Lions edge courageous Cheetahs
6 Jun 2009
A Heinrich Brüssow-inspired Cheetahs team went down 26-24 to a second-rate Lions side in Bloemfontein.
This game was one of two halves with the sin-binning of flanker Stephen Ferris the watershed. The tourists were 20-0 up after 24 minutes before Ferris paid the price for the umpteenth breakdown transgression. The Cheetahs scored 14 points in the blindside’s absence to trail 23-14 at the break.
The option-taking and defence wasn’t always great from the home team. Their line defence repelled many a Lions surge, but a soft try by Ferris allowed the visitors to shoot to a 10-0 lead after 12 minutes. A subsequent chip by James Hook was gathered by centre Keith Earls who swerved past a couple of defenders en route to the tryline.
During this period, referee Wayne Barnes allowed the Lions to spoil on defence and seal the breakdown ball off on attack. Brüssow made a couple of turnovers but the Lions were still getting away with illegal play.
It took 23 minutes for Barnes to brandish yellow, and from here the Cheetahs began to gather some momentum. Danwel Demas rounded off a good move that exploited the Lions’ one-man disadvantage, and prop Wian du Preez reduced the deficit further when he steamrolled a defender from close range.
Back to their full compliment, the Lions sought to keep it tighter. They had the better of the Cheetahs’ scrum, Andrew Sheridan applying unsustainable pressure on the outclassed Kobus Calldo. The Lions’ set-piece even held its own when Ferris was off, and the Springbok management should take note, the Lions’ scrum is going to be a massive factor in the Test series. Hook goaled three penalties accrued from the Cheetahs’ scrum transgressions, and it kept the hosts at arm’s length.
The breakdown, however, was a different story. On defence, the visitors did everything they could to spoil the Cheetahs’ ball. Brüssow had another industrious outing in the tackle-department, but it was his ground-zero scavenging that proved the biggest boost to the hosts. Because of his proficiency, the visitors battled to get go-forward after the initial set-piece.
Jacques-Louis Potgieter kicked well initially but missed a great opportunity in the 52nd minute when he pushed a penalty-attempt wide. The three points would’ve reduced the deficit to 26-20 at a critical stage of the game.
The Cheetahs tried their hearts out, and it’s just a pity there weren’t more people at the stadium to witness their brave efforts. Vodacom Park saw 23 000 patrons through the gates, a shocking number considering the stadium now holds 48 000.
The Lions were shaky and it’s only through little errors that the Cheetahs didn’t put them away. Yet another Lions breakdown infringement gifted the hosts a penalty, but Potgieter proceeded to kick it dead. The Cheetahs’ inferiority at scrum time also continued to cost them possession and territory from ensuing penalties.
And yet, it was their strength at the tackle point that kept them afloat. Brüssow never relented in his quest for dominance and his team-mates never dropped their intensity. The Lions have a long way to go if they’re going to compete with the Bok breakdown in the coming Tests.
Both sides were exhausted by the hour mark and it was here that the Cheetahs were always going to be tested. They made another crucial turnover after the Lions launched a multi-phase assault on their tryline. It was clear the Lions would not be coasting to victory in the final minutes.
Replacement flyhalf Louis Strydom missed a difficult penalty attempt in the 70th minute to allow the Lions to keep their nine-point cushion. However, a brilliant reading of a flat Shane Williams pass allowed Corne Uys to sprint 80m for a seven-pointer. With six minutes to go, the Cheetahs had a chance of a massive upset.
The Lions were running out of puff as the clock wound down and the local supporters began to find their voice. After Meyer Bosman crashed it up into the suspect Irish midfield, Strydom slipped into the pocket for the drop-goal. Unfortunately, the kick drifted cruelly wide.
The Cheetahs looked to have another opportunity to win it when Lions fullback Lee Byrne dropped a high ball and his retreating team-mates played it from an offside position, but it was a transgression that the fallible Barnes missed.
The Lions eventually won a penalty in the final play and hacked it into touch. The win takes them to a three-from-three tour record, but there will be more concerns than positives for Ian McGeechan as he prepares his charges for the Tests.
By Jon Cardinelli, at Vodacom Park
718 Comments
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6 Jun 2009, 19:19 pm
#640 Puma: My fault entirely as I took offence to his “Brussouw was brilliant I cant understand why Luke Watson wasnt picked statement”.
But also I have to say I´m sick of people like this making an issue out of everything in SA. And on a blog like this its entirely unnecessary. So once in a while someone has to tell it like it is. Once you start arguing intelligently with the man he becomes incoherent. I pity his family. Closet superhero.
Does he really think his petty comments on here would ever change a real racist´s mind on a blog like this? I mean if you want to speak about delusional then thats a very strong case.
