There are days when you return from the office and ask yourself “how did that happen?”
That is what coach Naka Drotske will be asking himself after the Cheetahs lost their campaign opener at home to the returning Lions from Johannesburg.
With seven debutants in Bloemfontein the Lions arrived with little hope of scaring the Cheetahs who came off their best ever Super Rugby season, but with a simple plan and finding their discipline in the second half, the Lions kept themselves in the game by simply exploiting every ill disciplined action of the Cheetahs.
With two minutes remaining the Lions found themselves inside the Cheetah redzone and after a few phases Marnitz Boshoff calmly moved into the pocket for an attempted drop goal.
With 60 seconds remaining on the clock he slotted the perfect drop from roughly 35 metres out and put the Lions into a one point lead for the first time in the match since the opening minutes of the first half.
The Cheetahs scored two beautifully executed tries, one by winger Raymond Rhule after Willie le Roux countered from deep, he went through a number of players and with a well timed offload gave Rhule the space to run down the side to score.
The second try came after a few phases on attack with le Roux again involved, this time Cornal Hendricks finishing off in his debut game.
Luckless Goosen again left the field with an injury to his left elbow, hopefully this will not be serious enough to hamper his season.
The Cheetahs started the match with little regard for earning the right to go wide and the Lions did their part in making the game an entertaining season opener, although the Lions never really looked like scoring a try, it wasn’t for the lack of trying, and the Cheetah defence held.
This result was reminiscent of previous season for the Cheetahs, matches they should never have lost, they somehow managed to lose.
If the Cheetahs versus Lions was an entertaining season opener, then the Sharks versus Bulls was an intensity filled 80 minutes, The Bulls with their kick and chase game had the Sharks under pressure a number of times, but it was the Sharks who scored the first try.
Just inside the Bulls half, the Sharks won a line out, Lambie attacking the line, found the space to put Mvovo through, he ran 30 metres before timing his pass perfectly to Paul Jordaan who crossed over.
This match saw the welcome return of a number of long injured players, for the Sharks Pieter-Steph du Toit, Anton Bresler and Paul Jordaan, the Bulls saw the return of Pierre Spies and Francois Hougaard.
The Sharks might count themselves lucky with their second try, Anton Bresler putting pressure on Paul Willemse somehow managed to knock the ball out of his hands in a line out without it being deemed forward, the tap back by Spies landed securely in Hougaard’s hands, but under pressure his pass was intercepted by Cobus Reinach who only had to run a few metres for his try.
At this stage the Sharks were leading by 13-6.
On the stroke of halftime, a comedy of errors provided the Sharks with an attacking opportunity inside the Bulls red zone, a well executed cross kick by Frans Steyn put Ndungane over in the corner and the Sharks into a 23-9 lead.
For much of the second quarter of the first half, the Bulls were in the ascendancy, however the predictable pattern of their forward play made the defensive efforts of the Sharks a lot easier than it should have been.
The second half turned into a wrestling match with the Sharks showing some sublime offloading skills at times, but it was the Bulls after 71 minutes of mauling who eventually scored the first try of the second half.
It is a shame really when you consider some of the talent they possess in their back line, Jan Serfontein and JJ Engelbrecht hardly getting the opportunity to play with ball in hand.
It took the Sharks 83 minutes before they scored their bonus point try, the final score 31-16.
Of the South African teams on display this weekend, the Sharks have given notice, their forward pack is looking solid in the set phases, their intensity at the ruck, be it counter rucking or turning ball over looks superior, and their back line showed a lot of skill and pace, Jake White will be a satisfied man.
For the Bulls, Victor Matfield’s return was mixed, at times he looked like a rabbit in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle, his line out work solid, but Frans Ludeke’s men need to move into the 21st century, their forward pack may be big, strong and well drilled, but predictability is not going to win the Super Rugby trophy.
The Cheetahs will be disappointed, they lost a match that they never looked like losing, but the Lions kept themselves in the game with not missing a single penalty kick, and the Cheetahs will rue their missed chances.
Overall a satisfying start to the Super Rugby season.
Franco has been called up by Meyer a few times, but as yet have not actually played for the Boks
Depends whether I am sitting in a Jazz Bar or sitting in the Wimpy. :D
felix
Guest
Yes Biltong Sharks for me attack very differently to the Cheetahs. Cheetahs = Smoothie Sharks = Cocktail Which do you prefer?
felix
Guest
Has Franco ever played for the boks,if so against which team,did he play well,youtube link if you know,he doesnt look too big but is better than Spies. Spies should of left ages ago for europe,could it be that no team is interested in the "ruck inspector"?,no future in bok colours = I hope he proves me wrong and starts to use some of that lean muscle :-)
Ha, wasn't watching Jake that closely, but I agree Beast looked fitter, ge had that one burst of speed down the sideline and almost got away, I thought he showed some previously not seen pace there. What really impressed me about th Sharks was the willingness to offload and the linking of the forwards and backs in close quarters. They looked like a team intent on keeping the ball alive.
AussiKiwi
Guest
BB, I thought 'The Beast' Mtawarira for the Sharks looked like had lost weight and was sharper and faster than previously. Am I imagining that? And what was with the weird close up footage of Jake White, he looked like some weird burrowing animal poking his head up as seen through an infrared camera!!!
