RéDAN SPORTS BLOGGING

Round five of the URC (or round four for the South African franchises) saw the Vodacom Bulls aiming to extend their unbeaten streak in the 2024/25 season as they faced the Scarlets. The Scarlets were coming off a significant win in their Welsh derby against Cardiff the previous week, marking their first victory in this year's competition. The Bulls wasted no time, scoring within a minute thanks to a stunning try from outside center Canan Moodie, with Boeta Chamberlain kicking the conversion. Ten minutes later, the Scarlets responded with their flanker, number 7 Josh Macleod, crossing the try line and Ioan Lloyd leveling the score at 7-7.  Zak Burger snatched a try from the Bulls' forwards, darting through a gap on the blindside from the back of a driving maul. The team maintained their momentum and notched another try, this time by Kurt-Lee Arendse, with Chamberlain adding the extras after failing to convert Zak's try.  The Scarlets notched another penalty, entering the bre...

It has been nearly four months since I stepped away from the sport, and I am truly grateful for the experiences I gained. It was a rewarding journey where I not only encountered new challenges but also grew more resilient and developed transformative skills. A key lesson I learned is to never turn your back on your opponent, a basic rule that, although widely recognized, I adopted as a strategy to avoid conflicts and arguments. I was not familiar with this sport until it was introduced to me by someone who is not just a colleague but also a significant figure in my life. During a particularly difficult time at work, I sought an outlet and discovered it in Jiu-Jitsu. During that hour of practice, my mind was free, allowing me to focus entirely on the task at hand. For example, if you're trapped in an armbar and lose focus, you risk serious injury. Likewise, a momentary lapse in attention during a chokehold could have dire consequences. Morganti Brazilian-style Jiu-Jitsu, which clear...