2012 S15 SA Conference

[Brisbok]

rightly talked up Etzebeth, what a machine.

Agreed! First time I have seen him play, but very impressed. Very early days, but the next Bakkies Botha??

Juandre Kruger was also impressive for the Bulls.

 

[Blue]

Agreed! First time I have seen him play, but very impressed. Very early days, but the next Bakkies Botha??

Juandre Kruger was also impressive for the Bulls.

Saw Etzebeth for the first time in the U/21 World cup and though this guy looks the goods.

We might have a Bakkies with a brain? Imagine that.

Between those two and Bekker I am sleeping a little better at night.

Juandre could at a pinch cover the back row. Certainly has the pace. Makes him a good option on the bench in Green behind those two. Good options to have anyway.

Another encouraging thing was the two looseheads - Kitshoff for the Stormers and the Cheetahs new no 1 - forgot his name but he is built like a tank and scrummed well.

Where are the tightheads though? We have not produced good tightheads for some time now.

 

[PaarlBok]

Yep the youngsters sure impressed me no ends. Also like the look of Jordaan for the Sharks and Venter for the Brutes in midfield. Look like Elstadt will be back and Etsebeth will move to the bench, Kolisi sure deserve another chance in 6. Myself actually like Nizaam Carr more. I'd drop Koster who have had so many chances and yet impressed. Sharks will be a total different opposition as the Hurricanes. We need to keep Bismarckt in check and expect them to bully us at the breakdowns. Our lineouts should dominate them. Also expect JdJ to be back in 13 , Habana to the wing and thats where we need to hurt the Sharks. Backline.Michalak in 9 was a disaster.

 

[Blue]

Sharks better grow some nuts real quick. They got man handled by a young Bulls pack. Etzebeth to the bench? Big call.

So much wrong with the Sharks it's hard to see how they will turn it around in a week.

Agree on Koster. Never rated him but I guess is experience will keep him on the park.

Elstad could start on the flank but seems they don't want to play him there.

 

[PaarlBok]

Elstad could start on the flank but seems they don't want to play him there.

The problem at the Stormers is that we already have Vermeulen , Kolisi and Carr playing there. (Sure you talking about the SA 7 here) and my worry against the Sharks is the breakdowns. We need Rohan Kitshoff in 6 to combat them. The Stormers maul from the lineouts were excellent on saturday but I dont think we can ploy this against the Sharks.

 

[barbarian]

I actually thought Koster player pretty well on Saturday, best I have seen him play.

 

[PaarlBok]

I actually thought Koster player pretty well on Saturday, best I have seen him play.

Ja wasnt bad and hope he build on the performance. take Vermeulen out of trio and all chance into shite. He is the hard man.

 

[SuperGrover]

Unfortunately, looks like Burger is out for longer than initially thought. Lucky there is such depth in the back-row at the Stormers.

Burger's lay-off extended
Mon, 27 Feb 2012

The Stormers were dealt a cruel blow on Monday when it was revealed that captain Schalk Burger will be sidelined for longer than expected.

Burger, who damaged medial knee ligaments in last Saturday's 39-26 win over the Hurricanes, will miss at least the next six of action - maybe more.

The Stormers loose forward, who was taken from the field in agony, visited a specialist on Monday.

Coach Allister Coetzee, who initially suggested Burger would be back in four to six weeks, told a media gathering that no surgery will be required.

"However, we'll treat him conservatively," Coetzee said.

"His knee will be in a brace and we think at this stage it will be at least six weeks before he sees any action again."

It is hoped that Burger will be back on the playing field in Round Eight, when the men from Cape Town will tackle the seven-time champion Crusaders on April 14.

However, a more realistic return date is when the Stormers return from Australasia in May.
There is also still a measure of uncertainty that the Stormers' enforcer Rynhardt Elstadt will play and tests will continue this week before Coetzee makes a call on his availability for the clash against the Sharks on Saturday.

"We're just looking to see how he's going in contact situations and in the light sessions he's done okay," said Coetzee.

"The important thing is that we manage players properly. It's going to be a tough encounter and we'll see how he goes in training this week."

Springboks Andries Bekker (lock) and Jean de Villiers (centre) have injury niggles after the weekend match and were rested from training on Monday.

Both players will be available for selection this week.

 

[spooony]

The Bulls away shirt or shit whatever you want to call it

 

[PaarlBok]

No word on the Lions vs Cheetah match?

