Super Rugby Round 17 left South African rugby pundits with plenty to talk about this weekend.
The weekend started off on a sad note, with all games observing a moment’s silence in memory of All Black number 1002, Jerry Collins, who sadly passed away in a car crash in France earlier in the week.
Melbourne Rebels 21 Vodacom Bulls 20
Rebels – Tries: Sean McMahon, Jack Debreczeni, Lopeti Timani Conversions: Mike Harris (3)
Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Dean Greyling, Lappies Labuschagne Conversions: Jacques-Louis Potgieter (2) Penalty goals: Potgieter (2)
The Bulls miserable tour came to an end with another frustrating loss, this time to the Rebels in Melbourne, leaving them without a single win out of four starts. They were unimaginative and although they tried at times to attack, it was so disjointed it was ineffective. They came up against a Rebels team that was barely any better and neither side could claim to honestly deserve to win the game.
The match day officials once again did not cover themselves in much glory. Nick Bryant’s yellow carding of Dean Greyling for slowing ruck ball down was a little premature. Young Bulls inside centre, Burger Odendaal crossed over for what would have been the match-winning try. The TMO was surely the only person watching the game who did not see the clear grounding of the ball.
This Bulls side still appears to be very confused about what pattern of play that they want to stick to. They often talk about a more expansive game, but when it is time to deliver they seem incapable of doing so. The Bulls do not appear to believe in their own game anymore and once again that points towards the coaching team. Rumour has it that Victor Matfield will be taking over the reigns from Frans Ludeke in 2016 and this could be the root cause of some uncertainty in the Bulls camp.
Toyota Cheetahs 35 Waratahs 58
Toyota Cheetahs – Tries: Boom Prinsloo, Francois Venter (2), Cornal Hendricks (2) Conversions: Coenie van Wyk (3), Niel Marais
Waratahs – Tries: Israel Folau (3), Matt Carraro (2), Bernard Foley, Michael Hooper, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Teqele Naiyaravoro Conversions: Foley (5) Penalty goal: Foley
This game was always going to be a serious challenge for incoming coach Franco Smith. To take over a team with such a significant injury list a week before your first game in charge will test the very best of coaches. He immediately started investing in the 2016 Super Rugby tournament by handing debuts to a number of the Shimla team he coached to the 2015 Varsity Cup title.
The Cheetahs scrum, which has been under the cosh this year, was surprising strong. Smith will be frustrated with the naivety of the Cheetahs defense, as well as some rather poor discipline from his senior players. Ryno Benjamin’s trip on Isreal Folau was a disappointment and he was deservedly yellow carded. When the Cheetahs were chasing the game, Sarel Pretorius threw a no-look pass overhead pass, which Bernard Foley gratefully accepted from one meter out to score what must be the easiest try of his career.
The Waratahs defense was allowed a lot of latitude at breakdown and as a result the Cheetahs attack was snuffed out without crossing the advantage line and they never gained any momentum. Wallabies supporters will be happy to note the return to form if Folau. His hat-trick of tries was well deserved and he asked a number of questions of the Cheetahs defense.
Cornal Hendricks did his Springbok aspirations no favours despite displaying some fantastic attacking ability. Two defensive slips that lead to Waratahs tries will have been noted by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.
The Cheetahs will be worried about their prospects for next year given the number of players who have already signaled their intent to leave the Cheetahs at the end of the 2015 season.
DHL Stormers 19 Emirates Lions 19
DHL Stormers – Tries: Nic Groom, Dillyn Leyds, Nizaam Carr Conversions: Demetri Catrakilis, Kurt Coleman
Emirates Lions – Tries: Faf de Klerk, Schalk van der Merwe, Malcolm Marx Conversions: Elton Jantjies, Marnitz Boshoff
This game was billed as the decider between the two top South African sides as well as a Springbok trial between the two front rows. Although the supporters of both sides would probably disagree, a draw just added to the drama of the South African conference battle.
The Stormers were rocked by the withdrawal of captain Duane Vermeulen before the game after suffering a neck spasm. A precautionary scan has since shown a bulging disc in his neck and if this requires surgery his 2015 Rugby World hopes would be over.
The Stormers were filled with attacking finesse, to which the Lions replied with attacking strength. This match-up was never going to be decided by a kicking contest. Elton Jantjes had an off day with the boot and Stormers flyhalf Dimitri Catrikilis was removed from the field of play after failing a concussion test. Kurt Coleman’s radar was also off when he replaced Catrakilis, so it was up to the respective attacks to seal the deal.
The Stormers started fast and looked to be chasing the four try bonus point down before they had secured the result, but the Lions simply did not let them get away with the game and kept themselves in the game all through the match. A draw was a fair result for both sides, but the Lions will be left wondering what could have been as they were in a strong attacking position on the Stormers tryline when the final hooter blew and it was a knock on that ended their challenge for conference Honours.
The Stormers will be a little worried as they take on the Sharks, who had the bye this weekend, in Durban and they will be unsure if they will have either Vermeulen or Catrakilis available for selection and the Sharks will be quite happy to be the banana peel that derails the Stormers before the playoffs begin.
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