The Cell C Sharks returned from their Australasian tour at the top of the Vodacom Super Rugby Log while the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers continued their good home form this weekend.
The Durbanites beat the Blues for the 10th consecutive time, by 29-23, in Albany on Friday morning. They won 3 from 4 on tour Down Under, which is equal to their best tour ever in 2009, and bagged 13 Log points in Australasia, firming their grip of the top spot on the standings after 4 tough games abroad.
Later on Friday, the Vodacom Bulls were at their brutal best as they probably recorded their best win of the season when they dismantled the 2013 runners up, the Brumbies, by 44-23 at Loftus Versfeld. The score probably flattered the visitors as the side from Pretoria remained unbeaten at home this season.
On Saturday morning in Perth, the Lions fought very hard to win their final tour match, but ultimately came up short as they were beaten by 29-19 by the Force.
Round 15 came to an exciting end in Cape Town on Saturday evening when the DHL Stormers beat the Toyota Cheetahs by 33-0 in a rather one-sided match.
It was only the 3rd time ever a team managed a clean sheet in a South African derby – the 1st time was in 1999 when the Cell C Sharks beat the Vodacom Bulls by 29-0, while the team from Pretoria beat the Southern Kings by 34-0 last year.
In total, it was the 5th time ever that a SA franchise failed to score a point in a Vodacom Super Rugby match. The Vodacom Bulls lost 27-0 to the Crusaders in Timaru in 2011 and the DHL Stormers lost 22-0 to the Crusaders in Cape Town in 2008.
Unfortunately Toyota Cheetahs captain Adriaan Strauss has also been cited for alleged foul play during their match against the DHL Stormers. He is alleged to have contravened Law 10.4 (j) Lifting Tackle when he tackled Stormers player, Kobus van Wyk. The incident occurred in the 23rd minute of the match.
The referee for the match, Stuart Berry, reviewed the incident with the television match official and issued a Yellow Card for the incident. Upon further review of the match footage, the Citing Commissioner deemed in his opinion the incident had met the Red Card threshold for foul play
The citing is to be considered in the 1st instance by SANZAR Duty Judicial Officer Adam Casselden. All SANZAR disciplinary matters are in the 1st instance referred to a Duty Judicial Officer hearing to provide the option of expediting the judicial process.
For a matter to be dispensed with at this hearing, the person appearing must plead guilty and accept the penalty offered by the DJO.
Blues (6) 23 / 29 (16) Cell C Sharks:
The Cell C Sharks’ Australasian tour ended on an outstanding note and they have returned unbeaten from New Zealand after beating the Blues by 29-23 in Albany on Friday morning.
It was the KwaZulu-Natalians’ 10th consecutive win over the team from Auckland and one where they won thanks to superb defence. It was the first SA clean sweep of New Zealand since 2010.
The visitors controlled the game very well in the first half and took the points whenever they were available. Their defence was yet again superb and they competed very well on the ground, but the basis was laid by a strong set piece.
Frans Steyn contributed 16 points via the boot, which included a drop goal, as he moved past 100 competition points at the North Harbour Stadium.
Bismarck du Plessis crashed over for the only try in the first half and Cobus Reinach rounded off after a loose ball was hacked through, which gave the Cell C Sharks a nice cushion with 25 minutes left in the game.
Scorers:
Blues:
- Tries: Luke Braid (1), Tevita Li (1)
- Conversions: Simon Hickey (1), Ihaia West (1)
- Penalty goals: Simon Hickey (2), Ihaia West (1)
Cell C Sharks:
- Tries: Bismarck du Plessis (1), Cobus Reinach (1)
- Conversions: Frans Steyn (2)
- Penalty goals: Frans Steyn (3), SP Marais (1)
- Drop goal: Francois Steyn (1)
Vodacom Bulls (23) 44 / 23 (6) Brumbies:
The Vodacom Bulls were at their brutal best as they dismantled the Brumbies and won a repeat of last year’s Vodacom Super Rugby semi-final rather comfortably by 44-23 at Loftus Versfeld on Friday evening.
The home team displayed a lot of patience on the attack and gradually broke down the Brumbies’ defence. They took their chances well and scored some great tries, while never looking to force anything.
Despite hunting the bonus point, which they got in the end, the Vodacom Bulls took every opportunity to kick for points, which ensured they kept the scoreboard ticking over regularly. And even when they comfortably ahead, they still kicked their goals.
Their attacking play, built on the foundation of a very solid set piece, was good as Jan Serfontein, Jono Ross (twice) and Bjorn Basson scored tries. Jacques-Louis Potgieter contributed 22 points with the boot.
