Stormers fans will cringe if they see superBul is writing an article about the Stormers. Although I had to bite hard on my tongue not to have a dig at them during this article, I started this article to prove that this might be their year.
Bryan Habana has been ruled out and will miss this weekend’s game between the DHL Stormers and the MTN Lions, due to a shoulder injury.
One feels sorry for the MTN Lions, well almost, in light of the fact that injuries are now devastating what is left of the embattled pack of scruffy monsters.
All the Globe Jet-setters might be more qualified to write an article like this. So let me try my hand on a subject I never experienced, in fact I have never left this beautiful country. Mozambique is only 200 kilometers to the East from where I live. Botswana and Zimbabwe not even 400 kilometers away, never been there. So take my words with a pinch of salt.
Bulls supporters and their enemies really climbed into the Super 14 Champion side after their humiliating defeat against the Crusaders since Saturday. The question immediately arises whether they can be back to winning ways again if Frans Ludeke decides to stick with this poor performing team? Can they play a lot better and record a win against the high-flying Reds?
Let us have a look at the team:
The International Rugby Board has announced the Panel of match officials who will preside over the 48 matches at Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand in September and October.
A streamlined Panel of 10 Referees will be supported by seven dedicated Assistant Referees and four Television Match Officials at Rugby’s showcase event.
I wonder if those who criticised the concept of ‘head’s up rugby’ in the recent past realise that this is exactly what we are seeing from the two top teams in the Super 15? Continue reading
Tuks (16) 16 / UCT (10) 26 (Final Score)
Tukkies hosted UCT at LC de Villiers Stadium, Pretoria at 19:10 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & SCN on TV in SA.
UCT kept the Tukkies scoreless in the second half, whilst they slowly caught up and then passed the Tukkies score, to eventually hold out under enormous pressure from Tukkies.
UCT are the Varsity Cup champions for 2011.
They made complaining an art form. Almost all reports of the 1976 tour -especially the fourth test- starts and ends with a grumble about the refs. The whining began round about the third match, picked-up in intensity after losing against WP and spiraled out of control after the loss against Northern Transvaal and then reached heights of stratospheric proportions after the fourth test defeat. Continue reading
While everyone is blowing off steam about the Bulls Gregor Paul published a surprising positive article about Bulls rugby in the New Zealand Herald. He reckons there are at least 10 things that can be learned from Bulls rugby going into the WC. Here are the 10 things he listed: Continue reading
For the last 7 months I have not been very active on Rugby Talk so I thought I after all this time I would frustrate you all with this article.
This article by JJ Harmse of News24 , a well known reporter accused many times for biased Bulls reports, about sums up how we should view the Bulls performance on Saturday. I feel much stronger than he does about the issue, he says it very mildly compared to my feelings about the sad state of affairs and this horrible debacle.
The Bulls played their worst game ever after promises of upping their game in recent weeks.
This weekend revealed the problem with South African rugby to be hot potato-ittis. The old disease of spilling the ball forward in the tackle took on epidemic proportions in the South African teams. The bulls in particular were spectacularly awful in this department. It was also prevalent at crucial moments in the Stormers match although not so frequent. Continue reading
It was a back and forth battle at Newlands on Saturday evening which saw the visiting Reds pull off a huge victory over a Stormers side that reminded one of the early days of the competition, where the Cape side showed promise on attack, but had little to show for it in terms of points.
Sharks (17) 27 / Lions (3) 3 (Final Score)
The Sharks hosted the MTN Lions at Kings Park, Durban at 19:10 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Sharks scored their bonus point try after the final hooter via a quick tap by McLeod from a penalty and going over under the sticks, eventually winning by a 24-point margin against a Lions side who seem to be regressing and showing all the traits of last year.
Stormers (3) 6 / Reds (9) 19 (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers hosted the Reds at Newlands, Cape Town at 17:05 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Stormers lost their undefeated tag well and solidly today with a gritty performance from the Reds who allowed the Stormers no undue chances, a 13-point win for the Reds.
Force (3) 3 / Waratahs (17) 31 (Final Score)
The Western Force hosted the Waratahs at NIB Stadium, Perth at 14:05 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Waratahs scored 4 tries and earned their bonus point in a win where the Western Force looked like a totally spent force.
Brumbies (11) 17 / Hurricanes (10) 16 (Final Score)
The Brumbies hosted the Hurricanes at Caneberra Stadium, Canberra at 11:40 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
In a dismal game the Brumbies sneaked a win by 1 point.
Crusaders (14) 27 / Bulls (0) 0 (Final Score)
The Crusaders hosted the Bulls at Alpine Energy Stadium, Timaru at 09:35 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Crusaders methodically dismantled an error-ridden and lacklustre Bulls effort, keeping them scoreless.
It’s the penultimate round of Vodacom Cup league matches and while a few teams will struggle to make the quarter-finals, it’s make or break for seven provinces.
Highlanders (17) 24 / Cheetahs (14) 21 (Final Score)
The Highlanders hosted the Cheetahs at Carisbrook Stadium, Dunedin at 09:35 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD and M-Net on TV in SA.
The Highlanders prevailed by the skin of their teeth to win by a margin of 3 points in a game where both sides scored 3 tries each and with the Cheetahs fighting hard at the end to eradicate the Highlanders lead.
At the end of the day a couple of missed penalties by Sias Ebersohn, was the difference between the sides.
The Cheetahs are hoping to achieve a second victory on tour when they take on the Highlanders in a Super Rugby match between the so-called banana peel teams on Friday. Continue reading
Surprise promotions to abrasive hooker James Hanson and powerhouse forward Radike Samo have signalled that the Reds will muscle up and throw everything at the Stormers’ defence at Newlands.
Sharks Stefan Terblanche is set to become the first player in Sharks and Natal rugby history to play 200 games for the Union.
The Crusaders have named their team to face the Bulls in Timaru with Dan Carter being replaced by Matt Berquist due to injury.
Reds forwards James Hanson and Radike Samo receive their first starting opportunity for 2011 when a revamped lineup takes on the undefeated Stormers in Cape Town.
Allister Coetzee, head coach of the DHL Stormers, today named an unchanged team to take on the Reds at DHL Newlands on Saturday 9 April. The DHL Stormers beat the Sharks in Durban 16 – 6, in their last fixture. The DHL Stormers are unbeaten in this year’s competition.
The Golden Lions Rugby Union and co-owner Robert Gumede will sit around a table on Wednesday night to discuss reports that the IT Mogul has been undermining his own union.
According to reports Gumede has been bidding to take over Soccer City against the wishes of fellow shareholders at the Lions.
Herewith ALL the Super Rugby team sheets as they were announced for week 8 of Super Rugby 2011.
Bulls fullback Zane Kirchner has been given the green light to play against the Crusaders in Timaru on Saturday.
The fullback recovered from a knee strain and will front up against the home side in the Bulls second match of their 2011 Super Rugby tour to Australasia.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey says that this year’s Super Rugby tournament will be won by defence and not by an attacking team.
The Sharks have lost lock Alistair Hargreaves for three weeks as a result of the shoulder injury he sustained playing against the Stormers in Durban last weekend.
SANZAR have released the match officials for the eighth Round of the 2011 Super Rugby tournament and Nathan Pearce starts the action for this week on Friday.
This week the Blues, Chiefs and Rebels have a BYE so there is one match less than last week. Friday has one match and Saturday has five matches.
Jonathan Kaplan will finish the action on Saturday in Durban.
Fourie du Preez may be nowhere near his best, but even when playing at less than a third of his capacity he is still better than any other scrumhalf.