Saturday, September 30, 2006
AND THEN- THERE WERE FOUR
So- its the Cheetahs vs the Sharks in Blingfontein and the Tswanepoele Hosts province.
The Hunt for Oranje Oktober has begun.
two teams will face each other on 14 October 2006, first there is the matter of the semi-finals.
as the round robin has finished- given a very close top 5 - its now up to the teams that will handle the pressure of sudden death the best- to contest the final
Will it be braun over brain will it need a mixture of both
Stay tuned to your favourite rugby information conduit- ( and yeah if its OORB- I will be very happy) but most of all- participate in the Hunt for Oranje Oktober-
I must say the domestiCCtiff 2006 is a good one thus far.
I hope the next three games will give us Rugby as it should be played- something to be proud of.
Enjoy!
The Hunt for Oranje Oktober has begun.
two teams will face each other on 14 October 2006, first there is the matter of the semi-finals.
as the round robin has finished- given a very close top 5 - its now up to the teams that will handle the pressure of sudden death the best- to contest the final
Will it be braun over brain will it need a mixture of both
Stay tuned to your favourite rugby information conduit- ( and yeah if its OORB- I will be very happy) but most of all- participate in the Hunt for Oranje Oktober-
I must say the domestiCCtiff 2006 is a good one thus far.
I hope the next three games will give us Rugby as it should be played- something to be proud of.
Enjoy!
Comments:
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Champs bullied but top log
Saturday 30 September 2006
SOURCE - www.keo.co.za
The Vodacom Blue Bulls secured a home semi-final with a pulsating 41-31 victory over the Cheetahs at Loftus.
However, the Cheetahs managed to pick up a bonus point that sees them finish top of the log (on points difference) and they will meet the fourth-placed Sharks in Bloemfontein next weekend. The other semi-final sees Western Province travel to Loftus for a North-South derby against the Bulls.
Ironically, the Cheetahs have beaten the Sharks twice in this year’s competition, while Province have beaten the Bulls twice.
The final league match of the season more than lived up to the hype, with both sides prepared to spread the ball wide, while embracing the physical contest. Unlike last year’s final, however, the players managed to keep their cool for the majority of the game.
The pumped-up Bulls got off to the perfect start when Dries Scholtz barged his way over the tryline following a quick penalty tap. That Derick Hougaard did not take the easy three points was an early sign of the Bulls’ desire to score four tries for the bonus point (and hopefully top the log).
The Cheetahs showed the same attitude, putting a kickable penalty into touch from which Ryno van der Merwe scored after a trademark Free State driving maul. But the home side regained the lead minutes later when Heinie Adams exposed the defence around the fringes and Danie Rossouw planted the ball on the tryline.
The Cheetahs reduced the gap to two points when Philip Burger (who started at fullback ahead of Bevin Fortuin) fielded a kick inside his half and sprinted 60m down the right-hand side touchline to score in the corner. However, Scholtz then grabbed his second by running straight over Willem de Waal, after a Bulls’ backline switch.
Both teams lost a man, 10 minutes before the break, when JP Nel and Jannie du Plessis were yellow-carded after a brawl broke out. Unlike Jonathan Kaplan, who failed to take early control of last year’s heated final, referee Marius Joubert showed that such behaviour would not be tolerated on his watch.
The Bulls dominated the final stages of the half and claimed the bonus-point try when Marius Delport finished off a sustained period of attack. The score knocked the Lions out of semi-final contention and gave the Bulls a 26-12 lead.
The Bulls went further ahead two minutes after the break when Akona Ndungane intercepted a poor pass from Michael Claassens and dotted down under the posts.
The Cheetahs hit back when a perfectly timed pass from Eddie Fredericks sent Burger away for his second try, before Pierre Spies crashed over for the Bulls’ sixth.
However, the critical score, in terms of the Currie Cup log, came at the end of the third quarter when Burger found space again and sent Gavin Passens away for the Cheetahs’ bonus point try that ensured they would finish the league season in poll position.
A Hougaard penalty gave the Bulls some breathing space, before Burger claimed his hat-trick to make it 41-31.
The Cheetahs should have been reduced to 14 men with seven minutes to go, after they lost possession near the Bulls tryline. The loose ball was booted ahead, only for replacement Quinton Davids to hold Spies back and concede the penalty. A yellow card would have been an appropriate punishment.
In the end, though, it didn’t matter.
Bulls - Tries: Dries Scholtz (2), Danie Rossouw, Marius Delport, Akona Ndungane, Pierre Spies. Conversions: Derick Hougaard (4). Pen: Hougaard.
Cheetahs - Tries: Ryno van der Merwe, Philip Burger (3), Gavin Passens. Conversions: Willem de Waal (3).
By Simon Borchardt
Saturday 30 September 2006
SOURCE - www.keo.co.za
The Vodacom Blue Bulls secured a home semi-final with a pulsating 41-31 victory over the Cheetahs at Loftus.
However, the Cheetahs managed to pick up a bonus point that sees them finish top of the log (on points difference) and they will meet the fourth-placed Sharks in Bloemfontein next weekend. The other semi-final sees Western Province travel to Loftus for a North-South derby against the Bulls.
Ironically, the Cheetahs have beaten the Sharks twice in this year’s competition, while Province have beaten the Bulls twice.
The final league match of the season more than lived up to the hype, with both sides prepared to spread the ball wide, while embracing the physical contest. Unlike last year’s final, however, the players managed to keep their cool for the majority of the game.
