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
Puma wrote:
They are.
Was lovely meeting Sharks_Forever, and Fern is really a nice guy.
We still chat and SMS regularly, and we were supposed to catch up one weekend this month, but then I was called up for the Election and then the Inauguration, so I worked every weekend
147 @ nortierd:
Well if Carol knows her then it must be your sister. Not sure why I thought she lived in Vereeniging. She might have mentioned Vereeniging at the time. She mostly spoke to K9 at the time. Another great blogger that left keo. He was a Lions supporter.
robzim wrote:
Lol
Yep, we were all together at Loftus that day, myself, Fern, Atlas, Stormersboy, Gumboots and I think IAAS as well.
Was a nice outing that day
151 @ nortierd:
Well hope you guys meet up again. Then who are Bulls playing at Loftus? Did you not sll meet up when Stormers or Sharks played there?
145 @ Puma:
Just looking from A to C, there are the following ladies:
aletvdw
Andrea
Angie Kemp
Annette
Annie
bean1 (Kickers’ wife)
bernadene26
Blondy
bloupoppy
Blue Bird
Bullsbabe
cbludolph
Charmaine
Clara Rose
Anyway… you get the drift….
153 @ nortierd:
Just going to buy something to eat bud. The plane is very late another hour to wait. Back a bit later.
Puma wrote:
Was for the Bulls v Sharks and also the WP v Bulls game.
We met up earlier this year at GenaZA’s house, another awesome guy.
Was great meeting him.
Unfortunately Atlas’ firm didn’t take the suite again, so no Loftus this year.
Atlas is really a fantastic person as well, really glad I met up with him
@GBS 155
That’s quite a list
Wonder where all of them went.
@ nortierd:
@ 152
All right.. so you have also met quite a few in real life.
I have met Carol, Grant10, Just Rugby, Slappes, UFO, Tassies, Dawn, Katman, Skop and Shaun Langenhoven.
Also attended the funeral of Jinx but sadly never met him although we had some good chats mainly about music.
155 @ grootblousmile:
Well none of those blogged here that I can remember and remember I blog here the most. Well almost the most think Nortie pips me now. But I have been here from the start in 2009. I do remember the Scottish lady well Bean1 JFK but none of the others.
Just going to buy something quick to eat boet while waiting for my Daughters plane to come in. It is very late.
@ grootblousmile:
@ 155
Bloupoppie??
I wonder what she is like…
🙂
@Rob
We have a couple of guys regularly mailing each other, including UFO and CharlesM down in the Cape.
Would love to meet up with them when I manage to get down there again.
You must fall in and join the circle, if you have UFO’s details drop him a mail and we can get you included, will be cool
@ nortierd:
Yes, i will do that.. thanks .it will be cool.
I forgot to mention CharlesM.. i have met him too.. great bloke who used to play hooker for Maties, Vics and Bellville
@Rob
BrumbiesBoy also joined us when the Bulls played the Brumbies last year, he still liked Jake then
robzim wrote:
Yep, he has now been appointed selector of WP under 16’s.
Very happy for him, he is obviously doing a very good job with the youngsters
I’ve met a large number of the bloggers in person and all of them are good folk (except maybe 1, he shall remain nameless).
Some real friendships have been made, not just acquaintances, with awesome people.
People like Pietman, Bullscot, Tjarkie_Fornever feels like my blood brothers.
In addition I have had Skype contact with some more over the years and I have fixed computers for some in Scotland, USA, Italy, the Cape and all over Gauteng & Mpumalanga.
I’ve had the pleasure of having a few people stay over at my house, BullsScot, SuperBul and I’ve had a number of others here in my office over the years.
I’ve gone on holiday to meet others and to have a good old kuier… marvelous stuff!
@GBS
Ultimately, we all share the same passion for this wonderful game.
Nice friendships that lasts a lifetime
nortierd wrote:
Jake is to Brumbies Boy what Elton is to Skoppie 🙂
@168
Lol
Last year at Loftus he was like those teenage girls at a Beatles Concert when the Brumbie’s bus arrived.
This year he will be pelting Jake with rotten tomatoes
161 @ robzim:
Bwahahaha. I wonder too?
168 @ robzim:
Hahahah? That was funny… 😆
nortierd wrote:
Years ago i was on a very small plane between Sydney and Canberra with George Gregan, Justin Harrison and one other brumbie who i cannot now remember…I remember Harrison sported a moerse shiner.. If i knew then about brumbies boy i would have asked their signatures and passed in on to him 🙂
166 @ grootblousmile:
What happened to Turky? He only really blogged during the live games but always enjoyed his posts. A funny guy as welll. Also where is Loosehead also bloggged a lot during the games. Another one that I miss is Thighthead but he has not blogged in years now,
Puma wrote:
U still waiting for your daughter?
Maybe she has become so fond of CT that she just cannot leave….
@172
Lol
I remember one year mid 90’s I flew to Durban for a tournament and the Sharks had just played Province at Newlands.
I found myself smack bang next to Jeremy Thompson and Honiball with Teichman just in front.
A kid came round round and asked for their autographs and Jeremy passed the paper to me as well.
Somewhere in someone’s collection is the signed Sharks team sheet and I still wonder how many people look at it and ask themselves, who the fark is Nortier and what position did he play?
174 @ robzim:
Have to admit she loves living there. BUT come here for a month in the winter months. Still waiting for the damn plane been here for hours now.
173 @ Puma:
I have now sent Turkey a Skype Message… will see if he responds.
174 @ robzim:
Her best mate is running the Comrades this week and coming to support him. Good luck to him as it is way tougher than his first Two Oceans he done this year… Hahahaha. Going to be really eina after that run… Lol.
@175
@ nortierd:
lol.. that’s a good one.. maybe they think it is someone with a very bad handwriting.
As a very young kid I used to collect autograps for a short while but never got very far… the only ones I could get and still have today are those of Athol McCinnon who played cricket for SA, De Villiers Lamprecht ( the miler), Steve Knight ( Aussie centre), Arthur McGill ( Aussie fullback) and farkin Thys Lourens, lol… I think i must have been about about 2 years old when i collected it 🙂
Puma wrote:
a mate of mine is doing his 13th comrades this year…. wants to try and get his first silver and has gone so skinny from all the training that he is just ears and cheekbones… totally crazy… i really hope he makes the silver but as he has failed the previous 12 times i guess his chances are slim.
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