DHL Western Province this weekend reclaimed the top spot on the Log in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division as the competition reached the halfway mark, establishing themselves as one of the favourites in the competition.
But with 5 rounds of matches remaining and only 6 points separating the Cape side from the 5th-placed Blue Bulls on the standings, the competition remained wide open.
Western Province delivered a fine performance to defeat the Sharks 25 / 19 in Cape Town, while the Vodacom Blue Bulls registered a 26 / 10 victory against the Toyota Free State Cheetahs in Pretoria and the MTN Golden Lions beat GWK Griquas 38 / 32 in Kimberley.
DHL Western Province (15) 25 / 19 (0) The Sharks:
In Cape Town DHL Western Province produced one of their strongest performances this season to take a one-point lead at the top of the log and build valuable momentum in the series.
The team started the match strongly and earned two first-half tries to add to a penalty by flyhalf Kurt Coleman, which allowed them to build up a 15 / 0 lead.
The second half, however, was much tighter as the Sharks stepped up their game and used their try-scoring chances to cross the chalk three times.
Play-maker Gio Aplon, meanwhile, ran in the Western Province’s third try midway through the second half, while penalties at crucial times by the Sharks allowed Coleman to add two more penalties, which secured their victory.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province 25 (15) – Tries: Cheslin Kolbe, Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh. Conversions: Gary van Aswegen, Kurt Coleman. Penalties: Kurt Coleman (2).
The Sharks 19 (0) – Tries: Jacques Botes, Kyle Cooper, Lwazi Mvovo. Conversions: Fred Zeilinga.
Vodacom Blue Bulls (3) 26 / 10 (5) Toyota Free State Cheetahs:
The first half at Loftus Versfeld was hard fought as the Vodacom Blue Bulls and Toyota Free State Cheetahs gave their all on attack and defence.
However neither team was able to gain an edge.
So close was the half only eight points were scored, with Cheetahs wing Riaan Smit crossing the tryline in the 10th minute to put his team on the board, while the home team had only a penalty by talented flyhalf Handre Pollard to show for their efforts.
But the Cheetahs’ ill-discipline and the forward pressure applied by the Blue Bulls in the second half set up the hosts for an invaluable victory.
Pollard slotted over three more penalties while lock Paul Willemse and flank Wiaan Liebenberg reaped the rewards of the strong display up-front, to push the Blue Bulls into the lead.
The Cheetahs only second-half points were compliments of a try by flyhalf Elgar Watts.
Scorers:
Vodacom Blue Bulls 26 (3) – Tries: Paul Willemse, Wiaan Liebenberg. Conversions: Handre Pollard (2). Penalties: Handre Pollard (4).
Toyota Free State Cheetahs 10 (5) – Tries: Riaan Smit, Elgar Watts.
GWK Griquas (19) 32 / 38 (17) MTN Golden Lions:
The clash in Kimberley proved to be a spectacle as the MTN Golden Lions and GWK Griquas scored a combined total of 10 tries, with both sides earning bonus points for their efforts on attack.
The home team signalled their intentions early on with centre Jean Stemmet opening up the scoring in the third minute with the team’s first try.
But the Lions hit back with two tries in 10 minutes, which bolstered their confidence and set the scene for a thrilling encounter. The rest of the half followed a similar pattern with Griquas scoring and the Lions retaliating, resulting in the home team taking a narrow 19-17 lead.
Three tries by the Lions in the second half to only one by Griquas, however, sealed the victory for the Johannesburg team, who finished the match with an impressive total of six tries.
Scorers:
GWK Griquas 32 (19) – Tries: Carel Greeff, Howard Mnisi, Jean Stemmet, PJ Vermeulen. Conversions: Francois Brummer (3). Penalties: Brummer (2).
MTN Golden Lions 38 (17) – Tries: Andries Coetzee, Anthony Volmink, Franco van der Merwe, Jaco Kriel, Marnitz Boshoff, Robbie Coetzee. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (3), Marnitz Boshoff.
What was surprising this weekend was how bad the Sharks scrums were… against WP’s telletubbies nogal too!
Ruan Snyman leaving for France with immediate effect, wtf is going on with the Bulls?
Nou gaan ons seker met Paige en Jacobs sit… Fok
1 @ grootblousmile:
Yes agree, especially after our scrum was good against the Bulls. I think we should have started with Herbst and not Gerber. Also should have started with Cooper.