If there is one blight on the Vodacom Bulls’ performance, it is perhaps the three soft tries they conceded, but with a full house of five log points in the bag, they will only worry about that when they start their preparations for their next game on Monday.
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls:
- Tries: Jan Serfontein (1), Jono Ross (2), Bjorn Basson (1)
- Conversions: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (2), Handré Pollard (1)
- Penalty goal: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (6)
Brumbies:
- Tries: Henry Speight (1), Ben Mowen (1), Tevita Kuridrani (1)
- Conversion: Christian Leali’ifano (1)
- Penalty goals: Christian Leali’ifano (2)
Force (15) 29 / 19 (9) Lions:
The Lions put up a very brave fight in their final Vodacom Super Rugby tour match, but two late tries by the Force meant they lost this encounter by 29-19 in Perth on Saturday.
The visitors from Johannesburg refused to give up against the high-flying Force. Unfortunately their defence leaked tries at crucial stages of the match and it was a five-pointer in the 79th minute by the home team’s captain, Matt Hodgson, which sealed the win for them.
The Force, back in Perth after their South African tour, managed to find holes in the Lions’ defence when they needed to and they exploited this well.
The Lions were still in control shortly before the break at 9-3, but two quick tries by the Force meant they started the second half leading by 15-9.
A fourth Marnitz Boshoff penalty goal saw the gap close to 15-12 and with six minutes to go, the Lions were still in with a sniff, but they again conceded a try which gave the Force some breathing space.
Still the visitors refused to give up and the hit back almost immediately when Elton Jantjies went over for a converted try to make it 22-19, but then Hodgson got his second and it was all over for the men from Ellis Park.
Scorers:
Force:
- Tries: Matt Hodgson (2), Jayden Hayward (1), Chris Tuatara-Morrison (1)
- Conversions: Sias Ebersohn (1), Jayden Hayward (2)
- Penalty goal: Sias Ebersohn (1)
Lions:
- Try: Elton Jantjies (1)
- Conversion: Elton Jantjies (1)
- Penalty goals: Marnitz Boshoff (4)
DHL Stormers (15) 33 / 0 (0) Toyota Cheetahs:
The DHL Stormers recorded only the third-ever clean sweep in a South African Vodacom Super Rugby derby when they beat the Toyota Cheetahs by 33-0 at DHL Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon.
It was the Capetonians’ fourth consecutive home win of the season, which saw them move past the Toyota Cheetahs on the log as they scored a bonus-point for four tries in the process.
The match was played in tough conditions and the home team adapted better to the wind and rain. They attacked when the opportunity arose and scored some good tries, while their defence was also very good.
The DHL Stormers, who lost their captain Jean de Villiers before the match with an injury concern, were dominant from the start and never looked back as they kept the pressure on the Toyota Cheetahs, with especially Damian de Allende proving a handful on attack and defence.
Deon Fourie and Kobus van Wyk scored tries in the first half and although the spectators had to wait until the 70th minute for the home team’s third try, by Siya Kolisi, the end of the match was an exciting affair as Sailosi Tagicakibau got the fourth try with less than four minutes left on the clock.
Scorers:
DHL Stormers:
- Tries: Deon Fourie (1), Kobus van Wyk (1), Siya Kolisi (1), Sailosi Tagicakibau (1)
- Conversions: Kurt Coleman (1), Peter Grant (1)
- Penalty goals: Kurt Coleman (2), Peter Grant (1)
Toyota Cheetahs:
- 0
@ grootblousmile:
😆 😆
Ya boet but ur a rare breed kinda Bulls supporter
@GBS
Oh, don’t worry, they will.
They have no difficult games left, twice against the Stormers and one against the Cheetahs, the bottom dwelling sides.
They will end first on the log for sure, deservedly so, they have done all the hard work.
If HM will only play along and not select their players for these stupid tests that don’t mean anything and allow them to get some well deserved rest, then everything will be hunky dory.
It’s not Jake White’s duty to rest players for the cause of the Boks, it’s hM’s duty to rest players for the cause of the Sharks.
That’s why myself and MacroBull are having such a laugh
@ nortierd:
LOL Naartjie, you try too hard boet, If the Stormers were in the same position as the Sharks and injury clouds were a hangin you would be shouting the same,
Look I agree that Boks come first, but when playing the blind school in Scotland surely some fringe players can be used?
In the case of Steyn we in anycase see most supporters from other un ions but the Sharks telling us how useless and fat and slow he is?? 😉 so why play him?
