Jake White's new era Bulls taking shape as latest drubbing handed out
The two Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked matches that were played this weekend could not have been more different, with the Vodacom Bulls laying down a marker in Pretoria on Saturday, and the DHL Stormers sneaking through in Nelspruit on Friday.
The third match, between the Emirates Lions and Toyota Cheetahs that was scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on Saturday, was called off. If the fixture cannot be-rescheduled, both teams will take two log points.
As a result of the Vodacom Bulls’ dominant 41-14 victory over the Cell C Sharks at Loftus Versfeld, the men from Pretoria have shot to the top of the standings with 10 points from three games. The Toyota Cheetahs are second on nine points from their two games.
The DHL Stormers, who were behind on the scoreboard for more than 70 minutes against a plucky Phakisa Pumas outfit at the Mbombela Stadium on Friday evening but snuck a win with a flurry of converted tries at the end, occupy third spot on eight points.
The win for the Capetonians ensured that they remained one of only two unbeaten teams in the competition after the first three rounds of play. The other team is the Toyota Cheetahs.
DHL Stormers sneak last-gasp win in Nelspruit
The DHL Stormers earned a last-gasp 42-37 victory with two minutes to spare against the Phakisa Pumas in Nelspruit on Friday night in a gripping start to the weekend’s Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked action.
The Capetonians overturned a 30-14 halftime deficit to outscore the home side six tries to four at the Mbombela Stadium, earning their second victory in as many matches in the process.
The Phakisa Pumas showed their intent from the outset scoring three tries to the visitors’ two in the first stanza, and Neil Maritz’ second try after the break gave them a 23-point lead.
But this was not enough as the DHL Stormers scored 28 points in a brave second-half display, with Warrick Gelant’s late try earning them victory that seemed unlikely 20 minutes earlier.
Scorers:
Phakisa Pumas 37 (30) – Tries: Neil Maritz (2), Jeandré Rudolph, Wayne van der Bank. Conversions: Eddie Fouche (2), Neil Marais (2). Penalty goals: Eddie Fouche (3).
DHL Stormers 42 (14) – Tries: Rikus Pretorius, Herschel Jantjies, Neethling Fouche, Bongi Mbonambi, Leolin Zas, Warrick Gelant. Conversions: Tim Swiel (6).
Dominant pack sets up big win for Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria
With their pack in full cry, the Vodacom Bulls laid down a massive marker in Vodacom Super Rugby Unlocked when they beat the Cell C Sharks by 41-14 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday evening.
The home team led 17-9 at the break and outscored their visitors from Durban by six tries to one to set up an emphatic bonus point win to move to the top of the standings after the earlier match between the Emirates Lions and Toyota Cheetahs had been called off.
Vodacom Bulls captain and No 8 Duane Vermeulen brilliantly led the charge and his fellow forwards followed suit at Fortress Loftus, winning the collisions and set pieces, creating opportunities for their backs and keeping the Cell C Sharks on the back foot for most of the game.
Apart from a few early scrum penalties against the Vodacom Bulls, their pack grew in stature and gradually took control of the contest which laid the platform for an impressive victory.
Scorers: Vodacom Bulls 41 (17) – Tries: Stedman Gans (2), Marco van Staden (2), Marco Jansen van Vuren, Embrose Papier. Conversions: Morne Steyn (4). Penalty goal: Steyn.
Cell C Sharks 14 (9) – Try: Dylan Richardson. Penalty goals: Curwin Bosch (3).
Comments on RugbyPass
I guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
43 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
4 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
43 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
43 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
4 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
6 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments“While Sotutu should start at No.8 for the All Blacks against England, but it’s only in that arena that he can prove just how good he really is.” And that my friends is where simply hasnt shone despite multiple opportunities. Even in this performance you can see what did him in in the test arena..he almost always still runs at the opposition almost ramrod upright making him easier to stop than it should be.
6 Go to commentsShould have been 0-0 and a message from SR CEO to both teams - “don’t worry about turning up next year”.
4 Go to commentsGreat work Owen Franks. A great of this team, scoring his first try for the Crusaders since 2010.He was beaming, justifiably. A fine win, he and the rest did the job up front.
1 Go to commentsDanny Care. Lang in die tand.
1 Go to commentsBig empty stadium does nothing for atmosphere but munster are playing well with solid performance
1 Go to commentsYes, Fiji can win the World Cup! With that belief plus their christian faith🙏 and hard work it is achievable. Great article. Ian Duncan Fiji resident 1981-84
2 Go to commentsInteresting comments about Touch. England’s hosting the Touch World Cup this year and the numbers have exploded since their last World Cup in 2019, something like 70% more teams and 40 nations taking part. And England Touch have made a big thing about how many universities are in their BUCS University Touch Championship as well as Sport England membership. Can only see this growing even more domestically as more people become aware of it
10 Go to comments“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
4 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
4 Go to comments