Another thing. I think we should give credit to Province’s scrum they just were better than us on the day. I think that too had a lot to do with it. Herbst made a slight difference coming on later. Should always start though.
Another thing think our loose trio just seemed too light weight against the bigger pack from Province. Deysel was doing all the work it seemed. I am a bit worried for Deysel picking up a injury. He is the only really big ball carrier we have and just can’t see him being rotated to allow him a rest week. Such a pity Sharks never also signed Engelbrecht…hehehe. Bully Boys got there before us…hehehe. I wonder when Tera will be back? Might have to start with Tera, Deysel and Botes or Keegan. Though Keegan was outplayed by Fourie there. I do hope that Meyer allows Marcell Coetzee to play for the Sharks when they come home in the Boks rest week. Marcell has had absolutely no game time. He needs a game so am expecting him to play that week.
2 & 3 @ MacroBull:
Eish man… Xander Janse van Rensburg has no clue….
2 @ MacroBull:
Wow! Wonder how come Bulls released him before end of CC?
Your team might struggle with Paige.
6 @ Puma:
Racing Metro demanded he be immediately available and paid a transfer fee and the Blue Bulls did not want to stand in Ruan Snyman’s way of getting that Racing Metro contract and exposure.
7 @ grootblousmile:
These damn French clubs signing up all our players.
Just read on SW that PSDT will be available for Sharks this week. That is terrific news, especially that we have no lost M. Wentzel for the season with a shoulder injury.
I have a feeling after this CC if all goes well with Psdt and no injuries. Meyer will take him on the eoyt. He is just too good a talent to be ignored. That is where I think he will get some game time off the bench to start. Had he played for us in June who knows he may have got a start in this RC. Magnificent talent him and Eben.
7 @ grootblousmile:
You think Bulls will go with Paige as their 1st choice scrummie now? Or Jacobs?
Is Fourie’s contract with his Japanese club not over end of March next year? If that is the case we will no doubt see FdP play for Bulls in some of the games in SR next year.
@ Puma:
Part of the deal was to have him immediately available.
I do not blame Ruan, I am pretty sure the offer was very lucrative for him and is probably the best choice for him.
Alright whats this? Bulls playing with their 4th or 5th choice scrumhalf from the start of the year.
10 @ Puma:
Don’t know when Fourie du Preez’ Japanese stint finishes… usually it’s around March.
Bulls will at least have Francois Hougaard and Piet van Zyl next year.
I wonder if the Bulls can make a loan to get Shaun Venter from the Pumas, being an old Affie.
Only thing I could find was that Fourie’s initial contract was till March 2013.
Xander Janse van Rensburg, are you the enemy from within? Dammit he just release everyone so easily. Agent.
The administrators who work for money only and mostly for their own salary. We talked about this earlier, our game is ruined by business men, get passionate ex players back in the top seats.
The Bulls got rid mostly of average players. Good for them.
Deon Fourie has been cited.
I read somewhere Fourie du Preez extended his Japanese contract by one year.
@ dWeePer:
I liked the old BB style more , stick to the guys you bought train them, coach them, make them Bokke. But we has also fallen for quick fixes. You must build n player into a great. Victor was also average when he started.
It depends how you see it. For the Bulls to remain a world class team they need 8 to 10 world class players.
Most of the players the Bulls got rid of would at best be average international players. No training will make them world class.
Quick fixes mean you buy world class players. The better way is to get young players and develop them. That is what the Bulls are currently doing.
@ dWeePer:
Yeah we must be patient, but in all honesty i dont trust the current coaching staff accept for Ludeke and his s15 team of coaches
The CC coaching staff IS the same as the S15 coaches minus Ludeke. In S15 Pine Pienaar is the defence coach while at CC he acts as head coach as well.
I fail to see any meaningfull difference in the coaching teams.
Regarding the supposed eye gouging incident by Deon Fourie on Keegan: This tweet by Keegan Daniel:
“Just to clear things up, there was no eye gouge from @Deonf, he’s not that type of player. Rug is a contact sport and these things happen.”
This follow up by Deon Fourie:
“@KeeganDaniel You’re a good man, and player. Thanks for a tough game. #travelsafe”
Nice to see that sportsmanship is still alive and well.
@ Stormersboy:
Way to go Keegan, kudus to you and Deon both!
Stuff these commissioners, this case is bullshyte, waste of everybody’s time, even mine…
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