Super Rugby:
Force 31-32 Rebels
Stormers 19 – 13 Waratahs
Cheetahs 20 – 34 Sharks
Reds 34 – 20 Lions
Crusaders 59 – 12 Blues
Highlanders 16 – 11 Bulls
Hurricanes 25 – 37 Brumbies

Vodacom Cup final:
Western Province 20 – 18 Griquas

Heineken Cup final:
Leinster 42 – 14 Ulster

Western Cape club rugby results:
UCT 18-10 False Bay
Vics 29-45 Maties
Tygerberg 7-46 DurBell
Hamilton 27-22 SK Walmers
Belhar 39-33 Villagers

Selected school results:
SACS 21-8 Bishops
Dale 21-18 Queens
Pretoria Boys 38-8 Sutherland
Graeme 7-32 Grey PE
Grey College 60-12 Sentraal
Kearsney 49-13 St Stithians
Oakdale 22-20 Paul Roos
Jeppe 3-52 Affies
Monument 40-7 Parktown
KES 40-15 Westville
Durbanville 12-42 Wynberg

Well done to Rick Page for sneaking the Yellow Cap (7 from 7 with 6 margin points!) in the Front Row Grunt SuperBru pool, but it’s still Brendan Wainwright who maintains a pretty tight grip on that top position on the log … My 6 from 7 moves me up 40 places to 281 out of 568 troops …

Next week’s Super Rugby fixtures:

Friday, May 25
09:35: Chiefs v Bulls, Waikato, Hamilton

Saturday, May 26
07:30: Hurricanes v Rebels, Westpac, Wellington
09:35: Blues v Highlanders, Eden Park, Auckland
11:40: Brumbies v Reds, Canberra Stadium, Canberra
13:40: Force v Lions, NIB Stadium, Perth
17:05: Cheetahs v Waratahs, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
19:10: Sharks v Stormers, Kings Park, Durban

Either way, it’s a pretty good effort from both Boks, given that only 11 South Africans and 54 players in total have reached the magical mark.

Steyn also holds the record for the most points by a South African in Super Rugby with 1,134 points. He is second on the list of all time points’ scorers behind Dan Carter (1,289), who is back at 10 this weekend …

OK, enough gay banter … Time for those pesky predictions …

Dead Eye Dick

FRIDAY, MAY 18

Hurricanes v Brumbies, Wellington – 09:35
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
AR: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)

Brumbies off a bye and a solid hammering of the Tahs, Canes at home after getting past the high riding Highlanders … Jake White’s Brumbies are without doubt the real deal this year, and are playing proper “Wen-Rugby” as those of us Saffers up North like to call it. Canes on the other hand, are probably the most exciting team in the tournament this year, and could beat any time on their day. Inconsistency, as has been the case forever, is their Achilles heel. But going with the home side here …

My prediction: Canes by 3

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Brad Shields, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reg Goodes
Bench: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Jack Lam, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Beauden Barrett, 22 Jayden Hayward

Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Andrew Smith, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Zack Holmes, 9 Ian Prior, 8 Fotu Auelua, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Ben Mowen (captain), 5 Sam Carter, 4 Scott Fardy, 3 Dan Palmer, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander
Bench: 16 Anthony Hegarty, 17 Ruaidhri Murphy, 18 Peter Kimlin, 19 Ita Vaea, 20 Nic White, 21 Robbie Coleman, 22 Tevita Kuridrani

SATURDAY, MAY 19

Highlanders v Bulls, Dunedin – 07:30
Referee: Ian Smith (Australia)
AR: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Matthew Muir (New Zealand)

Bulls got out of jail last weekend while Landers will be smarting after their loss to the Canes. Third week on tour for the Men in Pink, and either they are gelling as a team or aching to get back to the wife’s waterblommetjie breedie. Steyn never ever misses these days and that is a massive plus factor for them. Olivier back at centre with Sadie, and Potgieter back on the side of the scrum. Itching to go or slightly ring rusty? I am going with the latter …

My prediction: Highlanders by 5

Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Siale Piutau, 13 Tamati Ellison, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ma’afu Fia, 2 Jason Rutledge, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (c).
Bench: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Bronson Murray, 18 Hoani MacDonald/Josh Bekhuis, 19 Scott Fuglistaller, 20 Jimmy Cowan, 21 Chris Noakes, 22 Kenny Lynn.

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies (captain), 7 CJ Stander, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dean Greyling
Bench: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 JJ Engelbrecht

—–
Crusaders v Blues, Christchurch – 09:35
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
AR: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Jonathon White (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)

Carter back at ten, McCaw building in confidence, Blues having their worst season in history. No brainer? Not so fast, Luke. Blues got past the inept Lions last week and that might be just what they need to trigger a revival. This while the Saders gave up a lead against the Rabble, and lost! I still think the Saders will be too good, but not as big a given as one might think. Fruean (not selected for the All Black squad) vs Nonu (selected) will be properly spicy …

My prediction: Crusaders by 7

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Richie McCaw (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Bench: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Brendon O’Connor, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tyler Bleyendaal, 22 Tom Marshall.

Blues: 15 Hadleigh Parkes, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Ma’a Nonu, 12 Michael Hobbs, 11 Benson Stanley, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Luke Braid (c), 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Steven Luatua, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Tevita Mailau, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Bench: 16 James Parsons, 17 Angus Ta’avao, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Peter Saili, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Lachie Munro, 22 Sherwin Stowers.

