Bash’s boot saves Stormers
31 Mar 2012
JON CARDINELLI watched Peter Grant nail a 76th minute penalty to give the Stormers a 20-17 victory against a plucky Bulls outfit at Newlands.
He’s already done it once the season, stepping up to sink a touchline penalty in the dying moments of the match against the Sharks. It may not have been the most difficult kick on this occasion, but considering what it represented in the context of a crunch game and possibly the context of the Stormers’ season, Grant’s contribution shouldn’t be underestimated.
He showed terrific temperament under pressure, and so the Stormers managed to win a match that they deserved to win, but so very nearly conspired to throw away.
With regular goal-kicker Joe Pietersen off the field at that point, it was left to Grant to win this game for the Stormers. His strike was true and greeted with a deafening roar from the Newlands faithful, who recognised the significance of the penalty.
It meant the end of a valiant Bulls challenge, as they had rallied back from a 14-0 deficit to level the scores 17-17 in the dying stages. Grant’s penalty also meant the Stormers maintained their unbeaten record, and ensured that they will travel to Australasia with winning momentum.
But coach Allister Coetzee will admit that there is still much to do in the coming weeks. The ability to control a match for 80 minutes still eludes the Cape franchise, and they are yet to show the killer instinct typical of champion teams.
Their pack continues to impress with each outing, and looked to have set the platform for a comfortable win in the first half. Through their lineout dominance and relentless aggression at the point of contact, the Cape heavies manhandled their Bulls counterparts.
Their intent was apparent from the outset, as Nos 1 through 8 got in the faces of the visitors. They clattered into the collisions at terminal velocity, and yet showed more accuracy than the Bulls at the breakdown.
The pressure applied by the Stormers forwards impacted on the Bulls’ halfbacks, and so Francois Hougaard and Morné Steyn struggled to follow through with the usual kicking game. Steyn’s limitations were again highlighted as his pack battled for go-forward ball. He didn’t kick out of hand with the typical accuracy and authority, and missed two shots at goal.
At one stage the Stormers looked to be cruising to an emphatic win. They finally translated their forward dominance into a clinical try at the end of the first half, and at 14-0, held a comfortable lead. It went from bad to worse for the Bulls when their poor discipline eventually cost them as Flip van der Merwe was sin-binned early in the second stanza.
But it was here that the Bulls showed their class and experience, and where the Stormers were guilty of a lapse in concentration. The Bulls rallied strongly, striking against the run of play with a Bjorn Basson try and a further Steyn penalty. They scored 10 points while Van der Merwe was off the park, while the Stormers managed zero.
A Pietersen penalty kept the Bulls at arm’s length, but the momentum had swung in the visitor’s favour. Wynand Olivier flew in at the right-hand corner and Steyn converted from the touchline to level the scores. It was in this pressure situation where the Bulls seemed better equipped to win, having done so in many tight games over the years.
But the Stormers were not to be denied. While a lapse of concentration had cost them early in the second half, it was composure that pulled them through for a massive win. They played themselves into a good field position, and a powerful scrum earned them a kickable penalty.
Grant obliged with the goal, but it was a team effort that ensured they finished on the right side of the scoreline. They controlled possession and territory in the dying stages, and when the final whistle sounded, they duly celebrated as if they had achieved more than just another league win.
It wasn’t a complete performance by the Stormers, but they will draw confidence from another aggressive forward showing as well as the composure shown at the death. It bodes well for matches against the Reds and Crusaders in Australasia, although they will know that nothing less than a consistent showing Down Under will keep their unbeaten record intact.
240 Comments
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31 Mar 2012, 22:15 pm
Stormers were lucky to win it in the end.
Chilliboy had a great game.
Etzebeth keeps impressing me, so happy for the lad.
This is a very good Bulls side we played tonight, and Pierre Spies has really grown into a good captain, and is playing some very good rugby.
All bodes well for the Boks this year.