Good win for the Lions and one the Cheetahs could have won easily. Was impressed with Goosen. Hell this laaitie is like one hell of a talent. Show a penalty and a drop which would have made Naas proud and not afraid to mix it with the big men and a good attacker. Can see now why the Cheetahs gave him the 10 jersey above Sias Ebersohn. Jantjies also had a good game but the Lions strength lies in its loose forwards. They rule at the breakdowns and once they hit their straps they are so difficult to stop them. Andries Strauss bored tackle on Wikus was just so wrong and dumb. Liosn was rusted as ecpexted and I expect a much better game from them against the Canes. Cheetahs will be difficult this weekend in Osfontein and then we have a royal battle on Newlands against the Sharks.

 

[spooony]

Prince Charming returns for the Bulls Sadie out with injury.

Lions were disappointing. Expected a bit more from them since last years Currie Cup and the way they played.

Goosen got a bright future ahead of him. 19yrs old and gave a superb all round display.

 

[PaarlBok]

JdJ will also be back and finally Hendrik Roodt will have his big change for the Lions

Sport24

Golden chance for Lions’ Roodt

2012-02-28 08:33
Email | Print



Johannesburg - The spear tackle Cheetahs centre Andries Strauss was banned for after Saturday’s Super Rugby clash against the Lions will deprive the Gauteng side of one of their most experienced players on Friday.

Wikus van Heerden was stretchered off the field after Strauss' tackle in the 12th minute of the Lions’ 27-25 victory, but the relief was palpable when it was announced he had only suffered a concussion.

The timing could not have been much worse for the former Springbok as Saturday was his 33rd birthday.

He will now miss Friday’s game against the Hurricanes in the hope of being fully fit for his side’s third Super Rugby fixture against the Sharks in Durban.

Strauss became the first South African to be punished after the referee showed him a white card along with the obvious yellow his tackle warranted.

This white card calls on another official to scrutinise an isolated incident more closely.

Strauss admitted guilt to foul play and was subsequently banned for two weeks.

Van Heerden’s injury might not be serious, but it will no doubt encourage referees to be even stricter on needless tackles where players are lifted off their feet.

With Van Heerden on the sidelines, Lions newcomer Hendrik Roodt could well seize the opportunity to stake a claim on the position he filled when Van Heerden left the field.

The Lions’ lineouts were disappointing throughout on Saturday and Roodt, Franco van der Merwe and newcomer Callie Visagie will have to rectify the weakness this week.

 

[spooony]

JdJ will also be back and finally Hendrik Roodt will have his big change for the Lions

Sport24

I think that white card is stupid as they should just make a rule that all yellow card offenders must be reviewed and in case of further action it should be done. Where the white card can come into play if the ref do not see who the culprit was nor the touch judges but then again asking the TMO for a quick view will solve that issue. Why was he yellow carded and not shown a red as that constitutes to dangerous play that can lead to serious injury.

 

[SuperGrover]

Why was he yellow carded and not shown a red as that constitutes to dangerous play that can lead to serious injury.

Unfortunately, this could be another unintended consequence of the white card. Referees could become even more reluctant to issue red cards as they know that a white card will mean the player will be reviewed and banned post match.

 

[Brisbok]

...wow Spoony, congrats on choosing the South African players from Planet Rugby's team of the week with pretty much the same summaries. You and Dave Morris from Planet Rugby must be impressed by the same things in a rugby player!

After the opening weekend of Super Rugby, it's time for us to take a look at which players stood head and shoulders above the rest.


There were Round One wins for the Crusaders (two), Brumbies (none), Bulls (two), Highlanders (two), Reds (one), Stormers (two) and Lions (one). However, as always, that doesn't necessarily mean there's only room for the victors.

Far from it as the Blues (two), Hurricanes (one) and Waratahs (one) also find a place or two in our first team of the week for 2012.

15 Joe Pietersen (Stormers): Back in South Africa after a stint with French side Bayonne, the Percy Montgomery look-alike contributed 21 points to help the Stormers get their campaign off to a winning start. Unlucky to be denied a deserved try by the TMO at the death that would have earned his side a bonus point.

14 Dom Shipperley (Reds): Waratahs fans won't forget Shipperley's name in a hurry. Always eager to run the ball from deep, the Reds flyer needed just one chance, one excellent weave, and then a 60-metre sprint at the death to win the game for the defending champions.

13 Rene Ranger (Blues):The Blues may have lost but they produced their typical razzle dazzle and flair. No one typified this more than Ranger who was a constant threat and made some barnstorming runs.

12 Tamati Ellison (Highlanders): He may have played in the number thirteen jersey, but Ellison was so impressive for the Highlanders that we had to find a place for him in our XV... so we shifted him to inside centre. Playing at electric pace, Ellison carved up the Chiefs defence and created plenty of opportunities for his team - one of which led to a crucial second-half try that was the start of the visitor's fightback.

