The Absa Currie Cup Premier Division lived up to its billing as SA’s premier domestic competition this weekend as the opening round delivered a series of nail-biting encounters, which set the scene for a gripping competition.
GWK Griquas and the Toyota Free State Cheetahs got their campaigns off to positive starts as they registered invaluable away victories, while DHL Western Province and the Vodacom Blue Bulls played to a draw in an epic clash in Cape Town.
So closely matched were the teams, GWK Griquas pipped the Sharks 32-30 at GrowthPoint Kings Park on Friday night, and on Saturday the Toyota Free State Cheetahs edged the MTN Golden Lions 30-29 at Ellis Park and DHL Western Province and Vodacom Blue Bulls drew 24-24 at Newlands.
DHL Western Province (14) 24 / 24 (6) Vodacom Blue Bulls:
Western Province stamped their authority early on and showed fantastic skills to create try-scoring chances, which earned them two converted tries in the first 20 minutes by Gio Aplon and Patrick Howard respectively.
The Blue Bulls, meanwhile, managed to accumulate only three points in that time thanks to a penalty by flyhalf Tony Jantjies.
With the home team’s confidence up they continued to create try-scoring chances, but mistakes at crucial times denied the team two possible tries before the break. Jantjies, however, slotted over the second of his four penalties which saw the visitors trail 14-6 at the break.
The second half proved to be very close despite the home team adding a third try by Nizaam Carr, as their ill-discipline combined with a loser defensive effort saw the Pretoria team claw their way back into the match.
Francois Venter and Jean Cook crossed the tryline in the last 12 minutes to add to a further two penalties by Jantjies, but the young flyhalf missed a conversion in the dying seconds which denied them a victory.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province:
- Tries: Gio Aplon, Nizaam Carr, Patrick Howard.
- Conversions: Gary van Aswegen (3).
- Penalty: Gary van Aswegen.
Vodacom Blue Bulls:
- Tries: Francois Venter, Jean Cook.
- Conversion: Tony Jantjies.
- Penalties: Tony Jantjies (4).
[youtube]http://youtu.be/Rt8d2dmDLIk[/youtube]
MTN Golden Lions (16) 29 / 30 (13) Toyota Free State Cheetahs:
The Toyota Free State Cheetahs dominated territory and possession in a physical first half at Ellis Park against the MTN Golden Lions, and they showed their attacking prowess as early as the fifth minute with centre Robert Ebersohn scoring the opening try.
Their ability to balance their attack between the hard grind up front and innovative running rugby, which proved to be far more effective than the Lions’ aimless kicking on attack, paid off again in the 30th minute with captain Boom Prinsloo diving over the line from a rolling maul to add to a penalty by Riaan Smit minutes earlier.
But unfortunately for the visitors three first-half penalties by flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff and a fantastic try by in-form centre Stokkies Hanekom following a stunning off-load by Dylan des Fountain allowed the Lions to sneak into a 16-13 lead.
The Cheetahs continued to pin their hopes of a victory on a balanced effort between the forwards and backs, and this paid off five minutes into the second half as scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius gathered the ball following a strong showing by the forwards to dive over the tryline.
Nine minutes later centre Johann Sadie took a gap in the defence following a few phases to earn their bonus point try and a 27-19 lead.
But with nothing to lose the home team retained possession, and the change in tactics worked well, as it earned them two tries in seven minutes to trail 30-29 with a conversion to come.
Unfortunately for the Lions, however, replacement flyhalf Elton Jantjies pushed the kick to the right, and with that proving to be their last point-scoring opportunity, the team were left heart-broken with a 30-29 defeat.
Scorers:
MTN Golden Lions:
- Tries: Stokkies Hanekom, Ruan Dreyer, Willie Britz.
- Conversion: Marnitz Boshoff.
- Penalties: Marnitz Boshoff (4).
Toyota Free State Cheetahs:
- Tries: Boom Prinsloo, Johann Sadie, Robert Ebersohn, Sarel Pretorius.
- Conversions: Elgar Watts, Riaan Smit.
- Penalties: Elgar Watts, Riaan Smit.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/BNMifbQby7c[/youtube]
Sharks (20) 30 / 32 (16) GWK Griquas:
In Durban the Sharks ill-discipline dealt a huge blow to their hopes of a strong start to the competition.
Both teams found themselves on the wrong side of the law during what proved to be a tense encounter, but GWK Griquas wing Nico Scheepers’ six penalties to only three by Sharks flyhalf Butch James proved to be decisive in the result.
Interestingly the Sharks outscored the Kimberly side three tries to two – two of which were scored by veteran looseforward Jacques Botes, which contributed immensely to their 20-16 halftime lead.
