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
182 @ robzim:
Cheers Rob. Good to catch up again.
Cheers Carol
Today really was nice to just chat again.
Enjoyed it as well
210 @ Blue Bird:
Cheers Carol yip like old days with the night owls we had on keo. Just need to get another few of those night owls over here. Tell Grant10 we want him over here. Must forget whatever happened on keo it is a new start here. The Grant 10 that first blogged on keo was great and funny. Was part of our night owl group.
But ja, it’s nice to see some of the old faces around…gunther, Nortier, Nama, Rye aka kehla, Charo, Puma,the Kiwis,Carol,robzim,Tassies,Macro,SB…lekker man! and thanks to our host GBS for taking us all in 🙂
209 @ Rage:
Katman used to be friends with my younger Boet, when young Boet was still a bloody good Drummer in their own band… he was not a bad chap at all.
@ Rage
Pedi was awesome.
I think between her and Bakkies busy with another meltdown, I had real belly aching laughs
Okay the plane has landed.
Thank goodness.
Cheers everyone. Thanks for the compamy. Catch up tomorrow.
214 @ Rage:
You guys are rugby folk, why would I not take you poor homeless okes in?
@ grootblousmile:
Wait, don’t tell me Katman was the lead singer of said band?
217 @ Puma:
Fark, it takes them 15 minutes to disembark and catch up to their luggage… take it easy!
Puma wrote:
Cheers Puma
Enjoy the rest of the evening
219 @ Rage:
No, I think Katman was just a groupie… hehehe
The lead singer was Young Boet’s girlfriend at the time.
@ nortierd:
Bakkies never had much time for me cause I never bought into his malkop conspiracy theories…I once told him that he needed professional help to overcome his hatred for all things Kiwi…and since then he always referred to me as that d…s Rage…but yes, he was damn entertaining!
Also I wonder what happened to Deon Stegmann’s wife/brother/father…Agile tit-tyrant? That oke had this truly uncanny ability to log on as soon as Steggies’ name was typed…armed to the teeth with Stegmann’s career statistics,and when I say career statistics I mean all the way from Bulletjie rugby until his Japanese stint.
223
Bakkies and his conspiracies, lol.
Bakkies has been appointed to the Zuma Cabinet as Minister in. charge of Kiwi Duplicity.
He has a very full timetable
@ Rage: @ 214
Ag man. it’s my pleasure 🙄
Puma is correct – I am not an old toppie yet.
Early 40’s 🙂
And I have only met good old Superbul. He took me on a good old game drive in the Timbavati when he was still working for Telkom. And then I visited his new spot early last year while on vacation in the Hoedspruit area.
Otherwise I don’t trust most of you psyco’s out there, especially the anti sharks buggers lurking in these woods. 🙂
Gunter, I like your pic 😆
@ Snoek:
Yes Snoek, do you still have connections here?
Kalimamboes is now very noisy with the discos almost every Friday night
not friendly received by most town people
@ Rage: 😆
@ gunther: hey Grunter note you brought your unique biltong dry sense of humour with you. Good man. Now, about your good buddy HG? He of the shy, self-effacing character.
@ Snoek: afraid it all depends on who’s addressing you mate. I was called a ‘toppie’ last week and I felt like topping the bugger. Everything’s relative afraid.
232 @ Tassies:
I guess if you are now also an Old Toppie, we must call you “Ou Tas”…. or just “Oom Tas”
I see there is doubt on Frans Steyn’s Fitness for the June Tests… he apparently played half-injured for the Sharks on tour the last 4 games.
It now places Springbok selection in a totally new light as far as Flyhalf AND Inside Centre is concerned.
Flyhalf should now definately go to Morné Steyn and Jan Serfontein and Damian de Allende will fight it out for Inside Centre, I suppose!
@234
If he plays this weekend against the Stormers, then surely he can play for the Boks?
We saw a few weeks ago how he grimaced when taking long penalties, and it’s almost got an air of inevitability that he would break down at some stage, we have been remarking for a while that he, Bissie, Alberts, Jannie, Beast etc are all being played without rest. Bissie had an injury break against the Landers.
Then they will p,ay tests and then straight into the business end of SR.
The biggest threat to the Sharks winning the SR title this year is not any of the other teams, it’s the way their players will hold up when it counts in the play off because they are being played into the ground, similar to what AC did to Jean, Duanne etc
So reading on Super Sport It looks like Frans Steyn will be side lined as he played the whole away tour with a knee injury. Well Gagin Rich that is no news we could all see the pain he was in taking the kicks. BUT when not taking kicks he was okay. So please hope Meyer releases Framsie now and he can rest the rest of the week like he was going to do and Sharks have him for this game on Saturday. Then he needs to rest the next 4 weeks and hoping he will be fine for Sharks in the next few weeks after.
Fransie was not going to play in the RC anyway as he was heading to Japan. Now i truly hope Lambie is ready for usagainst the Cheetahs as he is needed badly if we lose Fransie. Fransie has been Sharks Rock this whole season without him we would not have beeb where we are. Hope Fred is also ready this week.
@Puma 236
Morning Puma
Are you seriously considering that a player mustn’t play for the Boks so that he can rest to play for his franchise?
White is the one who should have rested him so that he could be ready for the Boks.
Surely country comes before franchise?
234 @ grootblousmile:
Well there was no surprise reading that on Supersport. We could all see the pain Fransie was in taking the kicks. Playing he was fine as he said so it was only the kicking hurting him. Should not have gone to Bok camp and from Sunday should have rested. All the Sharkboks should have had a fe days rest before Bok camp. The arrived back Saturday night and on Sunday straight into Bok training. The players Should only have gone to Bok camp on Tuesday after a few days rest.
Bok games come at such a daft time. This tourne should finish then the Bok games should start.hope that daft format we going to play in 2016 we finish the sR before the Boks start to play.
237 @ nortierd:
Well it does not seem to worry Fransie as he said he will not be available for RC he is off to Japan which are more important yhan these June tests, when sometimes teams tour here under strength. Meyer might be thinking of that as well. So rather play someone now he will have for then as well. Also think him brining S’Bura is not just window dressing as he has played superb for us.
Just hope Lambie is ready after June. Read he will be as he has healed very well with that bicep and should be back in a few weeks for Sharks. Yhis week hope Fred is ready. I think though Frwnsie will insist to Jake he has one game in him before taking arest for 4 weeks with that knee. It is well known Fransie would do anything fo Jake he has oenly stated Jake is the coach he respects and enjoys playing under the most. So let us see who gets selected this week hope Fred too is ready.
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