—–
Reds v Lions, Brisbane – 11:40
Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
AR: Angus Gardner (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: Steve Lesczcynski (Australia)

Enter stage right, Quade Cooper … Exit stage left, the inept Lions …

My prediction: Reds by 19

Reds: 15 Ben Lucas, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 James Horwill (captain), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes
Bench: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Eddie Quirk, 20 Nick Frisby, 21 Chris F’sautia, 22 Luke Morahan

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Grant Hattingh, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Franco van der Merwe, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg
Bench: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 CJ Van der Linde, 18 Cobus Grobbelaar, 19 Jaco Kriel, 20 Tian Meyer, 21 Ruan Combrinck, 22 James Kamana

—–

Cheetahs v Sharks, Bloemfontein – 17:05
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
AR: Rasta Rashivenga (South Africa), Tiaan Jonker (South Africa)
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee (South Africa)

Just add dynamite! Cheetahs off a very good second half against the Stormers, Sharks off a rampage against the Force. Players playing for a spot in the Bok side, with Adriaan Strauss vs Bismark du Plessis being perhaps the pick of the one on one’s – well in Heyneke Meyer’s eyes at least. Ebersohn vs Whitehead, Coenie vs Jannie, and Brussow vs Coetzee and Botes will be the head to head’s that get my Black label flowing. Odds on a few flare ups like we saw at Newlands? Guaranteed!

My prediction: Sharks by 7

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Riaan Smit, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brussouw, 5 George Earle, 4 Izak van der Westhuizen, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen
Bench: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Sias Ebersohn, 22 Philip Snyman

Sharks: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Tim Whitehead, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Patrick Lambie, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel (captain), 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Bench: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Willem Alberts, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Ryan Kankowski, 21 Frederic Michalak, 22 Meyer Bosman

—–

Stormers v Waratahs, Cape Town – 19:10
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
AR: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Tahs fresh of a an implosion against the Bulls, while the Stormers will be doubting themselves after that dreadful second half against the Cheetahs, and the loss of their 4^th 8^th man to a knee injury. Enter the Canadian journeyman that is Jebb Sinclair, a man who got lost on the way to Newlands during the week. Ashley-Cooper is back at centre for the Tahs, while Barnes is doing the business at flyhalf – a very direct player that could get into the Stormers face’s. Going with the home side, but would not be surprised to see Tahs take this …

My prediction: Stormers by 3

Stormers: 15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers (captain), 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Jebb Sinclair, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Bench: 16. Deon Fourie, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. De Kock Steenkamp, 19. Don Armand, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Burton Francis, 22. Gerhard van den Heever

Waratahs: 15. Bernard Foley, 14. Tom Kingston, 13. Rob Horne, 12. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11. Atieli Pakalani, 10. Berrick Barnes, 9. Brendan McKibbin, 8. Dave Dennis, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Rocky Elsom (c), 5. Sitaleki Timani, 4. Dean Mumm, 3. Sekope Kepu, 2. John Ulugia/Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1. Benn Robinson
Bench: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Jeremy Tilse, 18. Kane Douglas, 19. Jono Jenkins, 20. Wycliff Palu, 21. Sarel Pretorius, 22. Daniel Halangahu

SUNDAY, MAY 20

Force v Rebels, Perth – 08:35
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
AR: Francisco Pastrana (Argentina), Johan Hoffman (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

My oath, do we really deserve this? At least the pool will get cleaned and the lawn will be mown this weekend …

My prediction: Rebels by 5

Force: 15 Dave Harvey, 14 Sam Wara, 13 Will Tupou, 12 Rory Sidey, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Ben Seymour, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 David Pocock (c), 6 Matt Hodgson, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Bench: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Salesi Manu, 18 Phoenix Battye, 19 Lachlan McCaffrey, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Winston Stanley, 22 Alfie Mafi.

Rebels: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Lachlan Mitchell, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve (c), 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Tim Davidson, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Rodney Blake, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Bench: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Jono Owen, 18 Al Campbell, 19 Hugh Perrett, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 James Hilgendorf, 22 Stirling Mortlock.

Look, that is a Saturday of rugby viewing that will be tough to get past even the most forgiving woman in our lives … Might just have to pick your battle, perhaps giving the Lions a miss, or at least catching that on the gym bike while you pick up valuable brownie points as the lightie catches CBeebies in V-Club …

Adding spice to an already crowded Saturday is the Heineken Cup final … 18h00 at Twickenham – Leinster vs Ulster!

Enjoy …

WP have not lost a game this season, while Griquas were edged out just once – by the Lions.

Not only have these two sides collected the most log points, but they’ve also scored the most tries in the competition (Griquas with 40), but they’ve also conceded the least (WP with 16).

History suggests that the team from the Northern Cape are the favourites as not only are they playing in their seventh final, but are hosting their fourth and aiming for their fifth title. And of the three finals they have hosted in Kimberley, in 1998, 2005 and 2007, Griquas have never lost.

On the contrary, WP will be playing in their first-ever final. But this Capetonian team know how to win – in the last two seasons under coach John Dobson, they’ve only lost once, in last year’s quarter-finals.

Vodacom Cup Final

Griquas v Western Province
Date: Friday, May 18 2012
Kick-off: 19:10
Venue: GWK Park, Kimberley
Referee: Lourens van der Merwe
Assistant referees: Rasta Rasivhenge and Pieter Janse van Vuuren
TMO: Gerrie Coetzee

My prediction: WP by 5

Griquas: Francois Brummer, Rocco Jansen, PJ Vermeulen, Matthew Rosslee, Wilmaure Louw, Marnitz Boshoff, Jacques Coetzee; Leon Karemaker, Jonathan Adendorf, Jaco Nepgen, Ligtoring Landman, Edwin Hewitt, Lourens Adriaanse, Ryno Barnes (captain), Janro van Niekerk.
Bench: Simon Westraadt, Steph Roberts, Ivann Espag, Chase Minnaar, Marnus Hugo, Jean Stemmet, Rudi Vogt.

