Share

Mitchell to take on former team ... and lose

accreditation
Mark Keohane (File)
Mark Keohane (File)

The supporter in me has always loved the Bulls as a rugby team. The reporter in me backs the Lions to win - and win comfortably in Pretoria in a derby clash that has extra spice because it’s the first time new Bulls coach John Mitchell will take on his former team the Lions.

I was massively encouraged by the Bulls performance against the Hurricanes but very disappointed that less than 10 000 were at the ground to witness the winning result.

The lack of support is understandable because the Bulls have been a shambles for a few years. They lost some of the greatest players produced in the last generation and they also lost world class coaches. They tried to do an in-house job in an international competition and they took a beating.

The previous coach wasn’t good enough and neither were the players he selected.

Mitchell, in one match, did more than this predecessor did in two seasons.

But, as Mitchell cautioned after the win, it’s feet on the ground time for the Bulls. They’ve won one home game and played just one game. It’s a long season and they’re a team into their second match with a new coach.

They’re up against a team that for the past two seasons made successive finals and with a head coach (in Swys de Bruin) who in that time was the assistant coach and in charge of the backs.

De Bruin’s promotion to head honcho has immediately produced impressive results. The Lions were a lot more polished and cohesive in the opening win against the Sharks than I thought would be the case.

I feared that De Bruin’s love for all-out attack could compromise the strength of the Lions set piece, but it hasn’t. There has been no letting up of focus in the Lions approach to the scrum.

There remains investment in the value of the set piece and how influential it is to have a set piece that can destroy the opposition.

The Bulls, following the win against the Hurricanes, will also have to deal with the new-found confidence of their support base, whose judgement could be clouded with a lack of realism this week and also a distaste of the opposition, given the derby factor.

It is brilliant for the competition that the Bulls are again being spoken of as a winning combination and it also adds to one’s appetite to want to watch the game. Hopefully, we’ll see a crowd of 30 000 in Pretoria on Saturday.

I am expecting a very entertaining game, with both teams positive in their approach. The return fixture at Ellis Park will be closer than what we’ll see on Saturday. The Bulls will be stronger the longer Mitchell coaches them. They aren’t strong enough to threaten what is a very settled Lions unit.

I was furious when watching the Stormers throw it away against the Waratahs. They played some of the most stupid rugby when, leading 24-21 and with a one man playing advantage, they lost focus and discipline.

The last two minutes were also among the most disastrous. The set piece failed in the scrum and lineout, they turned over possession and they gift wrapped four league points and handed it to the Waratahs.

The leadership of the Stormers in those crucial moments was absent and senior players also let the team down.

Championships are not won by teams who play the big moments like the Stormers did in Sydney. They’ll be more competitive in New Zealand but no more victorious than was the case in Australia.

As for the Sharks, every time I shower them with praise they p**s me off and lose. So I’ll be conservative in any expectation but liberal enough to say the Waratahs aren’t a good enough team to win in Durban.

Mark Keohane is a Cape-Town based award-winning rugby specialist and former Springbok Communications Manager. Follow him on Twitter

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.

Previous Mark Keohane columns on Sport24:

Bulls will be a different animal under Mitchell

Back Sharks to be SA's top team

Rassie's Boks will beat England's Eddie

Shocking results, not race behind Coetzee's axing

No tournament with Sunwolves can be 'best v best'!

How Rassie plans to re-align SA Rugby

Scrap the 30-Test ruling and make Cheslin Kolbe a Bok!

Blitzboks, not All Blacks, the talk of Cape Town

Kids don't win RWCs, get back Duane, Frans!

Why Rassie is the man to take Boks forward

Paris glory won't erase Albany and Dublin gore

I'd happily take a 1-point win!

To vote against SA's bid would be an insult

Bosch will win Currie Cup final for Sharks

No current Bok would make 2007 team!

Dublin is D-Day for Boks

All Blacks' lack of desire gives Boks a sniff

Boks will beat Wallabies, but...

Bok changes won't spell panic

Boks will run All Blacks close

Win or lose in Perth, Boks have made progress!

Etzebeth is the right choice for Bok captain!

Kriel sets example others should follow

Combrinck to lead Lions to Super Rugby title

Jantjies the man to lead Lions to glory

Stormers WILL reach Super Rugby semis!

Stormers need to back youngster Willemse

Serfontein, Mostert the Boks standouts

Boks must extend Brendan 'Mr Fixit' Venter's role

Coetzee's Lions-laden Bok side can't lose!

Expect a different looking Bok starting XV!

Fear not, Boks will whitewash France 3-0!

Hey Allister, load the Boks with Lions!

The RWC 2019 gods have smiled on the Boks!

Unleash Curwin Bosch on the French!

YES, an overseas-based SA team would beat the Boks, but...

The next Springbok skipper has to be...

Super Rugby cull good for SA rugby

Clap, clap ... Venter's appointment should be applauded

South African rugby NEEDS to host RWC 2023

Why SA can't have 6 Super Rugby teams

Super 12 glory is now Super 18 gory

No winner is SARU's half-cocked overseas policy

Keeping Coetzee sadly no April Fools' joke

Mediocrity must fall!

Overseas based SA players are no traitors!

Sick Boks need more than a new doctor

Joost earned more than a minute's silence

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1155 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1337 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2041 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE