Bath roll on sans Butch

Bath roll on sans Butch

25 Oct 2008

Bath edged Sale 24-21 in an EDF Energy Cup match on Friday despite fielding a team that was without Springbok flyhalf Butch James.

James is on a break in the Caribbean but his side took a step closer to the semi-finals with a come-from-behind victory over Sale, who have now lost three consecutive matches at their home ground, Edgeley Park.

In another Energy Cup fixture Wasps cruised past the Newcastle Falcons 26-13 at Kingston Park.

Importantly they secured a bonus point but coach Shaun Edwards won’t be pleased with the form of star flyhalf Danny Cipriani.

Of greater concern for England is the injury status of centre Jamie Noon, who was carried off in a neck brace after being double tackled by Josh Lewsey and Jeremy Staunton.

In the final match of the evening The Scarlets produced a 27-0 whitewash of Bristol.

It was their last match at the stadium before a move to a new, purpose-built arena called Parcy Scarlets.

The Scarlets’ final pool clash with Northampton Saints looks set to decide who progresses to the semi-finals.


48 Comments

  • 1.Loosehead: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 07:18 am

    Mud Island Dragons!

  • 2.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 07:18 am

    Carribean Dragons

  • 3.Loosehead: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 07:19 am

    Morning BH.

  • 4.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 07:20 am

    u beat me…. :(

  • 5.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 07:23 am

    #3 Loosehead: morning, still dark here. looking forward to a big day of rugby, CC final, Leicester/Cardiff is televised and then Ulster/Munster in the evening.

    Cipriani’s goal-kicking wasn’t too flash last night apparently but Lewsey playing well at 13.

    Seen Matt Turner play on the wing for Bristol, he’s straight into the big time there but didn’t get much chance to attack as Bristol aren’t good these days.

  • 6.Loosehead: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 07:33 am

    #5 Big Hit: It is a magnificent warm, windless day in Cape Town.
    I am not sure which UK games will be shown here, but would really like to watch them both.
    I have never seen Turner, only heard conflicting reports on him here on KEO. Some say he is the next Habana, others say he is onlu ok.

  • 7.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 07:40 am

    #6 Loosehead: Bristol’s not really the best club for Turner to have went to. They’re rooted to the bottom of the Premiership.

    Hougaard’s starting 10 today for Leicester with Flood at 12 should be interesting to see how they combine.

    Who’s your tip for the CC final?

  • 8.Loosehead: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 07:52 am

    #7 Big Hit: My heart is with the Sharks, but my head wonders about their recent displays in big games.

  • 9.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 08:00 am

    #8 Loosehead: ditto

  • 10.lostdragon: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 08:31 am

    Yeah the sharks will have the cool head of John Smith to finish the game off…..

  • 11.Biscuit: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 08:36 am

    Morning News -> Watson has pulled out of the Tour (as though the tw@t would have been picked because of the propagandist (is that a word? – he uses it) campaign against him over his noble stand on transformation (he did not use the word noble – he just implied it)

    Clever political move by him to announce before and at the last minute
    * He can now claim the moral high ground
    * the selectors have it easier

    But it deflects from the issue at hand

  • 12.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 08:40 am

    #11 Biscuit: Watson is just playing games. He knew after what he said he would never have been picked. How can he pull out of the tour when he has not even been selected yet!!! Nothing upstairs I think!! lol.

  • 13.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 08:41 am

    #11 Biscuit: Whats your take on the big game today? #9 Big Hit: Big Hit you there? How do you see the cc game going today? Its overcast with rain!

  • 14.strikers: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 08:43 am

    overcast with rain? good thing i didnt place the nice big bet on the sharkies i was considering

  • 15.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:03 am

    and a possible future springbok/protea/jackals or whatever our team will be called in the future was born.

    congrats to john smit and his wife on the birth of their baby. i reckon he needs a cc medal as a present.

  • 16.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:05 am

    #14 strikers: they have the forwards and the kickers to play a rain game. remember francois steyn’s first cc match against wp? it was sousing, he ran them ragged.

    then called the interviewer oom, i loved that.

  • 17.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:21 am

    #16 Knersboy: Yes and F.Steyn played 10!!!!!! I think they should put him back in the 10 jersey next season. The guy has lots of manners and brought up so well. Thats why he calls olders oom. I think thats great. Huge respect to him. Never mind the rain think Sharks will have a huge game today.

  • 18.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:24 am

    #17 Puma: i hope so, i hope so. they owe us for 12 years of hope and dissapointment.

  • 19.The Dark Knight: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:27 am

    Watson has withdrawn!

    http://www.simag.co.za/rugby/article.php?article_id=1006

  • 20.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:36 am

    #18 Knersboy: I just think we have a bit more talent in our side and our bench is better than theirs. I would have started with John as captain. Facing Victor what do you think? Know that Bismarck is playing better at the moment but sometimes like Sodajoe says. Some of this throw ins are dreadful. Hope he is spot on today otherwise Victor will punish him. I just wish this game was yesterday no rain and sun out. Not so sure about this weather though. Still think we can pull it off in the rain just wont see good rugby. It will be played tight. Just watching the NZ big game Cantebury against Wellington and its rain there too. Not a good game to watch lots of ball going forward lost ball because of the wet weather there and only half a stadium full. Here never mind if the weather is wet the stadium at Absa will be full to the rafters today. Good vibe all around with flags flying everywhere.

  • 21.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:37 am

    #17 Puma: puma…exactly how is the weather…back from the beach…warm..no wind…cape town awesome!!!!!!

  • 22.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:41 am

    #20 grant10: Good to hear the weather great there in CT. Here its awful rain and overcast. Looks like its going to be on for the day. Was hoping for a great day like we had yesterday. Still think the Sharks could pull this off in the rain. Remember Steyn against WP in very wet conditions that day? He also played 10 then. Vibe still very good here flags out everywhere both flags Bulls and Sharks.

  • 23.Knersboy: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:45 am

    #19 Puma: yap, i woulda started john too.

    but his wife just gave birth, maybe they decided he has enough on his mind. if he started this game he would be captain, then he would have had extra **** to do during the week and maybe the focus wouldn’t be right there.

    no matter how professional u r, if your wife is giving birth your mind is gonna be on that, as it should be.

  • 24.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:46 am

    #21 Puma: great pity puma!! switch steyn to 10….quick! really a tough one now…the scales may have tipped to the bulls!

  • 25.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:50 am

    #22 Knersboy: Not so sure if thats why Plum never selected John to start. I think he is just showing some loyalty to Muller that has been there the whole S14 and cc. John only came back when we started the cc for sharks anyway. I still would have picked him need his leadership today. Also what does that tell PdV? Plum should always pick John he is the Bok captain. Probably the best captain the world today. I rate his throw ins better than Bismarck. Of course I think Bismarck is playing better but the throw ins better be spot on otherwise Victor will punish out team in the lineouts. Hope Muller is on his game there today. Good wishes to John and his family on their new baby. Never knew his wife gave birth again.

  • 26.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:50 am

    any one have an update on the N Z final?? No dstv in clifton…

  • 27.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:51 am

    #25 grant10: :-)

  • 28.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:54 am

    #23 grant10: I wish that Plum and PdV could see what we see in F. Steyn as 10. Why they don’t just give him a chance there is a wonder for me anyway. The 10 jersey in the Boks is up for grabs. Steyn should insist to play there all of next season. For today in the wet cant see Freddie being great at 10 you need a strong big guy there in the wet conditions. Well I suppose it rains a lot this time of year in France too so may Freddie will be ready for the wet conditions. Even if it clears up which I doubt. The ground is going to be wet all day. Wish they could cover the whole field like they do the cricket pitch when it rains!!! hahaha. Just wishful thinking. Never could they find such a huge cover to cover it all laughing again.

  • 29.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:54 am

    #24 Puma: the rugby gods being cruel to the sharks!! The wet negates the gamebrekers like Kankowski and Adi…also restricts Habana…my concern is michalaks lack of a real boot…Frans destroyed wp in the rain at 10…still the best performance by a 10 i have seen in the wet since naas botha. Bring barritt in at 12 and start frans at 10…time to be bold and brave plumtree!!

  • 30.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:56 am

    I wondered why Butch did not score any of the penalties or conversions in that match, he was on a sun lounger!
    Enjoy it Butch, you need a break.

  • 31.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:56 am

    #26 carol: Morning Carol. Do you get the cc final over there? Its going to be a monster of a game. Vibe very good here in Durbs. You would think its the Boks playing a overseas team. Flags flying everywhere.