Western Province: Kurt Coleman, Danie Poolman, JP du Plessis, Marcel Brache, Ederies Arendse, Demetri Catrakilis, Nic Groom (vice-captain); Nick Fenton-Wells (captain), Tyrone Holmes, Rohan Kitshoff, Quinn Roux, Hilton Lobberts, Tom Botha, Sidney Tobias, Schalk Ferreira.
Bench (from): Rob Herring, Deon Carstens, Wilhelm van der Sluys, Reuben Johannes, Rick Schroeder, Mike van der Spuy, Berton Klaasen, Damian de Allende, Gerbrandt Grobler.

Mathew Rosslee

Road to the Final:

Western Province

10 March: beat Boland 51-22 in Cape Town
17 March: beat the Sharks XV 17-15 in Durban
24 March: beat EP 30-25 in Cape Town
31 March: beat Border 31-7 in East London
14 April: beat Pampas XV 20-16 in Stellenbosch
21 April: beat SWD 29-14 in Oudtshoorn
28 April: beat Free State 42-31 in Durbanville
5 May: beat Golden Lions 58-34 in Cape Town (quarter-final)
12 May: beat Pumas 33-20 in Cape Town (semi-final)

Griquas

10 March: beat Blue Bulls 36-17 in Pretoria
17 March: beat Griffons 55-10 in Kimberley
31 March: beat Pumas 21-20 in Witbank
14 April: lost to Golden Lions 35-30 in Kimberley
21 April: beat Leopards 42-40 in Potchefstroom
26 April: beat Valke 83-3 in Kimberley
4 May: beat Pampas XV 26-18 in Kimberley (quarter-final)
11 May: beat Blue Bulls 30-17 in Kimberley (semi-final)

Vodacom Cup Finals:

1998: Griquas beat Golden Lions 57-0
1999: Golden Lions beat Griquas 73-7
2000: Free State XV beat Griquas 44-24
2001: Blue Bulls beat Boland 42-24
2002: Golden Lions beat Blue Bulls 54-38
2003: Golden Lions beat Blue Bulls 26-17
2004: Golden Lions beat Blue Bulls 35-16
2005: Griquas beat Leopards 27-25
2006: Valke beat Sharks 25-17
2007: Griquas beat Blue Bulls 33-29
2008: Blue Bulls beat Free State 25-21
2009: Griquas beat Blue Bulls 28-19
2010: Blue Bulls beat Free State 31-29
2011: Pampas XV beat Blue Bulls 14-9

The trial will commence at the start of the next season in each hemisphere (August 2012 in the north and January 2013 in the south) and will be applicable to both international and domestic competition.

The five Law amendments to be trialled globally are:

1. Law 16.7 (Ruck): The ball has to be used within five seconds of it being made available at the back of a ruck following a warning from the referee to “use it”. Sanction – Scrum.

2. 19.2 (b) (Quick Throw-In) For a quick throw in, the player may be anywhere outside the field of play between the line of touch and the player’s goal line.

3. 19.4 (who throws in) When the ball goes into touch from a knock-on, the non-offending team will be offered the choice of a lineout at the point the ball crossed the touch line; or a scrum at the place of the knock-on. The non-offending team may exercise this option by taking a quick throw-in.

4. 21.4 Penalty and free kick options and requirements: Lineout alternative. A team awarded a penalty or a free kick at a lineout may choose a further lineout, they throw in. This is in addition to the scrum option.

5. A conversion kick must be completed within one minute 30 seconds from the time that a try has been awarded.

In addition, the IRB approved three specific additional trials:

1. To extend the jurisdiction of the TMO to incidents within the field of play that have led to the scoring of a try and foul play in the field of play.

2. International teams to nominate up to eight replacements in the match day squad for Test matches, the additional player must be a qualified front row player.

3. Sevens teams to nominate up to five replacements/substitutes.

And perhaps most importantly …

The IRB also approved further consideration for the ongoing review of the scrum. The amendment relates to the engagement sequence and will see the referee call “crouch” then “touch”. The front rows crouch then touch and using outside arm each prop touches the point of the opposing prop’s outside shoulder. The props then withdraw their arms. The referee will then call “set” when the front rows are ready. The front rows may then set the scrum.

“The Laws Representative Group were encouraged by the outcomes of the initial trials in Cambridge and Stellenbosch. The next step is a global trial with full buy-in and which has been approved by Council on the basis that the amendments can have a positive effect on the playing of the Game” said Bernard Lapasset …

The Cats were a disaster, and I do not see that working … ever. How about a new Soweto based franchise called the Rhinos?

As said a few times here on The Grunt, I strongly recommend a return to the Super 12 with the top 4 Currie Cup sides qualifying to play Super Rugby the next year. Not even New Zealand has the depth to support 5 competitive Super Rugby franchises in the current format, which is more of a survival course than a rugby tournament …

But TV money, rather than common sense, seems to drive SANZAR, so I do not see that happening any time soon, and certainly not before 2015, when the current SANZAR commercial deal expires …

So if we can’t have that, how about something completely different? And something that could actually happen given that it is SARU that determines the 5 sides that represent South Africa in Super Rugby …

FACT – The Kings are here to stay, and will play Super Rugby next year. We are thus guaranteed some change … Why not make it radical?

Introducing … the Rhinos!
Playing out of FNB stadium in Soweto, the Rhinos would primarily contract players from the Lions and Cheetahs, but not exclusively, and both the Lions and Cheetahs would remain individual entities in Vodacom and Currie Cup.

The Cats did not know whether they were Lions or Cheetahs as they played out of both bases and utilized staff from both unions … The Rhinos would have a new, separate base and administrative staff … And most importantly contract players and coaches independently.

Picture Nick Mallett as the coach, and R5 from every ticket sold going to saving the real rhino …

It would be quite fun to have two completely new franchises in Super Rugby next year … Certainly things would be livened up a little, and my word, does it need it!

Of course there would be obstacles, and perhaps a few existing Cheetahs and Lions players might even choose not to play Super Rugby in this guise, but that would be their call … And a decision they might want to make after chatting to their bank manager … or agent!