The pumped-up Bulls got off to the perfect start when Dries Scholtz barged his way over the tryline following a quick penalty tap. That Derick Hougaard did not take the easy three points was an early sign of the Bulls’ desire to score four tries for the bonus point (and hopefully top the log).
The Cheetahs showed the same attitude, putting a kickable penalty into touch from which Ryno van der Merwe scored after a trademark Free State driving maul. But the home side regained the lead minutes later when Heinie Adams exposed the defence around the fringes and Danie Rossouw planted the ball on the tryline.
The Cheetahs reduced the gap to two points when Philip Burger (who started at fullback ahead of Bevin Fortuin) fielded a kick inside his half and sprinted 60m down the right-hand side touchline to score in the corner. However, Scholtz then grabbed his second by running straight over Willem de Waal, after a Bulls’ backline switch.
Both teams lost a man, 10 minutes before the break, when JP Nel and Jannie du Plessis were yellow-carded after a brawl broke out. Unlike Jonathan Kaplan, who failed to take early control of last year’s heated final, referee Marius Joubert showed that such behaviour would not be tolerated on his watch.
The Bulls dominated the final stages of the half and claimed the bonus-point try when Marius Delport finished off a sustained period of attack. The score knocked the Lions out of semi-final contention and gave the Bulls a 26-12 lead.
The Bulls went further ahead two minutes after the break when Akona Ndungane intercepted a poor pass from Michael Claassens and dotted down under the posts.
The Cheetahs hit back when a perfectly timed pass from Eddie Fredericks sent Burger away for his second try, before Pierre Spies crashed over for the Bulls’ sixth.
However, the critical score, in terms of the Currie Cup log, came at the end of the third quarter when Burger found space again and sent Gavin Passens away for the Cheetahs’ bonus point try that ensured they would finish the league season in poll position.
A Hougaard penalty gave the Bulls some breathing space, before Burger claimed his hat-trick to make it 41-31.
The Cheetahs should have been reduced to 14 men with seven minutes to go, after they lost possession near the Bulls tryline. The loose ball was booted ahead, only for replacement Quinton Davids to hold Spies back and concede the penalty. A yellow card would have been an appropriate punishment.
In the end, though, it didn’t matter.
Bulls - Tries: Dries Scholtz (2), Danie Rossouw, Marius Delport, Akona Ndungane, Pierre Spies. Conversions: Derick Hougaard (4). Pen: Hougaard.
Cheetahs - Tries: Ryno van der Merwe, Philip Burger (3), Gavin Passens. Conversions: Willem de Waal (3).
By Simon Borchardt
Bulls win, but Cheetahs stay top
Saturday September 30 2006
Eleven-try thriller at Loftus
SOURCE - www.rugby365.com
The Blue Bulls secured themselves a place in the Currie Cup play-offs with a bruising 41-31 win over the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, but it was the Cheetahs that secured first place on the Currie Cup standings with a four-try bonus point.
Both the Bulls and the Cheetahs finished on 50 points after 14 games, but the Cheetahs stayed first on the standings because of their greater points difference.
The Bulls will now host Western Province in the one semi-final, at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday (October 7), while the Cheetahs will be at home to the Sharks in the other semi-final. The big losers in a weekend of high drama were the Lions, who finished the competition in fourth place.
But if the action of Loftus on Saturday is anything to go by, the semi-finals are sure to be humdingers.
The Bulls produced their best performance of the season and showed they can still win games with pure power, although there were some moments that bordered on over-the-top aggression. Not that the Cheetahs were angels either.
But this time the Bulls won the battle and outscored the Cheetahs by six tries to five in a thrilling encounter.
The Cheetahs made their intensions clear even before the game when coach Rassie Erasmus made a host of late changes, including naming speedsters Philip Burger for Bevin Fortuin at fullback and Gavin Passens on the wing for Gaffie du Toit.
And they ran the ball at every opportunity. Not always very effective, but when the Cheetahs did get it right it was spectacular. And it included a sublime hat-trick by South African Sevens star Philip Burger.
The Bulls, in return, used their greater strength - both among the forwards and in midfield, to play typical bash-up rugby, while fly-half Derick Hougaard's boot also played a critical role.
And on the day the muscle-play was the winner.
The Bulls, applying lots of early pressure, got a reward in the third minute when centre Dries Scholtz went over near the uprights. It came from a quick tap-and-go by captain Gary Botha, with scrum-half Heini Adams showing some good hands. Hougaard added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
But the Cheetahs were not about to be outdone.
They got their reply in the 11th minute, with No.8 Ryno van der Merwe scoring the try - a line-out which turned into a very effective Cheetahs maul. Willem de Waal levelled matters with his conversion.
The Bulls replied almost immediately, when lock Danie Rossouw went over, following a series of strong drives by the Bulls forwards. Hougaard made it 14-7 with his conversion.
But the Cheetahs' reply was both effective and spectacular. It came when the Bulls launched a high kick on fullback Philip Burger, a late inclusion ahead of Bevin Fortuin. Burger not only dealt with the kick effectively, catching it while leaping in the air, but he then set off on a counter and sprinted down the right hand touchline - outstripping the cover to score after a 60 metre run. De Waal couldn't convert, but the gap was down to just two points.
The Bulls' next try was another power-play, with burly centre Dries Scholtz busting through a Willem de Waal tackle for his second try. Hougaard's conversion made it 21-12 after 25 minutes.