He doesnt have time to meet Veltie (who made a very decent offer to meet up and chat) because he sees himself far superior to the nobody he perceives Veltie to be, but yet goes on to say >>> #620 Veltie: Lets chat here then..I’ve got some time
Thus he cant meet the oke because he earns 600 an hour and is in a higher class than him yet he is willing to engage him here and waste his precious 600 pound an hour time with the same nobody he doesnt value enough to waste his time on in a real meeting…… Well that makes some sense at least. hehehe
6 Jun 2009, 19:19 pm
HALF WIT ALERT –
I’m off………..
6 Jun 2009, 19:20 pm
#634 wooden spoon: Me Insignificant…says the wooden spoon??? LMAO
6 Jun 2009, 19:25 pm
#651 Langenhoven: I´ll tell you what Shaun… unlike other distinguished members here I AM an insignificant little nobody with a little daughter. I´m quite happy to be an insignificant nobody as long as I can maintain a life lived in dignity. It is not what defines me. The objects and money and fame or success´i´ve achieved. Its how I treat myself and other people around me.
And yes I have been a Bok fan for plus 30 years. I was born into an Afrikaans family in an Afrikaans environment and being a Bok fan is part and parcel of the whole thing. I guess i should be ashamed now admitting I was and being Afrikaans?
6 Jun 2009, 19:25 pm
#647 Langenhoven: Not many FTSE 100 company MD’s who would bother to meet with a 600 pound a day or part of it procurement consultant.
In fact not many FTSE 100 MD’s would have anything to do with procurement.
Their focus is at another level.
6 Jun 2009, 19:25 pm
#648 Slumtown: I started a conversation with you..you chose to ignore.. Come on now stop complaining to others I am here
6 Jun 2009, 19:27 pm
He really doesn’t understand.
Bye.
6 Jun 2009, 19:28 pm
Is it show your Bling time on Keo?
6 Jun 2009, 19:28 pm
#652 Bul-a-Bhloo: You know squat mate…don’t embarras yourself… I will be meeting with a SA delegation at the end of the month to advice about best practise in managing stadiums..
6 Jun 2009, 19:30 pm
#654 Langenhoven: My answer was posted above.
6 Jun 2009, 19:33 pm
#651 Slumtown: Jaques.. we have chatted before and by and large you seem to be a good person…You have demonstrated some of your prejudice on this site…but you admit to that and the fact your nurturing may not have been the best in that regard..I accept your honesty…The issue about the money was purely reactive if you read all the post…I have stopped chasing the money too and choose to live a simple life…The amazing thing is that same attitude is seemingly attractive to money…I am doing well and that has not always been the case..
6 Jun 2009, 19:34 pm
#655 namakwaland: They wanted to know…I reacted
6 Jun 2009, 19:34 pm
#656 Langenhoven: Your post confuses me.
Advice is what you receive.
Advise is what you give out.
Do you know anything about consulting????
Now it’s really bye.
6 Jun 2009, 19:35 pm
lol, wtf is a procurement consultant?
I dont believe the brits actual fall for that ****, they cant stand that grandstanding bullshit baffles brain nonsense.
What are the hardskills brought to the table?
A footsoldier and being in exile (from the ANC) dont cut it.
lol, the old saffa chancer, great self-publicists and opportunists, but its all just bullshit.
6 Jun 2009, 19:35 pm
Are South Africans going to actually go to watch these games. Are you embarrassed by the attendances? Just wondering….
6 Jun 2009, 19:37 pm
#659 Langenhoven: Its a funny thing that. It seems sometimes when we stop chasing things we want they come naturally. So perhaps thats a point you would want to apply here too? Most of the people on this blog are decent enough people. I´m merely commenting on the fact that I´m tired of everything being made into race issues.
We all have prejudices of some kind or another but I can with a clear conscience say I have never been out and out racist to anyone. To the contrary I have gone the opposite direction.
Apologies for the baiting from my side as well.
I wish you and the family a very good night sir.
6 Jun 2009, 19:41 pm
659.Langenhoven you are obviously a public figure so you do not mind giving out personal info.Maybe it is not a problem.
Maybe you are the Catalyst.
Just remember it is Never about the Self allways the Otherself.
6 Jun 2009, 19:41 pm
#661 cab: It means I negotiate service contracts with service providers…I had to do this for the estate of two government department…Over 700hundred sites…no small task… over 400 services providers/subcontractors
#660 Bul-a-Bhloo: I noticed the mistake…I don’t mind you proof reading
6 Jun 2009, 19:42 pm
#663 Slumtown: Cheers mate and go well..
6 Jun 2009, 19:44 pm
Heart breaking for the Cheetahs. They came so close to showing everybody (including myself) that they are not just some log place holders and can actually pull moments of magic together
6 Jun 2009, 19:45 pm
#661 cab:
Hey fella, hope you dont mind my asking
Are you an academic
Get the feeling you’re involved in tertiary education somehow
Could be far off the mark
6 Jun 2009, 19:46 pm
#665 Langenhoven:
but good god man, you were writing articles for the economist the other day, not so? the only cutting edge stuff to come out of that publication was alistar sparks reporting on SA about 30 years ago.
