Ultimate silver ware up for grabs

Ernie Els finished 2010 as arguably South Africa’s top earner in sport, by pocketing $21.5 million, while Louis Oosthuizen walked away with the most cherished silver ware, winning the British Open. But which South African individuals or teams will be the recipients of the greatest prizes in sport in 2011? The ultimate silverware is up for grabs, as the Cricket World Cup on the Indian subcontinent and the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand will be contested.

While the Springbok rugby team flattered to deceive by winning only one Tri-Nations match and losing 17-21 to Scotland in 2010, this team offers South Africa with arguably the most realistic chance of winning global silverware in 2011.

Since South Africa’s readmission into the international sporting arena, the national cricket team has never won a Cricket World Cup, failing to reach the finals on each of the eight occasions that the World Cups were hosted in the 50- and 20-over format.

Will Proteas choke again?

There are many diverse reasons for this phenomenon. Many observers have claimed that the Proteas have choked and failed to convert promising match situations into triumphant victories on the world stage.

In 2011, the team will have to negotiate a new format, with three knock-out matches being contested, and these do-or-die matches usually are the ones in which South Africa struggle to impose themselves.

Another factor that might derail South Africa’s grandest efforts is that not one of their present frontline-bowlers have played in a Cricket World Cup in the 50-over format, while their middle order is relatively inexperienced.

The tournament is being contested on the Indian subcontinent, which makes Sri Lanka and India possible shoe-ins for the semi-finals. Usually, South Africa have battled to impose themselves in One Day Internationals on the subcontinent.

The quality of the slow bowlers is a potential bone of contention. Will the talented but slightly erratic Pakistan-born Imran Tahir be selected?

If the question is affirmative, South Africa will field a potential match-winner, one capable of taking wickets in the middle overs, where South Africa seems to be vulnerable.

Rugby’s prospects

The Springbok rugby team is a potential semi-finalist in the Rugby World Cup, in spite of the fact that the pack is aging fast, while the back line, especially in the absence of match-winners like Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie and Bryan Habana seem slightly sterile.

But pivotal in the campaign, would be what roles will be played by the legendary Du Preez, and world-class poachers like Bismarck du Plessis and Heinrich Brussouw.

Also, how will the coaches of the South African franchises support the request by the embattled national coach, Peter de Villiers, to rest their first-choice Springboks during the Super 15 competition.

De Villiers received little or no help in 2010. In fact, the Bulls nursed a slightly injured Du Preez and kept him on the park, even while he was not 100 percent fit to feature in the final three or four matches.

The way in which Victor Matfield and some other Springboks were managed by the Super 14 coaches during 2010 left a lot to be desired.

However, the depth of the South African team is remarkable, and they could well feature in a very closely contested semi-final with New Zealand in the World Cup of 2011.

Sure, the All Blacks won 13 of their 14 matches in 2010, scored 59 tries and made a clean sweep in the Vodacom Tri-Nations competition, while completing a Grand Slam during their end-of-the-year tour.

They boast the best flyhalf in the world, the best flanker in the world, the best backline on the global stage and are arguably the best-coached unit on the planet.

But under immense pressure to perform in New Zealand, and against a team capable of upsetting them like they did in 1995, it is possible for the Boks to upset their rhythm and advance to their third final in five World Cups.

And, just reflect on their strength in quality. Danie Rossouw might only be the fifth best lock in South Africa, but many countries in the world will pencil him in as their number-1 lock. Bismarck du Plessis might still be the second-best hooker in South Africa, while Willem Alberts might be the fourth-best flanker. Francois Hougaard might possibly only make the World Cup squad as a versatile backline-player, as Du Preez and Ruan Pienaar would possibly force him out of contention as a scrumhalf.

Habana, especially if his poor run of form continues, might miss out altogether.

The point is: South Africa has the firepower, the quality, the game-breakers and the self-confidence to successfully defend and reclaim the Rugby World Cup.

Other contenders

Other realistic contenders for major honours, include Lee-Anne Pace and Els on the golf course. Pace became the first ever South African to be crowned as the women’s European number 1 by toppong  the Ladies European Tour’s Henderson Money List, formerly known as the order of merit, in Dubai in December.

Pace can be seen as a realistic contender for a Grand Slam-title on the Ladies PGA.

Els won the South African Open in December, featured strongly at the majors in 2010 and almost won the US Open.

His poor putting in crucial moments derailed his efforts, but a fourth Gand Slam title is within his grasp.

The major talking point in terms of international sport is whether Tiger Woods’ title drought will continue. The world’s second-ranked golfer still received more than $74 million in 2010 and was the top earner in international golf, according to www.supersport.com.

But will the 35-year-old American win another major after his divorce and his private turmoil?

And will Rafael Nadal become the first male tennis player since Rod Laver in 1969 to win four Grand Slam singles titles in succession and become the defending champion of the Australian Open, Wimbledon, the French Open and the US Open?

The intense rivalry between Nadal and Roger Federer will be closely watched, as Federer is Nadal’s greatest rival, and already in possession of 16 Grand Slam singles titles. But can he deny the Spanishwarrior one of the ultimate prizes?

Only time will tell...