The Kings are a unique entity and need to be treated as such. Rules need to be enforced to see them become properly Eastern Cape based and staffed, thus keeping that region’s talent in the Eastern Cape. They will need time as a Super Rugby franchise to achieve that …

To just jettison the Lions (as SA’s worst performers in the tournament) from Super Rugby is an option, but a pretty harsh one. And keeping them alive so they can play a promotion / relegation match against the worst performing side at the end of 2013 is ridiculous on two fronts … 1) We cannot sustain 5 franchises, let alone a 6^th who will not even be playing, and 2) To give the kings just a single season to perform at Super Rugby level is asking the impossible of them, and unfair.

Enter stage right, then, the Rhinos, which has to be seen and treated as a new franchise who can recruit from anywhere, rather than a merger of the Cats and Lions.

Any sort of real franchise is fraught with danger here in SA given our time in the rugby international wilderness, when provincialism got so ingrained, but perhaps a move to what the Kiwis are doing in terms of the Super Rugby franchises being separate to the provincial unions is worth exploring now that we have grown up a little?

We would come close to such an entity with the Kings (EP, SWD and Border), Stormers (WP and Boland), Rhinos (Cats and Cheetahs), and Bulls (Blue Bulls, Leopards and Pumas), while the Sharks call from only one team in any case.

The Rhinos, based at FNB stadium, would also be a fantastic opportunity to run a franchise as a professional business, staffed with forward thinking professionals, rather than an amateur council exco, who tend to don those old gravy stained blazers …

Black Rhinos or White Rhinos? Quite cool that they could be just rhinos, free of any colour issues!

I realise that the SA rugby league team is already called the Rhinos, but with league being so small in SA, I am pretty sure the new Super Rugby franchise would usurp the name in a matter of weeks. But if one wanted to play nice, the new franchise could include the public in coming up with a name … Soweto Power, Warriors, Scorchers, or Assegai would all work for me …

Yes, it’s new and different, and would involve a fair amount of change, but sometimes new is good!

NB – The above image was obtained via a Google search and is NOT intended to represent the logo for the new franchise. In fact, it is an existing logo for a motorcycle stand!

Super Rugby:
Reds 42-27 Chiefs
Stormers 16 – 14 Cheetahs
Sharks 53 – 11 Force
Rebels 28 – 19 Crusaders
Highlanders 20 – 26 Hurricanes
Waratahs 24 – 27 Bulls
Blues 25 – 3 Lions

* Full match reports at the base of this post

Vodacom Cup:
Western Province 33 – 20 Pumas
Griquas 30 – 17 Blue Bulls

Aviva Premiership semi finals:
Harlequins 25 – 23 Northampton
Leicester 24 – 15 Saracens

Top 14
Clermont Auvergne 57 – 14 Brive
Biarritz 16 – 5 Stade Francais
Agen 25 – 22 Racing Metro
Bordeaux 37 – 29 Perpignan
Castres 31 – 29 Bayonne
Lyon 5 – 29 Toulon
Toulouse 20 – 13 Montpellier

Selected club results:
Villager 36-23 False Bay
Victorians 34-26 Belhar
UCT 36-28 SK Walmers
Maties 20-22 DurBell

Select schoolboy results:
Paarl Gym 28-8 Paul Roos
Affies 35-29 Grey College
SACS 10-19 Paarl Boys
Tygerberg 31-10 Stellenberg
Bishops 10-39 Drostdy
Jeppe 9-40 Pretoria Boys

London Sevens:
FIJI 38 – 15 SAMOA Final

NEW ZEALAND 40 – 0 ARGENTINA Third Place
ENGLAND 12 – 14 AUSTRALIA Final Plate
WALES 27 – 5 SCOTLAND Final Bowl
UNITED STATES 12 – 19 FRANCE Final Shield

ARGENTINA 19 – 21 SAMOA SF Cup
NEW ZEALAND 7 – 31 FIJI SF Cup

AUSTRALIA 17 – 12 SPAIN SF Plate
SOUTH AFRICA 17 – 19 ENGLAND SF Plate

SAMOA 22 – 7 SPAIN ¼ Final Cup
AUSTRALIA 7 – 12 ARGENTINA ¼ Final Cup
FIJI 21 – 14 ENGLAND ¼ Final Cup
NEW ZEALAND 36 – 0 SOUTH AFRICA ¼ Final Cup

Final Series Standings
1 NEW ZEALAND – 167
2 FIJI – 161
3 ENGLAND – 135
4 SAMOA – 133
5 SOUTH AFRICA – 125

And the next fixtures:

Vodacom Cup final:
Friday, May 18, 2012
15:00: Griquas v Western Province, Kimberley

Next weekend’s Super Rugby fixtures:

Friday, May 18, 2012
09:35: Hurricanes v Brumbies, Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Saturday, May 19, 2012
07:30: Highlanders v Bulls, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin
09:35: Crusaders v Blues, AMI Stadium, Christchurch
11:40: Reds v Lions, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
17:05: Cheetahs v Sharks, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
19:10: Stormers v Waratahs, DHL Newlands Stadium, Cape Town

Sunday, May 20, 2012
08:35: Force v Rebels, NIB Stadium, Perth

Well done to Deon Louw for sneaking the Yellow Cap in the Front Row Grunt SuperBru pool, but it’s Brendan Wainwright who maintains a pretty tight grip on that top position on the log …

Super Rugby match reports and scorers:

Blues 25 (10) Lions 3 (3)

The Lions were kept try-less for the second time this season as the Blues beat them 25-3 in Auckland on Friday morning.

Elton Jantjies only had one shot at goal, which he converted, but the Blues dominated territory to keep the Lions pinned in their own half.

Yet again unforced errors didn’t help the Lions’ cause – most of the time when they had the ball, they coughed it up for the Blues to stay in the visitors’ territory.

