Sanjay's Rugby World

The Spingboks started off their 2007 campaign with a confident recording breaking 58-10 win against a decimated English side in Bloemfontein. Whilst the Boks lacked the polish, and struggled a bit in the set pieces, one can see the confidence that comes from ending a super rugby campaign at the top of the log. To score 7 tries against a top international team while never really hitting your straps says a lot about the potential of this team. Once the set peices have more practice applied to them, and the attacking combinations have time to gel, the Springboks will be prime contenders come world cup time. The only concern is getting the best lineup on the field. Ricky Januarie took the right options but struggled in his execution too often. Danie Rossouw is simply not a number 8, and was too indecisive at the base of the scrum. He is better as an impact lock and should be fighting for a place with Johan Muller. This would allow either Spies or Skinstad to start with the other being on the bench. And while Butch James controlled the game well, the biggest concern for the Boks is what flyhalf do we want to play? However at this stage we simply need to improve the set pieces for Loftus next week and hammer the Poms by an even bigger score!

South Africa 58: Tries: Ashwin Willemse, Bryan Habana 2, Jean de Villiers, Frans Steyn, Schalk Burger, CJ van der Linde. Conversions: Percy Montgomery 7. Penalties: Montgomery 3
England 10: Try: James Simpson-Daniel. Conversion: Jonny Wilkinson. Penalty: Wilkinson.

In other international results the Wobblies required an injury time try after the siren to beat a Welsh team 29-23, that was missing 18 of their top players. While the Welsh can take heat, the Wobblies must be worried heading into the World Cup.

Australia 29: Tries: Wycliff Palu, Nathan Sharpe , Matt Giteau, Stephen Hoiles Conversion: Stirling Mortlock 3 Penalty: Mortlock
Wales 23: Tries: Gareth Thomas, Jamie Robinson Conversions: James Hook 2 Penalty: Hook 2. Drop goal: Hook

In Santa Fe, Felipe Contempomi struck a drop goal in the last minute to give Argentina a 22-20 win over Ireland.

Argentina 22: Try: Hernan Senillosa. Coversion: Felipe Contepomi. Penalties: Contepomi 4. Drop goal: Contepomi.
Ireland 20: Tries: Brian Carney, penalty try. Conversions:M Paddy Wallace 2. Penalties: Wallace, Gavan Duffy.

It has taken 12 seasons of yelling at the tv and players, numerous boxes of tissues and a lot of patience but finally we have done it!
After 81 frenetic minutes the Bulls emerged victorious at a packed out Shark tank in Durban. An unbeliveable atmosphere, and it went down to the wire. The Sharks made most of the early running, held the lead for most of the game and failed to seal the victory when they had their chances. But what character shown by the Bulls. They weathered the storms, scored a great try to Spies, and when they had to produce something special Habana stepped up! It is unfortunate there has to be a loser, but the winner was SA rugby.

Bulls 20: Tries by Pierre Spies and Bryan Habana. Derick Hougaard kicked two conversions and two penalties
Sharks 19: Tries by JP Pietersen and Albert van den Berg. Percy Montgomery kicked three penalties

Looking back over the season, the Sharks were certainly something special. They were ultra consistent, but as tough as their defence was, their attack never seemed to gel often enough. They showed against the Reds, and in parts against the Stomers and Blues what can happen when they hit their straps. I believe Dick Muir showed an error in judgement by not using Skinstad in the starting lineup instead opting for Kankowski. With multiple retirements looming the challenge will be whether the Sharks can stay at this level next year.

The Bulls meanwhile have had a completely different ride. After being thoroughly outplayed in their opening game in Durban 16 weeks ago, they then scraped a win against the Cheaters before losing to the Farce. With 1 win in 3 games, they were written off by most. But this team has character, behind the scenes they had been working hard since the beginning of the year. They stuck to their development plan and then had to achieve targets that had never been reached before. 3 wins overseas. 20 points from 4 home games. A win by 72 points to secure a home semi. Become the first team to beat the Crusaders in a semi. Win a final away from home. It is testament to their spirit, character, mental strength and coach Heyneke Meyer that the Bulls have overcome all the odds, and thoroughly deserve to be crowned Super rugby winners for 2007! Ek bly a Bull!

