great but okay, especially after trailing most of the match. We need to start playing exciting Rugby that will win us the championship. We are way behind the All Blacks who beat Australia 42-8 in their first match. The reason why they are so successful is simple, the word “Rebuild” is not in their dictionary. They continue to build. Keep the team consistent and when you need a player to fill the gap, they are already experienced with 30 odd caps to their name. Not “rebuild” a team by adding 15 freshman to your squad. This is where I take my hat off to Mr Johan Ackermann, head coach of the Lions, who has built his squad over the past couple of years. He has reaped the fruit of his labours, leading the Currie Cup champs to a first ever Super Rugby final this year, with EXCITING RUGBY.

New Zealand currently lead the championship with a total of 5 points with the Boks in second place with 4. This weekend you can expect much of the same with South Africa and Australia traveling to Argentina and New Zealand respectively.

OOPS! Jammer Kaptein.

Football

We are two games into the new Premier League season, and boy oh boy are we in for a long one. This will be one the most exhilarating seasons by far, as there will be no room left for error. To teams such as Arsenal, Liverpool and even Champions Leicester I say good luck.

The best managers out there are now going head to head in the world’s best league, with the world’s biggest clubs. Too early to tell, but you can already see the best separated from the rest, with Manchester dominance at the top of the table. Something which I don’t think will change much as the season progresses. Both City and United, or should I say Guardiola and Mourinho winning their first league matches in charge of their new teams. With Hull City and Chelsea doing the same. https://www.premierleague.com/tables.

But like I said it is too early to tell. Liverpool started a house on fire with a 4-3 victory over Arsenal 2 weeks ago but then could not break down a resilient Burnley side who came out 2-0 victors last weekend. Arsenal struggled in their next match as well with a goalless draw against the champions who lost their first match to 3rd placed Hull City. The first two victories of Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, both ended in a hard fought 2-1 scoreline over West Ham and Watford, Diego Costa saving them in the last 5 mins of both matches.

I am most impressed with Manchester City and my beloved Red Devils as they have brought back the real Premier League feeling with Manchester dominating the rest of England. City raced their way to 6 points with convincing performances over Sunderland (2-1) and Stoke (4-1). While United, doing what United does best, beat Bournemouth and Southampton 3-1 and 2-0 respectively, new signing ZLATAN scoring in both of those matches.


I am certainly excited for the new season ahead, it has been a while since I felt this way, for obvious reasons, as I feel that all teams have points to prove especially after surprise package Leicester showing them up last season. With big name players and coaches arriving, there will be more upsets and much more goals than ever before.

So who’s your money on? All I will say is, GLORY GLORY MAN UNITED and the REDS will definitely be marching on to the title this year!

My picks for the weekend

Weekend events to look forward to:

Saturday 27 August 2016
Rugby Championship

New Zealand vs Australia 09:35
Argentina vs South Africa 21:40

English Premier League
Spurs vs Liverpool 13:30
Chelsea vs Burnley 16:00
Leicester vs Swansea 16:00
Watford vs Arsenal 16:00
Hull vs Man Utd 18:30

Sunday 28 August 2016
Man City vs West Ham Utd 17:00



I'll be bringing you all things sports, catch you all next week for another edition of Versatile Sports, spread the love!