The testosterone-induced action continued for the next few minutes, before it reached boiling point.
It came in the form of a thuggish coat-hanger by Bulls flank Danie Rossouw, which sparked another melley.
Referee Marius Jonker had had enough of all the off-the-ball stuff and issued yellow cards to JP Nel (BUlls centre) and Jannie du Plessis (Cheetahs prop). But the real culprit, Rossouw, escaped any censure.
The Bulls got the bonus-point try while both teams were still down to 14 men each, just before the half-time hooter.
Following a period of sustained pressure through strong phase play, the Bulls took the ball wide to the left, where wing Marius Delport cantered over in the corner. The final pass came from Rossouw, who showed he has the skills to play the game and don't need to use cheap shots to make an impression. Hougaard failed with his first kick of the afternoon, but the home side took a comfortable 26-12 lead into the break.
The Bulls quickly stretched their lead after the break, with Akona Ndungane intercepting a sloppy pass and sprinting clear for the fifth try. Hougaard added the conversion for a 33-12 lead.
The Cheetahs' reply was immediate and sublime, with Eddie Frederick putting Philip Burger into space from a scrum. Not a hand was laid on Burger as he raced clear for his team's third try. De Waal slotted the touchline conversion to make it 33-19.
But the Bulls were just as quick with their next try, with Pierre Spies going over after showing great pace and strength to bust through a tackle and stretch out a long arm at the next tackle to score his team's sixth try. Hougaard's conversion attempt drifted wide, but at 38-19 it looked like the game was slipping away for the visitors.
However, the Cheetahs were not done. From a scrum deep inside their own territory they spun the ball wide and Burger again sprinted into space, around his defender, and then offloaded to Gavin Passens (another late change by Rassie Erasmus), who sprinted over for the bonus-point try - the bonus point that booked their place at the top of the standings. De Waal slotted the conversion to make it 38-26.
Hougaard slotted a penalty in the 60th minute and at 41-26 it again looked a good lead.
But again Burger entered into the fray. From a free-kick the Cheetahs tapped and set off downfield. They put Passens into space and he passed inside to Burger, who again outstripped the cover to score his third try. De Waal's conversion was wide, but at 41-31 the Cheetahs were alive again and there were still 18 minutes left on the clock.
The two teams kept hammering at each other throughout the final quarter, but strong defence and some poor option taking saw no further scoring.
Not that there weren't opportunities. The Bulls had a couple of line-outs which they drove at the Cheetahs line without success, while the Cheetahs continued with their expansive approach.
But it appeared as if the two teams accepted that the Bulls would win and the Cheetahs had already secured first place on the standings and were now just prepared to play out the game.
The scorers:
For the Blue Bulls:
Tries: Scholtz 2, Rossouw, Delport, Ndungane, Spies
Cons: Hougaard 4
Pen: Hougaard
For the Cheetahs:
Tries: Van der Merwe, Burger 3, Passens
Cons: De Waal 3
Yellow cards: JP Nel (Blue Bulls, 31 - repeated offences), Jannie du Plessis (Cheetahs, 31 - repeated offences)
Teams:
Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Johan Roets, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JP Nel, 12 Dries Scholtz, 11 Marius Delport, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Hilton Lobberts, 6 Danie Rossouw, 5 Francois van Schouwenburg, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Gary Botha (captain), 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Danie Thiart, 18 Hottie Louw, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Neil Powell, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Stefan Basson
Vodacom Cheetahs: 15 Philip Burger, 14 Eddie Fredericks, 13 Chris Kruger, 12 Hendrik Meyer, 11 Gavin Passens, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Falie Oelschig, 8 Ryno van der Merwe, 7 Darron Nell, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 Rory Duncan, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Ollie le Roux (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jaco du Toit, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Corniel van Zyl, 19 Quinton Davids, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Bevin Fortuin, 22 Gaffie du Toit
Referee: Marius Jonker (KwaZulu Natal)
Touch judges: JC Fortuin (Western Province), Jerome America (Western Province)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (Boland)
Saturday September 30 2006
Eleven-try thriller at Loftus
SOURCE - www.rugby365.com
The Blue Bulls secured themselves a place in the Currie Cup play-offs with a bruising 41-31 win over the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, but it was the Cheetahs that secured first place on the Currie Cup standings with a four-try bonus point.
Both the Bulls and the Cheetahs finished on 50 points after 14 games, but the Cheetahs stayed first on the standings because of their greater points difference.
The Bulls will now host Western Province in the one semi-final, at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday (October 7), while the Cheetahs will be at home to the Sharks in the other semi-final. The big losers in a weekend of high drama were the Lions, who finished the competition in fourth place.
But if the action of Loftus on Saturday is anything to go by, the semi-finals are sure to be humdingers.
The Bulls produced their best performance of the season and showed they can still win games with pure power, although there were some moments that bordered on over-the-top aggression. Not that the Cheetahs were angels either.
But this time the Bulls won the battle and outscored the Cheetahs by six tries to five in a thrilling encounter.
The Cheetahs made their intensions clear even before the game when coach Rassie Erasmus made a host of late changes, including naming speedsters Philip Burger for Bevin Fortuin at fullback and Gavin Passens on the wing for Gaffie du Toit.
And they ran the ball at every opportunity. Not always very effective, but when the Cheetahs did get it right it was spectacular. And it included a sublime hat-trick by South African Sevens star Philip Burger.