Although the Lions conceded three tries, their defence was not bad and the Blues were perhaps slightly fortuitous that they managed to cross the try-line three times.

However, the impatience and mistakes on attack cost the Lions – not for the first time this year.

Blues – Tries: Michael Hobbs, Luke Braid, Alby Mathewson. Conversions: Gareth Anscombe (2). Penalty goals: Anscombe (2).

Lions – Penalty goal: Elton Jantjies.

Waratahs 24 (13) Bulls 27 (10)

A 78th minute try by Werner Kruger sealed a memorable albeit slightly lacklustre win for the Bulls in Sydney on Friday morning.

The team from Pretoria won their seventh straight match over the Waratahs and their third on the trot in Sydney when they triumphed by 27-24 after trialling by 13-10 at the break.

It wasn’t easy though – the visitors looked lethargic for most of the game, but the Waratahs could never really capitalise on the Bulls’ flatfootedness.

Rob Horne got a good first-half try for the hosts and Afa Pakalani crossed in the second half, but the Bulls also took their chances, with Francois Hougaard and Akona Ndungane crossing for five-pointers before Kruger’s heroics.

For large parts of the game the Waratahs were camped in the Bulls’ half of the field and this week Frans Ludeke’s team defended much better after conceding a raft of tries against the Brumbies and the Rebels.

For a second successive week Bulls flyhalf Morné Steyn slotted all of his kicks at goal – five from five on Friday and seven from seven last weekend.

Waratahs – Tries: Rob Horne, Afa Pakalani. Conversion: Berrick Barnes. Penalty goals: Barnes (3), Brendan McKibbin.

Bulls – Tries: Francois Hougaard, Akona Ndungane, Werner Kruger. Conversions: Morné Steyn (3). Penalty goals: Steyn (2).

Sharks 53 (20) Force 11 (6)

Two moments of individual brilliance by Pat Lambie and Keegan Daniel stood out as The Sharks got their first 50-point haul in more than five years of Super Rugby when they smashed the Force by 53-11 at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday afternoon.

The last time they managed to score that many points, was in 2007 against the Reds (59-16) in Brisbane. In 1998, they crushed the Chiefs 52-18 in Port Elizabeth. Playing as Natal in 1996 and 1997, before the franchise system, they managed three 50-point hauls.

The Sharks scored seven tries on Saturday and completely outplayed the Western Australians in one of their best performances in recent years.

Lambie’s superb break, that lead to a try for Paul Jordaan, and Daniel’s tap, go and run in the build-up to Louis Ludik’s five-pointers, were two of the highlights of the game.

Lwazi Mvovo got a brace, both from intercepts and one involving some serious soccer skills, as the Sharks raced away with it in the second half.

However, it wasn’t only their attack that made The Sharks sparkle on Saturday, their defence was also rock-solid and the Force could only cross their try-line in the 80th minute.

This victory, coupled with the Highlanders’ defeat to the Hurricanes, saw The Sharks move into playoff contention for the first time this year. They are now sixth on the overall log.

Sharks – Tries: Lwazi Mvovo (2), Paul Jordaan, Steven Sykes, Louis Ludik, Craig Burden, Jacques Botes. Conversions: Pat Lambie (2), Frederic Michalak (4). Penalty goals: Lambie (2).

Force – Try: Samu Wara. Penalty goals: David Harvey (2).

Stormers 16 (16) Cheetahs 14 (0)

The Stormers had to dig deep to beat the Cheetahs by 16-14 at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday evening after the visitors from Central South Africa refused to give up when they looked dead and buried.

It was a typical match of two halves – the home side scored all their points in the first half and the Cheetahs all theirs after the break.

After 40 minutes it looked like the Stormers might run away with this one. They had the majority of the possession and controlled the game very well, with mistakes costing them a few more points.

During this period, the Cheetahs were also heavily penalised at scrum time, with Peter Grant slotting three penalty goals, as well as converting Eben Etzebeth’s try.

In the second half however, the Cheetahs got more ball and started bashing the Stormers. When Willie le Roux intercepted and ran 70 meters for his team’s second try, it set up a tense final 12 minutes.

Again the Stormers’ defensive composure held firm as they managed to squeeze out a win that will leave them somewhat perplexed, as they didn’t perform as well as they know they can. With the Waratahs en route to Cape Town and tough encounters in Durban and Pretoria coming up, the Capetonians know they will have to improve if they are going to push for a top two spot on the combined log.

Stormers – Try: Eben Etzebeth. Conversion: Peter Grant. Penalty goals: Grant (3).

Cheetahs – Tries: Hennie Daniller, Willie le Roux. Conversions: Rian Smit (2).

Not a single Aussie derby this weekend … Bring on the beers!
Blues vs Lions to start the weekend … Bring on the arsenic!

Seven games to work your way through this weekend … But with a 2,4,1 split, it’s actually relatively doable … So to the predictions, then, which, as always, come with a severe warning … Use them for your SuperBru pics at your peril!

