If Super Rugby 2016 round one did one thing, it was to give us a glimpse of the relative strengths of the South African franchises.
We take a quick look at the games that the South African franchises were involved in.
Super Rugby 2016 Round One: South Africa
Toyota Cheetahs 33 Jaguares 34
Toyota Cheetahs– Tries: Francois Venter, Torsten van Jaarsveld, William Small-Smith\, Penalty Try Conversions: Fred Zeilinga (2) Penalties: Zeilinga (2), Neil Marais (1)
Jaguares– Tries: Martin Landajo (2), Agustin Creevy, Rodrigo Baez Conversions: Nicolas Sanchez (4) Penalty: Sanchez Drop goal: Sanchez
The Cheetahs were always going to be facing a stiff challenge when the Jaguares announced a match day squad containing ten Argentinian internationals. As expected they played to an open game plan, but their defence was left sorely lacking. Reading the missed tackle stats for round one doesn’t make for pleasant reading, with Cheetahs players filling positions four, five, six, nine, eleven, twelve and thirteen. The Cheetahs back three will be a worry as they were not effective under the high ball. Flyhalf Fred Zeilinga was not convincing and missed far too many kicks for a first choice kicker at this level.
For their part, the Jaguares brought a lot of attacking flair to the game, with some creative passing and attacking structures. Their discipline will be a major worry for them as they became involved in far too many off the ball incidents and were lucky not to be down to 12 players during the game. With Martin Landajo and Nicolas Sanchez already on the naughty chair, referee Stuart Berry opted not to yellow card Tomas Lavanini after he dropped his knee into William Small-Smith after he had already scored a try. Lavanini has since been cited for this act. If they can settle the emotions down, this team will still tip over a number of decent sides.
Sunwolves 13 Emirates Lions 26
Emirates Lions – Tries: Robbie Coetzee, Courtnal Skosan, Jaco Kriel and Lionel Mapoe; Conversions: Elton Jantjies 3
Sunwolves – Try: Shota Horie Conversion: Tusi Pisi Penalties: Tusi Pisi 2
Like the Jaguares, the Sunwolves will have caught the eye of many rugby fans around the world and dare we add the eye of some of the teams that usually hover mid-table or lower? The Sunwolves were not as unprepared as some would have us believe. They gave a really good account of themselves and had their fair share of possession throughout the game. The one statistic that they were on the wrong side though was missed tackles. They missed 21 tackles as opposed to the 12 of the Lions. At this level, missed tackles are usually punished and this is exactly what the Lions did. Hooker Shota Horie stood out for the Sunwolves and is set to become a cult figure in Japanese Rugby
The Sunwolves did show glimpses of the side they could become although they did miss a number of tackles, their line-speed on defence was impressive, keeping the Lions slightly on the back foot and a little unsettled on attack. Overall though, this Lions team has a lot more to offer and will keep on kicking up a gear.
It was also pleasing to see the massive support for the Sunwolves, with the stands being packed full, a further indication of the hunger for top level rugby in Japan.
Kings 8 Cell C Sharks 43
Southern Kings – Try: Chris Cloete Penalty: Elgar Watts
Cell C Sharks – Tries: Odwa Ndungane (2), Jean-Luc du Preez, Lwazi Mvovo, Willie Le Roux, Paul Jordaan Conversions: Joe Pietersen (5) Penalty: Pietersen
As expected, the least prepared team in the tournament were the least impressive on game day. The Kings certainly did start off well and there is enough in their set pieces to indicate that they do have a base to work on, but the fact that this squad only started assembling in the third week of January and some players were only added as late as last week means they lacked cohesion in defence as well as attack and fitness levels are not where they should be at the start of this marathon tournament.
In the first half, they did hold the Sharks within range, but fell away after half time. A tongue lashing from coach Gary Gold spurred the Sharks and when they stepped on the accelerator the Kings were left in their wake.
The Sharks were a bit patchy, especially in the first half. They have a lot more to add and will surely have a much more successful tournament than in 2015. Willie le Roux has added some magic to the backline and Coenie Oosthuizen seemed a bit more settled at tighthead. This is still a position that many feel he is unsuited to, but it seems that this is the route that he and his coaches have chosen.
DHL Stormers 33 Vodacom Bulls 9
DHL Stormers – Tries: Robert du Preez, Eben Etzebeth and Scarra Ntubeni Conversions: Robert du Preez 3 Penalties: Robert du Preez 5
Vodacom Bulls – Penalties: Francois Brummer 3
As many predicted, the Stormers had too much in their arsenal for yet another “young” Bulls team. The Bulls showed parity in the first half in the set pieces and tried to run with the ball, but with limited success and they quickly reverted to their old habits of hoisting the ball in the air and hoping for the best. Conversely, the Stormers earned try scoring bonus point, something that has been a bit of a rarity in recent years. Although their attacking abilities will face sterner tests through the tournament, the hope is that the Stormers will add some attacking adventure to their solid set piece and tight defence.
For their part, the Bulls appear to be facing another lean year. It beggars belief that a team with the Bulls resources cannot retain their players year after year. At some stage, we have to question what the real reason is for this continuous churn of players.
“Main Photo:”