The Bulls, in return, used their greater strength - both among the forwards and in midfield, to play typical bash-up rugby, while fly-half Derick Hougaard's boot also played a critical role.
And on the day the muscle-play was the winner.
The Bulls, applying lots of early pressure, got a reward in the third minute when centre Dries Scholtz went over near the uprights. It came from a quick tap-and-go by captain Gary Botha, with scrum-half Heini Adams showing some good hands. Hougaard added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
But the Cheetahs were not about to be outdone.
They got their reply in the 11th minute, with No.8 Ryno van der Merwe scoring the try - a line-out which turned into a very effective Cheetahs maul. Willem de Waal levelled matters with his conversion.
The Bulls replied almost immediately, when lock Danie Rossouw went over, following a series of strong drives by the Bulls forwards. Hougaard made it 14-7 with his conversion.
But the Cheetahs' reply was both effective and spectacular. It came when the Bulls launched a high kick on fullback Philip Burger, a late inclusion ahead of Bevin Fortuin. Burger not only dealt with the kick effectively, catching it while leaping in the air, but he then set off on a counter and sprinted down the right hand touchline - outstripping the cover to score after a 60 metre run. De Waal couldn't convert, but the gap was down to just two points.
The Bulls' next try was another power-play, with burly centre Dries Scholtz busting through a Willem de Waal tackle for his second try. Hougaard's conversion made it 21-12 after 25 minutes.
The testosterone-induced action continued for the next few minutes, before it reached boiling point.
It came in the form of a thuggish coat-hanger by Bulls flank Danie Rossouw, which sparked another melley.
Referee Marius Jonker had had enough of all the off-the-ball stuff and issued yellow cards to JP Nel (BUlls centre) and Jannie du Plessis (Cheetahs prop). But the real culprit, Rossouw, escaped any censure.
The Bulls got the bonus-point try while both teams were still down to 14 men each, just before the half-time hooter.
Following a period of sustained pressure through strong phase play, the Bulls took the ball wide to the left, where wing Marius Delport cantered over in the corner. The final pass came from Rossouw, who showed he has the skills to play the game and don't need to use cheap shots to make an impression. Hougaard failed with his first kick of the afternoon, but the home side took a comfortable 26-12 lead into the break.
The Bulls quickly stretched their lead after the break, with Akona Ndungane intercepting a sloppy pass and sprinting clear for the fifth try. Hougaard added the conversion for a 33-12 lead.
The Cheetahs' reply was immediate and sublime, with Eddie Frederick putting Philip Burger into space from a scrum. Not a hand was laid on Burger as he raced clear for his team's third try. De Waal slotted the touchline conversion to make it 33-19.
But the Bulls were just as quick with their next try, with Pierre Spies going over after showing great pace and strength to bust through a tackle and stretch out a long arm at the next tackle to score his team's sixth try. Hougaard's conversion attempt drifted wide, but at 38-19 it looked like the game was slipping away for the visitors.
However, the Cheetahs were not done. From a scrum deep inside their own territory they spun the ball wide and Burger again sprinted into space, around his defender, and then offloaded to Gavin Passens (another late change by Rassie Erasmus), who sprinted over for the bonus-point try - the bonus point that booked their place at the top of the standings. De Waal slotted the conversion to make it 38-26.
Hougaard slotted a penalty in the 60th minute and at 41-26 it again looked a good lead.
But again Burger entered into the fray. From a free-kick the Cheetahs tapped and set off downfield. They put Passens into space and he passed inside to Burger, who again outstripped the cover to score his third try. De Waal's conversion was wide, but at 41-31 the Cheetahs were alive again and there were still 18 minutes left on the clock.
The two teams kept hammering at each other throughout the final quarter, but strong defence and some poor option taking saw no further scoring.
Not that there weren't opportunities. The Bulls had a couple of line-outs which they drove at the Cheetahs line without success, while the Cheetahs continued with their expansive approach.
But it appeared as if the two teams accepted that the Bulls would win and the Cheetahs had already secured first place on the standings and were now just prepared to play out the game.
The scorers:
For the Blue Bulls:
Tries: Scholtz 2, Rossouw, Delport, Ndungane, Spies
Cons: Hougaard 4
Pen: Hougaard
For the Cheetahs:
Tries: Van der Merwe, Burger 3, Passens
Cons: De Waal 3
Yellow cards: JP Nel (Blue Bulls, 31 - repeated offences), Jannie du Plessis (Cheetahs, 31 - repeated offences)
Teams:
Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Johan Roets, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JP Nel, 12 Dries Scholtz, 11 Marius Delport, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Hilton Lobberts, 6 Danie Rossouw, 5 Francois van Schouwenburg, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Gary Botha (captain), 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Danie Thiart, 18 Hottie Louw, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Neil Powell, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Stefan Basson
Vodacom Cheetahs: 15 Philip Burger, 14 Eddie Fredericks, 13 Chris Kruger, 12 Hendrik Meyer, 11 Gavin Passens, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Falie Oelschig, 8 Ryno van der Merwe, 7 Darron Nell, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 Rory Duncan, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Ollie le Roux (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jaco du Toit, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Corniel van Zyl, 19 Quinton Davids, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Bevin Fortuin, 22 Gaffie du Toit
Referee: Marius Jonker (KwaZulu Natal)
Touch judges: JC Fortuin (Western Province), Jerome America (Western Province)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (Boland)
Bulls win, but Cheetahs stay top
Saturday September 30 2006
Eleven-try thriller at Loftus
The Blue Bulls secured themselves a place in the Currie Cup play-offs with a bruising 41-31 win over the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, but it was the Cheetahs that secured first place on the Currie Cup standings with a four-try bonus point.
