The Sharks claimed a 31-16 bonus point victory over the visiting Bulls in Durban on Saturday evening to rise to the top of the Super Rugby log, while the Lions were unexpected winners over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein in the only two matches played on the opening weekend of the 2014 season.
By Michael Marnewick
The Lions showed the value of a good goal-kicker, and despite not scoring any tries, capitalised on a slew of mistakes and indiscipline from the home team who were widely regarded as favourites considering their sixth-place finish last year as well as the Lions absence in 2013 and the low expectation that have been placed on them.
Bulls coach Frans Ludeke was understandably upset at the result, saying afterwards that, “This must have been the easiest victory for the Sharks, there were just lots of soft moments from us in the first half.” That was when the Sharks capitalised and scored three tries off mistakes from the visitors.
The clash, as to be expected of first matches of the season, wasn’t the perfect spectacle, although it was an arm-wrestle as to be anticipated with these local South African derbies. But the fact that the Sharks were able to score four tries needs to be seen in context – and applauded.
Jake White is obviously doing something right. February in Durban is notoriously hot and humid and many coaches will admit before (thanks to experience) as well as after (following the experience) that sometimes it’s better not to have the ball, but to wait for mistakes from the opposition.
And to give some credit to the home side, this was their first four try haul in a match in Durban during February. Ever. It was only the second time this feat has been achieved, with the Cheetahs doing the virtually impossible in 2006.
“I can’t remember when last a big derby resulted in a bonus point win or the last time the Bulls conceded four tries in defeat, so we’ve got to be pleased with that,” said White. “It’s the first week out and although we didn’t play as well as we could, we still got the bonus point.
“We did force mistakes, that was part of the plan. It’s humid, you can’t play too much rugby and we probably strangled them a bit in their own half.
“Before the game, I would have settled for a win in the first round against the Bulls who have won three titles. As it unfolds and we scored three tries in first half you start to think that maybe we’ve let it slip, but one never knows, there are tough calls to be made in a game. It’s called a bonus point for a reason – it’s a bonus if you get four tries. You have to first and foremost win the game, what we didn’t want to do was take our foot off the gas, they score two tries and all of a sudden it’s a draw.”
Bulls captain Pierre Spies was magnanimous in defeat, paying tribute to a good effort from the Sharks.
“You need to use the possession you have well, and sometimes you don’t get the reward. Some was our mistakes and some was the pressure from the Sharks. We need to have a look at our execution. On the night, they played really well. They are a new unit, as we are, these are the challenges faced each new season. But they played really well and deserved to win.”
Marnitz Boshoff, making his debut at Super Rugby level, broke the hearts of the Cheetahs in the early game, and despite the home side scoring two tries to none, it was the unerring boot of Boshoff that proved to be the difference ultimately.
The Lions will thoroughly enjoy being second on the log this week. The pride of Joburg.
