tour, to want to get the best preparation and I had no doubt that we could help them with that, van Wyk said. In particular, he has focussed on giving N

The advantage of being a home team is you have a better understanding of conditions than your opposition, but that may not be the case when South Africa host New Zealand next month. Kane Williamsons men will have spent a significant amount of time in the country ahead of their two-Test series, thanks to a training camp at the University of Pretorias High Performance Centre organised by former New Zealand player Kruger van Wyk.The wicketkeeper-batsman, originally from South Africa, had retired from cricket in December and returned home to take charge of the Universitys cricket program, which he himself had come through. Van Wyk has an intricate knowledge of the High Performance Centre, which is home to CSAs National Academy and hosts several other elite sports teams at its state-of-the-art facilities. He knew it would be the ideal place for New Zealand to prepare for the four Tests they play in southern Africa - two in Zimbabwe, two in South Africa - this winter.I know what its like to tour, to want to get the best preparation and I had no doubt that we could help them with that, van Wyk said. In particular, he has focussed on giving New Zealand the kinds of surfaces they will encounter in Bulawayo, Durban and Centurion, which are all expected to be slow and low at this time of year. Its important that they [the pitches] are similar to the Zimbabwe ones, similar to the ones theyll get here. As a player, whatever you need, you get. Thats our motto. Whatever you guys need, were going to give it to you and give it at a high level of professionalism as well, so I hope the boys enjoy it as well while theyre here.With New Zealands every need being met, van Wyks loyalties were a subject of discussion and he made no attempt to hide where they lie. I think its going to be an awesome series. Its very clear who I want to see do well. These are the guys who I played for, and my priorities, even though Im coaching and living in South Africa at the moment, its still with the New Zealand side, he said. Ive played Test cricket for New Zealand and Im proud of that. But I think its going to be a hell of a good series and Im so excited about seeing that and I really believe this is a good opportunity to get a double Test series victory.Key to New Zealands recent success has been their team culture, which is centered on the collective and has exuded a fun-factor for all involved. For van Wyk, that is the difference. Its been wonderful, actually. I think theres been such a new life blown into cricket in New Zealand and that was just through the culture in this side. Mike [Hesson, the coach] and Baz [Brendon McCullum] and Kane and a lot of the senior players must take massive credit for this. Theyve done some wonderful things for the image of the game and just the way theyve played as well. Thats the best way to get fans back, to get all these sorts of things back, ex-players, and their performances have been outstanding and I know it will only grow under Kane and Mike as well.That culture exists even among those, like van Wyk, who have left the New Zealand fold. As a coach, and as an ex-player, I think a lot of it is about giving back to the game, giving back to the people whove always been good to you. I am extremely thankful towards New Zealand cricket whove always been good to me and its time to give back, he said. Tukkies [University of Pretoria] was an institution that put a lot of time and effort into my development when I was a youngster here, so its the best of both worlds. 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The Western Bulldogs have ended Hawthorns quest for four straight AFL premierships with a 23 -point semi-final triumph.The Bulldogs mauled the Hawks in the second half on Friday night at the MCG, kicking 10 goals to five and winning 16.11 (107) to 12.12 (84).Hawthorn looked weary as they went out of the finals in straight sets, or two consecutive losses, for the first time since 1977.The crowd of 87,823 was the third biggest in Bulldogs history.While the Hawks have been stopped from becoming the first team since the 1920s Collingwood machine to win four flags in a row, the Bulldogs are trying to add to their only premiership in 1954.They will go to Sydney to play the Giants in a twilight preliminary final on Saturday week at Spotless Stadium, with the winner through to the grand final.Bulldogs onballer Marcus Bontempelli was best afield, while Jake Stringer and Liam Picken kicked three goals apiece.A minute into the last quarter, Hawks captain Luke Hodge was shaping to handball when Bontempelli swooped and stole possession.That set up Tory Dickson for the goal that put the Bulldogs 32 points up and confirmed there would be no Hawks comeback.It was a moment of potent symbolism - one of the Bulldogs young stars stealing the ball from the leader of Hawthorns run of three premierships in a row, and four since 2008.Last weeks win over West Coast was hailed as one of the Bulldogs best finals performances. This was even better.The Bulldogs wrested control from the Hawks with six goals to one in the third term, hitting the front for the first time since early in the match.But for much of the first half, it looked like the Bulldogs would pay for missed opportunities.They started the game perfectly, matching the Hawks intensity and keeping the ball in their half of the ground, only to open their scoring with a wasteful three behinds.A superb smother from Hawks defender James Frawley stopped a certain Bulldogs goal and the ball rapidly went to the other end of the ground.Jack Gunston kicked Hawthorns second goal in a classic 12-point turnaround.Hawthorn led by 11 points at quarter-time and extended that to 23 midway through the second as the Bulldogs kept butchering chances.dddddddddddd.Then Luke Breust, who never fluffs set shots, did so in the second term for Hawthorn.The Bulldogs went on a three-goal run and Dicksons shot after the halftime siren could have given them the lead.He missed, a melee ensued and the Hawks led by a point at the main break.Liam Shiels and Shaun Burgoyne were best for Hawthorn on a night when, for once, too many of their stars failed to have an influence.Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson went to the Bulldogs rooms post-match to wish them all the best.Luke Beveridge was an assistant under Clarkson before taking over at the Bulldogs two years ago - his first AFL senior coaching job.Clarko came in - we know hes a man of the highest integrity (and) he and I have shared some unbelievable times together, Beveridge said.I owe him a lot.He added it was a different feeling to beat Hawthorn in a final.I dont get any extra satisfaction out of, but it is a great achievement, beating such a formidable side, Beveridge said.He said his admiration for the Bulldogs players was enormous, adding they held their nerve in the second term when Hawthorn threatened to kick clear.Beveridge noted that after an injury-riddled season, the team is now in good health.The Giants had a 25-point win at home over the Bulldogs in round nine, but Beveridge said they would not be intimidated.You just feel that this group of players can do anything and ... weve seen them their through their actions and even heard them through their words talk about no ceiling, he said.You cant help but get caught up in that.Clarkson was philosophical, saying there was a sense of what if after they failed to capitalise in the second term.No good this losing caper, is it?, he said.Were not used to it. Its a good habit to have, winning in September, and unfortunately we werent good enough tonight.But Im really proud of this group, theyve delivered so much for this club over a long period of time. ' ' '