What a performance from the Kings again in Round 10. A 44-3 victory against the Rebels will definitely boost the Eastern Provence side’s confidence.
This side certainly aren’t making it easy for the guys making the decision on which two South Africa sides get the boot in 2018.
One might think that the bye in Round 11 will be a well-deserved rest but I reckon this side would want to build on to their confidence and momentum right away.
Although I have been praising this Eastern Provence side for the past three weeks I sadly believe their winning streak has come to an end in Round 10.
I believe the bye in Round 11 will stop their momentum with facing the Sharks in Round 12, the Brumbies in Round 13 and the Lions in Round 14.
I can’t help to think that if it wasn’t for the bye in Round 11 they surely would have had a chance against the inconsistent Sharks as well as the struggling Brumbies on home soil.
We will have to wait and see if they truly will rise to the occasion. Moving on to the other two South African teams facing the boot in 2018 – the Bulls and the Cheetahs – they also have two very tough hills to climb.
They both will be facing New Zealand sides in Round 11 and I don’t see either of them adding any points to the log.
Although the Bulls have been going through a tough time the last four years in the Super Rugby competition, I don’t think any South African fan would have thought that they will be on the list to get the boot in this competition.
But after the announcement of the new format in 2018 that is unfortunately a sad reality to face. Hopefully uncle Nollis will have a plan to get the Pretoria side out of the danger zone.
Moving on to the rest of the action that took place in Round 10. It seems that the Stormers left all ambition behind when they left for New Zealand two week ago.
With two big back to back defeats against the Crusaders and the Highlanders the Cape Town side will have a tough time coming back from that with yet another big clash against the Hurricanes coming up in Round 11.
I don’t see them adding any more points to the log either. The Lions are the only team who will have a chance in putting some points on when they will be facing the Rebels in Round 11.
The Sunwolves definitely put on a good show against the Chiefs in Hamilton by only losing with 7 points.
I am sure the howling wolves will take that defeat with a lot of pride. That was impressive. The Reds and Waratahs game was not that good as expected.
I suppose it was as good as it could have been between two struggling Australian sides. The Waratahs managed to finish on top. But there is still a lot of work to be done for all Australian sides to be worthy contenders in the playoffs.
The Lions showed once again that they are the best South African side in the competition and that they want nothing to do with deciding which South African team will get the boot in 2018.
They are making it a little bit easier for the guys around the table by playing good entertaining rugby every weekend.
The Cheetahs once again were on the losing side against the undefeated Crusaders. We are yet to see which team will stop the Crusaders in their track this season.
I cannot see that it will be the Bulls at Loftus.
The Sharks surprised me against the Jaguares. But then again one could have expected this with the inconsistent rugby this side has been playing this year.
The Blues’ victory over the Brumbies blew the race in the Australian conference wide open.
If the Waratahs can manage to get their act together this week against the Blues I am afraid the leading Brumbies will be in danger.
I am looking forward to see where this competition is going before the June Internationals break.
For those of you who’s playing SuperBru, happy pickings and enjoy the buildup to Round 11.
likkewaan
Guest
There have been many plans put forward for development on the land, amongst an International Convention Centre, a 5 star Hotel, etc. but with the past ANC burocracy, there was a lot of dragging feet. You are right in saying that it's prime real estate, so hopefully with the new DA local government, this will be fast tracked as this site is currently a cest pool for vagrants.
Hannes Lubbe
Roar Rookie
I agree 100% with you, davSA... But the new format was announced and a relegation is inevitable... We can only sit back to see who will get the axe... I truly hope that it will be a fair decision.
davSA
Guest
Forget the Stormers , The Bulls supporters are the most fanatic and loyal out of all . It seems inconceivable that they will be cut. The fact that for some years now they have been imo inexcusably poor.This should not exclude them from the tournament . ....But in the same vein The Kings because of the political trash brought on by Watson and the SA Government should also not exclude a once proud Province from representation. 1. The Bulls have to introspect re the coach and the kind of Rugby they wish to play going forward. 2. The Kings need to put distance between themselves and their sordid recent past ( Crous is already putting structures and plans in place . he impresses me ) and run the Franchise in a professional manner. There must be place for both ( and the Cheetahs ) at the table.
Hannes Lubbe
Roar Rookie
I like it!!!!
davSA
Guest
Had a look . Phew , so many of my Rugby memories amongst those ruins. Weird that they cannot sell off the property to real Estate developers . Its prime residential area .. I know it belongs to the Municipality , but the DA has usurped the ANC in P.E .... Hope this becomes a priority.
