It wasn’t pretty, but the Bulls showed plenty of courage and determination to come back and snatch a 25-23 victory over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday night.

In 2010 the Bulls were ambushed by the Cheetahs and fell behind to an early try by Jongi Nokwe. Tonight the suffered a similar sstart, which was the result of poor handling, a trait that affected their entire first half performance.

Thankfully they only conceeded 3 points, and were then able to earn a lead thanks to a penalty and a Bakkies Botha try. However whilst they looked once in the Cheetahs 22, it was a struggle to get there as they gave up possession too easily and frequently with poor handling and indecisive running.

The early loss of Juan Smith who was under an injury cloud all week was a major setback for the Cheetahs, but he’d be proud of the commitment shown by his side.

The Cheetahs were able to disrupt the Bulls pattern by scrapping for everything, and consequently the Bulls were not able to implement their normal kick chase game, or bring Kirchner into the attack. It limited their opportunities, and gave the Cheetahs their own opportunities.

On attack for the Bulls, if Wynand Olivier struggles to get over the advantage line, the Bulls struggle to get going forward with their wider excursions. The loose trio play well as individuals, but have struggled to combine well as a unit so far this year.

It was only the wayward goal kicking of the normally reliant Naas Olivier that kept the Bulls in the game, and only 3 points behind at half-time.

SECOND HALF FIGHTBACK

The second half saw a much better performance from the Bulls, in direct contrast to their first game against the Lions.

Unfortunately it was the Cheetahs who took advantage of their opportunities however, slightly against the run of play, to score tries through Robert Ebersohn and Ashley Johnson that opened a 15 point lead.

As with 2010 however, the Bulls showed great composure to fight back. The introduction of Danie Rossouw and Flip van der Merwe helped, as both were strong ball carriers who also offloaded well. Once they got the Bulls going forward and shored up the scrums, the Bulls had a nice attacking platform to operate from.

A yellow card to Wilhelm Steenkamp helpeed the Bulls, and the opportunities were starting to present itself as the 14 men and constant Bulls pressure meant that tackles were starting to fall off for tthe Cheetahs.

The Bulls did grass at least good 2-3 try scoring opportunities, but in the end the constant pressure created 2 second half tries which were enough to seal it for the Bulls.

After the match Victor Matfield admitted he was happy to take anoither ugly win over a pretty loss any day, and was happy his side showed the necessary composure to come bac and win.

FRUSTRATION WITH CRAIG JOUBERT

Referee Craig Joubert is not the Bulls favourite referee! He was the man in the middle when the Bulls lost to both the Blues and Reds last year, matches when captain Victor Matfield got frustrated with his officiating.

He did ref the Super 14 final, a match where he favoured the Bulls, much to the Stormers discontent.

It was a similar situation again for the Bulls on Friday night, as I thought he handled the breakdown poorly, which was messy, and inconsistent in the rulings. Victor Matfield was once again frustrated with Joubert, and even the normally placcid Fourie du Preez was reprimanded by Joubert.

I’m not sure why he is rated so highly, as I don’t think he can handle the most important area of the match (the rucks), an area that often determines the outcome of matches. Let’s just hope he doesn’t have to ref the Bulls much more this season!

Match Stats

Bulls Player Ratings

Stats from the Bulls 25-23 victory over the Frees State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday night.

Bulls 25
Tries: Bakkies Botha, Danie Rossouw, Fourie du Preez
Conversions: Morne Steyn (2)
Penalties: Morne Steyn (2)

Cheetahs 23
Tries: Andries Strauss, Robert Ebersohn, Ashley Johnson
Conversion: Naas Olivier
Penalties: Naas Olivier (2)

Half-time: Bulls 8 Cheetahs 11

The Bulls take on the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on Friday night in their second round Super Rugby encounter.

The Cheetahs played extremely poorly in their opening match against the Sharks, mixing the wrong tactics with poor execution, and were just lucky the Sharks were too inept to punish them.

The Bulls gave a glimpse of what they are capable of against the Lions, before going running out of puff for the second half and struggling to regain any momentum against a buoyant Lions side.

TEAM SELECTION

The Bulls have made 2 changes to their side, with injury forcing the inclusion of Chiliboy Ralepelle for Gary Botha, and Jaco Pretorius recovering from his back strain to take his place in midfield.

The departure of Botha means that Derick Kuun returns to cover the hooking role, and interestingly Frans Ludeke has picked both his Springbok reserve locks on the bench, with no genuine loose forward cover.

