Stormers seal conference title
7 Jul 2012
JON CARDINELLI watched the Stormers beat the Cheetahs 13-6 to retain the South African title and edge closer towards that all-important home semi-final berth.
It was a missed opportunity if you consider that five log points would have catapulted the Stormers to the top of the overall log. But on a day where the rain was bucketing down in Bloemfontein and conditions made handling and running difficult, four log points should be viewed as more than adequate.
The performance will be scrutinised and there are areas of concern. What is more important than the quality of performance, however, is that this Stormers side has maintained its winning momentum. They’ve clinched the South African conference and thus ensured a top-three finish in the Super Rugby league.
Prior to this fixture, the Stormers hadn’t picked up a four-try bonus point. And yet, there was good reason to believe that a trip to Bloemfontein would yield maximum log points.
The Cheetahs play an expansive game and are susceptible on turnover ball. With the Stormers boasting a formidable defence, they were expected to force the attack-minded Cheetahs into errors and use those mistakes to create try-scoring chances.
But the weather put paid to that notion, as the Cheetahs adjusted their tactics right from kickoff. The Stormers persisted with their territorial game plan right from the outset, but so did the Cheetahs. Even when they were deep in the Stormers’ half, the Cheetahs halfbacks saw fit to test the opposition back three with a series of garryowens.
The Stormers spilled their fair share of high balls, but unfortunately for the Cheetahs, the hosts could not make these turnovers count. In a game where both sides were terribly inconsistent, the one constant was the Stormers defence. The Cape side may have erred at times, but they managed to keep the Cheetahs from scoring a try.
The Stormers weren’t effective at the collisions, and generally lacked patience on attack. The conditions weren’t conducive to flinging the ball wide, and yet this was how the Stormers squandered much of their possession.
They also blew a couple of attacking chances through hooker Deon Fourie, who obviously struggled to control the slippery ball when feeding the lineout. But when they did manage to win ball at this set piece, they looked dangerous, and the rolling maul was used effectively.
While they made inroads into the Cheetahs’ defence via the rolling maul, they failed to use this platform to score tries. The Cheetahs defence did its best to spoil and stifle, but more composure from the Stormers may have resulted in more rewards on the scoreboard.
Referee Marius Jonker eventually lost his patience with ill-disciplined Cheetahs, and sent fullback Willie le Roux to the sin bin in the 45th minute. This yellow card followed a series of Cheetahs offences in their own 22m area. It was also a period where the Stormers turned down kickable penalties and went for the try.
But the Stormers lacked the penetration to punish the Cheetahs, and captain Jean de Villiers eventually pointed towards the posts when his team was awarded their next penalty. They would score a try in the 54th minute through Gio Aplon, a score that was down to Peter Grant’s superb vision and execution.
The flyhalf realised that Le Roux was still in the sin bin and chipped into space, and Aplon raced through to collect the ball on the bounce. The ensuing conversion meant that the Stormers had scored 10 points while Le Roux was off the park.
But these moments of execution were far too rare. It wasn’t wrong to kick for territory in a match afflicted by such weather, but the accuracy of those kicks left a lot to be desired.
The handling in contact was poor, which was to be expected in such conditions. What was less expected was the poor breakdown work by either team. Turnovers were commonplace, and so neither team managed to build an attack of substance.
The Stormers attempted to play in Cheetahs territory in the final minutes, but a series of bad kicks merely handed the hosts possession. The Cheetahs had their chances to win the game in the second half, or at least draw in the final minute.
They won a penalty and booted it to touch, but lost possession at the lineout when Andries Bekker soared to make a potentially game-saving steal.
The Stormers have one remaining fixture before the play-offs, and will want to use the game against the Rebels to generate some momentum. More importantly, they will want to win that match to guarantee themselves a home semi-final.