  • 32.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 09:56 am

    #26 carol: Bonus!!!!! Hi Princess…just read mail…back from walk and beach…paradise day…wish i could adequately describe…off to shops…back to beach for an hour…then the mates…really wish you could enjoy the afternoon with us..you would have so much fun!!

  • 33.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:01 am

    #28 grant10: Thats what I was saying. Just put in F.Steyn at 10. Maybe Plum should have thought about that game where Steyn played at 10 against WP that day in the rain.

    Wellington 7 Canteburg 6. Horrible weather there too. Maybe even worse than here rain really coming down there. Stadium half empty too and thats their huge domestic final!!!! Never mind the rain here Absa will be full to the rafters here. Maybe our domestic cc cup is much bigger than their domestic rugby.

  • 34.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:02 am

    #32 Puma: Canteburg meant Cantebury

  • 35.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:05 am

    #30 Puma: Hi Puma, I enjoyed your description of the pre match buzz in Durban yesterday. It is going to be shown on Sky TV here. One hitch, we do not have Sky! If I am back by K O I will have to keep an eye on proceedings here.
    I think you lot are in for a real treat today!

  • 36.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:06 am

    #32 Puma: #29 carol: Thanks puma..will be thinking of you today…carol gotta hit the shops…lots to do….want an hour on that beach before the mates…have a great day all…this is what i live for…days like today…damn special…cheers princess xxxx

  • 37.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:08 am

    #31 grant10: Bit cold and overcast here today, think a day in C.T would be mighty fine. Can I skip the swim please and just do the rugby and braai?

  • 38.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:08 am

    #35 grant10: Catch up sometime :-) XX

  • 39.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:10 am

    #34 carol: The vibe is awesome. Its like that because its two huge rugby teams playing each other. Went down into the little Umhlanga town yesterday to collect something and stopped off for a coffee down there. Flags flying out of all the pubs and restaurants downt here and also out of all the cars. It reminds me of the world cup last year a little. In SA those teams playing each other is like a test. Its a monster. Thats all the east coast radio statoin here in Durbs could talk about yesterday. Pity you don’t have Sky. You would see what I mean by a stadium packed to the rafters. It reminds me of the a packed Celtic football game agains Rangers. Something like that. Massive. I am going to friends for a braai but the weahter here is not good. We still braai though!!! hahaha.

  • 40.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:13 am

    #36 carol: You better skip the swim in CT at Clifton. The sea water there is as cold as the north sea in Scotland and its even like that in the hot summer months. Nice to refresh but your feet almost get frostbite there!! lol. In Umhlanga its the Indian ocean and warm all year round even in the winter. But Clifton and Camps Bay magnificent beaches that white colour with mountains right at the back. Breathtaking beautiful. You will enjoy it next year if the weather is good there.

  • 41.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:15 am

    #35 grant10: Cheers my friend. Enjoy the game later.

  • 42.grant10: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:16 am

    #36 carol: skip the swim….and i miss the costume…..damn….LOL OK CHEERS

  • 43.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:16 am

    #38 Puma: Nothing like anticipation! From all the chat here I really think you are all in for a close match.
    May the best team win!
    Got to fly, loads to do today. Have a great time eating under the umbrella with your friends! Have fun.

  • 44.carol: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:18 am

    #41 grant10: Look, just go and buy your beer will you…………..:-)

  • 45.Tbozknows: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:26 am

    This Crusader domination needs to be put to an end..

  • 46.Puma: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:31 am

    #42 carol: We have lovely big outside covered patios here Carol. Most houses have. No need for the umbrellas We will be sitting there eating our braai and watching the rugby. Keep intouch here with what is going on with the game. Some will be on here for sure. I too have to head off to the shops in the rain!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am loving the rain though after the very dry weather in Joburg but NOT FOR TODAY. I wanted sun. Enjoy your day.

  • 47.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:37 am

    #13 Puma: the rain may turn it into a physical fight, perfect for teams like Munster and the Blue Bulls. But if things do go that way the Sharks can still win it if they’re mentally prepared and show the necessary desire.

  • 48.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    25 Oct 2008, 10:38 am

    #46 Big Hit: have to say though, Freddie doesn’t usually go well in the rain, average kicking game. RWC semi in 2003 was a perfect example.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.