The Lions celebrated their return to Vodacom Super Rugby with a good win over the Toyota Cheetahs in Bloemfontein before the Cell C Sharks showed they mean business in 2014 with a bonus-point victory over the Vodacom Bulls in Durban.
For the Cell C Sharks, under a new coach in former Springbok mentor Jake White, it was a perfect start to the season. They got their 4th try at the death of their 31 / 16 win after scoring 3 five-pointers in the first 40 minutes.
Interestingly enough, it was the first time ever that the Cell C Sharks managed to score a bonus-point victory at home in February, when Durban’s notorious high heat and humidity play havoc with handling.
In fact, it was only the 2nd time since the inception of Vodacom Super Rugby that a side managed 4 February tries at Kings Park – the Toyota Cheetahs did just that when they beat the Sharks by 27 / 26 in 2006.
Yesterday however the Cell C Sharks were firmly in control, but the Toyota Cheetahs’ performance was unlike that day when they won in Durban in 2006 – they came unstuck against a spirited Lions side that shocked a lot of people with a 21 / 20 victory in Bloemfontein.
Lions flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff contributed all of his team’s points with a near flawless kicking display – he slotted all 6 his attempts at penalty goals and got 1 from 2 drop-goals. His opposite numbers though struggled with the boot and between Johan Goosen and Elgar Watts, they squandered 9 points with missed kicks at goal.
Boshoff’s exploits were similar to those of Elton Jantjies in 2012, when the currently injured Lions flyhalf kicked all of his team’s points as they beat the Toyota Cheetahs by 27 / 25 in the opening round.
The DHL Stormers had a bye this weekend but will be in action next week when the teams from Down Under also get in on the action.
Toyota Cheetahs (10) 20 / 21 (9) Lions:
Marnitz Boshoff, making his Vodacom Super Rugby debut, broke the Toyota Cheetahs’ hearts with a 78th minute drop-goal to help the Lions to a good 21 / 20 victory in the opening match of the season at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein.
Even though they were outscored by 2 tries to 0, the Lions – back in Vodacom Super Rugby after missing out last season – never gave up. The home side simply gave away too many kickable penalties and Boshoff duly made the scoreboard tick over when he got an opportunity.
And when the Lions played themselves into a promising attacking position late in the match, fans of the Toyota Cheetahs must’ve been on the edge of their seats. Boshoff’s antics were enough for the visitors as he pushed his personal tally to 21 points thanks to six penalty goals and a drop goal.
Both sides showed some early-season rustiness and they were very keen on throwing the ball around, which resulted in way too many unforced errors.
The Toyota Cheetahs though, did get the first 2 tries of the season after some enterprising play – first by Raymond Rhule and in the 2nd half Cornal Hendricks, who was this week named the SA Sevens Player of 2013, capped his Vodacom Super Rugby debut with a good try.
For the Lions, this was just the way to re-enter Vodacom Super Rugby, while last season’s surprise package, the Toyota Cheetahs, will be left wondering where things went awry for them.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84FxGreFTeM[/youtube]
Scorers:
Toyota Cheetahs:
- Tries: Raymond Rhule (1), Cornal Hendricks (1)
- Conversions: Johan Goosen (2)
- Penalty goals: Johan Goosen (1), Elgar Watts (1)
Lions:
- Penalty goals: Marnitz Boshoff (6)
- Drop goal: Boshoff (1)
Cell C Sharks (23) 31 / 16 (9) Vodacom Bulls:
The Cell C Sharks, thanks mainly to a superb 1st half effort, got their season off to a great start when they beat the Vodacom Bulls by 31 / 16 at Growthpoint Kings Park in Durban on Saturday evening.
The home side scored 3 crucial tries in the first 40 minutes of a match that was played at a great pace by 2 teams having a full go.
The Cell C Sharks though were more composed, took their chances and bagged the points. On the other hand, the Vodacom Bulls were not patient enough on the attack and didn’t convert their opportunities into points.
Their maul was very good, but the team from Pretoria got very little reward when they came within striking distance. Their only try, by Jono Ross late in the 2nd half, came from a rolling maul.
The home team though looked sharp on the attack and scored 3 tries in the first half, followed by a crucial 4th one, by Patrick Lambie, in injury time.
The first 2 tries came from Paul Jordaan (after a sniping run by Lwazi Mvovo) and Cobus Reinach. However, Odwa Ndungane’s superb effort in the right-hand corner, coming from a pin-point cross-kick by Frans Steyn after the buzzer in the 1st half, was probably the pick of the tries this weekend.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sFMF09fgi8[/youtube]
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks:
- Tries: Paul Jordaan (1), Cobus Reinach (1), Odwa Ndungane (1), Patrick Lambie (1)
- Conversion: Patrick Lambie (1)
- Penalty goals: Patrick Lambie (3)
Vodacom Bulls:
- Try: Jono Ross (1)
- Conversion: Handré Pollard (1)
- Penalty goals: Louis Fouché (2)
- Drop-goal: Louis Fouché (1)
Combined Log
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BPts | Pts |
| 1 | Cell C Sharks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Waratahs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Crusaders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Lions (Q) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 5 | Toyota Cheetahs (Q) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 21 | -1 | 0 | 1 |
| 6 | Vodacom Bulls (Q) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 31 | -15 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Brumbies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Western Force | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Melbourne Rebels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Blues | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Hurricanes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Highlanders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | DHL Stormers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Reds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Australian Conference
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BPts | Pts |
| 1 | Waratahs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Reds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Western Force | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Melbourne Rebels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Brumbies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
New Zealand Conference
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BPts | Pts |
| 1 | Blues | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Highlanders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Hurricanes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Crusaders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
South African Conference
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BPts | Pts |
| 1 | Cell C Sharks | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | Lions | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 3 | Toyota Cheetahs | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 21 | -1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | DHL Stormers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Vodacom Bulls | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 31 | -15 | 0 | 0 |
@ grootblousmile:
As happens every year, a few supporters get ahead of themselves waaaaay too early.
