What an action-packed week of rugby we experienced the past week. The Springboks played in their first test in almost two years followed by the touring B&I Lions first match in South Africa. The Currie Cup Premier Division also had its highlights.
The Springboks made their first appearance in the test arena after an absence of 608 days. They faced the national team of Georgia and after seeing off the Georgians initial forward onslaught, won with relative ease (40-09).
The Springboks started the test struggling in the scrums with their attack lacking rhythm. As the game continued, the Springboks launched several attacks from their dominant lineouts. The Springboks led 19-09 at the end of the first half, however, their ill-discipline still a concern.
In the second half, the Springboks dominated proceedings with relative ease on the back of their dominant forwards. A great first performance, however, a lot of work still to be done before the tests against the B&I Lions.
Scorers:
Georgia: Penalties: Tedo Abzhandadze (3).
Springboks: Tries: Aphelele Fassi, Bongi Mbonambi, Cobus Reinach, Kwagga Smith, Herschel Jantjies, Malcolm Marx. Conversions: Handré Pollard (4), Elton Jantjies.
The long-awaited British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa kicked off at Emirates Park with a resounding 56-14 victory for the British & Irish Lions against the Sigma Lions, who despite a spirited effort was unable to match the experience and skill of the British & Irish Lions team.
The Sigma Lions came out roaring in the first half, however, true to nature the young lions were soon put in their place by the older lions who scored two quick tries. The Sigma Lions only managed to score their first try in the 34th minute. The British & Irish Lions enjoyed the majority of the possession and territory in the first half which ended with the score at 21-7.
The second half started with a bang with both teams scoring tries and both teams throwing the ball around which loosened up the play. The British & Irish Lions, however, soon took total control of the match in all aspects running away with the scoreline with a flurry of tries. Although the Sigma Lions forwards certainly matched the forwards of the British & Irish Lions, their defence started to crumble under the onslaught of the more experienced British & Irish Lions, who upped the tempo of play and were seemingly unaffected by the altitude.
Scorers:
Sigma Lions: Tries: Vincent Tshituka, Rabz Maxwane. Conversions:Jordan Hendrikse (2).
British and Irish Lions: Tries: Louis Rees-Zammit, Hamish Watson, Ali Price, Josh Adams (4), Gareth Davies. Conversions: Owen Farrell(8).
We discuss the week ending 04/07/2021's action
The New Nation Pumas closed out the third round of the Carling Currie Cup with a tense 26-22 win over Tafel Lager Griquas in Nelspruit on Friday afternoon.
Having traded wins and losses in their respective opening fixtures, both teams were determined to break out of 50% territory, and it was the hosts’ powerful pack that primarily got them over the hump in a hard-fought affair played in perfect conditions.
The New Nation Pumas had undone much of their good work when they mentally clocked out in the final stages of the first half and tapered off again in the final quarter with Tafel Lager Griquas coming on strong.
However, they stood up when it mattered most in the final five minutes to get back in the win column following their away loss to the Vodacom Bulls last week.
Scorers:
New Nation Pumas: Tries: Matt More, Simon Westraadt (2). Conversion: Eddie Fouche. Penalties: Fouche (3).
Tafel Lager Griquas: Try: Jay-Cee Nel. Conversion: George Whitehead. Penalties: George Whitehead (5).
DHL Western Province hosted the Cell C Sharks at the Cape Town Stadium Wednesday afternoon. A one-point win (32-31) saw the Western Province move to the top of the Currie Cup log after three rounds of exciting rugby.
Both teams struggled to play constructive rugby with the boot of Tim Swiel at the end of the day the deciding factor.
Scorers:
DHL Western Province: Tries: Paul de Wet, Evan Roos. Conversions: Tim Swiel (2). Penalties: Tim Swiel (5).
Cell C Sharks: Tries: Thembelani Bholi, Jaden Hendrikse (2), Fez Mbatha. Conversions: Curwin Bosch (4). Penalty: Curwin Bosch.