Both the Bulls and the Cheetahs finished on 50 points after 14 games, but the Cheetahs stayed first on the standings because of their greater points difference.
The Bulls will now host Western Province in the one semi-final, at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday (October 7), while the Cheetahs will be at home to the Sharks in the other semi-final. The big losers in a weekend of high drama were the Lions, who finished the competition in fourth place.
But if the action of Loftus on Saturday is anything to go by, the semi-finals are sure to be humdingers.
The Bulls produced their best performance of the season and showed they can still win games with pure power, although there were some moments that bordered on over-the-top aggression. Not that the Cheetahs were angels either.
But this time the Bulls won the battle and outscored the Cheetahs by six tries to five in a thrilling encounter.
The Cheetahs made their intensions clear even before the game when coach Rassie Erasmus made a host of late changes, including naming speedsters Philip Burger for Bevin Fortuin at fullback and Gavin Passens on the wing for Gaffie du Toit.
And they ran the ball at every opportunity. Not always very effective, but when the Cheetahs did get it right it was spectacular. And it included a sublime hat-trick by South African Sevens star Philip Burger.
The Bulls, in return, used their greater strength - both among the forwards and in midfield, to play typical bash-up rugby, while fly-half Derick Hougaard's boot also played a critical role.
And on the day the muscle-play was the winner.
The Bulls, applying lots of early pressure, got a reward in the third minute when centre Dries Scholtz went over near the uprights. It came from a quick tap-and-go by captain Gary Botha, with scrum-half Heini Adams showing some good hands. Hougaard added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
But the Cheetahs were not about to be outdone.
They got their reply in the 11th minute, with No.8 Ryno van der Merwe scoring the try - a line-out which turned into a very effective Cheetahs maul. Willem de Waal levelled matters with his conversion.
The Bulls replied almost immediately, when lock Danie Rossouw went over, following a series of strong drives by the Bulls forwards. Hougaard made it 14-7 with his conversion.
But the Cheetahs' reply was both effective and spectacular. It came when the Bulls launched a high kick on fullback Philip Burger, a late inclusion ahead of Bevin Fortuin. Burger not only dealt with the kick effectively, catching it while leaping in the air, but he then set off on a counter and sprinted down the right hand touchline - outstripping the cover to score after a 60 metre run. De Waal couldn't convert, but the gap was down to just two points.
The Bulls' next try was another power-play, with burly centre Dries Scholtz busting through a Willem de Waal tackle for his second try. Hougaard's conversion made it 21-12 after 25 minutes.
The testosterone-induced action continued for the next few minutes, before it reached boiling point.
It came in the form of a thuggish coat-hanger by Bulls flank Danie Rossouw, which sparked another melley.
Referee Marius Jonker had had enough of all the off-the-ball stuff and issued yellow cards to JP Nel (BUlls centre) and Jannie du Plessis (Cheetahs prop). But the real culprit, Rossouw, escaped any censure.
The Bulls got the bonus-point try while both teams were still down to 14 men each, just before the half-time hooter.
Following a period of sustained pressure through strong phase play, the Bulls took the ball wide to the left, where wing Marius Delport cantered over in the corner. The final pass came from Rossouw, who showed he has the skills to play the game and don't need to use cheap shots to make an impression. Hougaard failed with his first kick of the afternoon, but the home side took a comfortable 26-12 lead into the break.
The Bulls quickly stretched their lead after the break, with Akona Ndungane intercepting a sloppy pass and sprinting clear for the fifth try. Hougaard added the conversion for a 33-12 lead.
The Cheetahs' reply was immediate and sublime, with Eddie Frederick putting Philip Burger into space from a scrum. Not a hand was laid on Burger as he raced clear for his team's third try. De Waal slotted the touchline conversion to make it 33-19.
But the Bulls were just as quick with their next try, with Pierre Spies going over after showing great pace and strength to bust through a tackle and stretch out a long arm at the next tackle to score his team's sixth try. Hougaard's conversion attempt drifted wide, but at 38-19 it looked like the game was slipping away for the visitors.
However, the Cheetahs were not done. From a scrum deep inside their own territory they spun the ball wide and Burger again sprinted into space, around his defender, and then offloaded to Gavin Passens (another late change by Rassie Erasmus), who sprinted over for the bonus-point try - the bonus point that booked their place at the top of the standings. De Waal slotted the conversion to make it 38-26.
Hougaard slotted a penalty in the 60th minute and at 41-26 it again looked a good lead.
But again Burger entered into the fray. From a free-kick the Cheetahs tapped and set off downfield. They put Passens into space and he passed inside to Burger, who again outstripped the cover to score his third try. De Waal's conversion was wide, but at 41-31 the Cheetahs were alive again and there were still 18 minutes left on the clock.
The two teams kept hammering at each other throughout the final quarter, but strong defence and some poor option taking saw no further scoring.
Not that there weren't opportunities. The Bulls had a couple of line-outs which they drove at the Cheetahs line without success, while the Cheetahs continued with their expansive approach.
