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Gary Boshoff
On Saturday evening the Bulls surged to the top of the Super 14 log through a trademark Bryan Habana intercept try. However, very few people would have noticed how close the Bulls came to defeat in that split second when Habana intercepted. For if he missed, Fabian Juries would have been clear and away and instead of the hero, Habana could just as easily have been the villain in it all. This time around though it is the Bulls and Habana that are celebrating - and well-done to them.
But what a performance by both teams! I predicted a Cheetahs backlash and they certainly did not disappoint, testing the Bulls in almost every aspect of the game. The Bulls on the other hand once again showed their tenacity and patience and are looking good for a home semi-final come May 23.
Bryan Habana, who hasn’t really played well since the 2007 World Cup is showing signs of his ominous old self – last week’s blistering acceleration through the gap against the Force and the last minute “bonus point grabbing” try against the Cheetahs this past weekend, says it all.
Peter de Villiers must be grinning from ear to ear after seeing the renewed enthusiasm in the speedster’s play. Like him, I can’t wait to see Habana and Jongi Nokwe turning on the heat when the British and Irish Lions arrive in June.
Perfect start
After yet another disappointing performance in Durban the Sharks seem to have suffered one defeat too many and are certain to miss out on the playoffs. They will now have to beat the Bulls (with a bonus point) in the final fixture to stand any chance of making it to the semis, which on present form seems highly unlikely.
What seemed like the best draw and a perfect start to the season turned pear-shaped after losses, first against the cellar-dwellers (Reds and Cheetahs) and later the Crusaders. At crucial moments in the competition they lost focus and are now paying a heavy price for it – a disappointing end to perhaps their best ever chance to lift the Super 14 trophy. Despite the poor odds on making the playoffs, even if they can beat the Bulls with a bonus point, the nature of the competition between the two arch-rivals, will see the title chase going down to the wire at the ABSA Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
The Bulls desperately need that bonus point win to remain on top of the log and secure a home semi-final (and a home final if they win the semi-final) and through that the best possible chance to win their second Super 14 title. This however all depends on their performance in this final fixture against the Sharks.
Last year we saw the Stormers miss out on a playoff berth when they couldn’t get that bonus point win against the Lions at Ellis Park? Will this be the destiny of the Bulls, thwarted by a South African team at the final hurdle? Or will they be able to absorb the already intense pressure and score four tries against the Sharks at the ABSA Stadium in Durban?
Huge underachievement
While some pundits predicted that South Africa might have as many as three teams in the playoffs, the prospect of only one making it through can certainly be considered to be a huge underachievement. This together with the injuries to key players raises question marks over the Springboks’ readiness for the British and Irish Lions. Worrying indeed is the uncertainty as to who will play in key positions such as fullback, flyhalf and tighthead – this with less than a month to go to the first Test in Durban.
I believe the coach should go for combinations in this instance. I have to confess that I haven’t really rated Zane Kirchner as a Springbok contender before, but he has shown a huge improvement in his option-taking (decision-making) – the one area that bothered me about him up to now. Kirchner, with Habana and Fourie du Preez around to support him, is in my opinion the solution at fullback, while Adi Jacobs (12) and Jaque Fourie (13) would solve the midfield worries.
If Ruan Pienaar comes through Saturday’s encounter with the Bulls unscathed, he should be the first choice pivot for the series. After John Smit’s strong showing against the highly rated Highlanders front-row he should get the nod ahead of team-mate Jannie du Plessis at tighthead prop. The other change I would make is to select Heinrich Brussow in the starting line-up with Juan Smith and Pierre Spies and play Schalk Burger off the bench. Brussow has been outstanding this year and is by far our best open-side flanker – he is ready!
What is certain is that the Springbok team that runs onto the field in Durban on June 13 will be somewhat different from the one that faced England at Twickenham at the end of last year.
Gary Boshoff is a former Saru player and well-known rugby administrator.
Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
On Saturday evening the Bulls surged to the top of the Super 14 log through a trademark Bryan Habana intercept try. However, very few people would have noticed how close the Bulls came to defeat in that split second when Habana intercepted. For if he missed, Fabian Juries would have been clear and away and instead of the hero, Habana could just as easily have been the villain in it all. This time around though it is the Bulls and Habana that are celebrating - and well-done to them.
But what a performance by both teams! I predicted a Cheetahs backlash and they certainly did not disappoint, testing the Bulls in almost every aspect of the game. The Bulls on the other hand once again showed their tenacity and patience and are looking good for a home semi-final come May 23.
Bryan Habana, who hasn’t really played well since the 2007 World Cup is showing signs of his ominous old self – last week’s blistering acceleration through the gap against the Force and the last minute “bonus point grabbing” try against the Cheetahs this past weekend, says it all.
Peter de Villiers must be grinning from ear to ear after seeing the renewed enthusiasm in the speedster’s play. Like him, I can’t wait to see Habana and Jongi Nokwe turning on the heat when the British and Irish Lions arrive in June.
Perfect start
After yet another disappointing performance in Durban the Sharks seem to have suffered one defeat too many and are certain to miss out on the playoffs. They will now have to beat the Bulls (with a bonus point) in the final fixture to stand any chance of making it to the semis, which on present form seems highly unlikely.
What seemed like the best draw and a perfect start to the season turned pear-shaped after losses, first against the cellar-dwellers (Reds and Cheetahs) and later the Crusaders. At crucial moments in the competition they lost focus and are now paying a heavy price for it – a disappointing end to perhaps their best ever chance to lift the Super 14 trophy. Despite the poor odds on making the playoffs, even if they can beat the Bulls with a bonus point, the nature of the competition between the two arch-rivals, will see the title chase going down to the wire at the ABSA Stadium in Durban on Saturday.
The Bulls desperately need that bonus point win to remain on top of the log and secure a home semi-final (and a home final if they win the semi-final) and through that the best possible chance to win their second Super 14 title. This however all depends on their performance in this final fixture against the Sharks.
Last year we saw the Stormers miss out on a playoff berth when they couldn’t get that bonus point win against the Lions at Ellis Park? Will this be the destiny of the Bulls, thwarted by a South African team at the final hurdle? Or will they be able to absorb the already intense pressure and score four tries against the Sharks at the ABSA Stadium in Durban?
Huge underachievement
While some pundits predicted that South Africa might have as many as three teams in the playoffs, the prospect of only one making it through can certainly be considered to be a huge underachievement. This together with the injuries to key players raises question marks over the Springboks’ readiness for the British and Irish Lions. Worrying indeed is the uncertainty as to who will play in key positions such as fullback, flyhalf and tighthead – this with less than a month to go to the first Test in Durban.
I believe the coach should go for combinations in this instance. I have to confess that I haven’t really rated Zane Kirchner as a Springbok contender before, but he has shown a huge improvement in his option-taking (decision-making) – the one area that bothered me about him up to now. Kirchner, with Habana and Fourie du Preez around to support him, is in my opinion the solution at fullback, while Adi Jacobs (12) and Jaque Fourie (13) would solve the midfield worries.
If Ruan Pienaar comes through Saturday’s encounter with the Bulls unscathed, he should be the first choice pivot for the series. After John Smit’s strong showing against the highly rated Highlanders front-row he should get the nod ahead of team-mate Jannie du Plessis at tighthead prop. The other change I would make is to select Heinrich Brussow in the starting line-up with Juan Smith and Pierre Spies and play Schalk Burger off the bench. Brussow has been outstanding this year and is by far our best open-side flanker – he is ready!
What is certain is that the Springbok team that runs onto the field in Durban on June 13 will be somewhat different from the one that faced England at Twickenham at the end of last year.
Gary Boshoff is a former Saru player and well-known rugby administrator.
Disclaimer: Sport24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of columnists published on Sport24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Sport24.