Hannes Lubbe
Roar Rookie
Dear Loftus... Firstly... I am a very proud Bull supporter...FYI... But likkewaan is right... Their rugby is light years away from being powerhouse... Secondly... I do not choose the Kings over the Bulls. I am simply praising the type of rugby they are playing. Even though they are not facing the NZ teams you cannot deny the fact that they are playing good rugby at the moment. Stop being a typical "Bull supporter" and take of your eye patches... There are 17 other teams in this competition and a true fan of rugby will be able to appreciate the other team's talents and accomplishments... Even if your team is on the losing end or just simply 'suck" at the moment.... But with a profile name like "Loftus" I cannot really expect much... Face facts, Loftus...
likkewaan
Guest
A link to what the "Old Boet Erasmus Stadium" looks like today. So sad!! http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/So-sad-Boet-Erasmus-in-ruin-20131106
davSA
Guest
Brutal Game that . Lots of off the ball stuff. The Stadium was closed down years ago.
davSA
Guest
Thanks for seeing me right on that Likkewaan . I left P.E 2 years ago . Chippa Utd is a relatively new entry into Premier League . I Don't follow too much soccer but one of my staff members confirmed your statement for me. I still is interesting that after all this time the city has struggled to establish a premier League team . Incidentally they are in the relegation zone so I may be correct later this year.
likkewaan
Guest
The "powerhouse" Bulls may have influence in SA Rugby, but their rugby is nowhere at powerhouse level. I would rather watch the Kings play exciting rugby and loose and watch the Bulls play stampkar rugby and loose.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
He obviously don’t know how much power the Bulls have in SA rugby. Ja, that is so true...enormous power and influence !
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
'Incidentally do you know that P.E is the only major SA city without a premier league soccer team … Reason being Rugby and Cricket may well supercede it in support … Very unique.' Did not know that...very interesting. Was only once in PE...Br Lions in 1974 at Boet Erasmus....probably not called that any more ?
Loftus
Guest
So, then, no, they aren't. Firstly, they can't decide, halfway into the tournament, that performance in this year's S18 is the criteria. Should have said it at the start of the season. Secondly, some SA teams are playing the unbeatable NZ teams, while others, like the Kings, are playing the pathetic Aussie teams. Kings couldn' t pay their players' salaries and had to be bailed out by SARU, and now according to some, the powerhouse Bulls should face the chop? Haha. The Kings represent all that is wrong in our country. Taking handouts from the government with zero accountability. This writer wish to think that the Bulls will get kicked out in place of the sorry Kings, but it's only in his mind. He obviously don't know how much power the Bulls have in SA rugby.
likkewaan
Guest
DavSA..I speak under correction but Chippa United or the Chillie Boys, as they are known, is a Premier Football Team from PE.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Ditto, if only to hear the commentators say MmmmPeepee Their backline didn't damage the rebels as badly as the Reds, Tah's and Force but they did it up front instead. Certainly a young team in growth with loads of potential. Sound familiar to force fans?
cuw
Guest
Bosch in Junior Springbok squad Junior Bok squad for U20 World Championship: Juarno Augustus (Western Province), Kwenzo Blose (Free State Cheetahs), Curwin Bosch (Sharks), David Brits (Western Province), Jean-Luc Cilliers (Golden Lions), Zain Davids (Western Province), Francois de Villiers (Sharks), Stedman Gans (Blue Bulls), Johan Grobbelaar (vice-captain, Blue Bulls), Wikus Groenewald (Western Province), Daniel Jooste (Western Province), Rewan Kruger (Free State Cheetahs), Manie Libbok (Blue Bulls), Gianni Lombard (Golden Lions), Len Massyn (Golden Lions), Lee-Marvin Mazibuko (Western Province), Salmaan Moerat (Western Province), Reinhard Nothnagel (Golden Lions), Embrose Papier (Blue Bulls), Yaw Penxe (EP Kings), Carlu Sadie (Western Province), Wandisile Simelane (Golden Lions), Hendre Stassen (Blue Bulls), Gerhard Steenekamp (Blue Bulls), Ruben van Heerden (Blue Bulls), Damian Willemse (Western Province), Nama Xaba (Western Province), Ersnt van Ryhn (captain, Western Province)
Comment in moderation
cuw
Guest
tnkx for that , coz i have no idea about the way things are in SA. but then again look a the IPL. there are teams like DELHI or BANGALORE , who are more or less out of the final round but still the crowds come to support them. those peeps can easily stay away for the next 3 or 4 games (as their team will not progress) but they just keep coming in tens of thousands ..... one problem i see with both SA and auzzy in rugger is this tribalism , where people think of themselves as a state or a province or a district and reject everything outside of it. they have not embraced the principle of franchises - that a franchise is not a city. the crusaders are not canterbury , the blues are not auckland, etc. its like the hunger games .....
davSA
Guest
I hear you Cuw . However if one looks at the whole history of the Kings in the comp right from when they played in the Super 12 as Eastern Province and in those days SA sides inclusion was based on Currie Cup outcomes , they were very well supported . I in fact attended a Game vs Queensland Reds the eventual winners that year and the stadium was at capacity . When they reappeared in the tournament the support was very good. . From the beginning of last season the political interference , mismanagement and inevitably poor on field results led to what is probably an unofficial , ad hoc boycott of them by the P.E folk. They are not stupid and wanted no part of the debacle. It does take more than just a few good games to convince them I'm afraid but at least it certainly appears as if The Kings have turned a corner or even one could say done a U turn. I lived in P.E for 25 years and can vouch 100% for the support and love of the game of Rugby in that region. It would be very sad to see them go now , if of course that were to happen as I fear this time there may be no coming back and an entire region of 5 million people will be denied a side to support .... Incidentally do you know that P.E is the only major SA city without a premier league soccer team ... Reason being Rugby and Cricket may well supercede it in support ... Very unique.
likkewaan
Guest
The Sharks style of play is not far from what the Bulls is dishing up at the moment.