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Scott has them on RWC hop

Rob Houwing’s ‘Tops on the Telly’ column

Just a couple of days out from the launch of their much-trumpeted Rugby World Cup coverage, SuperSport have been rocked – not to mention strongly tested over Plan B resources - by the Darren Scott racial slur controversy.

The circumstances behind the matter appear to be very much out in the open, so don’t need any special repeat here.

Naturally, though, the prolific, high-profile “Darren Scott brand” in both television and radio has taken a fair old battering, even after his public apology and admission that alcohol had played a role in the contretemps.

Radio talk shows have been abuzz with responses on the issue, some understandably fiery and emotional and others taking a slightly more sympathetic line: I quite liked the witty thoughts of one caller, Vusi, to Redi Tlhabi’s morning show on Cape Talk/702 that the supposedly team-building function in Bela-Bela, where the insult occurred, “sounds like a spectacular failure in that respect”!

The bottom line for SuperSport, with Scott suddenly on leave of absence for the duration of the World Cup, is that they no longer have their intended main and most experienced English-language South African studio anchor for the tournament.

My understanding is that Scott was going to be pivotal to the domestic coverage aspect, with commentator Matthew Pearce the chief anchor of presentations done from New Zealand itself. After all, the former – also the veteran presenter of Boots & All - had led SuperSport’s microphone duty during the live Bok squad announcement programme recently.

So “a bit of a pickle” probably aptly describes SuperSport’s predicament this week.

They are fortunate to have versatile presenters in the form of Peter Davies (once editor of a major national multisport magazine) and Neil Andrews, however, so it came as no surprise when they were roped in at short notice.

While Andrews is predominantly associated with soccer on SuperSport - and is good at it - he is also passionate in the area of sports betting, so one imagines he keeps a strong finger on the oval-ball pulse anyway.

Like so many TV presenters, Scott has always had his supporters and detractors, and I don’t envisage any drop in standards by SuperSport as their fill-in men swing into action.

Do you? Let us know your views …

Rob’s Awesome Foursome

1. England v Argentina, Rugby World Cup
Dunedin, Saturday 10:30, M-Net, SS1, CSN & SHD

The group stages at Rugby World Cups tend not to feature too many genuinely ding-dong match-ups, with the truer strength-versus-strength fare coming when the knockout phase gets underway. But this encounter in Pool B is an early, appetizing exception: it may determine who tops the group although Scotland will obviously have a bit of a say, too. If the game were at “Twickers” I’d back England more staunchly, but at neutral Dunedin … hmm, I’ve got them sneaking it by three to five points after a rugged old forward battle, probably minus a huge tally of tries.

2. Cheetahs v Blue Bulls, Absa Currie Cup rugby
Bloemfontein, Saturday 17:05, M-Net, SS1 & SHD

With all the fanfare around the start of the World Cup this weekend, it may have slipped some oval-ball enthusiasts’ minds that the good old Currie Cup presses on, regardless! You still need your afternoon TV fix, after all, and the Free State Stadium ought to see a good ‘un with the Bulls, especially, under searing pressure to deliver a win if they are to stay in the semis reckoning. The Cheetahs are a bit more “in the frame”, but only just, in fourth spot, and a home reverse would similarly be a serious setback for their aspirations. I have the Cheetahs shading it, but am a little perplexed about Sias Ebersohn not starting in the home flyhalf channel …

3. Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs, MTN8 soccer final
Soweto, Saturday 20:15, SABC1, SS4 & SH2

Yes, the old South African firm are at each others’ throats yet again. It can seem like overkill at times, but there’s a particularly lucrative kitty at stake here and it is already known that Soccer City will be packed to the 78 000 capacity allowed for this occasion. The Buccaneers ousted the AmaKhosi in the semis of last year’s competition, and of course went on to earn an impressive array of 2010/11 silverware. But Chiefs have started their PSL campaign with a 100 percent record from three games and I have a hunch will underline their fresh hunger for honours – maybe by settling this closely-matched showpiece only after extra time?

4. South Africa v Wales, Rugby World Cup
Wellington, Sunday 10:30, SABC2, SS1, CSN & SHD

I’ve been known to be wrong on occasions when I’ve had a “good pre-match feeling” before, but that’s exactly the mood that grabs me once more from a South African perspective as the Boks open their RWC account. For so rugby-proud a community, the Welsh have a really ropey record against these opponents; the Boks tend to win even when the red-jerseyed foes have commanded surprisingly healthy passages of play. But I have a pleasant hunch that John Smit’s outfit will boss this one quite markedly … yup, even minus hard man Bakkies Botha, I have the Boks prevailing by 13 to 15 points and building on their improvement shown recently in PE.
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