All that really matters is that the players don’t get too full of themselves.
I don’t think Jake will allow them to be too big headed. At a rugby breakfast recently he even said that one of his biggest challenges was to keep the players grounded and not think they have won anything.
OK chaps… behave yourselves… have to focus on some work for a while… have to sort out the Promotional Posters and a large PVC Banner for Rugby-Talk for this weekend’s Delmas Rugbyklub Rugbydag.
Need to get the Artwork in and out to and from the Graphic Designer and to the Printers in record time!
150 @ grootblousmile:
Are the Bulls playing in Bloem or at Loftus? I know I should look at the fixtures just easy to ask you.. hehe.
@ John Galt:
I think our definition and jakes definition of big headed probably wont be the same thing.
153 @ Puma:
Look at the fixtures, dammit Mr Knobbly Knees!
No, it’s Blingfontein on Friday night at 19:10.
151 @ John Galt:
Did Jake’s lips also flap continiously and uncontrollably at the rugby breakfast?
Flok, that oke likes the sound of his own voice….
Your second sentence proves the existence of a higher BEING.N0t blasphemy.Praise and gratitude @ grootblousmile:
151 @ John Galt:
Exactly. Feel the same one game at a time then we will see at the end. The season has a long, long way to go and us Sharks supporters have been down this road before where we win most of our games at the start then fall apart at the end or vice versa lose at the start and win more towards the end. We expect too much of our team just have to wait and see how it goes. Also have to see if we pick up any injuries anything can happen from here. This is a tough tourney.
157 @ grumpy:
What, where, how?
Just add the number of the comment you refer to before submitting the Reply Button….
Then add your comment…
Refers to Japtha being injured.Was really crappy there.Speedy recovery. @ grumpy:
155 @ grootblousmile:
Then it might be tough. The Cheetahs are hurting after losing to the Lions. Then again can’t remember when the Cheetahs have beaten the Bulls.
Gena_ZA wrote:
Ha ha, then the bloggers here will be dishing out medals to the ref
John Galt wrote:
Who is going to keep HIM grounded?
163 @ nortierd:
If Jake’s lips were wings, he’d be permanently flying amongst the clouds!
grootblousmile wrote:
He he, I don’t mind Jake is he is coaching the Bok’s to WC glory or even the Brumbies to higher honors, but now that he is flapping his gums and coaching THAT team, well, I won’t be sending him a dinner invite or Christmas card. Hopefully some obscure national coaching job comes up sooner rather than later then he can pak a tekkie and drop them like a hot potato
165 @ nortierd:
Hahaha
Oompie Knobbly Knees, Grumpy the Dwarf and Stinkvis (Snoek) gaan jou moerrrrrrrrrr!
Hey, los my nou uit, ek het werk om te doen!
That team?THAT TEAM???ost 165 @ nortierd:
165 @ nortierd:
Hahaha. Sounds like you wanted Jake at the Stormers ne? Sharks have him boet. Suck it up….hehehe.
167 @ grumpy:
Tell em bud…
Geez die Bulle is bietjie suur. So die drie is gegee. Al wat dit gedoen het is vir die sharks n beter kans gee op die log om in die finaal te kom. Bulle het nie een keer gelyk of hulle eers naby n verloor bonus punt gaan kom nie. So hulle huil oor iets wat geen impak op hulle punte stand gedoen het nie.
Die Leeus op die ander hand was poooower in die eerste 45 minute. En toe besef hulle hulle kan die game wen en toe wen hulle. Hulle het nie enige verskoonings gemaak nie. Inteen deel daar was gese hulle staan nie n kat se kans nie. Maar nou ja hulle het hart en pasie gewys. En as hulle so houding deur die kompitisie hou dan gaan hulle n fantasties debut seisoen he.
@ Puma:
Jake would have been nice but to be honest we need a couple of wings and a decent hooker more than a new coach.
And a relatively injury free year of course.
The Stormers squad looks thinner than it has in a couple of years.
Who knows, we won the CC with a young team, I guess anything is possible.
The absence of Eben is massive for us. Like losing Bismark for the first half of the season was for you guys last year.
Puma wrote:
Puma wrote:
Cell C Tjaaaaaarks
Die hoogste bome vang die meeste wind.
@ nortierd:
Sounds like the final of last years CC is still hurting bud, don’t worry, Stormers will be competitive as usual, nothing to worry about.
170 @ Rambo_Hunter_BigBok:
Well done to your team. That was a great win. Think most thought Cheetahs would win it and the Lions got there in the end. Good for them.
@ Stormersboy:
True, tough when you lose one of your best players, but that gives someone else a chance to stand up. It is continues injuries that really can hurt a campaign.
172 @ nortierd:
Yip I am with snoek here. Think you still hurting that Sharks beat you in the CC final last year. Nothing but sour grapes coming from you Nortie about my Team. That is okay though we will take it on the chin……..
@ Puma:
12% picked the Lions for a win on Superbru, so that counts as an upset
I see we have signed the Kings utility back Siviwe ‘Shakes’ Soyizwapi on a loan deal.
Don’t know much about him. Anyone?
171 @ Stormersboy:
Forgot you have lost Eben. Did you not lose him at the start last year as well?
Just read on rugby365 that it looks like Taute is out of the season or might not even play rugby again. That would be a shame for him really.
@ Stormersboy:
Never heard of him, why don’t they just use the Boland wings, they seem to know how to win.
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