Super Rugby Round 15 saw the Stormers strengthen their hold on the South African conference, with the Lions still in with a shout should the Stormers slip up.
Chiefs 34 Vodacom Bulls 20
The Bulls started the game with a lot of fire and it looked as if they had finally decided to use the attacking game plan that they had started working on. They shocked the Chiefs early by going up by two tries to none and it looked as if a rather surprising result was on the cards. The two early Bulls tries though were both the result of the pressure they were putting the Chiefs under rather than incisive attacking play.
Jan Serfontein’s try was the result of an exceptional tackle on Chiefs flyhalf Damian McKenzie by JJ Engelbrecht, which dislodged the ball. Bjorn Basson kicked it ahead and after a scramble in the in-goal area, Serfontein literally got a fingertip on the ball for the score. Their second try came after an attacking chip kick by Handre Pollard for Francois Hougaard to chase down. A wild slap back by the Chiefs in their own in-goal area say Bjorn Basson fall on the ball to score.
Chiefs scrumhalf Augustine Pulu was the pick of the Chiefs players and must surely have ticked a box with the All Blacks selectors. His attacking intent was rewarded with two tries, one of them a gift from the Bulls defence, as he slipped past the non-existent pillar defense at a ruck just short of the Bulls tryline.
For all their dominance in the first half, the Bulls seemed to have left all of their attacking intent and tactical awareness in the change room at half time. Their defence around the ruck was once again poor, as was their general defence around the field as they started missing tackles in open play when the Chiefs starting turning up the pace. The Bulls lack of imagination was exposed in the last ten minutes of the game when they started chasing a losing bonus point. Instead of keeping the ball in hand probing for holes in the Chiefs defence, they opted to kick and chase.
Like it or not, the Bulls need a change at the very top and I question how long Frans Ludeke can stay in the hot seat.
Reds 14 Cell C Sharks 21
It has been a long time coming, but the Sharks finally produced an 80-minute performance. It was still not a classic performance, but much more in line with the talent they have on their books. They were slightly disrupted when Odwa Ndungane pulled out at the last minute, leaving Andre Esterhuizen to take his place on the wing.
In the early phases Chris Kurudrani caused the Sharks defence a lot of hassles, but they did manage to scramble enough to ensure that he did not take full toll of his current form. Stefan Ungerer scored after a strong Sharks scrum which took the Reds loose forwards out of the game. A dummy pass by Ungerer flat footed Kurudrani and he was in for the score.
The Reds replied with a long range breakout try of their own after Sam Kerevi attacked the space inside of Lionel Cronje for Kurudrani to score. It was soon after this that Sharks lost lock Stephan Lewies with what looks to be a serious knee injury.
The Sharks were visibly fatigued in the last 30 minutes and it looked likely that they were looking down the barrel of another loss when Samu Kerevi scored after a series of quickly taken tap penalties, to bring the Reds within two points. The Sharks have been much maligned over the last six weeks due to their frail defensive system, but this weekend it was resolute defense in the last quarter that pressured the Reds into errors.
James O’Connor tried to clear the ball from his own in-goal area, only to deliver the perfect kick pass into Ungerer’s breadbasket, who ran the ten paces to score. Unfortunately for him, he had to leave the field injured straight after that score. The Reds panic in chasing the game became obvious when they were caught in their own 22 and were passing to ball amongst themselves to find someone unmarked who could take the quick drop in and secure possession. This feel to Sam Kerevi, who attempted the drop out, only to forget to kick the ball…
The Sharks defense really set this win up, in spite of the heavy criticism over the last couple of weeks. Bismark du Plees was back at his best, as was Marcel Coeteze. JP Pietersen’s form also seems to be on the up. They will be worried about their heavy injury toll and it will be interesting to see what side Gary Gold will be able to assemble for their encounter against the Rebels in Durban on Friday.
Toyota Cheetahs 17 Emirates Lions 40
The Cheetahs were significantly under-strength for this game and their injury list reads like a team sheet. Both sides had definite opportunities early on, but it was eventually Lions flanker Jaco Kriel who scored off a driving maul. It became obvious that the Cheetahs scrum was struggling and they started to leak penalties at scrum time. Lionel Mapoe scored the Lions second try, which was a fantastic effort after some slick passing between forwards and back and a strong line break by Faf de Klerk, who threw an overhead pass for Mapoe who had run a great supporting line.
The Lions were back on the scoreboard soon afterward the halftime break as the Cheetahs coughed up possession and the ball went through the hands of Howard Mnisi to Jaco Kriel who put Cournall Skosaan away for the score. In the 46th minute, Lions hooker Robbie Coetzee was yellow carded for a tip tackle and he was rather fortunate it was not a red card. He has since been cited to appear before the Deputy Judicial Officer.
The Cheetahs did score two tries of their own, both driving maul efforts that saw Boom Prinsloo dot down. These two scores were split by a score from Lions scrumhalf Faf de Klerk. They had started chasing the four try bonus point and after multiple phases, De Klerk was able to stretch out and score next to a ruck.
This game was the last home effort for Cheetahs Head Coach Naka Drotske and his assistant Os du Randt.
DHL Stormers 31 Melbourne Rebels 15
This game was a classic example of one side wanting to attack and the other determined to use forward dominance as their main weapon. The Stormers did get the desired result but will be disappointed that they did not try to chase down the four try bonus point. The South African teams have been taking points off each other and bonus points will be critical in determining final playoff positions.
The Stormers three tries were shared scored by centre Damian de Allende and wing Dillyn Leyds (2). De Allende’s try came after a turnover in the Rebels 22. De Allende’s class shone through as he skinned the defender on the outside. This try was immediately responded to when Dom Shipperley ran in for the score. Leyd’s first try was the result of a moment of madness by the Rebels. The halftime hooter had already sounded and the Rebels were on their own tryline. Common sense says kick the ball out and go into halftime. Instead, they decided to run the ball and Leyds intercepted a loose pass to score.
In the 46th minute, Leyds was in for a second try. After another dominant scrum, the ball was sent sent wide to Leyds, who stepped inside the defense to score. Tom English responded with another try for the Rebels, but by then the Stormers were already out of sight.
This was another great showing by the Stormers forwards, who ground the Rebels down. The Stormers remain best placed to win the South African conference and have two home games (against the Cheetahs and Lions) before traveling to Durban to take on the Sharks. Three wins would be their minimum expectation if they are to be serious contenders for the title.
“Main Photo:”
