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
Damn iPad too many typos to correct. Will head to my study soon.
Puma 239
I’m sure every player who has ever worn a test match jersey will disagree.
Yes, there may be weaker opposition, but a test cap is still a test cap.
Once a player starts intimating that he is not interested in playing against lesser opposition and would only be interested if it’s against the AB’s or Wallabies etc., then he can rather pack up and go and any coach would then play a guy who will give his all against every opponent.
He should just officially retire from test match rugby and concentrate solely on playing for White and in Japan, at least then HM and everybody else knows where he stands.
Being selected for the Boks should always be the pinicle and should trump any provincial game.
If a player puts the needs of his club or franchise above the needs of his country, it’s his decision, but he should never be selected for the Boks again IMO.
I don’t blame the player alone, the franchise coaches definitely don’t put the needs of Bok rugby ahead of their own needs. They would rather sacrifice a player to get one more SR win than having him play for his country
238 @ Puma:
That is a funny notion Puma, there is no way the Sharks players would hae rather sat at home and missed a few days of the bok camp, it does not make sense at all, and I sincerely doubt they would have a “koppestamp” session on the sunday, more than anything it was a meet and greet, with some medical assessments through Monday, if HM is going to rest a few Sharks with niggling injuries and give everyone a week off, he might as well pick a brand new test team.
It is an honour and privilage to represent your country, these guys would want to embrace every moment, if they want to sit at home an rest (which i highly doubt) they may as well leave it.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The Paragraph Spacing within Comments, has been FIXED.
I told you I would code it, and I just have done so!
@ superBul:
Hy het homself en die spel in die steek gelaat.
Só het Bryan Habana gister op Twitter gebieg nadat die rugbywêreld aan die gons was oor sy sokkermaniere in Saterdag se Heinekenbeker-eindstryd in Cardiff.
Dié Springbok-vleuel, wat vir die Franse span Toulon speel, het in die 62ste minuut van die tweede helfte soos ’n os neergeslaan nadat Owen Farrell, Saracens-losskakel, hom liggies met die skouer gestamp het.
Televisie-kykwere het gewys dat daar minimale kontak tussen Habana en Farrell was en dat eersgenoemde met sy toneelspel ’n strafskop probeer afdwing het.
Die skeidsregter, Alain Rolland, het die strafskop aan Toulon toegeken.
Maar daar kon duidelik gehoor word hoe hy aan Steve Borthwick, Saracens-kaptein, gesê het Habana het eintlik geduik.
Borthwick het daarna herhaaldelik “skandelik, skandelik” in Habana se rigting te skree.
Die Bok-vleuel het hom intussen tot die sosiale media gewend en uit sy eie vir sy swak sportmangees in die eindstryd om verskoning gevra.
“Opreg jammer en jammer aan die ganse rugbygemeenskap vir wat in die Heinekenbeker-eindstryd gebeur het.
“Dit was glad nie voorbedagte rade of om die spel rugby enigsins in oneer te bring nie,” het Habana getwiet.
“Goeie sportmangees en integriteit is wat rugby so spesiaal maak en ek het myself, ons ondersteuners, ons teenstanders en die spel self in die steek gelaat.
“Hoop nie dit het enigsins afbreuk gedoen aan wat ’n fantastiese skouspel en spesiale sege vir Toulon was nie,” het Habana voorts geskryf.
he been diving for years in super rugby and trinations/rugby championship. he would make any italian soccer team proud.
Diving should be a yellow card/penalty offence, would be a disaster to see that bullshit creep into the game
@ grootblousmile:
Dankie bloues, jy raak nou goed met die ding.
🙂
@ MacroBull:
Die man is n Pro
Hom juis nou op ons dorp se websites geprys en aan beveel. Die klomp kan baie by hom leer.
248 @ MacroBull:
249 @ superBul:
‘n Minora Skeerlem is nie so skerp soos ekke nie!
Heeeeeeeee haaaaaaaaaaaa
@ grootblousmile:
Dit
Is
Jou
Mening
hmmm
251 @ MacroBull:
I am INVINCIBLE!