560 Comments
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8 Jul 2012, 15:12 pm
@nama1(nama1)-499:
Is that the latest Party Line
8 Jul 2012, 15:18 pm
@blue and white stripes(blue and white stripes)-498:
but in saying that the Stormers are definitely capable of winning it I suppose I shouldn’t be to quick to judge after last nights game but crikey that was terrible stuff
8 Jul 2012, 15:20 pm
My take on the young talent in SA:
Kolisi had a great overseas tour – put in some big hits but has not delivered the same level of performance since returning from tour. 1 or 2 big hits looks great on a highlights reel (ala J.Potgieter) but I prefer Marcel Coetzee for his work rate (most tackles), superior speed, cover defense, linking play and off loads.
I am a Stormers supporter and rate Marcel higher than Siya. This may change, let’s wait and see.
Then Eben looked better at the start of the Season than he does now – he is a rare talent but has been over hyped, I watch his games closely and don’t yet see what all the fuss is about. (I would select Elstadt as my #4 enforcer).
J. Potgieter – it is a joke that this neanderthal got a Bok Cap. He doesn’t read the game well, is late to arrive at the contact points, flops over in contact and has never passed or offloaded a rugby ball in his life.. Vodacom Cup level player.
8 Jul 2012, 15:20 pm
@nama1(nama1)-499:
that explains the black part but what about his unhealthy obsession with refs, scary stuff lol
8 Jul 2012, 15:51 pm
@brains_trust(brains_trust)-503: even before the first ball was kicked to start super rugby this year i told Tacitus that heyneke was backing a donkey in jacque! having watched him for 2 years playing for the Kings i knew he was clueless.
8 Jul 2012, 16:04 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-505: What did he say?
8 Jul 2012, 16:08 pm
Murray wins 1st set: 6-4 in 57 minutes.
An epic in the making playing out at centre court.
8 Jul 2012, 16:08 pm
@ Transf – so the must be some truth to the rumour that playing for the Bulls is a fastrack to the Boks, no wonder Pollard signed…
8 Jul 2012, 16:12 pm
I can’t stand murray – Roger better pull finger but it’s looking like Murray will take the Championship and I we will have to endure months (years) of the Brits celebrating this first win in living memory… Aaagh painful !!!
8 Jul 2012, 16:18 pm
@brains_trust(brains_trust)-509:
I am less strident about Murray, but love Federer and the fact that he is half SA.
Murray is winning the crux points better than Federer, but a lot of time has been spent on Murray’s service games
8 Jul 2012, 16:44 pm
@Atreides(Atreides)-506: you know Tac is Heyneke sycophant he put on his blinkers & ignored me.
8 Jul 2012, 16:58 pm
After Friday night, even Heyneke will have to admit that J Potgieter and Spies are seriously limited players. I hope. Not holding my breath though.
When the best specialist fetcher in the country plays 1000% better at eighthman than the incumbent, you have to wonder….
8 Jul 2012, 17:03 pm
roger showing class…
8 Jul 2012, 17:04 pm
Federer wins 2nd set: 7-5 in 57 minutes.
Federer going to run with it now, I think.
It looks as if he is in the zone the way he played the last Murray service game to win the set.
8 Jul 2012, 17:10 pm
@Brains_Trust.
Kolisi has been doing much of the dirty work alone since Schalk & Duanes injuries and now without Etzabeth, his all alone & yesterday it showed as Elsdast he is there & about..I think Schalla, and Duanne, can rescue the situation.
Kitshoff was the solution, after the unfancied Lions destroyed the Stormers scrum, but he was schooled by WP Nel, and Nyakane & Van de Mer pummeled Malherbe too.
As for the backs…Putting my neck out
there I think the problem is a combination of AC/ Fleck (so coaching) and the understanding that JDV and JDJ might not be creative enough together? Maybe having one on the field is fine but both means the ball never goes to the wing?