The Cheetahs will be so glad to have captain Juan Smith back. He makes a massive difference, but does not have a lot of experienced, proven performers in his side to back him up. One has to feel for Smith, for it’s a job to large for one man to do.

CHANCE FOR CHILIBOY

Chiliboy Ralepelle should get a few matches to prove his worth at hooker given the AC joint injury to Gary Botha.

Due to injury and opportunities, it will only be the fifth time the 25-year-old hooker has been in the starting line-up, and his first since 11 April 2009 against the Waratahs. Ralepelle needs some solid performances to silence his critics, and prove his worth.

Coach Frans Ludeke, said he is a well respected member of his squad.

“Chili has been part of our squad for a long time and is highly rated. It’s a pity that the rest of the country could not see the best of him because of all his injuries, but we know what we have in him. He is good enough to start games for the Bulls.

MILESTONES

The Bulls have lost just 1 of their past 26 games on SA soil, and lost only once against South African opposition in 18 matches!

PREDICTION

There may be some initial resistance if the Cheetahs start well, but I’m expecting the same precision the Bulls showed in the first half against the Lions, but for a longer period of time.

That spells danger for the Cheetahs, who looked disjointed against the Sharks on attack. Juan Smith can get them going forward, and lead from the front, and against a strong Bulls defence, they’ll back themselves to defend a fairly innocuous attack.

Away from home the Bulls will happy just to get a win, but they should be able to do so with a bonus point.

Bulls by 12.

Go Bulle Go!

Vodacom Bulls:

1. Gurtho Steenkamp
2. Chiliboy Ralepelle
3. Werner Kruger
4. Bakkies Botha
5. Victor Matfield (c)
6. Deon Stegmann
7. Dewald Potgieter
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fourie du Preez
10. Morne Steyn
11. Bjorn Basson
12. Wynand Olivier
13. Jaco Pretorius
14. Gerhard van den Heever
15. Zane Kirchner

16. Derick Kuun
17. Rossouw de Klerk
18. Flip van der Merwe
19. Danie Rossouw
20. Ruan Snyman
21. Francois Brummer
22. Stephan Dippenaar

Cheetahs:

1. Coenie Ooshuizen
2. Rayno Barnes
3. WP Nel
4. Waltie Vermeulen
5. Wilhelm Steenkamp
6. Frans Viljoen
7. Juan Smith (c)
8. Kabamba Floors
9. Sarel Pretorius
10. Naas Olivier
11. Ryno Benjamin
12. Andries Strauss
13. Robert Ebersohn
14. Philip Burger
15. Hennie Daniller

16. Skipper Badenhorst
17. Kobus Calldo
18. Francois Uys
19. Ashley Johnson
20. Tewis de Bruyn
21. Sias Ebersohn
22. Riaan Viljoen

Previous Super 14 results:

2006: Bulls 30, Cheetahs 18 (Bloemfontein)
2007: Bulls 24, Cheetahs 20 (Pretoria)
2008: Bulls 60, Cheetahs 20 (Bloemfontein)
2009: Bulls 29, Cheetahs 20 (Pretoria)
2010: Bulls 51, Cheetahs 34 (Bloemfontein)

Can the Cheetahs break their bogey against the Aussies and Kiwis to become competitive in Super Rugby?

The Cheetahs remain the enigma of Super Rugby.

They’ve proven year after year, they breed oodles of rugby talent in the Free State area, and are always competitive in the Currie Cup. But once they tackle the Aussie and Kiwis in Super Rugby, they can’t handle the heat for some unknown reason.

The draw for them is tough in 2011. They face South Africa’s best 3 sides in the Sharks, Bulls and Stormers in their first 3 games. This is followed by a must win match at home against the Lions before going on tour.

For the Cheetahs to fare better, they will have to break their jinx on the road. Playing the Waratahs, Reds, Blues and Highlanders, they need to win at least 2 of those matches.

This gives them 4 winnable games back in South Africa (with 3 at home), before facing South Africa’s top 3 once more.

Most people wouldn’t expect the Cheetahs to seriously challenge for a play-off spot, but I still feel they might surprise in their opening fixture against the Sharks. Anothre upset against either the Bulls or Stormers, and you never know where this Cheetahs side could finish.

However their trip overseas will make or break their season. And they’ll need Juan Smith and Heinrich Brussouw to stay fit the entire season.