@ grootblousmile:
Sent you a mail re the Lions – Bulls Saturday.
We need to rsvp by 16h00 this pm.
@ grootblousmile:
YES!
DIT WERK
254 @ Scrumdown:
My brother from another mother… I will not be able to attend at Ellispark, but will watch from the comfort of my office on Saturday, so kindly RSVP to Tarryn on your own behalf and just copy me in on the response, like you normally do.
Things are hectic my side, the fact that I got the time to Code the Paragraph Spacing had more to do with me getting frustrated with the lack of Paragraph Spacing, than it had to do with available time… you know how it goes, these added hours just get added on late tonight, flok!
255 @ MacroBull:
Of forken course werk dit, dis ek wat dit gedoen het… en alles wat ek doen, doen ek behoorlik!
Ek is nou maar eenmaal gestraf met te veer perfeksionisme gene… vra maar die ouens wat rekenaars by my kry of laat regmaak!
@ nortierd:
Not is you are a Shork and this is you best chance of a final since 2007.
@ grootblousmile:
Copied you on reply to Lions but it came back again with the following message:
A message that you sent could not be delivered to one or more of its
recipients. This is a permanent error. The following address(es) failed:
webmaster@rugby-talk.com
SMTP error from remote mail server after RCPT TO::
host rugby-talk.com [192.254.234.89]: 550-“JunkMail rejected – relay07.smp.mweb.co.za [196.28.80.27]:61544 is in an
550-RBL on rbl.websitewelcome.com, see Blocked – see
550 http://www.spamcop.net/w3m?action=checkblock&ip=196.28.80.27“
259 @ Scrumdown:
Oh fark, Rugby-Talk’s Mail Server sees your Mail as Spam… MUST have something to do with your Swedish Links.
Server must be thinking you are some Swedish blonde bimbo longing for boerewors, still attached to the boer!
I did receive your 1st Mail Regarding Tarryn’s RSVP thing, and I sent you a mail from my R-T account as an answer, just now.
See if my mail comes through, please?
Was sent through an internet connection so don’t really understand why.
Got your mail ok, and it seems if I send a mail just to you it goes through. as soon as I forward Tarryn’s mail it comes back.
Maybe the system thinks Tarryn wants some boerie!
gunther wrote:
True Gunther, very true.
Still, any Shark (or any player for that matter) who would shun a National call up and deem it less important than a SR campaigne, shouldn’t be selected ever.
If a guy can play week in and week out for his franchise, but is rested when the test window starts, I will start questioning his loyalty to his country.
At this stage there are no other teams in the SR that the Sharks should fear, they have proven home and away, especially away, that they are the best of the lot this year.
If they lose key players during the play offs, it won’t be because HM needs them for higher duty, it will be because White never looked like rotating and resting his key players.
You can’t withdraw the best in the country from Bok duty so that they can rest from SR, it should always be the other way around
261 @ Scrumdown:
Maybe she deserves some boerie!
@ nortierd:
And Wales are not going to come here for a nice holiday break, they are taking these test matches extremely seriously. So we will have to be at our best.
MacroBull wrote:
Agree.
We should always play our best Bok side, we can blood one or two youngsters during this June period, but the bulk of the team should be who HM wants for the WC.
He doesn’t have a lot of time and tests left to plan for the WC, so every test counts
@ nortierd:
It sucks losing against the Kiwis, but I would much rather lose to one of the great rugby teams in the history than lose to Wales or Scotland, teams who have been known to trip us.
266 @ MB
I long for those Mallet days where we completely routed the European sides when they toured here, especially when they dared to bring inferior teams.
@ nortierd:
And every single test match mattered and where the population had not been brainwashed to make it the most important criteria to be selected, is their availability for the next rugby world cup.
Mallet may have never won the world cup, but that 18 test run should be the benchmark for all coaches.
@MB
More than the winning run, the manner in which we won should set the benchmark.
Similar to the current AB’s, they win with style
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