DELOFTED. Pure Rivalry: Southern Guards vs. Ripper GC in South Africa! JOHANNESBURG – The rivalry between Southern Guards GC and Ripper GC is entering its next chapter – and it's heating up, folks! The Southern Guards are hosting the very first LIV Golf event on the African continent. A Southern Hemisphere showdown, where the South African team meets the Australian lads. So far, however, things have been quite one-sided: Ripper has already claimed six team victories at LIV Golf, while the Southern Guards have only three. The Rippers are off to a formidable start this season. They immediately clinched back-to-back wins in Riyadh and then on home turf in Adelaide. Ripper GC Captain Cameron Smith confidently states: "We're all determined to keep this run going. It's hard work, of course, but right now we're all playing really good golf and feeling extremely confident."
Are the Southern Guards on the Rise?
But hold on, golfers! Even though the Southern Guards haven't yet reached the podium this season, they're getting better week by week. The team is hitting its stride at just the right time. Branden Grace kicked off the season with two top-10 finishes in Riyadh and Adelaide. Louis Oosthuizen secured a T8 finish in Hong Kong. Dean Burmester has notched a top-10 finish in three of his four starts. And Charl Schwartzel? While not quite at the very top yet, he's finished in the top 30 in all four tournaments this year. Something's brewing! Grace himself confirms the upward trend: "We know everyone has played well, we're on a good path. Louis has been playing exceptionally well the last few weeks, Charl was consistently there, Burmy got three Top 10s, and I also had a decent start. We are very solid."
The Genesis of the Rivalry: Adelaide 2024
The true rivalry, folks, already began in 2024 at LIV Golf Adelaide. There, the teams faced off in the league's first team playoff. On Ripper's home course, the atmosphere was electric when it came down to sudden death: Smith and Leishman against Oosthuizen and Burmester. The Rippers coolly sealed the deal on the second extra hole, snatching the team title in front of the roaring Aussie crowd. Should the two clubs duel again this week in Steyn City, the Australians are certain: The crowd will be one hundred percent behind the South Africans. Marc Leishman knows the score: "The Southern Guards are definitely motivated. After that playoff loss, they'll be out for revenge. And what a perfect place to do it – here on home turf!" He adds: "We're looking forward to settling the score with the Southern Guards, and I'm sure they're also ready for a big week." This playoff was more than just a game. It was the culmination of a years-long sporting rivalry between Australia and South Africa and set the stage for future battles between these proud teams. Dean Burmester...
