Sharks battered in Bloem
7 Oct 2006
The Vodacom Cheetahs beat the Sharks 30-14 in Bloemfontein on Saturday to ensure a home Absa Currie Cup final against the Bulls.
Free State led 24-0 after 30 minutes, and although the Sharks fought their way back into the game through two tries, the result was never in doubt.
Midweek predictions of a dour forward battle couldn’t have been further off the mark as both teams sought to play attacking rugby.
The mind games started pre-match as Dick Muir made six changes to the team he had announced on Thursday. Francois Steyn shifted to fullback to accommodate Butch James at flyhalf, meaning Brent Russell was dropped to the reserve bench as JP Pietersen slotted in on the wing. In the pack, Johan Ackermann, Skipper Badenhorst and Keegan Daniel all started.
The plan backfired spectacularly as the new combinations failed to match the intensity with which the home side began the match.
The Cheetahs could have scored as early as the sixth minute when star wing Phillip Burger broke the defensive line and offloaded to Kabamba Floors. However, he failed to hear the call of the support runner on his inside and the move petered out.
They didn’t have to wait much longer after that to open the scoring, though.
A centrefield scrum, inside the Sharks’ 22, saw the Cheetahs get a strong right shoulder. Willem de Waal collected the ball flat and swung a long cut-out pass to Gavin Passens who stepped inside Odwa Ndungane to score. De Waal’s conversion and a subsequent penalty sent the Cheetahs into a commanding 13-0 lead after 14 minutes.
The game was marred by niggle between the players and when Johan Ackermann was sin-binned in the 15th minute for punching, the Cheetahs capitalised.
They pressured the Sharks with a series of backline forays, one of which resulted in the TMO turning down the claim for a try.
That seemed to spur on the hosts and it was from yet another centrefield scrum that they scored their second try. Joint Man of the Match Bevin Fortuin ran a fantastic line and received an inside switch off his pivot. Great support play from Ryno van der Merwe saw the eighthman cross for his ninth try of the season.
Muir responded with a series of personnel changes, as Russell, Bismarck du Plessis and Deon Carstens were sent on in an attempt to pull the Sharks back into the match. The Cheetahs though compounded their misery with their third try on the match, with Floors (the other Man of the Match) the catalyst.
Seemingly aimless backline play finally bore fruit when De Waal timed his pass perfectly to put Floors into space. The former Sevens star drew a defender and dished the pass out to Passens who out sprinted Pietersen to double his try tally. De Waal’s successful conversion meant the Durban-based side were under serious pressure.
But they are known to be a resilient team and launched a comeback by scoring tries either side of the break.
Russell sparked life into a unimaginative backline, and he was central to a 38th minute try, when he doubled around to collect a sublime no-look pass from Waylon Murray, drew Fortuin and passed for Pietersen to score. Ruan Pienaar converted from the right hand touchline.
The Sharks produced a sustained period of pressure and 12 minutes after the break they made it 27-14, when Du Plessis emerged from a rolling maul, following a 5m line-out, to score.
But a series of handling errors, the most notable coming from Jacques Botes who knocked on after Russell had seared down the left touchline and put him into a certain try scoring position, denied the visitors the chance of a memorable comeback.
Ultimately, Meyer Bosman broke their resistance with a 43m penalty, adding to De Waal’s earlier effort, to open the gap to 16 points and send them into the Absa Currie Cup final.
Cheetahs - Tries: Gavin Passens (2), Ryno van der Merwe. Conversions: Willem de Waal (3). Penalties: De Waal (2), Meyer Bosman.
Sharks - Tries: JP Pietersen, Bismarck du Plessis. Conversion: Ruan Pienaar.
By Ryan Vrede
374 Comments
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8 Oct 2006, 09:28 am
Kaballas en Boktjops were trying to convince me last night that the Cheetahs took their foot of the gas the last half (Rassie’s blue sign)in order not to give too much away for next Saturday.
Ek dink hulle praat kak. Wat dink jy super?
8 Oct 2006, 09:29 am
300# I know. I am in Korea, but my heart is at the “Big Rock”.
8 Oct 2006, 09:31 am
Ek dink die beserings het meer te doen gahd met die tweede helfte se vertooning as ” foot of the gas.
Spelers wat uit posiesie gespeel het.
So graag vir Meyer Bosman op loskakel wou sien in daardie tyd met Burger op buite senter an Falie op vleuel.
8 Oct 2006, 09:32 am
Falie se besluitneming is nog steeds baie swak!
8 Oct 2006, 09:32 am
Rassie looks like he’s perving on the Cheerleaders from the rooftops.. or maybe it is not the lights giving his players signals.. could be the gals.. the way they expose their snatches to the players..
8 Oct 2006, 09:34 am
It’s distraction tactics just like the Bulls girls!
8 Oct 2006, 09:36 am
the bulls gals are blonde dumb and full of ***!!