You're referring to SP marais Felix. If you remember he played for the Kings last year, I think he has some potential, looks quite safe under the high ball, I remember from last season that he has good pace and a decent boot. He is certainly no Louis Ludick who I think has been a great player for the Sharks, but when you look at the talent in the Sharks Backline I think he will do well. I don't rate Kanko, he has skills but he is lightweight and he doesn't stand up well in the tackle, similar to Spies in my view. I don't think Kanko nor Spies will threaten Vermeulen's position at the Boks.
felix
Guest
Biltong how do you rate the Sharks fullback,I've forgot his name but I think he is solid,are the Sharks going to play the Crusaders or Chiefs anytime soon: Kanko vs Read,Kanko wins that he could be a bok,we need pace at 8 is my opinion,"Mr Universe" from Loftus is a sponge,Kanko showed him vs Bulls. Lambie vs Cruden,should be a defining match as to whether Lambie starts for the boks? The scrums Beast and especially Jannie,how those 2 perform vs elite props like the Frank's. Alberts vs Messam,if he cant touch him at super rugby level there is no ways he'll touch him in AB colours. A bit long but yeah haha :-)
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Oh and i'm more then prepared to put money up for anyone who wants to back up that prediction with more then just hot air.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I have been reading your comments for awhile now and it seems to me like you are a semi troll. You know your rugby , yet on the other hand a lot of your comments are intended to turn debates into arguments, which you quickly turn personal. You continue to randomly post your smart little comments below those members posts who you disagree with to try and aggravate them into responding to you again, so you can get your fix. If you can't handle it when someone returns the favor you may want to consider what you post in future. I laugh at your comment because you have nothing to base it on, nothing for the past few years and even further if you rule out the 2nd string All Black side that was sent to South Africa. When people made the comment about Beale being a potential wing prospect, you ridiculed them for having nothing to base it on, well who is the hypocrite now? I recall you saying Beale was only going to play 15 or 10. Where is Beale playing this weekend Tane? or do you only remember what everyone else says. I agree that the Springboks are developing some very good young talent, but it gets a bit tiring listening to how the All Blacks are going to be beaten again and again with the same results. Is it not embarrassing? i mean getting the same thing wrong over and over and over. To me Tane, that's being a little bit silly.
The exciting thing as you look at our midfield. We now have 3 inside centres worth their salt, Frans Steyn, Jean de Villiers and Jan Serfontein, match them with any of Jaque Fourie, Paul Jordaan or JJ englebrecht, but the most exciting one of all a the new youngster at the Sharks Andre Esterhuizen. This kid is 19, he weighs a tad over 100KG and is 1.9 meters tall. He has very good skills and impressed me in the sharks warm up match vs the Saracens.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Yep biltong. I think the only centre who coudnt/shouldn't maybe be associated with Jordaan was Robert Ebersohn as these 2 would probably have been too light at international level. But with Ebersohn gone and Franz Steyn back, Jordaan can easily be associated with JdV, Steyn or even Serfontein later on. I really, really hope he has a full SR season to show what he can do against aussies and kiwis both in attack and defence.
I tend to agree NOS, Jordaan hasn't been a liability on defence, and his ability to change pace or step makes him a bigger benefit on attack than he would be a liability in defence.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Mr G and Elisha, am not sure Jordaan's size is 'that' much of an issue. I think if he is associated with a 100kgs+ bull he will do fine. Is he much smaller than Conrad Smith (paired with Nonu) or Fofana (paired with Bastareaud or Fritz)? Not sure. With Frans Steyn or JdV inside I reckon a 90kgs centre with great pace and footwork can be a great solution. I really think he can give another dimension to the sharks and later Boks attacking game. Wing is also an option.
I thought Lambie played well, e wasn't too deep and attacked the line well, managing to draw defenders, his defene was good, and his tactical kicking sound. However his goal kicking was disappointing.
Mr.G
Roar Rookie
Jordaan's size is an issue as you said. Pacy player (can play wing too), suffered cruciate ligament damage last season. Hopefully doesn't affect him much in the future. That being said, if Jake succeeds in his "increase pace" program, watch out for Andre Esterhuizen in the future. Big, powerful lad (check out his game against Saracens), but considered to be a little slow for 13. For Jake, a big good player is always better than a small good player ;) Cheetahs effed up my Superbru badly. #$%^ Re Cobus Reinach, had a very good game in trying conditions against the Bulls, but don't feel he's ready for international rugby yet. Not really suited to a kick and control game against high quality opposition(Neither is Hougaard for that matter). Charl McLeod plays the kick and control game better than Cobus, but he's never shown real consistent form that would lead to a prolonged international run. Heyneke will have FDP and Ruan only for RWC 2015.
Redsfan1
Guest
The look of sheer horror on Straaus' face as the final whistle blew must have been felt by all Cheetahs fans. Sometimes rugby isn't fair!
rl
Guest
BB, after your excellent piece late last week I should have been convinced to tip against the Cheetahs... but for some reason they lured me in again! I only managed to see highlights packages, so I'm interested to know how the always-promising Lambie played.
Harry Jones
Guest
Yes! It's better than the newspaper What did you think about F van der Merwe for the Lions? I thought he played like a Bok
Yousef Teclab
Roar Guru
The Lions were really good. Showed great tenacity and never gave up. Boshoff was brilliant and the Lions know they have a player who will kick most of his goals presented to him. When you have that then you are always in with a chance. The Lions doing well will put pressure on the Force and Rebels to perform well this season.