Super Rugby Round 3 saw the three games that the South African franchises were involved with producing epic battles.
Free State Cheetahs 25 Auckland Blues 24
This game produced some fantastic running rugby and moments of sheer brilliance in terms of handling from both teams, the highlight being Cornal Hendriks’ try which came from a kick pass by Cheetahs flyhalf Joe Pietersen, which was tapped down by Willie le Roux and after a sequence of no look passes and ball handling wizardry, Hendriks ran an outside line off flanker Oupa Mahoje, to canter in for the score. The score line was a true reflection on how close this game was. Pietersen put the Cheetahs into the lead late in the second half, but the Blues could still have won the game at the death as they were pressing towards the Cheetahs red zone. Ihiah West went for the drop goal to win the game, possibly a phase or two too early and the ball went wide of the posts. The Cheetahs now find themselves 5th on the combined log with two wins from two games. Blues lock Josh Bekhuis can cant himself lucky to not receive at best a yellow card for his elbow to Boom Prinsloo’s face while he was laying defenseless on his back. World Rugby’s directive is that any strike to the face should result in a red card, making the off-field warning he was issued after the game even more confusing.
Vodacom Bulls 43 Cell C Sharks 35
The Bulls and their coach Frans Ludeke were under extreme pressure this week and a 3rd consecutive loss at fortress Loftus may have meant some tough decisions being made in the boardroom. The Bulls proceeded to put together a performance much more reminiscent of the successes of years gone by, with some hard work put in by their forwards. To beat the much fancied Sharks team with a try count of 6 to 2 would have put a smile on even the most despondent of Bulls fans. The Bulls once again started with two number 5 locks, which was a huge risk considering the scrum onslaught they were expecting after the Sharks dismantled the powerful Lions scrum last weekend. That never materialized as there was only a handful of scrums in the entire game. In those few scrums, Springbok loosehead prop Trevor Nyakane looked very capable at a tighthead prop.
The Sharks did well to keep themselves in the game, aided by an exemplary kicking performance by Patrick Lambie, who accumulated 25 points with the boot. There were jitters for the Bulls when Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard had to leave the field late in the game with a tight hamstring. Those proved to be unfounded as debutant flyhalf Tian Swanepoel came on with the intent to make a difference. He nailed a long range penalty, caught a fantastic up and under and brought a new energy to their attack. This youngster looks to be one for the future. The Bulls eventually closed the game out using their tried and tested suffocation technique. It remains to be seen if they are back as contenders, but it was pleasing to see a side fight with that determination to deliver a result. The result sees the Bulls standing in 8th position on the combined log, with the Sharks in 6th, separated only by points difference.
Emirates Lions 19 DHL Stormers 22
This game turned out to be a lot closer than it should have been and the Lions were in with a shot of winning it until the very last minute. The Stormers gravitated towards their ineffective tight game plan, which took their talented backs out of the game. This suited the Lions to the T as their loose forwards were much more effective in this game than their highly regarded opponents. The Lions defended for all they were worth and proved that Duane Vermeulen can be tackled. If the Stormers continue to use this sterile game plan, they are sure to repeat the failures of the past. They have the backs to make a difference, but they are not being used effectively. Damian de Allende produced a fantastic performance despite the restrictive pattern of play.
The Lions are a team that takes pride in their attack minded game plan and it proved costly for them this weekend. They spurned two kickable penalties at the end of the game that would have given them the draw, but opted to go for the win. Their attacking mindset is admirable, but as the cliche goes Super Rugby is a marathon and not a sprint. Taking the two points available for a draw would have been a big boost before they departed on their five week tour of Australasia. The Stormers are now 2nd on the combined log and the Lions are in last place.
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