8 Oct 2006, 09:36 am
Finmaster,
Spies was a bacline player until about a year ago, he is 20/21 years old and has a lot to learn , but i tell you he learns fast.
How many other backline players do you know that can do what he achieved.
8 Oct 2006, 09:42 am
Pieterman ek dink nie sy kaarte het op Loftus gewerk nie , en solank hy nie die ligte in die teenstanders se oe skyn nie, laat hom maar bietjie speel, ander coaches rook hul weer amper dood.
Die feit is as dinge verkeerd loop op die veld gaan dit gewoonlik vinnig daars nie tyd vir kaarte en liggies kyk nie, hy kan dalk nog sy eie spelers se aandag aftrek.
Ek hou minder van sy omruil van voorrye onder die voorwendsel van bloed beserings
8 Oct 2006, 09:51 am
309# Lyk my jy glo nie daai bloed-storie nie!!
Plastieksakkies met McDonald’s ketchup?
8 Oct 2006, 09:53 am
Finmaster
I agree. Luke had a great personal game yesterday.
GC
I know what you mean about Joe P looking like he could play flyhalf. What I’ve realised is that each position needs a different psychological makeup based on the individuals approach to the game.
Most talented ball players look like potential 10s. Only by playing them there will we ever know if they are genuinely suited for the position.
8 Oct 2006, 09:53 am
I for one am glad Kaplan is officiating this match.
He is the one ref in SA that does not ignore all the
off-the-ball stuff. Think back to the 2005 final.
The Cheetahs had a lot of injuries and positional changes and that contributed to their second half performance.
How good is KABAMBA?
GO THE CHEETAHS!!!
8 Oct 2006, 09:56 am
Superbul
I just hope the Bulls and Jake let Spies settle into 8 and learn the craft of the position.
8 Oct 2006, 09:57 am
Met soveel bloed moet dit letsels laat , die ouens lyk darem te heel na so bietjie rus.
Maar in elk geval daar is mos n dokter wat moet besluit, so as Slim Rassie dit regkry ,so be it.
Hy moet net nie dink as hy bevordering kry die internasionale spanne sal dit so gemoedelik aanvaar nie
8 Oct 2006, 09:59 am
superBul Spies used to be a backline, he is not one anymore.
Anyway i am not dispting the fact that he is a good player, he is is just not a good forward in the traditional sense of the word.
Anyway he looks much better in the green and gold and should have a contract soon and then he will be out of next years CC. In the words of a famous Bulls supporter :”bwaaaahhhhahaahahahah!”
Carefull of not putting all your eggs in one basket, remember WC ’95 and a player called Lomu?
He was depended on to much and i think the Bulls are doing the same with Spies. Other than Spies and the Boks who aren’t playing the Bulls are not that good on paper or the field.
8 Oct 2006, 09:59 am
Jy kyk te veel CSI superBul.
8 Oct 2006, 10:06 am
316# Simeon, gooeie een!!
Haai Super, hier is n idee….wat van n DNA-toets om seker te maak dis dieselfde voorrie se bloed!
(Ek terg net)
8 Oct 2006, 10:07 am
I am all for Kaplan handling the final. The Bulls players are rotten to the core and it rubs of on the Boks as well, blow them card them ’till they listen, and the Boks will reap the benifits.
8 Oct 2006, 10:08 am
finmaster
Lomu, good example.
There is indeed a lesson to be learnt from that one, beware!
8 Oct 2006, 10:14 am
Finmaster
I don’t think Jake or SARU can afford to hand out any more contracts! If anyone deserves one it’s AP but I think with the WC so close they’ll use that as the incentive rather than a contract.
8 Oct 2006, 10:16 am
Pieterman
If Jake had is way he’d have 15 Lomus in his starting 15 and another 7 on the bench!
8 Oct 2006, 10:28 am
Hey Guys you are missing my point totaly , i never thought Spies is the best ever. Hey no come on i said all along the Bulls played as a team and each player worked towards the teams goals and thats why why we are such a good unit.
The days when we dont play together we also look sh#t.
But what i say Spies is surrounded by good looseforwards, yesterday Kuun, Lobberts and Danie did brilliant work. Its not us that goes balistic on Spies i in fact thought Gary Botha was the MOM
8 Oct 2006, 10:31 am
But lets face it he looks good with a rugby ball in his hand
8 Oct 2006, 10:34 am
Superbul
I agree with you about Botha. The mans been massive as both a player and captain the few weeks.
Spies needs to managed as an eighth man and it’s a pity that Leonard has gone back to George as I reckon he would have been a good mentor.
8 Oct 2006, 10:37 am
Yeah i hope hes not made a one season wonder. The Bulls used him in the beginning of the season as a impact player. Maybe thats the way to use him in minor games, rest him dont expose him too much
8 Oct 2006, 10:41 am
On the impact player thing.
I have never seen a game where impact players made such a impact the moment they come on, maybe its luck but still it was impresive.