I’m sure there’s a couple of young guns waiting to step into that no.10 jersey at the Stormers…their time will come. I’m worried about your future center combinations. No, Sadie, JJ, Whitehead, Venter, Serfontein, Small, Jordaan etc. Just JDJ and Du Plessis (who is not receiving any game
time?) although there is Pat Howard & Van wyk
8 Jul 2012, 17:33 pm
Andy Murray is to tennis what the Stormers are to rugby. Nobody outside their province seems to want them to do well, but they are both having decent seasons!
8 Jul 2012, 17:52 pm
Charo should just shut up before he swallow his whole foot
8 Jul 2012, 18:06 pm
who is the dude doing commentary with bekker? he is funny but very biased.
8 Jul 2012, 18:13 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-518: becker.
8 Jul 2012, 18:19 pm
roger breaks, here we go!
8 Jul 2012, 18:24 pm
Does anyone here read the Rapport? This ‘Mol’ fecker’s column (JJ Harmse I reckon) Now this d o o s in his column this week, refers to many other WP players who will be leaving soon. Pollard was just the beginning says Die Mol (JJ). Now whatever else Die Mol is and isn’t, he is tapped into Bulls rugby and is usually spot on with anything Bulls and Bok related. (As only JJ can be…)
“Dus ter wille van goeie verhoudinge gaan Die Mol jou vandag waarsku: Daar is nog ’n hele klompie WP-spelers wat eersdaags koebaai gaan sê. Die Mol weet wie hulle is. En hy weet jy weet nie van hulle nie. Siestog.
Só Rob, moet dus nie later kla dat jy nie vroegtydig gewaarsku is nie. Die uittog uit die WP is nog lank nie verby nie, my maat.”
If this is true (regardless of who the players are) I am going to give Thumi Madonsela a call. She ain’t scared of Fatty van Graan.
8 Jul 2012, 18:29 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-521: Thuli…
8 Jul 2012, 18:31 pm
3rd set to roger… 2 – 1 up
8 Jul 2012, 18:35 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-522: Sorry. Thuli. Apologies ma’m Madonsela. Your name stays the same Fatty van Graan.
8 Jul 2012, 18:48 pm
roger playing some sumptuous shots here
8 Jul 2012, 18:48 pm
This week is the perfect chance for AC to rotate some players, but my money is on him ‘playing the same team to get some momentum for the playoffs’.
Injuries are par for the course, but Stormers should ask why are they being effected so much. Overplayed much?
8 Jul 2012, 18:49 pm
Been a glum two weeks for Captain Sam and his bloem bashers, we are really missing the goose!! but hey at least an SA team in the top two so Captain Sam will take it on the chin. Disappointed in the fact that my team couldn’t offer sterner resistance or take the chance to build on what has been a really promising season, guys looked very uninterested out there except popeye who played a blinder.
anyways go Rodger…………….make an entire nation weep lol. na for real what a legend win or lose.
P.S. If anyone had a flutter on the July they have to be feeling like me…………………….WTF was that!!!!!!!
8 Jul 2012, 18:53 pm
Captain Sam busy slaving for his pennies so if anyone can give me an update on tennis would appreciate it
8 Jul 2012, 19:00 pm
@Captain Sam Vimes(Captain Sam Vimes)-528: federer leads 4 -2 in the fourth set, murray serving
8 Jul 2012, 19:04 pm
awesome!!!! C’mon Federer!!!!!!
8 Jul 2012, 19:06 pm
@Captain Sam Vimes(Captain Sam Vimes)-530: roger up 5 – 3 murray serving to stay in the match.
8 Jul 2012, 19:06 pm
All over for Murray surely.
8 Jul 2012, 19:20 pm
hehe roger stuffed the Brits & shut them up for longer hahahaha
go roger.
8 Jul 2012, 19:25 pm
the dude is crying, hahahahahahaha
8 Jul 2012, 19:36 pm
@Transformation(Transformation)-534:
I feel for Murray. He had nothing to be ashamed of, gave it his best shot, had a few chances that he blew and lost against arguably the best player in the history of the game. Federer himself cried like a baby when he lost to Nadal in the Australian open a few years ago so he knew exactly what Murray went through.