Cheetahs Super Rugby Draw 2011

A nine try try fest between the Bulls and Cheetahs showed the new law interpretations will change the game this season.

Whilst I’m not convinced the law interpretation at the breakdown is good for the game, with attacking sides able to monopolise possession and the poor defending side struggling to get hold of the ball, the attitude from the Bulls and Cheetahs was awesome.

At the post match interview both Cheetahs captain Juan Smith and Bulls Captain Victor Matfield said how awesome the new law interpretations are for the fans and running the ball.

“Look, give the Cheetahs credit, they had a go at us tonight and they are a very good side who shouldn’t be written off easily. For us the bonus point away from home with the victory is unbelievable valuable”  said Bulls captain Matfield.

In 2008, the Bulls in particular did not want to adapt to the ELV’s and got left behind. South Africa has some amazing talent out wide, and with the right attitude we can embrace the law changes and make use of these talents.

Cheetahs coach Naka Drotske lamented the poor showing from his side, and was not pleased with his side’s effort.

“We didn’t tackle well tonight. Its unacceptable. We also let a few soft tries in and the guys slip the defensive line too easily. We will have to go back and work harder. Our one-on-one defence wasn’t good enough for three of the Bulls tries” said Drotske.

I felt the Cheetahs did not utilise their talent out wide enough. Lionel Mapoe and Jongi Nokwe look dangerous every time they got the ball, which was usually only from broken play. For the Cheetahs to succeed they’ll need to take more risks, and get their wingers into space.

The Bulls showed they have the players, the confidence and the right attitude to repeat last season’s success. With Morne Steyn ever dependable they have all the tools to keep the scoreboard flowing, and 50 points in their first encounter will give them great confidence.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

The Bulls beat the Cheetahs 51-34 in an action packed night in Bloemfontein.

The Cheetahs made the perfect start, a great chase to the kick-off from Jongi Nokwe resulting in the Cheetahs finding space out wide for speedster Lionel Mapoe. Nevermind I thought ref Jonathan Kaplan missed a blatant knock on from Nokwe.

This is a champion Bulls side however, and there is never any panic in the ranks. It was simply get the game plan going, hold the ball through a few phases and let the points accumulate.

The first half was reasonably even in the opening exchanges, with both sides carrying the ball through the phases well and looking to go wide once they had crossed the advantage line.

The Bulls produced some great backline touches, and worked the space beautifully for Jaco Pretorius to score his first try in Super rugby for the Bulls.

Jongi Nokwe then showed his awesome acceleration from a standing start, and it was only a brilliant desperate tackle from Deon Stegmann that prevented the try. It could have been a defining moment in the match.

Morne Steyn then stepped his way beautifully through the Cheetahs defence at the other end of the field and the Bulls had started to pull ahead.

At half-time the Bulls had a handy 23-14 lead.

A penalty just after half-time brought the Cheetahs within 6 points, before the Bulls blew the Cheetahs away with 2 magic tries.

First Wynand Olivier burst through some weak tackles to put Gerhard van den Heever away down the left flank, and then Danie Rousouw produced the deftest left footed chip kick to put Zane Kirchner away for a magical try. It shows the confidence and range of skills exhibited by the Bulls forwards and is a great sign for the remainder of the season.

To the Cheetahs credit however, they came back with two tries of their own to put the Bulls under great pressure. With the gap reduced to 6 again, it was anybody’s game.

The Bulls showed why they are defending champions as their composure and execution sealed the game quite comfortably in the final quarter.

This was not after one of the most dramatic moments on a rugby field however. The lights in Bloemfontein went out, resulting in a delay and the match being completed with semi-darkness on one side of the field.

In the end a 6 try to 3 victory was quite comprehensive, and the Bulls showed they will be a major force again this year. They are the first team to pick up the 4 try bonus point, and appear to have embraced the new law interpretations.

Interestingly the Cheetahs much vaunted scrum was made to look ordinary by the Bulls who have worked hard with Balie Swart in the off-season. The signs look great for the Bulls, and I expect the Cheetahs to get better, but they may still struggle to get many wins!

Cheetahs 34
Tries: Lionel Mapoe, Jongi Nokwe, Juan Smith
Coversions: Naas Olivier (2)
Penalties: Olivier (5)

Bulls 51
Tries: Jaco Pretorius, Morne Steyn, Zane Kirchner, Gerhard van den Heever, Wynand Olivier, Penalty Try
Conversions: Morne Steyn (5), Jacques-Louis Potgieter
Penalties: Steyn (3)

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

A rematch of the Currie Cup final starts the Super 14 season in South Africa.

