The Super Rugby round 15 run down

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What a great round of Super Rugby. This morning on Radio CCFM I predicted a close game for the Stormers vs Cheetah clash. I thought the weather would be a neutralizing factor and the emotion around the Cheetahs team playing for the coach Naka Drotske in his final match at the helm of the team he coached for 9 years would spur them on. I was clearly wrong and am not dismayed at all. The Stormers played with lots of intend from the start and every decision and execution was aimed at scoring a four try bonus point win.

My reproach this morning was validated from the fact the Stormers could only manage four try bonus point wins in less than five matches in the last four years. This was based on the Stormers’ fragility to the expansive and all attack approach. Coach Allister Coetzee and his team knows very well that the Newlands faithful demands results that compensated for the lack of flair. They’re approach was, ‘out with the flamboyance and they opted carefully close games with a well-controlled un-intimidating game where the carefully choose which parts of the field they will play. The rest was up to the kicking game and mostly a systematized defensive unit treating opposition teams with utmost respect.

Today however was not going to be one of those days. The gusto was back. The Stormers gave significance to the difference of playing to win and to simply play not to lose. There was a different energy amongst the team. The belief was there. Nic Groom, whom I have criticized in the past, took authority and dictated play. He cleared quickly and got his runners in space. Players like Eben Etsebeth and Vincent Koch were Trojans in the loose play whilst Nizaam Carr showed his brilliance again link with the backs with exceptional passing and distribution skills.

I thought a huge problem for the Cheetahs was their midfield. Things improved when Rayno Benjamin was introduced into the midfield and they managed to stop the attack through the second channel. Much too ponder on for the new Cheetah coach, Franco Smith before the start of their 2016 campaign.

I was wonderfully surprised with the Lions in finishing the Waratahs in impressive style at Ellis Park for the first time in the history of the competition. I simply can't heap enough praise onto Faf De Klerk. He is the energizer in the Lions team while the Kingpin is Elton Jantjies. He is the most complete flyhalf in the Super rugby competition this year. They Lions build their game plan around Jantjies and that gives him the confidence to play his style in taking risks and orders the plays. Another unsung hero must be Jaco Kriel. He break lines, gain running meter’s, defend and create turnover. He certainly is putting his hand up for Springbok selection.

The Bulls continue their woeful campaign. They look far from the team that won the Super Rugby competition three times. Pierre Spies have to reinvent himself as he is not the same player opposition teams used to fear. The positive for the Bulls is the scrumhalf play of Rudi Paige. He seems like a matured player that does the basics well and possess a fantastic kicking game. With some imagination and creativity the Bulls can be a factor in Super rugby once again as they certainly have the depth in players.

The Sharks managed to hold on and record their second consecutive victory after a 6 match losing streak. They are weakened by injuries to some of their top players. Injuries is part of the game though and affects all teams. They need to use the remainder of the competition to prove to themselves that they are a quality team. It is certainly not in the benefit of South African Rugby that the Sharks is playing below potential. It was encouraging to see glimpses of promise from youngsters like Stefan Ungerer and Heimar Williams.

The Crusaders always poses the threat that if they have a mathematical chance they could still sneak through to the play-offs. We all know that the most successful Super Rugby team ever is a championship team and if the make it to a final, they might just win it. They were a different team in round 15 and that has to do with Dan Carter’s move back to flyhalf. The Crusaders found their sting and caused for a stir by overpowering the on form Hurricanes team from Wellington.

While Carter back at flyhalf reinforced the Crusaders, the Hurricanes looked helpless against their most distinguished quarterback, Beauden Baritt. They possess the most lethal backline in the competition but no one could spark the type of authority exhibited by a young player like Damian De Allende from the Stormers.

The Brumbies have been able to mix it up depending on who their opposition was. They chased the tries when they had the opportunity and went the conservative route when they had to keep the opposition out. Against the Bulls it was the latter. The defended the gain line and topped the Bulls from gaining momentum. Nic White and Christian Lealifano kept the Bulls turning with a calculated kicking game and in David Pocock they trust. The form of the “ball bandit” must be a revelation and relief to the Wallaby mentor, Michael Cheika ahead of the Championship Trophy and the Rugby World Cup.

The leading up to the playoffs offers to be a much anticipated rollercoaster ride so buckle up and enjoy as there is much to play for certainly for the Stormers and the Lions taking each other on this coming round. May the best man not be tackled, may the scariest run the fastest, and may the nervous kick. May there be no open hand slaps by the Du Plessis brothers as the recipient of open hand slaps does often not hear the end of it by their team mates in the team mate banter during long tours.