FRIDAY, MAY 11
 
Blues v Lions, Auckland – 09:35
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
AR’s: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand), Sheldon Eden (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

I speak quite freely about the dullness of the Aussie derby so often forced upon us in this monstrosity that is the Super Rugby format, but my oath, does it come much worse than a 2012 Blues vs Lions encounter. Both teams have been beyond dire! Pat Lam’s position as head coach was rightfully advertised this week, and that might have the home boys hopping a little – either in support of Lam, or to impress whoever they bring in next, so I am going Blue on this. If wanting to get an early rosy glow, take a sip of the good stuff every time one of these hookers misses a lineout … You will have your best Friday at work ever. Sure, it might be your last, but what a way to go …

My prediction:  Blues by 13

Blues: 15 Hadleigh Parkes, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Ma’a Nonu, 12 Michael Hobbs, 11 Benson Stanley, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Piri Weepu, 8 Peter Saili, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Luke Braid (captain), 5 Ali Williams, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Tom McCartney, 1 Tevita Mailau
Bench: 16 James Parsons, 17 Angus Ta’avao, 18 Filo Paulo, 19 Steven Luatua, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Lachie Munro, 22 Sherwin Stowers

Lions: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Deon Van Rensburg, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Jaco Taute, 11 Michael Killian, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Joshua Strauss (captain), 7 Grant Hattingh, 6 Derick Minnie, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Franco Van der Merwe, 3 Patric Cilliers, 2 Callie Visagie, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg
Bench: 16 Martin Bezuidenhout, 17 CJ Van der Linde, 18 Cobus Grobbelaar, 19 Jaco Kriel, 20 Tian Meyer, 21 Ruan Combrinck, 22 James Kamana

—–
Waratahs v Bulls, Sydney – 11:40
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
AR’s: Ian Smith (Australia), Francisco Pastrana (Argentina)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

Snoreathon alert! The battle of the light blue jerseys has never been about basketball rugby, and I do not see it changing this year. A proper arm wrestle in the making I reckon as the Tahs play for survival, and the Bulls for that top spot in the SA conference. And it could all come down to how referee Chris Pollock blows the breakdown … And with penalty machine Deon Stegmann back in the mix, this game might be over before it begins. But if he gets away with a few, then the Hougaard and Steyn vs Super Sarel and Barnes battle will decide the match, and I am backing dead eye dick Steyn … Palu vs Spies should be fun …
 
My prediction:  Bulls by 1
 
Waratahs: 15 Daniel Halangahu, 14 Tom Kingston, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11 Atieli Pakalani, 10 Berrick Barnes, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Chris Alcock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 John Ulugia, 1 Benn Robinson
Bench: 16 John Mann-Rea, 17 Jeremy Tilse, 18 Sitaleki Timani, 19 Lopeti Timani, 20 Dave Dennis, 21 Brendan McKibbin, 22 Tom Carter

Bulls: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 Akona Ndungane, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 CJ Stander, 6 Deon Stegmann, 5 Juandré Kruger, 4 Flip van der Merwe, 3 Werner Kruger, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Dawie Steyn
Bench: 16 Willie Wepener, 17 Rayno Gerber, 18 Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19 Arno Botha, 20 Jano Vermaak, 21 Louis Fouché, 22 JJ Engelbrecht

SATURDAY, MAY 12
 
Highlanders v Hurricanes, Dunedin – 09:35
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
AR’s: Keith Brown (New Zealand), Matthew Muir (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)

Pretty tough one to call. The last seven games between these two have been decided by seven points or less. Highlanders at home, but having travelled after an ugly loss to the Sharks in Durban (after getting out of jail against the Cheetahs), while the Canes will be pretty fresh after what is like an extra bye against the Blues. The odds suggest a Highlanders win, but I think the “Such a joy to watch” Taylor, Jane and Smith trio will come good. Heart above head warning!!

My prediction:  Canes by 3

Highlanders: 15. Ben Smith, 14. Siale Piutau, 13. Tamati Ellison, 12. Phil Burleigh, 11. Hosea Gear, 10. Mike Delany, 9. Aaron Smith, 8. Nasi Manu, 7. Nick Crosswell, 6. Adam Thomson, 5. Jarrad Hoeata, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 3. Ma’afu Fia, 2. Andrew Hore (captain), 1. Chris King
Bench: 16. Jason Rutledge, 17. Bronson Murray, 18. Culum Retallick, 19. Tim Boys, 20. Jimmy Cowan, 21. Chris Noakes, 22. Kenny Lynn

Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Charlie Ngatai/Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Ben May, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Reg Goodes.
Bench: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Brad Shields, 19 Jack Lam, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Tusi Pisi/Daniel Kirkpatrick, 22 Tim Bateman/Alapati Leiua.

—–
Rebels v Crusaders, Melbourne – 11:40
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
AR’s: James Leckie (Australia), Will Houston (Australia)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)

Told you they would be more Rebel than Rabble without Cipriani, and so it proved to be against the Bulls. This while the Saders hacked a little against the Reds. McCaw is back at the helm on the side of the scrum, but they have chosen this game to give one of the men of the tournament so far, Kieren Read (together with Ellis and Dagg), a rest. Not sure the home side will be able to live with the Saders scrum, which mostly destroyed the Reds last week, and Robbie Fruean is in superlative form.
 
My prediction: Crusaders by 7
 
Rebels: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Mark Gerrard, 13 Mitch Inman, 12 Lachlan Mitchell, 11 Cooper Vuna, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Gareth Delve (c), 7 Michael Lipman, 6 Tim Davidson, 5 Hugh Pyle, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Rodney Blake, 2 Ged Robinson, 1 Nic Henderson.
Bench: 16 Adam Freier, 17 Jono Owen, 18 Al Campbell, 19 Ryan Hodson, 20 Nic Stirzaker, 21 James Hilgendorf, 22 Stirling Mortlock.

Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Tom Taylor, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Bench: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Tom Donnelly, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Ryan Crotty, 22 Israel Dagg

—–
Sharks v Force, Durban – 17:05
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
AR’s: Joey Salmans (South Africa), Christie du Preez (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)

John Plumtree wins an ugly one against the Highlanders, spots that the sides with the best defensive records are higher on the log than the Sharks, and suddenly sees the light: “We aren’t talking about scoring tries, we’re putting a plan in place and hopefully the boys will play to that plan. And if it means kicking more, then that’s what we’ll do”. This as the Force come off an equally ugly loss to the Cheetahs. I see the Sharks continuing their metamorphosis after a shaky start.
 