But it appeared as if the two teams accepted that the Bulls would win and the Cheetahs had already secured first place on the standings and were now just prepared to play out the game.
The scorers:
For the Blue Bulls:
Tries: Scholtz 2, Rossouw, Delport, Ndungane, Spies
Cons: Hougaard 4
Pen: Hougaard
For the Cheetahs:
Tries: Van der Merwe, Burger 3, Passens
Cons: De Waal 3
Yellow cards: JP Nel (Blue Bulls, 31 - repeated offences), Jannie du Plessis (Cheetahs, 31 - repeated offences)
Teams:
Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Johan Roets, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JP Nel, 12 Dries Scholtz, 11 Marius Delport, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Hilton Lobberts, 6 Danie Rossouw, 5 Francois van Schouwenburg, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Gary Botha (captain), 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Danie Thiart, 18 Hottie Louw, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Neil Powell, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Stefan Basson
Vodacom Cheetahs: 15 Philip Burger, 14 Eddie Fredericks, 13 Chris Kruger, 12 Hendrik Meyer, 11 Gavin Passens, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Falie Oelschig, 8 Ryno van der Merwe, 7 Darron Nell, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 Rory Duncan, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Ollie le Roux (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jaco du Toit, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Corniel van Zyl, 19 Quinton Davids, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Bevin Fortuin, 22 Gaffie du Toit
Referee: Marius Jonker (KwaZulu Natal)
Touch judges: JC Fortuin (Western Province), Jerome America (Western Province)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (Boland)
Saturday September 30 2006
Eleven-try thriller at Loftus
The Blue Bulls secured themselves a place in the Currie Cup play-offs with a bruising 41-31 win over the Cheetahs at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, but it was the Cheetahs that secured first place on the Currie Cup standings with a four-try bonus point.
Both the Bulls and the Cheetahs finished on 50 points after 14 games, but the Cheetahs stayed first on the standings because of their greater points difference.
The Bulls will now host Western Province in the one semi-final, at Loftus Versfeld next Saturday (October 7), while the Cheetahs will be at home to the Sharks in the other semi-final. The big losers in a weekend of high drama were the Lions, who finished the competition in fourth place.
But if the action of Loftus on Saturday is anything to go by, the semi-finals are sure to be humdingers.
The Bulls produced their best performance of the season and showed they can still win games with pure power, although there were some moments that bordered on over-the-top aggression. Not that the Cheetahs were angels either.
But this time the Bulls won the battle and outscored the Cheetahs by six tries to five in a thrilling encounter.
The Cheetahs made their intensions clear even before the game when coach Rassie Erasmus made a host of late changes, including naming speedsters Philip Burger for Bevin Fortuin at fullback and Gavin Passens on the wing for Gaffie du Toit.
And they ran the ball at every opportunity. Not always very effective, but when the Cheetahs did get it right it was spectacular. And it included a sublime hat-trick by South African Sevens star Philip Burger.
The Bulls, in return, used their greater strength - both among the forwards and in midfield, to play typical bash-up rugby, while fly-half Derick Hougaard's boot also played a critical role.
And on the day the muscle-play was the winner.
The Bulls, applying lots of early pressure, got a reward in the third minute when centre Dries Scholtz went over near the uprights. It came from a quick tap-and-go by captain Gary Botha, with scrum-half Heini Adams showing some good hands. Hougaard added the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
But the Cheetahs were not about to be outdone.
They got their reply in the 11th minute, with No.8 Ryno van der Merwe scoring the try - a line-out which turned into a very effective Cheetahs maul. Willem de Waal levelled matters with his conversion.
The Bulls replied almost immediately, when lock Danie Rossouw went over, following a series of strong drives by the Bulls forwards. Hougaard made it 14-7 with his conversion.
But the Cheetahs' reply was both effective and spectacular. It came when the Bulls launched a high kick on fullback Philip Burger, a late inclusion ahead of Bevin Fortuin. Burger not only dealt with the kick effectively, catching it while leaping in the air, but he then set off on a counter and sprinted down the right hand touchline - outstripping the cover to score after a 60 metre run. De Waal couldn't convert, but the gap was down to just two points.
The Bulls' next try was another power-play, with burly centre Dries Scholtz busting through a Willem de Waal tackle for his second try. Hougaard's conversion made it 21-12 after 25 minutes.
The testosterone-induced action continued for the next few minutes, before it reached boiling point.
It came in the form of a thuggish coat-hanger by Bulls flank Danie Rossouw, which sparked another melley.
Referee Marius Jonker had had enough of all the off-the-ball stuff and issued yellow cards to JP Nel (BUlls centre) and Jannie du Plessis (Cheetahs prop). But the real culprit, Rossouw, escaped any censure.
The Bulls got the bonus-point try while both teams were still down to 14 men each, just before the half-time hooter.
Following a period of sustained pressure through strong phase play, the Bulls took the ball wide to the left, where wing Marius Delport cantered over in the corner. The final pass came from Rossouw, who showed he has the skills to play the game and don't need to use cheap shots to make an impression. Hougaard failed with his first kick of the afternoon, but the home side took a comfortable 26-12 lead into the break.
The Bulls quickly stretched their lead after the break, with Akona Ndungane intercepting a sloppy pass and sprinting clear for the fifth try. Hougaard added the conversion for a 33-12 lead.
The Cheetahs' reply was immediate and sublime, with Eddie Frederick putting Philip Burger into space from a scrum. Not a hand was laid on Burger as he raced clear for his team's third try. De Waal slotted the touchline conversion to make it 33-19.
