Super Rugby Unlocked: Highlights, Review And Standings

October 12, 2020
2130
Ultimate Rugby

Super Rugby Unlocked launched over the weekend with wins for all three host teams, the Bulls, the Sharks and the Cheetahs in the first local competition since rugby was halted in mid-March because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Stormers had a bye this weekend.

The Bulls, playing with a raft of new signings and a new head coach in former Springbok mentor Jake White, had to fight real hard for their 30-23 win over a very gritty Griquas Saturday evening in Pretoria.

The men from Kimberley led for more 60 minutes before the home side finally kicked into gear to secure the win, thanks mainly to the accurate kicking boot of experienced former Springbok flyhalf Morné Steyn after both sides had scored three tries.

In the earlier match on Saturday in Bloemfontein, the Cheetahs raced into a 41-3 halftime lead before easing to a 53-31 bonus-point triumph over the Pumas.

The Sharks kicked off the weekend’s action on Friday night in Durban where they held on for a nail-biting 19-16 win over the Lions.

Bulls made to work hard against gritty Griquas

The Bulls got their Super Rugby Unlocked campaign off to a winning start but they had to work very hard for their 30-23 win over the Griquas on Saturday evening at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. The sides were level (10-10) at the break in a match played in good highveld conditions.

It was the team from Kimberley who enjoyed early dominance - in fact - they had their noses in front for 62 minutes of the match before the home team could start to assert themselves mainly through a strong show from their forwards. The plucky visitors conceded too many penalties as a result of that pressure, which unfortunately led to their downfall.

The Bulls came out in an alternative jersey for the second half after a clash of colours in the opening stanza. Jake White’s men asserted themselves better in the second period mainly because of their forwards.

Ruan Nortje and Arno Botha were the try scorers for the Bulls, who were also awarded a penalty try. Morne Steyn kicked two penalty goals and one conversion. James Verity-Amm (2) and Anthony Volmink scored for the visitors, while George Whitehead added a penalty goal and two conversions.

Free-scoring Cheetahs off to impressive start in Bloemfontein

The Cheetahs scored an impressive 53-31 win over the Phakisa Pumas in Bloemfontein on Saturday, scoring eight tries in a dominant display over their Mpumalanga rivals in their opening match of the post-Coronavirus competition.

The home side scored five of those in a dazzling display of backline play in the first half at the Toyota Stadium to lead 41-3 and had the win sealed at the halfway stage of the encounter already. Credit to the visitors however, who managed four tries of their own in a much improved second-half display.

Frans Steyn, a double Rugby World Cup winning Springbok, made his debut for the Free Staters and the big man was a menace in midfield. Outside backs Malcolm Jaer (3) and Rosko Specman (2) scored five of their eight tries. Junior Pokomela, Ruan Pienaar, William Small-Smith were the other try scorers and Pienaar also kicked six conversions plus a penalty goal.

Sharks clinch nail-biting win over Lions in Durban

Springbok Curwin Bosch kicked four successful penalty goals to steer the Sharks to a close-fought 19-16 win over the Emirates Lions in their first-round Super Rugby Unlocked clash on Friday evening in Durban.

The Durbanites held a 13-3 lead at the break and had to show strong defence in the second stanza to keep the determined visitors at bay at Jonsson Kings Park. Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies hit the upright with a penalty attempt in the closing stages of the game as the home team just managed to hang on for a win.

Former Blitzboks star Werner Kok dotted down for Lukhanyo Am’s team while Curwin Bosch add four penalties to the conversion. Jamba Ulengo grabbed a try for the Joburg outfit, which Jantjies converted together with his three penalty goals.

Stat Leaders #SuperRugbyUnlocked 📊

Tackles - James Venter 14
Metres - Rosko Specman 154
Defenders beaten - Neil Maritz 6
Offloads - Clayton Blommetjies 3
Turnovers won - Hendrik Luus & Jason Jenkins 3
Clean Breaks - Malcolm Jaer 4
Lineout steals - Willie Engelbrecht 2 pic.twitter.com/QWO1Esdu3m
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) October 12, 2020