Four from four for SA teams over Welsh opposition
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It was a perfect round for the four South African teams in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship as the competition reached the halfway stage, with the local teams proving too strong for their Welsh visitors on a weekend that delivered 26 tries in the Republic.
The Cell C Sharks – bolstered by a bunch of returning Boks – bounced back from last weekend’s defeat and subsequent coaching changes to beat the Ospreys by 25-10 in Durban on Friday night.
On Saturday, the DHL Stormers played a home game in the Eastern Cape and outlasted the Dragons with a bonus-point 34-26 victory, but the Capetonians would not have been too happy with conceding four tries themselves, although Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok was in sublime form and scored half of their points.
The Vodacom Bulls were too strong for Cardiff in the second game on Saturday and scored six tries without reply as they won 45-9, with Bok speedster Canan Moodie crossing for two tries, and on Sunday, the Emirates Lions leap-frogged four teams to fifth on the log with their bonus-point win over the Scarlets on a hot afternoon in Johannesburg.
Table-topping Leinster’s victory over Ulster on Saturday meant that the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers moved up to second and third spots on the standings, while the Emirates Lions and Cell C Sharks also moved up.
Leinster’s perfect record from nine games see them top the log on 43 points, followed by the Vodacom Bulls (34 from nine) and DHL Stormers (34 from eight), while Ulster (31 from eight) are in fourth.
In fifth position, the Emirates Lions (24 from eight) are still firmly in the race for the top eight, while the Cell C Sharks are in 10th spot (19 from seven). Edinburgh (23 from nine), Cardiff (22 from nine), Munster (22 from nine) and Glasgow Warriors (20 from eight) lead the Durbanites on the log, while Connacht and Benetton (both on 19 from nine) are not far behind.
Cell C Sharks show fighting spirit to defeat Ospreys
The Cell C Sharks, fielding a new-look side after their big defeat against Cardiff last weekend, beat the Ospreys 25-10 in their Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban on Friday night.
Fourteen of the KwaZulu-Natalians’ points were earned from two converted tries in the last seven minutes.
Four of the Springboks who played against England last weekend, Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Ox Nche (prop), Jaden Hendrikse (scrumhalf) and Makazole Mapimpi (wing) started for the Durbanites and made good contributions.
Scorers:
Cell C Sharks 25 (6) – Tries: Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Curwin Bosch, James Venter. Conversions: Bosch (2). Penalty goals: Bosch (2).
Ospreys 10 (0) – Tries: Luke Morgan, Morgan Morris.
DHL Stormers outlast Dragons in Nelson Mandela Bay
The DHL Stormers outlasted the Dragons 34-26 in a thrilling Vodacom United Rugby Championship contest at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, earning them their sixth win in eight outings this season.
The Capetonians got off to a flying start after showing glimpses of impressive attacking form in the early stages of the game and scored four tries to one in the first half, which saw them enter the break in an encouraging 28-7 lead.
The Dragons fought back with intent in the second half scoring three tries, two of which were converted, to two penalty goals by Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok – who finished the game with a personal contribution of 17 points – but the strong start by the hosts was enough to seal them the valuable victory.
Scorers:
DHL Stormers 34 (28) – Tries: Junior Pokomela, Joseph Dweba, Ruhan Nel, Manie Libbok. Conversions: Libbok (3), Clayton Blommetjies. Penalty goals: Libbok (2).
Dragons 26 (7) – Tries: Jordan Williams, Aki Seiuli, JJ Hanrahan, Josh Reynolds. Conversions: JJ Hanrahan, Will Reed (2).
Vodacom Bulls overpower Cardiff at Loftus Versfeld
The Vodacom Bulls scored six tries in their 45-9 triumph over Cardiff in their ninth-round Vodacom United Rugby Championship clash at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday evening.
The hosts started the game looking for their fourth win on the bounce since their round-five defeat to Munster in Limerick, and Cardiff were no match for the team in the light blue jerseys playing at Fortress Loftus.
The hosts went into the halftime break with a 17-9 lead having scored two tries, one each through Springbok speedsters Canan Moodie (left wing) and Kurt-Lee Arendse (fullback), both converted by Johan Goosen (flyhalf), while the pivot also hit the mark with a penalty goal.
After the break they continued with their dominance which resulted in four more tries for a total of six for the evening, while they managed to keep the visitors scoreless in the second half with some outstanding defence. Moodie scored a brace of tries and bagged the Man of the Match accolade for a bright return to action after eight weeks.
Scorers:
Vodacom Bulls 45 (17) – Tries: Canan Moodie (2), Kurt-Lee Arendse, Johan Goosen, Ruan Nortje, Elrigh Louw. Conversions: Goosen (4), Chris Smit (2). Penalty goal: Goosen.
Cardiff 9 (9) – Penalty goals: Jarrod Evans (3).
Emirates Lions go fifth with Welsh double
The Emirates Lions powered up to fifth place on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship standings with a second successive victory over Welsh opposition, cruising to a 32-15 victory (halftime 18-5) over the Scarlets on a scorching Sunday afternoon in Johannesburg.
They leapfrogged four places with their bonus point, four-try to three win, following last week’s 33-25 victory over the Dragons.
In the thin-aired, roasting atmosphere of a highveld summer afternoon the Lions had too much pace, power and sheer cussedness for a wilting Scarlets team who never gave up but lacked the extra gear to overcome the home team.
Scorers:
Emirates Lions 32 (18) – Tries: Rabz Maxwane, Emmanuel Tshituka (2), Jaco Kriel. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (2), Zander du Plessis. Penalty goals: Hendrikse (2).
Scarlets 15 (5) – Tries: Dan Davis, Tom Rogers, Sam Lousi.
Other results:
Edinburgh 17 Munster 38
Zebre Parma 17 Glasgow Warriors 45
Connacht 38 Benetton 19
Leinster 38 Ulster 29
