Success is within our power in 2015

08 January 2015 - 02:02 By David Isaacson
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David Isaacson
David Isaacson

Welcome to 2015, a year that promises to be an amazing one for South Africa's sports stars and fans.

The rollercoaster ride will start with Bafana Bafana, reinvigorated by coach Shakes Mashaba, as they head to the Africa Cup of Nations with the support and belief of a nation that's ready to dream about soccer glory again.

I can see South Africa making the final, where they take on Algeria. The match - a humdinger, as the country's No1 political sports fan will famously call it later - goes to penalties.

With the score locked at 4-4 our opponents miss their fifth shy, and then Andile Jali steps up to bury the game. He places the ball on the spot and ... (see later for the outcome).

The optimists of cricket and rugby will be out in force for the Proteas and Springboks, who will, as usual, be expected to win their World Cup tournaments.

Down Under, not only will the Proteas finally win a match in the knockout phases, they bulldoze their way into the final against co-hosts Australia.

There, I can clearly see AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn in the middle, with South Africa needing 10 runs to win. De Villiers takes guard as Mitchell Johnson steams in.

The Boks, too, will be in a nail-biting final against the All Blacks. The first try will be scored in extra time, an unconverted dot-down by Bryan Habana.

But the Kiwis, thanks to a refereeing error, will strike back with three minutes to go, being awarded a try, which they will convert for a two-point lead.

The Boks attack like you've never seen before, and the New Zealanders defend like Trojans - the irresistible force against the immoveable object.

The clock ticks down into the red, until Handré Pollard receives the ball on the 10m line with just enough time to attempt a dropped goal.

Our champions of the Olympic codes also do the country proud.

Chad le Clos will get to weave more magic at the World Swimming Championships in Kazan, retaining his 100m and 200m butterfly crowns and winning a couple more medals that will surprise.

At the World Athletics Champs in Beijing, the men's 4x100m sprint relay team push the world's best.

Anchor Akani Simbine will take the baton from Anaso Jobodwana in medal position and hit the turbo booster. Usain Bolt is out of reach, but the Americans are within sight.

Strawweight boxer Hekkie Budler, the WBA and IBO titleholder, gets his chance to challenge for the prestigious Ring belt, handed only to undisputed world champions.

Leading on points with a minute remaining in the final 12th round he is dropped with a vicious left hook.

"Three, four, five," the referee counts as the Newlands pugilist battles to get off the canvas.

Our rowers and canoeists will need photo finishes to separate them at their respective World Championships.

I would love to reveal to you the various finishes, but I couldn't see - Eskom load-shed my crystal ball.

Oh well, here's hoping SA sport enjoys a power year.

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