My prediction: Sharks by 13
 
Sharks: 15. Louis Ludik, 14. JP Pietersen, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Keegan Daniel (c), 7. Marcell Coetzee, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Anton Bresler, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira.
Bench: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Ryan Kankowski, 21. Frederic Michalak, 22. Meyer Bosman

Force: 15 Alfie Mafi, 14 Sam Wara, 13 Nick Cummins, 12 Winston Stanley, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 David Harvey, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Matt Hodgson, 7 David Pocock (capt), 6 Richard Brown, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Toby Lynn, 3 Salesi Ma’afu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pek Cowan.
Bench: 16 Elvis Taione, 17 Salesi Manu, 18 Phoenix Battye, 19 Lachlan McCaffrey, 20 Josh Holmes, 21 Ben Seymour, 22 Rory Sidey.

—–
Stormers v Cheetahs, Cape Town – 19:10
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
AR’s: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

Jebb Sinclair! Who the hell is Jebb Sinclair, and why do one of the best rugby franchises in the Southern hemisphere have to recruit a Canadian loose forward? I can almost picture Danie Craven doing summersaults in his grave! Remember when the Stormers decided to bring in Schalk Brits as loose forward cover last year? Yep, it was all downhill from there … But that was then, and this is slightly different, yet I still find it disturbing. Back come De Villiers, Aplon and Etzebeth, while Cheetahs travel to the Cape sans Johan Goosen. Battle of the front rows will be fantastically beer inducing, but it will be a side show to the actual event …
 
My prediction: Stormers by 11
 
Stormers: 15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean De Villiers (captain), 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Nizaam Carr, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Deon Fourie, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Bench: 16. Tiaan Liebenberg, 17. Frans Malherbe, 18. De Kock Steenkamp, 19. Jebb Sinclair, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Burton Francis, 22. Gerhard van den Heever

Cheetahs: 15 Hennie Daniller, 14 Cameron Jacobs, 13 Robert Ebersohn, 12 Andries Strauss, 11 Willie le Roux, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Piet van Zyl, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Justin Downey, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Izak van der Westhuizen, 4 George Earle, 3 WP Nel, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Coenie Oosthuizen
Bench: 16 Hercu Liebenberg, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Andries Ferreira, 19 Ashley Johnson, 20 Tewis de Bruyn, 21 Riaan Smit, 22 Philip Snyman

SUNDAY, MAY 13
 
Reds v Chiefs, Brisbane – 08:10
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
AR’s: Andrew Lees (Australia), Simon Moore (Australia)
TMO: Steve Lesczcynski (Australia)

Not the worst way to clear a foggy head! Reds will be grumpy after a narrow loss to the Saders, while the Chiefs, even though crossing the Tasman, will be pretty fresh after a non-encounter with the Lions. Reds on the up since Ioane returned from suspension, and playing good rugby, but Chiefs are not top of the log for nothing! A tough one to call, and I reckon it could go either way …
 
My prediction: Chiefs by 3
 
Reds: 15. Luke Morahan, 14. Dom Shipperley, 13. Anthony Faingaa, 12. Mike Harris, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Ben Lucas, 9. Will Genia, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 7. Liam Gill, 6. Jake Schatz, 5. James Horwill (captain), 4. Rob Simmons, 3. James Slipper, 2. James Hanson, 1. Ben Daley
Bench: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. Greg Holmes, 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19. Ed Quirk, 20. Beau Robinson, 21. Nicholas Frisby, 22. Rod Davies

Chiefs: 15. Andrew Horrell, 14. Lelia Masaga, 13. Richard Kahui, 12. Sonny Bill Williams, 11. Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Brendon Leonard, 8. Alex Bradley, 7. Tanerau Latimer, 6. Liam Messam, 5. Michael Fitzgerald, 4. Craig Clarke (captain), 3. Ben Tameifuna, 2. Mahonri Schwalger, 1. Sona Taumalolo
Bench: 16. Hikawera Elliott, 17. Toby Smith, 18. Kane Thompson, 19. Sam Cane, 20. Augustine Pulu, 21. Jackson Willison, 22. Robbie Robinson

A perfect scenario for us Saffers … Out the office on important client visits on Friday morning, perhaps even indulging in an amber refreshment or two in the second half of the Bulls game before hammering the Clorets on the way back to that nasty Friday afternoon management meeting your pesky boss likes to hold. Then pink ticket accumulation activity on Saturday morning (yep, Rooibos tea at some obscure tree hugging coffee shop is going to have to happen) before warming up with the Sharks game, and then unleashing that coolerbox during the Cheetahs vs Stormers extravaganza …

Special … Enjoy

One of WP or the Pumas will make history on Saturday as neither side has ever made it past the semi-final stage of the Vodacom Cup. Understandable on the part of the Pink Pumas, but pretty damn diabolical from the Blue and White hoops …

They play each other at Newlands on Saturday afternoon to decide the second finalist, to be held on the weekend of 18/19 May at the venue of the top team from the North Section.

The other finalist will be decided on Friday afternoon in Kimberley – Either Griquas or the Blue Bulls. Between them, they have won the title seven times and been runners up eight times – Real VC pros!

If Griquas win, they will host the final. If the Blue Bulls and the Pumas win, the final will be in Mpumalanga, and if it’s the Blue Bulls against WP, the final will be in Pretoria. Not ideal for the Cape kids as they are the only team this season to have gone unbeaten, but like a lot in this tournament, it’s one of those strange little rules …

WP followed their seven wins in the league with a comprehensive home win against the Golden Lions last weekend (58-34) and must be the favourites at Newlands.

The Griquas and Blue Bulls semi is a replay of their first round clash in early March, won comfortably by the team from Kimberley (36-17) in Pretoria, the home team totally outplayed that day, conceding six tries to two.

It is also a replay of last year’s semi-final, though, and in that game it was Blue Bulls who put pay to Griquas 47-34 to advance to their fifth successive Vodacom Cup final.

