As we head into Round 11 of Super Rugby 2014, an alarming stat for South African fans is the lack of tries on display from teams from these shores.
Four South African teams currently comprise the bottom six in the tries scored category.
Sport24
The Lions (11 tries) are rock bottom, followed by the Stormers (12), while the Bulls (15) are joint third-last with the Melbourne Rebels.
Even the table-topping Sharks are in the bottom six with only 17 tries from eight matches.
The Cheetahs boast the most tries (22) of any South African team. They trail only the Chiefs (23) and Hurricanes (26) at the top of most tries scored.
However, the men from Bloemfontein have also by far conceded the most number of tries (36) which explains their bottom-of-the-log predicament.
In fact, the Sharks are the only South African team with a positive try-scoring statistic in 2014 (17 for, 9 against).
The Lions (11 for, 22 against), Stormers (12 for, 14 against) and Bulls (15 for, 18 against) have all conceded more than they’ve scored.
While South African derbies are perhaps more intense and physical compared to teams from Australasia – which could explain why SA teams on average boast fewer tries – the team at Sport24 believe the SA conference is the weakest of the three this year.
In general, the skills level of local teams have been below par in 2014 and our teams have displayed a lack of ability to create opportunities on attack and score tries.
Most tries in Super Rugby 2014 (SA teams in bold):
1. Hurricanes 26 for, 19 against
2. Chiefs 23 for, 14 against
3. Cheetahs 22 for, 36 against
4. Blues 22 for, 25 against
5. Brumbies 22 for, 15 against
6. Force 21 for, 17 against
7. Waratahs 20 for, 13 against
8. Reds 18 for, 19 against
9. Crusaders 18 for, 18 against
10. Sharks 17 for, 9 against
11. Highlanders 16 for, 21 against
12. Bulls 15 for, 18 against
13. Rebels 15 for, 19 against
14. Stormers 12 for, 14 against
15. Lions 11 for, 21 against
Conference statistics:
South African teams:
Played: 43
Won: 17
Bonus points: 13
Tries: 72
Points: 85
Australian teams:
Played: 40
Won: 22
Bonus points: 16
Tries: 91
Points: 104
New Zealand teams:
Played: 39
Won: 20
Bonus points: 19
Tries: 98
Points: 103
Leaders:
Wins: AUS
Bonus Points: NZ
Tries: NZ
Points: AUS