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
You don’t discard players like Carter or McCaw.
It’s just not on and not the way it’s done.
Certain players deserve to leave on their own terms, and they are that good a servants to the game and to NZ rugby to deserve that privilege.
330… or when we are right on the tryline.
@ nortierd:
and if that plan fails too…
@ MacroBull:
attack from anywhere is a good plan, deep,flat, wide blah blah blah just throw it around and score plenty of tries
NZINCHINA wrote:
The plan is foolproof Noodles.
It’s a World Cup….it’s in Europe…..it’s simple.
Play like the French
nortierd wrote:
@ 308
Nortierd,
Could it be that the ABs and the Wallabies both feel the same?
❓
NZINCHINA wrote:
@328
Well,
Willie is also a defensive liability, combined with the like of Mvovo, ndungane or Basson, what would you get?
Combining with Habana hasn’t work either, Habana is all about Habana and with his speed and power diminishing at the Test Level teaming with Willie doesn’t seemed a viable option either.
about the frans steyn situation… is it maybe a bit of poker between meyer and jacob?
Hondo wrote:
Didn’t see the Crusaders or Blues smiling during the Sharks’ tour.
You want to play Taute because he is white?
Mvovo has done more from 15 than most of the other players selected there, including SP Marais
The Tjorks okes on (that) site…
The sharks players needs to be rested for these “useless” international test matches and it is 1. Sharks, 2. Bokke.
You would swear that even Francois louw, Ruan Pienaar and Jacque Fourie are all ex bulls (Because Meyer is so biased)
@MB 340
Puma on 27 May 2014 at 08:05 SAST
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.
Not just on that site, mate, even on this site
and there seems to be a huge hate for matfield lol fok hulle
Nortie, your team better smash these pretenders this weekend, hopefully Rhodes will take a few guys out.
MacroBull wrote:
I’m guessing some unhappy chappies because Callie was called in and not Kyle?
@ nortierd:
Yep 40 minutes this season kylie
MacroBull wrote:
So let’s see if I sum this up right.
If HM picks the Sharks for the Bok team, he is a bastard because doesn’t he realize they need to rest for the SR playoffs. So he is spiteful and out to sabotage the Sharks.
And if HM doesn’t pick the Sharks for the Boks, he is a bastard and biased towards the Bulls and hates the Sharks.
Go figure
MacroBull wrote:
Problem isn’t how he plays, problem is who is he going to give his complimentary tickets to?
They can’t afford his scum sucking tjommies to be invited to another game where foreign supporters might also be.
@ nortierd:
Yes the best bok backline should be
Reinach
Pat
mwazi
fransie
sithole
jpp
marais
but they must not dare be selected, because who cares about the boks anyway, won’t even watch them
So, the Bulls give Victor the week off, looking out for the best interest of the Boks.
3 weeks ago the sharks gameplan was useless and the players are not allowdd to play sharks rugby and jake is changing everything for the worse…
now they havent supported the boks since jake white left.
I swear you cant make this stuff up
@MB
Some doozies
In all honesty im more interested in the Sharks then the Boks at the moment, we playing Wales and Scotland, im sure Jan Serfontein is more then capable or even Juan de Jongh
@pierre_mackie (Comment 8) : Agreed, would hate to see Sharks players getting injured playing in useless international games and then be unable to play for the Sharks.
Comment 10, posted at 28.05.14 10:10:39 by Seth101
Ok manne, I hear that Sithole is also out…. this can’t be happening, someone please confirm . I don’t want to pull out my Depress-Whiskey on a Wednesday.
Comment 11, posted at 28.05.14 10:39:22 by Eli
I feel the same way regarding sharks before boks, there is really nothing to gain out of this international tour, its not like it will affect our IRB standings or who we end up playing in the world cup, that’s dealt with already, meyer could use these fixtures to build depth ahead of the world cup, u already know what ur gonna get out of steyn, alberts, bissie, etc. He should give some of the youngsters a shot instead and leave the dependables to rest and get ready for the last few rounds of the play-offs, let him rather raid the stompies, shitters and lions who doesn’t have anything left to play for in the SR and the sharks and bulls players rest hell
Shark first Bok second
Comment 13, posted at 28.05.14 10:42:31 by Son Of Mayhem
@gregkaos (Comment 17) : okay than that’s not so bad, ag man these guys really need the rest during these boks fixtures, they’ll be 100% when the international period is over, they’ve all worked really hard this season and the effects of it is beginning to show
who wudda believed it………
weepee and noordtvl sidling up to each other luvvy duvvy……
against the common enemy – the guppies?
my, how things have changed in sa rugby
@ nortierd:
I think the animosity towards matfield is mostly because they want bismarc to be captain… or rested
sheesh i don’t know haha
Charo wrote:
All is fair in love and war Charo
MacroBull wrote:
Bissie stands a very good chance of getting the captaincy, especially with Strauss out, but if Matfield will be playing every game, I would go for him and let Bissie just play his natural game, he can always take over when Vic is subbed
@ Charo:
Us bok supporters have to stick together
I want the Sharks to now continue winning ways, so I will be hoping for a Sharks win on the weekend against the Stormers, not the other way around.
I want the Sharks to end in 1st or 2nd spot on the Combined Log… and if the Bulls manage to make it into the Top 6, then so be it and if they then have to play against the Sharks in a play-off game or a semi or a final, then my allegiances will obviously lie with the Bulls and not the Sharks.
The Bulls chances of making the Top 6 is rather small though, considering what is happening above them on the Log.
@MB
You know what I find interesting is that as soon as there is a story about the Sharks on Rugby365, they have a photo of Jake White to go with it, and not any of the players or team……..
Both the Lions and Bulls Teams for the weekend have been named.
The Bulls have changed 3 in the forwards, resting Victor Matfield totally, moving Grant Hatting to lock to partner Flip, Vleis Engelbrecht starting at no 8.
I will put up articles for the teams a bit later.
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