Now it’s on to the international season…Go the BOKS!

Semi Final 1: A Black out at the Shark tank!

The Blues came to Durban and enjoyed the dry conditions at Kings Park. They swung the ball around at every opportunity and were helped by a poor kicking game by the Sharks. But the Sharks made the most of the opportunities that came their way and built up a good lead. However 2 quick tries in the second half had the Sharks trailing, with the Blues playing the better rugby. With 20 minutes to go, the composure shown by the players and the introduction of our golden boy, Bobby Skinstad changed the course of the game and gradually the Sharks put the Blues away. To have won without playing the best rugby is a testment to the quality of this Sharks side, and shows how the depth in SA rugby has grown.

Sharks 34: Tries by Johann Muller, Butch James, Waylon Murray. Percy Montgomery kicked two conversions and four penalties and Butch James a dropped goal.
Blues 18: Tries by Rudi Wulf, Isa Nacewa. Nacewa kicked a conversion and two penalties

Semi Final 2: The darling of Loftus boots the Bulls to Durban!

Amidst a sea of Blue flags, the second semi at Loftus was not quite so open but was just as hard and just as exciting. The Bulls had the upper hand in the tight exchanges and simply outmuscled the Crusaders pack all around the field. The fact the Crusaders couldn’t get their running game going shows how dominant the Bulls were in disrupting them. the liefling of Loftus, Derick Hougaard controlled the game superbly with his boot and scored all 27 points. However the Bulls were unlucky not to score 2 tries when Gary Botha got close and a drive was held up. Quite deservedly the better team won. Some standout performances by Heini Adams, Hougaard and the defence of Habana deserve sepcial mention.

Bulls 27: Derick Hougaard kicked eight penalties and a dropped goal.
Crusaders 12: Daniel Carter kicked four penalties

Now it is to Durban for the big one…Sharks v Bulls. I believe that although the Sharks have been the more consistent, the Bulls deserve it more. The attitude of the players, and the belief with which they have taken their rugby to a new level is a reflection of the confidence and vision of the best coach in South Africa; Heyneke Meyer. Whilst the Sharks have shown similiar attributes, the Bulls just shade them in these key areas. Whilst I will be happy either way, this week “My bloed is blou!”

This was the most exciting week in the history of super rugby. Some major upsets with the Chiefs beating the Crusaders, the Blues did their job, the Worrytahs upset the Horrorcanes and the Brumbies finally beat the Islanders in Dunedin. And then in South Africa, dreams came true. 2 of the best games of rugby in a long time saw the South African dream prevail! Yahoo!
Sharks 45
Bulls 42
Crusaders 42
Blues 42
Brumbies 40
Chiefs 40
Farce 32
Horrorcanes 27
Islanders 27
Stormers 27
Cheaters 22
Lions 22
Worrytahs 21
Reds 11

Super 14 Log

Chiefs end Crusaders home record

The Chiefs produced a massive favour to the Sharks by beating the Crusaders 30-24 at Jade stadium. They ended a 26 match winning streak at home for the Crusaders which extended back to early in 2004. All the Crusaders had to do was win to ensurea top of the log finish, and a likely home final. Although they managed a last minute bonus point that was not enough to ensure home advantage. Although the Chiefs are a form team, it was again too little, too late.
2 teams that have had an awful finish to their seasons produced a typical drab South African derby, with the Cheaters finally winning 16-10 at Ellis park. The only highlight was seeing Ashwin Willemse making a return to top level rugby and scoring a try.