6 Jun 2009, 19:46 pm
#667 SpringbokSarah:
True huh
Wonderfully spirited performance
Outscored the Lions 24-6 in the second half
Would have been a victory looong remembered
6 Jun 2009, 19:47 pm
#664 namakwaland: I was “outed” on this blog so it is not worthwhile trying to play anonymous… I am an Activist for change and see value in having big goals…it builds character when you stand up…Some time we have to kick the door down because nobody wants listen to gentle knocks of persuasion…ask WPTID
6 Jun 2009, 19:48 pm
#669 cab:
So you saying me subscription is actually a waste of pennies
Ph*ck it, i’m changing over to The Sun
6 Jun 2009, 19:49 pm
#670 saffa_guy: would’ve, could’ve, should’ve
the Cheetahs have come a number of times so close, just to fall short. It’s heart breaking for not only the fans but for the players too. But how do you fix this problem?
6 Jun 2009, 19:50 pm
#669 cab: I never wrote for the economist…but my articles have appeared in a few othe business publications..they may have quoted me…wow
6 Jun 2009, 19:51 pm
#668 saffa_guy:
nope, but i lived with alot of them in london for a while in halls, terribly upthemselves, used to play tennis with one of the editors of the new statesman, whom old shaun might know.
they all put on these big talks and speeches but the brightest guy i met was an australian who propped like franz erasmus and smashed a cricket ball like david boon, was far more interested in sport, had his priorities right.
6 Jun 2009, 19:51 pm
#671 Langenhoven: kicking the door down SWAT style
6 Jun 2009, 19:53 pm
#672 saffa_guy:
lol, its all ****, at least the sun has some eye candy.
6 Jun 2009, 19:54 pm
671.Langenhoven how were you OUTED?
6 Jun 2009, 19:54 pm
#676 SpringbokSarah: You know me so well…lol
6 Jun 2009, 19:56 pm
#678 namakwaland: Spooner was very resourceful he followed up on a few of my clues about my writing… but I think it was lovely Sarah…lol..she is a FB friend
6 Jun 2009, 19:56 pm
Btw Luke is Stormers player of the year.
Just to annoy you people
6 Jun 2009, 19:58 pm
This is wonderful…only nice people on the blog..I must be nice then lol
6 Jun 2009, 19:58 pm
680.So Langenhoven you gave yourself away? Is that correct?
6 Jun 2009, 19:59 pm
#681 SpringbokSarah: Started that much earlier on…got rid of all the dkhds
6 Jun 2009, 19:59 pm
#679 Langenhoven: lol
#680 Langenhoven: Nope. You and Slappes are the only people I talk to away from keo… knowingly
6 Jun 2009, 19:59 pm
Do share Cab’s sentiments on this one
Notion of a non-white being in exile from the ANC boggles the mind
Eccentricity is the beauty of this blog
6 Jun 2009, 20:00 pm
#682 Langenhoven: ?
#684 Langenhoven: What’s the bet they’re hiding out?
6 Jun 2009, 20:01 pm
#686 saffa_guy:
but you read the bio and you think f’ck me, here’s the genuine article a bloke who went into exile in the old days, you only hear those stories, i was picturing some MK vet or something.
Then Shaun tells me oh no he was exiled in 2001…f’cking cracker.
i mean just what is he in exile from??!
LMAO. madness.
6 Jun 2009, 20:01 pm
#683 namakwaland: I mentioned an article I wrote…Spooner followed up…He was quite good…because I did not mention the newspaper…google is a wonderful search engine… and the theory of 6 degrees of separation
6 Jun 2009, 20:04 pm
#687 SpringbokSarah: Probably lol…I need to logg off shortly…boys night…again..My missus is so accomodating…but she has the family credit card
6 Jun 2009, 20:05 pm
689.Langenhoven the point is you gave your identity away and i believe that was a conscious move.
Dont your voice alone feel strong enough?
6 Jun 2009, 20:07 pm
#690 Langenhoven: rofl
6 Jun 2009, 20:08 pm
#686 saffa_guy: ecentricity…love it…..lol.. Gonna wear sunglasses in the club tonight
#688 cab: Exile…self imposed and it was in 2006… a bit poetic licence to decsribe my disappointment
6 Jun 2009, 20:10 pm
#691 namakwaland: I hate being anonymous…it makes me feel insignificant…and I have a huge ego…lol .. but you must know that already
6 Jun 2009, 20:12 pm
#693 Langenhoven:
yes shaun, alot of poetic license.
i take it your online persona is contrived to create a certain response for kicks and is not actually you.
6 Jun 2009, 20:12 pm
#694 Langenhoven: at least your honest
6 Jun 2009, 20:13 pm
#691 namakwaland: BTW you sound familiar and I kind of worked out who SAFFA GUY is..Did you ever work in poverty relief?
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