31 Mar 2012, 22:16 pm
Liebenberg’s try was as a result of both M steyn and Sadie falling off the tackle at near the line Poor defense from both
31 Mar 2012, 22:17 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-51:
I will take the win Yes Spies is playing well and a decent captain
Bok captain ?
31 Mar 2012, 22:17 pm
@Sheriff(Sheriff)-50: From what I saw Greyling made Habana his little ******.
31 Mar 2012, 22:21 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-53:
No, not Bok captain. Not yet.
Such a pity about Juan Smith, if he was fit and on form he would be my choice for Bok captain.
31 Mar 2012, 22:23 pm
Must be said, the Reds were rubbish but apart from that upset I had good weekend of results:
NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_) Says:
March 29th, 2012 at 12:43 pm
HIGHLANDERS +6
CHEETAHS +3
CHIEFS +6
SHARKS +5
REDS +10
CRUSADERS +200
STORMERS +1 (tough call this one)
31 Mar 2012, 22:24 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-55:
Yes no doubt
JDv doing well at captain but will he hold out F steyn at 12
Do we play JDV at 13 ?
Keep JPP at 14 ?
15 is between taute and Viljoen?
31 Mar 2012, 22:28 pm
Heyneke will pick krusty the clown at 15, I must say that he’s game this season has improved
31 Mar 2012, 22:28 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-57:
Very hard to say, thank goodness I’m not a selector.
But I tell you what, I would rather play Juan de Jongh at 12 and Jean de Villiers at 13 for the Stormers.
People complain Jean is getting long in the tooth but they also forget how effective he is at organising a defensive backline, you need him there for the defense.
But Juan de Jongh I think will be much more effective playing inside centre.
31 Mar 2012, 22:29 pm
Sadie sold his soul for a pocket full of silver serves the little gold digger right.. Stormers a better team then Bulls in the long run.. so Sadie sold out.. that’s what happens to sell outs like Keohane.. Cape people who support the Bulls are no better than Cape people who support the Crusaders .. in fact in my eyes they are WORSE…
31 Mar 2012, 22:33 pm
@WP Till I Die(WP-Forever)-59:
So there settled for the bok team
Steyn at 12 and JDV at 13 and captain
31 Mar 2012, 22:35 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-60:
Yes the deal for VD heever to stormers Vs Sadie to Bulls
VdHeever deal looking very good
31 Mar 2012, 22:35 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-61: who’s your fly half and scrum half?
31 Mar 2012, 22:38 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-62: Sadie and his agent shot their bolt.. they pulled the trigger too fast…. Stormers got the better end of the deal in the end.. same with Whitehead and Hoffman to Sharks too…
all we gotta do now is NOT fall for the Burger invincibility bullshit because they gonna bring back Burger to 6 and captain and I guarantee just like 2010 and 2011 we won’t do it under his leadership.. JdV MUST retain captaincy and Burger can play a bit part role ONLY.. give Burger the front line glory boy position and Stormers chances go up in smoke.. how much you wanna bet ??
31 Mar 2012, 22:42 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-63:
Wow skoppie you have me on the spot
Scrum half is 100% Hougaard
Right now 10 is up in the air
Grant had a better game than Steyn (out of the experianced 10)
He is steady and got the important kicks
Steyns defence is very poor but Meyer may pick him
Out of Lambie jaintjies and Goosen its Goosen for me but i think Lambie may end up on bench because he can play 10 and 15
31 Mar 2012, 22:56 pm
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-65:
gotta be Goosen he is the 100% natural perfect 10 … comfortable in the kicking game and the running distributing game.. Cheetahs turned the tables on Hurricanes today on their home turf.. shows what Cheetahs can do with a mid field general like Johann Goosen at the helm…
Boks
Greyling
Bismark
Malherbe
Etsebeth
Kruger
Brussow
Alberts
Vermeulen
Hougaard
Goosen
Engelbrecht / Le Roux
Steyn
JdV (c)
Aplon
Taute
Oosthuizen, Chili, Bekker, Spies, Duvenhage, Lambie, Habana / Engelbrecht / Le Roux
31 Mar 2012, 22:57 pm
Well Played Stormers! Stormers dominated first half Bulls came back in the 2nd. The Stormers were the better team and deserved to win. Bulls scored a lucky break out try. Great game of Super rugby though.