8 Jul 2012, 19:38 pm
well done Captain Sam managed to make it to a TV for the last game of the set!!!!!!! absolutely bloody fantastic, beyond awesome!!!! RF the best there is was and will ever be!!!!
8 Jul 2012, 19:39 pm
30 years old and back at number one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8 Jul 2012, 20:08 pm
jockbok, if you’re looking in…
well done to your boy andy murray for being so gracious in defeat.
must admit, i was rooting for federer.
the pom media would have been unplayable if murray had won.
8 Jul 2012, 20:19 pm
fckme that Andy Murray is but an overgrown cry baby…. Goeienader if I was a pom tennis supporter I would have been cringing in my jock strap if my tennis hero was cracking up and blubbing like a 2 year old on world wide TV…
Give me big brash balls for glory Serena Williams any day of the week to that little nincompoop mama’s boy who couldn’t hold back the tears when his dream in front of his baying public folded… Imagine he’d have won he might have carried on crying for another week.
Shame maybe some people felt genuine remorse for the broken hearted kid from the cataclysm class but seriously if he wanna become a real tennis ace he better grow some balls and shut down the emotional overflow pipe
8 Jul 2012, 20:22 pm
the true champ pulled it out and took the title the way he is primed and conditioned to do.. Andy Murray ain’t ready to be a world tennis champ.. not now and I doubt ever…
Poor Ivan Lendl is saddled with trying to create a champion from out of mediocrity.. I hope they paying him plenty because its a job too big for anyone to get Andy Murray to become a Federer or Djokovitch or Nadal or even a Ivan Lendl type champion.
8 Jul 2012, 20:27 pm
@charo(charo)-538:
Yeah, not the best day for British sport. Not only did they lose the tennis to a Swiss but also the British Grant Prix to an Australian. At least Bradley Wiggins held on to his yellow yersey in the Tour de France remaining 10 seconds ahead of Aussie Evans- sparks will fly in the time trial tomorrow.
8 Jul 2012, 20:33 pm
@fitz1ella(fitz1ella)-539:
Skoppie, when he lost the Australian open to Nadal a few years ago, Federer cried even more than Murray did today.
8 Jul 2012, 20:35 pm
@fitz1ella(fitz1ella)-539:
can’t disagree with you skop but previously i thought of murray as a complete doos.
must admit that today he shed some of that facade and exposed a human being under immense pressure to succeed.
pressure from the media, the public and, mostly, from that awful mother of his.
8 Jul 2012, 20:36 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-541:
and long may it continue – at least until after the proteas have finished their tour!
and i am half pom myself.
8 Jul 2012, 21:02 pm
@Robzim(Robzim)-542:
The thought of loosing all that money!!
8 Jul 2012, 21:03 pm
@charo(charo)-543:
Murray’s mum will probably sit him in the naughty corner tonight!
8 Jul 2012, 21:17 pm
Murray played some superb tennis in the first and second sets.. He had Federer on the ropes till the all important break in the 7th game of the 2nd set.. and one can viably see the extent of quality that Lendl has introduced into Murrays game…
But unfortunately Lendl won’t be able to instill into Murray something that never was and never can ever be there.. which is Championship winning mentality and depth of character that you find in Nadal and Federer, Bekker, Borg, Sampras, Agassi, Wilander, Edberg, Mcenroe, Connors and Lendl himself…
Unfortunately Andy Murray will always be the hearty hopeful kid from Scotland that got close to a Wimbledon crown but when the real crunch came the true champ stepped it up and took it away the way only true champs can.
8 Jul 2012, 21:17 pm
At least Federer aint a razorback
8 Jul 2012, 21:20 pm
its silverback Dawn .. get your metaphors right
8 Jul 2012, 21:27 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-548:
still irritable?
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