If he is able to play this weekend for the Sharks so be it, if not so be it….. I mean De Allende is said to be the new king, etc etc etc
personally I dont think the boks will be able to win if bissie alberts and beast dont play at least 70 minutes every meaningless test match
@ MacroBull:
Actually it would suit me if there were no Sharks in that team right now, and contrary to your sarcasm 😉 I believe we have more than enough depth in SA rugby.
@ Sharks_forever:
the injury cloud is far reaching in south africa though. im sure even duane vermeulen needs a rest.
Why dont the franchise coaches rest them though. then the boks would truly come first.
@ Sharks_forever:
you see. That’s the problem though. if there was not any sharks there is no way sharks supporters would be passive about it. There would be riots.
@ Sharks_forever:
I mean I bet you have a sense of humor. and the fence sitting on that site can be hilarious bokhoring 😉
@Sharks_Forever
So, in other words, no blame towards Jake for not once resting his key players?
Only blame will be on the Bok coach for picking who he thinks is the best players?
No man, surely you don’t also subscribe to this Sharks before Boks?
If so, then it’s easy, they must tell the Bok coach to get stuffed, they aren’t interested in playing internationals, only for the Sharks, and he can plan his WC squad accordingly.
@ MacroBull:
Every player is a waiting injury, so do we rest everyone?
When the Bulls were on top my friend you were not shouting for Bulls players to be rested, FACT.
Also it is because of injuries that Jake White has had to play certain players none stop. again FACT
The biggest fact is we are a so called powerhouse in World Rugby and even with injuries should have more than enough depth to overcome the injury cloud.
The problem is the coach only wants to select from a few and that makes the problem big. just from over seas players we have more than enough depth, never mind local, if we cannot beat the likes of Scotland or Wales at home with other players we in trouble.
@ nortierd:
Why were Stormers players not rested? and please do not try tell me they were, the ones that are out are injured and not rotated, in fact W has probably rotated more than any other team from SA
Again if you guys read properly no where have I said HM must rest Sharks players, I did say I would not mind,
HM must select and play the team who ever they be….
@ Sharks_forever:
what fact? the bulls have a reasonably healthy rotation policy.
the welsh are not going to be a walk over. they are taking these test matches very seriously and so should we.
Sharks_forever wrote:
We are not the ones saying that our players shouldn’t play for their country because the franchise comes first.
Fact is, the Stormers are so terrible, hardly any of them deserve to p,ay for the Boks because they are not good enough.
The Sharks on the other hand…..
@ nortierd:
Who says they Should or shouldn’t?
Man O man Puma sure got under your skins with one comment…… 😆 😆 😆
Bwahahahahahahahaha actually damn funny as he has you 2 posting against what he said for 3 days now 😆 😆 😆
@375
Puma isn’t the only one thinking that.
Have you seen EmoWorld?
@ nortierd: 😆 @ Emoworld
Sharks_forever wrote:
Hey Stormer supporters for the most would be saying the same if they lead the log, 😉 but yeah Emo world I must say is praying for no Sharks in the Bok setup 😆 😆
@ nortierd:
Go read the Article I posted re transformation, see what a young black Sharks supporter has to say…..
@ Sharks_forever:
if you are bokhoring I think your a sensible poster. but I find the overehelming opinion as a bit of a joke.
Sharks_forever wrote:
We have lead the log S_F
Twice, and in that time I can’t recall any of us not wanting our players in the Bok side, because it’s “meaningless” tests and the SR is more important.
In fact, we had to still read how our players wouldn’t deserve to be there because of the dour game plan etc etc and Donkey de Villiers being useless.
Remember those days?
@ nortierd:
we all know what happened when the stormers played their players into the ground.
😆 @ MacroBull:
at least the bulls always thought “maak die bulle almal bokke”
haha imagine steve singing “moenie maak die bulle almal bokke”
MacroBull wrote:
Precisely, and if I recall, many on this site has been saying for months now that certain Shark players are not being rotated or rested, and it could hurt them.
Yet, it’s all of a sudden the job of the Bok coach to rest the players, not the Shark coach.
Crazy stuff
@ MacroBull: No I am not bokhoring, I am Sharks lover, but you will not find me calling for Sharks players not to be selected, but I repeat I wont cry if they are not selected, nor if they are.
@ Sharks_forever:
essentially you are saying you would prefer they not play for the boks
MacroBull wrote:
Essentially what I am saying is that I will accept what ever team HM selects 😉
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