But the Scheepers’ accurate boot kept the pressure on in the second half and allowed the team to stay within striking range of a victory despite a try by Springbok wing Lwazi Mvovo.
A try after the final, whistle by Griquas replacement looseforward Carel Greeff, which Scheepers converted, however, sealed the victory.
Scorers:
Sharks:
- Tries: Jacques Botes (2), Lwazi Mvovo.
- Conversions: Butch James (3).
- Penalties: Butch James (3).
GWK Griquas:
- Tries: Carel Greeff, Marnus Schoeman.
- Conversions: Nico Scheepers (2).
- Penalties: Nico Scheepers (6).
[youtube]http://youtu.be/ovDnRwUW7_g[/youtube]
haha “loser defensive effort” is bietjie harsh.
Bulle!!!!
Jis die Bulle se vertoning was nou ‘n lekker verrassing. Ek is trots op daai jong span. Ek is nou sommer spyt dat ek so negatief was oor die die jonges. Dit sal my nou leer.
I’ve added 2 Highlites videos I quickly made
Will try and make a Highlites Video of the Lions / Cheetahs match too…. should I get the time to do it.
Andre Esterhuizen Watch this kid! He has it all and it is just a matter of time before he reaches higher honours.
He has been part of the SA High performance set up since U16 and played for the Sharks XV during the 2013 Vodacom Cup.
Comfortable at both Centre and Fullback, Andre is strong both physically and mentally. He has a huge left boot and enjoys the physical exchanges of the game. Although only just turned 19 and don’t believe in rushing players I will not be surprised if he is playing CC rugby before the season is finished
Definitely a great start to the Currie Cup.
Great to see some of tomorrow’s Boks in action.
Bulls no 7 du Plessis is a MONSTER as I see a big future for him, both WP centers impressed me and Pat Howard could become an influential player there, he has all the attributes.
Kriel from the Lions is another hot prospect
Bulls did really well at scrum time and WP with Ball in hand, maybe a fair result.
Jafta is kakka but Rasta was a real gem to see in action, he will become one of the worlds top referees within two years (I hope)
@ leon:
Ek stem heelhartig saam, het gedink ons gaan die pakslae van die eeu kry Saterdag!!! ek was lanklaas so trots op my bulle gewees!!! Het nou sommer baie moed vir die toekoms!
Ek was so bekommerd oor die Bulle gewees met al die spelers wat weg is!!!
@ Gena_ZA:
Yep agree with you on Jafta and was very very very impressed with Rasta!!! Maybe Rasta must train Jafta hehehehe
@ Tripples:
Veldsman was diabolical. How he could have awarded Pretorius’ try is beyond me. At the very least he should have awarded a knock on against Prinsloo. He lost the ball forward, then played it again. That should be a penalty.
I’ve added a Video Highlites package of the Lions / Cheetahs game too!
8 @ Lion4ever:
I had a look at that Sarel Pretorius try again.. and it could have gone either way… maybe favouring more towards the fact that the try was fairly awarded.
Have a look again.
In fairness, the Toyota Free State Cheetahs was also the better side on the day.
grootblousmile wrote:
I agree and said at the time during the game that it would be something of a travesty if they lost.
HOWEVER, there are far too many dubious, 50/50 calls being mde by some ref’s as well as TMO’s.
Ref’s I can understand, but the TMO has NO EXCUSE for any dodgy calls.
11 @ Scrumdown:
Yip, TMO’s have to be deadly accurate!
@ grootblousmile:
Just had a look at that clip, and while the ref may have had reason to award the try, at the very least the TMO should have awarded a scrum to the Lions. When the FS player grounded the ball short of the line, it moved forward out of his hand, he then played at it, interfering with the Lions player trying to clear the ball. That should have been a penalty. IMO the TMO got it very wrong.
13 @ Lion4ever:
My opinion at the time was that the ball was grounded short and then played on the ground by the FS player.
Hence should have been a Lions penalty.
Just water under the bridge though.
Unfortunately Ackers messed up on the sub’s and “Mushie” took the wrong player off, leaving Elton to take the kicks, and we all know the conequuences.
That poor young man’s confidence has been severely anally pumped by the mountain goats.
vok, ek het seker al 20 keer na jean cook se drie gekyk.
Kan iemand die highlights edit en n link post met net daai drie?
15 @ MacroBull:
Ek kan, maar ek wil nie… dis werk man!
@ grootblousmile:
haha of maak n .gif image vani drie.
Doen net iets!
Jis dis goed. veral waar aplon saam hom duik om die drie te druk. haha
18 @ MacroBull:
Was ‘n blerrie sterk lopie van Jean Cook vir daai drie, WP hettie geweet watte flok om te doen nie!
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