Lions 10: Try by Ashwin Willemse. Andre Pretorius kicked a penalty and Earl Rose a conversion.
Cheaters 16: Try by Eddie Fredericks. Willem de Waal kicked a conversion and two penalties and Bevin Fortuin a dropped goal

Sharks create history at Newlands

The Sharks overcame the biggest crowd in super rugby history of 51 000, which was just awesome for a team that had no playoff hopes, in beating the Stormers 36-10. In doing so the Sharks became the first South African team to top the log, and scored their first super rugby win at Newlands. This was a derby well worth watching. The skill level was high and the intensity fantastic. The passing and interplay of the Sharks at times was simply breathtaking. Although they make a few errors, they have shown they deserve top spot with their brilliant running rugby. It’s now time for a feeding frenzy on the Blues at the Sharkcage on saturday!

Sharks 36: Tries: Ryan Kankowski, Waylon Murray, Percy Montgomery, Francois Steyn and JP Pietersen; Conversions: Percy Montgomery 4; Penalty: Montgomery.
Stormers 10: Try: Peter Grant, Conversion: Peter Grant; Penalty: Peter Grant

Bulls murder the Queensland Reds

In a game that needed the Bulls to win by 72 points to secure 2nd spot, I always believe the could do it. After going behind 3-0 after 2 minutes the Bulls then responded like no team has ever done in Super rugby. Armed with a sea of the most passionate supporters in the world, the Bulls showed belief, courage and skill to score 92 unanswered points! This resulted in the biggest winning margin in Super rugby history. The tactical rugby was brilliant, helped by a Reds team that also came to the party by wanting to mix it up too. The most pleasing aspect was the fact that Heyneke Meyer had the belief to go for the win by 72 points, and his team will do anything for him. They are a family who stick together and do it for their fans. With that sort of attitude I believe the Bulls deserve a title victory fractionally more than the Sharks. Before that dream final happens they owe the Crusaders a good walloping!

Vodacom Bulls 92: Tries: Bryan Habana (2), Pedrie Wannenburg, Gary Botha, Wikus van Heerden (2), Wynand Olivier, Pierre Spies (2), Fourie du Preez, Derick Kuun (2), Jaco van der Westhuyzen. Conversions: Derick Hougaard (12), Morne Steyn. Penalty: Hougaard.
Reds 3: Penalty: Clinton Schifcofske

Crusaders 24: Tries by Ross Filipo and Richie McCaw. Stephen Brett kicked a conversion and four penalties.
Chiefs 30: Tries by Sitivini Sivivatu. Stephen Donald kicked a conversion and six penalties

Blues still in contention

The Blues beat the Farce 33-6 in Perth to end a 3 game losing streak. However it took a couple of lucky decisions including a try from a quick lineout where the wrong ball was used. The crucial bonus point may still come back to have a big influence on the competiton outcome.

Blues 33: Tries by Rudi Wulf, John Afoa, Kevin Mealamu and Tony Woodcock. Luke McAlister kicked two conversions and three penalties
Western Force 6: Matt Giteau kicked two penalties

Brumbies leapfrog Chiefs

The Brumbies scored a crucial try 3 minutes after the hooter to win with a bonus point in beating the Highlanders 29-10 in Dunedin. That was enough to leapfrog the Chiefs on points difference.

Brumbies 29: Tries: Julian Huxley, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock, Mark Chisholm; Conversions: Stirling Mortlock 2, Stephen Larkham; Penalty: Stirling Mortlock.
Highlanders 10: Try: Jason Kawua; Conversion: Nick Evans; Penalty: Nick Evans

Worrytahs cause another Kiwi loss

The Worrytahs, like the Brumbies scored a 38-14 win against another Kiwi team, this time the Horrorcanes. This must be causing Graham Henry a few headaches as his All Blacks have not been firing as he would want them to. Against a very average Worrytahs team too. Roll on the world cup.

Worrytahs 38: Tries by Dean Mumm, Lachlan Turner, Lote Tuqiri and Ben Jacobs. Peter Hewat kicked three conversions and four penalties
Horrorcanes 14: Tries by Jimmy Gopperth and Jerry Collins. Piri Weepu kicked two conversions.

Cheaters win the battle of the cats