Whilst games between these sides are always tough and often close affairs, the Cheetahs have yet to beat the Bulls in Super 14 rugby.

The Bulls are the more experienced, battle hardened side. Gary Botha has the distinction of playing his 50th Super rugby game for the Bulls and experience such as that should see the Bulls get home.

There is no doubt the Cheetahs have a tough pack, and pace out on the wings. However it’s the lack of a general at flyhalf that may stop them getting the momentum they need. Riaan Viljoen should be able to use his long boot to drive the Bulls back into their own half, but this Bulls side has got all the ammunition it needs to play whatever style it needs to.

The Bulls may be slightly rusty after little match practice, and the Cheetahs best bet may be to start strong and try to mount the pressure on the defending champs.

In the end the match may come down to goal kicking, and in Morne Steyn the Bulls have a match winner, whilst Naas Olivier can have his off days.

John Mametsa is a late replacement for Francois Hougaard who couldn’t complete the captains run, but Mametsa can do the job and has a high work-rate.

I’m fairly confident of a Bulls victory, but in Bloemfontein, anything can happen!

Vodacom Bulls:

1. Gurtho Steenkamp
2. Gary Botha
3. Werner Kruger
4. Danie Rousouw
5. Victor Matfield (c)
6. Deon Stegmaan
7. Pedrie Wannenburg
8. Pierre Spies
9. Fourie du Preez
10. Morne Steyn
11. John Mametsa
12. Wynand Olivier
13. Jaco Pretorius
14. Gerhard van den Heever
15. Zane Kirchner

16. Bandise Maku
17. Bees Roux
18. Flip vd Merwe
19. Derick Kuün
20. Heini Adams
21. Jacques-Louis Potgieter
22. Stephan Dippenaar

Vodacom Cheetahs:

1. Wian du Preez
2. Adriaan Strauss
3. WP Nel
4. Nico Breedt
5. David de Villiers
6. Heinrich Brussow
7. Juan Smith (c)
8. Ashley Johnson
9. Tewis de Bruyn
10. Naas Olivier
11. Jongi Nokwe
12. Meyer Bosman
13. Corne Uys
14. Lionel Mapoe
15. Riaan Viljoen

16. Ryno Barnes
17. Coenie Oosthuizen
18. Waltie Vermeulen
19. Frans Viljoen
20. Sarel Pretorius
21. Sias Ebersohn
22. Danwel Demas

Referee: Jonathan Kaplan

Previous Super 14 results:

2006: Bulls 30, Cheetahs 18 (Bloemfontein)
2007: Bulls 24, Cheetahs 20 (Pretoria)
2008:Bulls 60, Cheetahs 20 (Bloemfontein)
2009: Bulls 29, Cheetahs 20 (Pretoria)

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

The Cheetahs

In my opinion they should be replaced by the Southern Kings. However, they are one of the teams in this year’s Super 14, and my favourite for last position.

Whilst they perform well in the Currie Cup, mental disintegration retards this side in the Super 14. The fact they’ve only ever won 1 away game in Super rugby, way back in 1997 has probably scarred them for life. They compete well against South African sides, but they just don’t know how to beat the Aussies and Kiwis whether home or away.

The Cheetahs need to at least perform well in Bloem to help their fellow South African sides.

The lineout is a potential weakness but they have one of the best front rows around and an awesome back row with captain Juan Smith, Heinrich Brussow and Ashley Johnson, it’s the loss of flyhalf Jacques Louis-Potgieter that will hurt the most. Naas Olivier is not super rugby star material, I’d prefer they gave young Sias Ebersohn a chance. Sarel Pretorius could also be a real threat at scrumhalf.

The midfield is solid with Meyer Bosman, but it’s out wide with Lionel Mapoe and Jongi Nokwe where they have their stars. Those two have genuine pace and represent try-scoring chances. If they can be given the ball in space they could score tries. Last year coach Naka Drotske didn’t give Nokwe a fair run, if he makes the same mistake in 2010 the writing is on the wall.

Watch out for: The loose trio of Smith, Brussow and Johnson. Scrumhalf Sarel Pretorius is nippy and likely to score many tries, and the wings Mapoe and Nokwe are try-scoring machines given any space.

Prediction: Bottom 4