But the Bulls were just as quick with their next try, with Pierre Spies going over after showing great pace and strength to bust through a tackle and stretch out a long arm at the next tackle to score his team's sixth try. Hougaard's conversion attempt drifted wide, but at 38-19 it looked like the game was slipping away for the visitors.
However, the Cheetahs were not done. From a scrum deep inside their own territory they spun the ball wide and Burger again sprinted into space, around his defender, and then offloaded to Gavin Passens (another late change by Rassie Erasmus), who sprinted over for the bonus-point try - the bonus point that booked their place at the top of the standings. De Waal slotted the conversion to make it 38-26.
Hougaard slotted a penalty in the 60th minute and at 41-26 it again looked a good lead.
But again Burger entered into the fray. From a free-kick the Cheetahs tapped and set off downfield. They put Passens into space and he passed inside to Burger, who again outstripped the cover to score his third try. De Waal's conversion was wide, but at 41-31 the Cheetahs were alive again and there were still 18 minutes left on the clock.
The two teams kept hammering at each other throughout the final quarter, but strong defence and some poor option taking saw no further scoring.
Not that there weren't opportunities. The Bulls had a couple of line-outs which they drove at the Cheetahs line without success, while the Cheetahs continued with their expansive approach.
But it appeared as if the two teams accepted that the Bulls would win and the Cheetahs had already secured first place on the standings and were now just prepared to play out the game.
The scorers:
For the Blue Bulls:
Tries: Scholtz 2, Rossouw, Delport, Ndungane, Spies
Cons: Hougaard 4
Pen: Hougaard
For the Cheetahs:
Tries: Van der Merwe, Burger 3, Passens
Cons: De Waal 3
Yellow cards: JP Nel (Blue Bulls, 31 - repeated offences), Jannie du Plessis (Cheetahs, 31 - repeated offences)
Teams:
Vodacom Blue Bulls: 15 Johan Roets, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 JP Nel, 12 Dries Scholtz, 11 Marius Delport, 10 Derick Hougaard, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Hilton Lobberts, 6 Danie Rossouw, 5 Francois van Schouwenburg, 4 Adriaan Fondse, 3 Rayno Gerber, 2 Gary Botha (captain), 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Danie Thiart, 18 Hottie Louw, 19 Derick Kuün, 20 Neil Powell, 21 Morné Steyn, 22 Stefan Basson
Vodacom Cheetahs: 15 Philip Burger, 14 Eddie Fredericks, 13 Chris Kruger, 12 Hendrik Meyer, 11 Gavin Passens, 10 Willem de Waal, 9 Falie Oelschig, 8 Ryno van der Merwe, 7 Darron Nell, 6 Kabamba Floors, 5 Barend Pieterse, 4 Rory Duncan, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Richardt Strauss, 1 Ollie le Roux (captain).
Replacements: 16 Jaco du Toit, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 Corniel van Zyl, 19 Quinton Davids, 20 Michael Claassens, 21 Bevin Fortuin, 22 Gaffie du Toit
Referee: Marius Jonker (KwaZulu Natal)
Touch judges: JC Fortuin (Western Province), Jerome America (Western Province)
Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (Boland)
Cheetahs het tuisveldvoordeel - André Bester
<< Back
2006-9-30
www.suparugby.com
Die Cheetahs het ondanks hul nederlaag van 31-41 Saterdag op Loftus teen die Bulle eerste op die Curriebeker-punteleer geëindig en speel Saterdag in Bloemfontein in ‘n tuis-halfeindstryd teen die Sharsk. Die Vrystaters sal ook tuisveldvoordeel hê indien hulle tot die eindstryd deurdring.
Die Bulle en die WP speel in die tweede halfeind op Loftus teen mekaar ná die Bulle se skittervertoning teen die Curriebekerkampioen.
Die Bulle se oorwinning oor die Cheetahs, en die WP en Sharks se wegholoorwinnings oor die Griekwas en die Valke onderskeidelik beteken dat die Leeus nie in een van die halfeindstryde speel nie.
Hoewel die Leeus agt agtereenvolgende oorwinnings behaal het, eindig hulle steeds vyfde op die punteleer.
Die Luiperds en die Boland speel aanstaande Vrydag in die eindstryd van die Eersteliga in Potchefstroom.
Rassie-hulle eindig bo - Neels Marais
<< Back
2006-9-30
Die Cheetahs het Saterdag op Loftus danksy vier drieë bo-aan die punteleer geëindig ten spyte daarvan dat die Bulle dié kragmeting 41-31 gewen het.
Dit beteken die Bulle speel aanstaande in Pretoria teen die WP en die Cheetahs meet in Bloemfontein kragte teen die Sharks.
Die Bulle het reeds in die eerste helfte vier drieë gedruk om die Leeus uit te skakel en nadat die Vrystaters se vlieënde heelagter Phillip Burger ‘n driekuns behaal het, het Gavin Passens in die 57ste minuut sy span se vierde drie gedruk om die Cheetahs bo-aan die punteleer te laat eindig.
Die Blou Masjien was rustyd 26-12 voor en dit was veral Dries Scholtz se twee stormdrieë wat die besoekers op die agtervoet geplaas het.
In die tweede helfte het die Bulle voortgebou op hul kliniese spel van die die eerste helfte en twee verdere drieë gedruk om seker te maak van ‘n oorwinning.