11 Israel Dagg (Crusaders): Proved he's an equal threat on the wing as he is at full-back. His charged-down clearance kick led to a try early on for the Blues, but the All Blacks star didn't put a foot wrong thereafter and made amends with a solid performance in attack and defence.

10 Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes): Beats off stiff competition from Elton Jantjies (Lions), Mike Harris (Reds) and Johann Goosen (Cheetahs). Behind a Hurricanes pack that was dismantled at the set-pieces, Barrett defied the result, the venue and rugby logic to score a try, set up another and land all six shots at goal. Not bad for his first Super Rugby start...

9 Sarel Pretorius (Waratahs): Another star performance from a player on the losing side. A confident and energetic Waratahs debut for the former Cheetahs scrum-half who brought a zip to his adopted side's game. Scored a try to put the Waratahs in front, but was subbed straight afterwards. Wonder if new coach Michael Foley is regretting that decision...

8 Jerome Kaino (Blues): Fluffed an opening try for himself, but not the team as fellow loose forward Chris Lowry touched down. Dusted himself off to put in a typical robust display for the Blues - led from the front and played with great commitment.

7 Derick Minnie (Lions): Competed well in the contact area, and was integral in turning over possession at the breakdown for his team. No easy feat when his opposite number was Springbok fetcher Heinrich Brüssow.

6 Adam Thomson (Highlanders): Thomson started the Super Rugby season in the same fashion he ended the last by carrying the ball strongly and giving his team some vital go-forward, punishing the opposition with several quick raids. He just seems to pop up everywhere!

5 Juandré Kruger (Bulls): Filling the boots of the irreplaceable Victor Matfield, all eyes were on Kruger to see if the Bulls second row was in good hands. And after this outstanding display from the former Saints forward - arguably his best in a Bulls shirt - it's safe to say the Loftus Versfeld faithful can sleep a little easier at night.

4 Eben Etzebeth (Stormers): The future is bright for the Stormers young gun who was firing on all cylinders against the 'Canes in his first Super Rugby start, revelling in his role as his team's second row enforcer.

3 Ben Franks (Crusaders): Made the Blues work hard in the scrums, but they wouldn't have expected nothing less against the Crusaders' hardman who was replaced in the second half by his brother Owen for a well earned rest.

2 Jason Rutledge (Highlanders): Please can the New Zealand selectors give this man an All Blacks jersey before he retires? He didn't start the game, but made a mighty big impression when he came on for Andrew Hore. Rutledge did not concede an inch in the scrums, found his targets at line-out time and set up the match-winning try for Phil Burleigh off a charge-down.

1 Dean Greyling (Bulls): An impressive contribution around the park for the big man, who put in a tireless performance and certainly held his own up front against the Sharks.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16016_7552831,00.html

 

[spooony]

Dunno that site. Get my stats from here mate
http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby-2012/rugby/match/151274.html

 

[Brisbok]

Dunno that site. Get my stats from here mate
http://www.espnscrum.com/super-rugby-2012/rugby/match/151274.html

Haha did you really delete your previous post?

 

[Blue]

Haha did you really delete your previous post?

On the topic, Greyling was okay but he has some work to do scrum time. Sadly for him he plays with one of the weakest TH props in the comp in W Kruger.

I'd love to see someone else step up at 3 for the Bulls this year. Greyling is probably hamstrung because his 3 barely ever gets the right shoulder on defensive scrums.

 

[PaarlBok]

Battle in Osfontein:
Cheetahs:15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Rocco Jansen, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Philip Snyman, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Tewis de Bruyn, 8 Davon Raubenheimer, 7 Philip van der Walt, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 Andries Ferreira, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Trevor Nyakane
Substitutes: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Lourens Adriaanse, 18 Waltie Vermeulen, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Cameron Jacobs
Bulls:
15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Akona Ndungane, 13. Wynand Olivier, 12. Francois Venter, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Pierre Spies (captain), 7. Jacques Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Juandre Kruger, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Dean Greyling

Substitutes: 16. Willie Wepener, 17. Frik Kirsten, 18. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19. CJ Stander, 20. Jano Vermaak, 21. Louis Fouche, 22. JJ Engelbrecht

 

[PaarlBok]

Gave you a bit of info on the SA youngsters

Stormers:15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Gio Aplon, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Gary van Aswegen, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Nick Koster, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Brok Harris, 2 Tiaan Liebenberg, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Frans Malherbe, 18 De Kock Steenkamp, 19 Nizaam Carr, 20 Louis Schrueder, 21 Peter Grant, 22 Gerhard van den Heever
In comes Nizaam Carr. He is just as talented as Kolisi. He is more a fetcher type but also handy at lineouts and with ball in hand.

JdJ & Grant back and sure an excellent mix of young and old. The bench is as good as it can get,