31 Mar 2012, 23:07 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-66:
and I only pick Steyn at 12 IF he can show in the S15 that he is better than De Jongh.. because we still got JPP and De Jongh who both deserve starting pots in the Bok run on team
so Back line can consist of any of the following
Hougaard, Duvenhage, Goosen, Engelbrecht, Habana, Steyn, JdV, De Jongh, Pietersen, Aplon, Le Roux, Taute, Viljoen, Lambie
31 Mar 2012, 23:15 pm
My bok team
1. Dean Greylin 2. B du Plessis 3. Werner Kruger 4. J Kruger 5. A Bekker
6. S Burger 7 J Potgieter 8 P Spies 9 Jano Vermaak 10 Morne Steyn ( Goosen is too young) 11. JJ Enelbreck 12 J de Villiers 13 F Hougaard 14 B Basson 15 Jp Pieterson 16 C Ralepele 17 Cj Van Der Linde 18 F van der Merve 19 W Alberts 20 C Macload 21 J Goosen 22 J de Jong
31 Mar 2012, 23:20 pm
The Stormers should have taken this game easily. In the 1st half there was only one team in it. But then they took their foot off the peddle as they usually do.. Etzebeth continues to impress. JDV continues to shut his detractors up. Joe is always cool under pressure and like Aplon will pull off the big tackles.
It remains just another league win but the Stormers will pick up more wins on the road. I predict another sucessful tour.
And nice to be ahead of the pack.
31 Mar 2012, 23:22 pm
Stormers you beauts! Big up the Bulls helluva contest but there can only be one winner…down to the wire, hell what a game, not pretty but brutal!!!
31 Mar 2012, 23:24 pm
ridiculous side mate..
31 Mar 2012, 23:25 pm
@getafix
31 Mar 2012, 23:28 pm
@Getafix(phil72)-69:
Let me guess. You’re a Bulls supporter.
5 Bulls amongst the forwards? They just got a hiding a few minutes ago. Get real.
31 Mar 2012, 23:56 pm
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-66: No room for Pat Cilliers? He hold his own against everybody in the comp so far and is very mobile. When he was replaced tonight the Lions struggled. I don’t know what you see in Malherbe.
1 Apr 2012, 00:04 am
@Tuna(Tuna)-75: Cilliers / Malherbe for No.3.. Malherbe was up against Greyling … strongest f’ng ox this country has ever seen.. and he held him well… But Cilliers has been very impressive.. between Cilliers and Malherbe for No. 3 spot.. with Greyling / Oosthuizen for No.1
1 Apr 2012, 00:11 am
If Morne continues playing like this, with off days with tey boot, ten there is no reason to kep him on at the Boks – not with Goosen who can kick further and more accurately (over the season), and who can distribute well. Morne is starting to look a bit shot. He better respond well…
He wasted 9 points out there today.
1 Apr 2012, 00:11 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-76: I still need convincing on Malherbe. He needs play a 80 min game to impress me. Now he is getting 20 minutes against a bloke who is giving is carrots for 60 min already. If he can hold his own for 60 min + I will take notice.
Pat has been brilliant this season…. actually he started preforming at the end of the CC last year. Mitch is getting the best out of him.
That Calib from the Lions also looks promising, but too early to call.
1 Apr 2012, 00:14 am
@SjamBok(SjamBok)-77: Goosen and Jantjies the answer at 10. Also watch out for that Coetzee kid who played wing for the Lions today. He needs to get a run at 10.
1 Apr 2012, 00:21 am
that little No.11 from Lions is class.. he slotted in at full back when Kamana went down… plus the other find from Cheetahs Le Roux at 11
Malherbe and Kitshoff destroyed the Blues front row sending them into turbo reverse
Malherbe is strong make no mistake .. and that Caleb Oosthuizen also showing some promise
Mitch made a big fck up pulling Hollenbach off, should have rather pulled off Butch that’s where Lions game was chucked away…
1 Apr 2012, 00:25 am
@Getafix(phil72)-69:
Not sure i agree
Vermaak over Hougaard starting at 9?
