3 days ago
Scrum like a masterpiece: A contest worthy of the Louvre
The scrum battle between the Bulls and Sharks was an epic tussle for supremacy in their URC semi-final on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld. Photo: Itumeleng English Independent Media
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Media
I've never seen the Mona Lisa in person, although – while cruising down the Seine under grey skies on an early autumn day, a light sprinkle of rain collecting on my brow – I did see the Louvre.
There are over 500 000 works stored in that Parisian landmark, Leonardo da Vinci's enigmatic portrait just one of the 35 000 items on permanent display.
One day, if I am lucky – if the Rand allows it – I hope to look upon it and appreciate the masterpiece.
If you ever make it to Oslo, be sure to visit the Munch Museum, where you can stare into the distress of The Scream, or wonder at the intimacy of Love and Pain.
Some 5km away, the Viking Ship Museum presents one of the most well-preserved vessels of its kind.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
It is beautiful to look upon – the craftsmanship a thousand years old – yet still translating through the ages the care and pride of the workmanship.
In the British Museum, hidden away in a corner of the African section, beyond the idealised Greek sculptures and the verism of their Roman counterparts, you can sit and admire the Benin Bronzes, looted in the late 19th century by the British when they sacked that kingdom.
Clearly, all these things deserve to be on display, preserved for posterity and enjoyed by the public.
Itumeleng English Independent Newspapers
Image: Itumeleng English Independent Newspapers
On Saturday night, at Loftus Versfeld, there was a similar anticipation built around the scrum.
It was an all-Springbok front row that did battle in the United Rugby Championship semi-final between the Bulls and the Sharks – one that included Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw for the Bulls, with Ox Nché, Bongi Mbonambi and Vincent Koch packing down for the Sharks opposite them.
It was enough to make any rugby fan salivate.
Off to Croke Park ✈️
The Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby will take on @leinsterrugby as they fight to lift the trophy for the first time 🏆
Pre-Sale tickets (10% off): Sunday 10am BST
General Sale tickets: Monday 10am BST#BKTURC #URC | #BULvSHA — BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 7, 2025
Pre-match speculation identified the importance of the department throughout the week. The tussle between Louw – arguably the best South African player of the tournament, despite what the URC might tell you – and Nché – the No 1 ranked player in the URC's Top 100 – was especially touted as a key match-up.
After all, the Bulls have been rated by the URC as the best scrummaging unit in the tournament. The much-vaunted Sharks pack, surprisingly, less so – eighth, if the competition stats are to be believed.
Before the match, the Bulls had a 94% success rate at the set-piece, compared to the Sharks' 89%. The Bulls had also won the most penalties from the set-piece, with the Sharks not far behind in fifth.
That proved to be a fair reflection on the night, as the Bulls mostly dominated in the department, winning a couple more penatlies. In particular, The tight-head they affected in the sixth minute while defending their tryline was of the highest quality – a moment worthy of a chef's kiss that locked out a threatening moment from the Sharks.
David Kriel soars over the try line as the Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby go one step closer to the Grand Final ✈️#BKTURC #URC | #BULvSHA — BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial) June 7, 2025