Die manne van die States het egter nooit moed opgegee nie en dit was ‘n voorreg om Burger soos ‘n vlakhaas met die bal te sien hardloop. Dié kêrel is natuurlik propvol side-shows maar daar is niks fout met sy entoesiasme nie en die jongspan kan gerus noureeds tydens pouse sy aanvalslyne in touchies na-aap.
Die Bulle se vaste vyf was soos gewoonlik ‘n handvol en in die los het Pierre Spies, Danie Rossouw en die jong yster Hilton Lobberts deurentyd pragspel opgedis.
Agterlangs was Derick Hougaard se skopwerk en sy verdediging uitstaande en Gary Botha se spel kan gerus met ‘n plek in die Bokspan later vanjaar beloon word.
Behalwe Burger het die Vrystaters se agterlyn goed daarin geslaag om die bal oor die veld te skuif en ‘n man soos Ryno van der Merwe kan in dieselfde asem as Luke Watson genoem word.
Punte: Bulle: Drieë: Dries Scholtz (2), Akona Ndunagne, Marius Delport, Pierre Spies, Danie Rossouw. Doelskoppe: Derick Hougaard (4). Strafdoel: Hougaard.
Cheetahs: Drieë: Phillip Burger (3), Gavin Passens en Ryno van der Merwe. Doelskoppe: Willem de Waal (3).
<< Back
2006-9-30
www.suparugby.com
Die Cheetahs het ondanks hul nederlaag van 31-41 Saterdag op Loftus teen die Bulle eerste op die Curriebeker-punteleer geëindig en speel Saterdag in Bloemfontein in ‘n tuis-halfeindstryd teen die Sharsk. Die Vrystaters sal ook tuisveldvoordeel hê indien hulle tot die eindstryd deurdring.
Die Bulle en die WP speel in die tweede halfeind op Loftus teen mekaar ná die Bulle se skittervertoning teen die Curriebekerkampioen.
Die Bulle se oorwinning oor die Cheetahs, en die WP en Sharks se wegholoorwinnings oor die Griekwas en die Valke onderskeidelik beteken dat die Leeus nie in een van die halfeindstryde speel nie.
Hoewel die Leeus agt agtereenvolgende oorwinnings behaal het, eindig hulle steeds vyfde op die punteleer.
Die Luiperds en die Boland speel aanstaande Vrydag in die eindstryd van die Eersteliga in Potchefstroom.
Rassie-hulle eindig bo - Neels Marais
<< Back
2006-9-30
Die Cheetahs het Saterdag op Loftus danksy vier drieë bo-aan die punteleer geëindig ten spyte daarvan dat die Bulle dié kragmeting 41-31 gewen het.
Dit beteken die Bulle speel aanstaande in Pretoria teen die WP en die Cheetahs meet in Bloemfontein kragte teen die Sharks.
Die Bulle het reeds in die eerste helfte vier drieë gedruk om die Leeus uit te skakel en nadat die Vrystaters se vlieënde heelagter Phillip Burger ‘n driekuns behaal het, het Gavin Passens in die 57ste minuut sy span se vierde drie gedruk om die Cheetahs bo-aan die punteleer te laat eindig.
Die Blou Masjien was rustyd 26-12 voor en dit was veral Dries Scholtz se twee stormdrieë wat die besoekers op die agtervoet geplaas het.
In die tweede helfte het die Bulle voortgebou op hul kliniese spel van die die eerste helfte en twee verdere drieë gedruk om seker te maak van ‘n oorwinning.
Die manne van die States het egter nooit moed opgegee nie en dit was ‘n voorreg om Burger soos ‘n vlakhaas met die bal te sien hardloop. Dié kêrel is natuurlik propvol side-shows maar daar is niks fout met sy entoesiasme nie en die jongspan kan gerus noureeds tydens pouse sy aanvalslyne in touchies na-aap.
Die Bulle se vaste vyf was soos gewoonlik ‘n handvol en in die los het Pierre Spies, Danie Rossouw en die jong yster Hilton Lobberts deurentyd pragspel opgedis.
Agterlangs was Derick Hougaard se skopwerk en sy verdediging uitstaande en Gary Botha se spel kan gerus met ‘n plek in die Bokspan later vanjaar beloon word.
Behalwe Burger het die Vrystaters se agterlyn goed daarin geslaag om die bal oor die veld te skuif en ‘n man soos Ryno van der Merwe kan in dieselfde asem as Luke Watson genoem word.
Punte: Bulle: Drieë: Dries Scholtz (2), Akona Ndunagne, Marius Delport, Pierre Spies, Danie Rossouw. Doelskoppe: Derick Hougaard (4). Strafdoel: Hougaard.
Cheetahs: Drieë: Phillip Burger (3), Gavin Passens en Ryno van der Merwe. Doelskoppe: Willem de Waal (3).
hi gkc
yip Die cheetahs het hoe risiko rugga gespeel
vanaf doellyn gehardloop- en een onnerskep drie het so gekom
moenie 'n fout maak nie die bulle is mean en moerig- dit sal keer van enige span kos om hulle te wen.
hoe was auckland
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yip Die cheetahs het hoe risiko rugga gespeel
vanaf doellyn gehardloop- en een onnerskep drie het so gekom
moenie 'n fout maak nie die bulle is mean en moerig- dit sal keer van enige span kos om hulle te wen.
hoe was auckland
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