We have plenty of wings we dont need a 9 on the wing he is wasted there
You a Bulls supporter?
Did you watch the Cheetahs game and sharks game?
And did Stormers not beat the Bulls?
1 Apr 2012, 00:26 am
@Tuna(Tuna)-79:
yes I like The Lions Coetzee and the Cheetahs Le roux
1 Apr 2012, 00:31 am
Bulls fans have reason to feel aggrieved. Steyn had a so-so game and his goal kicking cost the Bulls and the team will rue the decision not to take kickable Penalties.
I now understand the Frenchies frustration with Joubert because of his inconsistency applying the laws. He rightfully punished the Bulls playing the man in the air. He repeatedly warned the Stormers scrum half against skewed scrum feeds but took no further action.
In the final scrum of the day which led to the Stormers winning penalty he again allowed a crooked scrum feed. Surely by now the Stormers scrum half should have been punished and a free kick awarded to the Bulls?
1 Apr 2012, 00:32 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-66:
The problem is Meyer will select Spies and maybe as Capt
I am not sure he will select JDV but most likely at 13 and as captain but who knows
1 Apr 2012, 00:35 am
@Brentie1(Brentie1)-83:
Every feed by the 9 these days are crooked so were Hougaards
At least DD was not standing on the wrong side of Hougaard when he fed his own ball I guess no one saw what I saw?
1 Apr 2012, 00:38 am
I said yesterday that Duvenhage and Grant will force Steyn into his shell and make mistakes again like he did vs Blues.. and I was right…
Steyn is no longer the answer for Boks at 10.. hasn’t been for some time .. but now its getting plain to see..
Goosen has to be Bok 10 .. Hougaard / Duvenhage / Mcleod at 9
1 Apr 2012, 00:47 am
My bok squad?
15 Taute/Viljoen
14 Le Roux/ JPP
13 JDV ? De Jonge
12 Steyn
11 Habana/Mvovo
10 Goosen/Steyn
9 Hougaard/ DD
8 Spies/vermeulen
7 Burger Alberts
6 Brussow/ Minnie
5 Bekker/Kruger
4 Estebeth /?
3, Jannie dup/Kruger
2. Bismark/Chilli
1 Connie /Beast
1 Apr 2012, 01:00 am
Taking in consideration that Heyneke will not has more than a week to work with the Boks, that he will also be under pressure from the politicians and that he MUST win the series vs England.
My “Heyneke” Bok-team at this moment is:
15. Z Kirchner (experience, improved from 2011, no other obvious choice)
14. B Basson (speedy, high ball chase)
13. J de Jongh (who else?, combination with JdV)
12. J de Villiers (capt)(experience, organise defense,captain)
11. B Habana (experience, work rate)
10. M Steyn (experience and present 10, others too inexperienced)
9. F Hougaard (until Fourie du Preez is back)
1. D Greyling (until Beast Mtwarira or Guthro is back)
2. B du Plessis (ill discipline will cost him, Chilliboy very close)
3. J du Plessis (experience, present 3, who else?)
6. H Brussouw (proved himself in test rugby)
4. C Etzebeth (lots of talent,enforcer,Flip vd Merwe zero disipline)
5. A Bekker (must wake up, Juandre very close)
7. W Alberts (big strong ball carrier)
8. P Spies (v-capt) (HM favourite athlete, improved a lot, captain in making?)
16. C Ralepelle (obvious choice, bad luck for Strauss)
17. W Kruger (prefer tighthead, WP Nel to Scotland, who else?)
18. J Kruger (obvious choice)
19. J Strauss (covers 6,7,8)
20. C McCloud (until Fourie du Preez is back)
21. J Goosen (the next big thing, enormous boot, to replace Morne in 2013/4)
22. JP Pietersen (covers 13,14,15)
1 Apr 2012, 01:07 am
@Tjokker(Tjokker)-88:
You a Bull fan ?