Steyn first touch 3 points dropgoal
Lobberts first touch try , 5 points
Hottie within the first minute try time 5 points
8 Oct 2006, 10:52 am
325 superBul
Nou praat jy waar. Daai ou moet nou reg bestuur word, soos jy voorstel.
(Jy maak nogal soms sin weet jy? Veral noudat jy meer tyd tusen jou WP-pelle deurbring!)
8 Oct 2006, 11:03 am
Kyk daars darem n paar van julle wat jul provinsiale brille afhaal,soms, nee man ek se mos dis net n game en as dit so gespeel word geniet ek dit.
Om bietjie te stry is ook lekker maar een ding is verseker net so graag ek wil wen so wil julle ook, anders het ons mos nie ons spanne ondersteun nie.
as ons verloor het sou ek ook die ref aangevat het en die volgende dag kom verskonnings vra
8 Oct 2006, 11:12 am
# 326 super
Goeie waarneming, nooit so daaraan gedink nie.
8 Oct 2006, 11:25 am
Onder die BLOU van ons LOFTUS hemel,laat ons die Sharks verlang na die see. Teen ons magtige BLOU BUL vegters, kan WP nie antwoord gee. Oor ons LOFTUS VERSVELD vlaktes, bo die kreun van die Vrystaat klaag, ruis die stem van ons geliefde, van ons Span wat die Beker dra. Ons sal antwoord op jou roepstem, ons sal Leeus tem soos jy vra. Ons is BLOU en ons is BULLE, kampioen van Suid-Afrika!!!!!!!! BAIE GELUK BULLE!
8 Oct 2006, 11:35 am
Baasblou, gaan jaag die kallers hok toe boet.
8 Oct 2006, 11:36 am
HOU BY DIE BLOU!!!
8 Oct 2006, 11:37 am
Wat se julle van daai lynstaan waar die sharks 13 spelers in gehad het, kan nie onthou of dit gewerk het nie maar was nogal intresant, sien nie net DiscoRassie het plannetjies nie.
8 Oct 2006, 11:39 am
Maak die Bulle almal Bokke!!!
8 Oct 2006, 12:12 pm
Bulle gaan cheetahs battered die naweek…hahahahaha
8 Oct 2006, 12:19 pm
#334
en dan verloor hulle 60- 0 teen Japan!!
8 Oct 2006, 12:25 pm
The battle of the Boer republics.
mmak nie saak wie wen nie, net solank dit nie die Mofgatte is nie.
8 Oct 2006, 12:30 pm
GWB – van wie praat jy as jy ‘Mofgatte’ se?
8 Oct 2006, 12:31 pm
BaasBlou
Jy het nou al oral lawaai, tot in NZ, geen reaksie…
Rook nou jou jooint verder in stilte, ons het jou gehoor, OK?
8 Oct 2006, 12:33 pm
338# Hef
Moenie, bekommer, hy praat van ons WP-manne.
8 Oct 2006, 12:33 pm
thehef,
WP en die Sharks was mos nooit n Boererepubliek nie….
Dus gee ek nie om wie wen tussen die Bulle en die Staat nie, net solank dit nie een van bogenoemde is nie.
8 Oct 2006, 12:34 pm
hallo pieterman.
8 Oct 2006, 12:35 pm
wat is jou eerlike opinie oor Watson na gister se game, as jy dit gesien het?
8 Oct 2006, 12:40 pm
luke is kak
8 Oct 2006, 12:40 pm
GWB, ek het nie gesien nie, net RSG geluister.
Maar volgens die kommentators was hy OK.
Hang af teen wie mens hom opweeg.
Daai Floors van Cheetahs klink na n meneer, Luke se kapteinskap is sy albatros.
8 Oct 2006, 12:42 pm
logies sal jy so dink, baasblou.
ek vra vir Pieterman.
8 Oct 2006, 12:42 pm
danie is beter as luke en kamamba saam
NOU DIE BLOU
8 Oct 2006, 12:45 pm
pieterman, soos jy, sit ek ook ver, maar kon darem die game kyk vir n slag.
Luke het almal se werk gedoen behalwe sy eie. Voordurend tussen die agterspelers, terwyl hy nie een bal gesteel het nie. As hy minder bors slaan en sy werk voor doen, kan hy ontwikkel. gister se game het sy saak niks goed gedoen nie.
8 Oct 2006, 12:46 pm
GWB, ek moet eerstens se dat ek nie Luke fan is nie, maar ek sal nie omgee om Luke in die nr 6 trui te he vir die Bokke nie – vir iemand wat 22 jaar oud is, is hy ongelooflik ‘mature’ en almal wat rugby geniet sal saamstem dat dit lekker is om iemand so te sien speel, maak nie saak vir watter span hy speel nie.
8 Oct 2006, 12:47 pm
Congrats to the Cheetahs and Bulls – clearly the sides with the most structure got through. Sharks and WP were disappointing.
Nice to see the two “Spears” saviours of Cheetahs rugby get the joint man of the match award!!
GWB – still living in “boer republic” state of mind … sad individual you are!
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