It should be a pretty spicy affair with the Blue Bulls have only lost one out of their 10 appearances in the semi-finals, while Griquas have won six from eight.

Greek kicking god ... Demetri Catrakilis

The Vodacom Cup Semi-finals:

Friday, May 11 2012
 
Griquas v Blue Bulls
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: GWK Park, Kimberley
Referee: Quinton Immelman

Saturday, May 12 2012

Western Province v Pumas
Kick-off: 16:15
Venue: DHL Newlands, Cape Town
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge

Semi-finals history:

Western Province
2008 – lost to Toyota Free State XV 27-22 in Cape Town
2000 – lost to GWK Griquas 41-27 in Kimberley

Griquas
2009 – beat Sharks XV 36-25 in Durban
2008 – lost to Vodacom Blue Bulls 40-20 in Pretoria
2007 – beat Ford Pumas 46-26 in Kimberley
2005 – beat Regent Boland Kavaliers 16-13 in Kimberley
2001 – lost to Regent Boland Kavaliers 47-31 in Wellington
2000 – beat DHL WP 41-27 in Kimberley
1999 – beat Regent Boland Kavaliers 24-17 in Kimberley
1998 – beat Sharks XV by 47-28 in Kimberley

Pumas
2007 – lost to GWK Griquas 46-26 in Kimberley

Blue Bulls
2011 – beat GWK Griquas 47-34 in Kimberley
2010 – beat Sharks XV 33-3 in Pretoria
2009 – beat Leopards 45-34 in Pretoria
2008 – beat GWK Griquas 40-20 in Pretoria
2007 – beat Leopards 32-25 in Pretoria
2005 – lost to Leopards 17-11 in Pretoria
2004 – beat Toyota Free State XV 24-20 in Bloemfontein
2003 – beat Leopards 47-19 in Pretoria
2002 – beat Regent Boland Kavaliers 47-45 in Wellington
2001 – beat Toyota Free State XV 39-38 in Pretoria

Note: In 2006 there was no knock-out rounds – the Valke and Sharks XV progressed to the final, won by the Valke in Brakpan.

Vodacom Cup Previous Winners:

1998: Griquas
1999: Golden Lions
2000: Free State
2001: Blue Bulls
2002: Golden Lions
2003: Golden Lions
2004: Golden Lions
2005: Griquas
2006: Valke
2007: Griquas
2008: Blue Bulls
2009: Griquas
2010: Blue Bulls
2011: Pampas XV

And who should we bump into, but none other than my old training partner, Guy Kebble, who was at the game with his not so little lightie, Oliver Kebble, who had made his debut for the WP side from the bench a few weeks back …

Guy needs no introduction as the massively strong Springbok loosehead prop who played for both Western Province and the Sharks. Perhaps not the most mobile of props ever to don the Green and Gold, the other thing we have in common is that we were both fired by SuperSport as commentators. Guy, though, was asked to come back, while my invite seems to have been lost in the post

Kebble junior, although just starting his rugby career, seems to have fallen quite close to the old tree …

Born in Durban while dad was playing Currie Cup rugby for the Sharks at the time, he went to school at Bishops in Cape Town, where he stayed until Grade 11 before moving to England to do his A-Levels.

Kebble attended Dulwich College in London and was invited to be part of the London Irish Academy. In June last year he went to France to play French Second Division rugby, no doubt learning a great many scrumming tricks and techniques – this in order to just survive one of those scrums!

“It was like going to scrum school in France. They place a lot of emphasis on scrums and I picked up a lot of valuable experience. I think my scrumming has improved immensely which should help me quite a bit here,’’ he said to me at City Park.

It’s far too early to tell, and I really hope he is not rushed into anything too fast, but having been spotted by Dawie Theron and picked for SA U20 Squad to play in the IRB Junior world championships next month, and also asked by Heyneke Meyer to pop into the Bok training camp in Cape Town, it is clear that a few pretty influential people have spotted a talent …

Of course I could not resist taking a pic of what would make a 404kg front row … One that would probably be immovable, yet struggle to make the next ruck, but be legendary humour at the post match function – if they still had those damn things!

Kebble (O), Lanning, Kebble (G)

Kebble junior in a nutshell:

Full Name:  Oliver Kebble
Date of birth: 18 June 1992
Weight:  128kg
Height:  1.89m
Position: Loosehead Prop (but can play tighthead as well)
School: Dulwich College 2010 – 2011, Bishops 2009
Club: Villagers

Post school career:
SA U20 Squad (IRB Junior world championships) 2012
Stade Montois 2011 – 2012
London Irish 2010 – 2011

Not a massive fan of the tournament and wanting Vodacom to rather spend their money on a strong national club league, these numbers have got me thinking …

Perhaps with Super Rugby suffering because of the horrific new format that just puts too much rugby in front of us, and depriving us of what has always been close to our hearts, the Currie Cup, the Vodacom Cup, no matter how diluted it is, is commanding a little more attention?

A look at the numbers, then:

Period of analysis: 9 March – 30 April 2012 (including repeat coverage)
No. Games: 14 games on SuperSport (out of 49 games played), 63 repeat broadcasts
Data Source: DSTVi 2011/2012 (Target – All 4+) – With massive thanks to Repucom SA

The Vodacom Cup in comparion with other events on TV:

A look on the Year on Year growth per region:And looking at it as a pie chart breaking up the viewership per region:

And a look at the viewership per game:

In summary:

• Highest increase among viewers is in the E Cape, up 215% YoY
• Viewership among KZN audience increased by 142% YoY
• Cumulative audience across Live coverage = 2,4m viewers, an increase of 81.2% YoY.
• Cumulative Audience across all Repeats = 704,053 viewers (an average of 13 119 viewers per game)
• Cumulative Audience across all Television coverage = 3,1m viewers.

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