Kirchner? No one better than him? Taute or Viljoen
De jongh at 13 yes But you left out F steyn at 12 so JDV goes to 13?
Yep about M steyn sad to say but true Horrible defender
Basson? Cant defend at all
pack looks ok yes
1 Apr 2012, 01:24 am
@CoachPete(CoachPete)-89: I’m a rugby surporter who support the Bulls
I said it is Heyneke’s team – the team I THINK he will select. Until we know what is his view on offshore players, I decided not to choose them. That can change a lot with F Steyn, J Fourie, F Du Preez, G Steenkamp, B Botha, D Rossouw all posibilities.
I believe he will take Taute on the Europe tour end of the year. He must give players of colour a go and he must start with a world cup squad. Viljoen, like W Olivier had a chance in the Bok jersey and didn’t use it. Viljoen is 29. Lambie may be better choice for future. Personally I like Taute.
De Villiers can make it as Captain and the only other inside centre is Olivier. JdV too slow for outside centre – my view. Basson worked on his defense, but still a liability. With kick and charge rugby he is worth a lot. I like Mvovu – typical winger with speed and power. Morne defense has improved since 2011 but no Honniball. Goosen to replace him in 2013/2014 if not sooner.
1 Apr 2012, 02:06 am
@Tjokker(Tjokker)-90:
Good points
1 Apr 2012, 02:06 am
AC/DC Sink The Pink! Comes to mind.
1 Apr 2012, 02:14 am
And to think of many of the same above WP fans bitching and slagging Erasmus off when he said he saw no need to buy any more forwards for the 2012 season as he thought (read knew) just what depth he’d brought through in his youngsters…
Now they all of a sudden ‘kenners’…
1 Apr 2012, 02:14 am
And the same applies to AC…
1 Apr 2012, 02:58 am
We “Sinked The Pink” no doubt about it. Huffed and puffed etc etc, but we did it. Bring dit, ons wen dit.
1 Apr 2012, 03:50 am
bryce_in_arse: you also didn’t know what the stormers management were doing when they didn’t buy any props for this season, so pipe down on the rassie &(i) knew what he was doing.
1 Apr 2012, 04:59 am
None of you guys seem to be considering Daniller for the bok 15 jersey. I thought he was outstanding against the Hurricanes, always seemed to be breaking tackles and making good ground. I also thought their 13 (eberson?) was excellent too – better than De Jong was against the bulls anyway (and I’m a Stormers supporter). I reckon Meyer wouldn’t go too far wrong by selecting the whole Cheetahs backline (and their backs coach).
1 Apr 2012, 05:16 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-96:
Why don’t you use you ‘amazing’ google search skills and find the numerous posts I made defending Rassie’s statements (and to a lesser degree AC) with particular mention of the WP youngsters coming through… and this all ‘pre-season’…go on… you’re going to look rather foolish as per norm…
Ironic it was a Shark’s fan defending them from their own fans…
1 Apr 2012, 07:01 am
Hougaard had his worst game in a Bulls jersey.
Chilliboy only touched the ball a few times and that was to throw the ball into the line out! very overrated and kak at its best! quota!
Wynand O – always keeps his best vs the Bulls – JDJ has nighmares over Wynand – Wynand much better game than JDJ!
M Steyn – very poor
Sadie – poor
for the stormers :
Habana – lucky to be still alive! Greyling almost killed him. Habana wtf were u thinking? we know you have a strange head shape, but 1 hit by greyling won’t fix that … he’ll destroy you. Average game!
JDJ – Wynand’s bunny
Grant – very good
Duvenhage – 100% improvement on last weekend’s performance
Dwayne – great game
Liebenberg – killed chilli Liebenberg 10 times better
Refs :
Joubert – missed 2 forward passes – led to bulls try …
1 Apr 2012, 07:21 am
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