and the Sharks let us down in a big way. That was a poor performance from the Sharks side as a whole. Not one of them would make a Bok team of the week. Complacency might have played a part, given everyone expected them to out 30 points over the Kings. But the only positive from the Sharks is that they won playing badly.
Reinach had a shocker, Lambie added nothing, Frans looked half asleep, Movovo looked the best of their backs and got subbed. JP has lost his clout of last year - he like Hougaard, have lost their attacking mojo. Jordaan tried but nothing happened. Ludik was solid.
In the forwards, Coetzee and Bresler tried hard but had little support. I really do not get what coaches see in Franco v/d Merwe, he adds nothing in general play, one never sees him. Start with Steph du Toit at 5.
Poor performance from the Sharks as a whole, no point in picking out names, they were all avergae to poor, but hopefully its a wake up call for the Sharks and they have got their poor game out the way.
The Kings showed great resolve in keeping the Sharks in check, Catrakillis is a good flyhalf. Little Petersen was not going to be intimidated by JP, was great to see.
The Cheetahs were great, with Strauss and Labascagne standing tall as did Pretorious, Goosen, Ebersohn, Rhule, Nkanyane, de Jager and v/d Walt. Brussouw and Coenie were good when they came off the bench. I like the look of young de Jager at 4.
Great to see the Stormers turn their season around and great to see that man Jantjies show some magic touches, that try he set up for Aplon was all about touch and timing. Jantjies is back. Groom had a great game and I dont get why he was subbed. de Allende has his best game to date, I really like the look of this kid. Jean had yet another no show and is lost at 13. Aplon scored two nice tries, Joe remains a liability at the back, that dropped ball leading to a try is just not good enough. When is Taute back? Sad news about Habana, v/d Heever looked good when he came on and will be an able replacement.
Kitshoff and Malherebe were good, Fourie is a quality player but gives away stupid penalties. Bekker was huge as much as Steenkamp was anonymous. Kolisi had a great game, once again confirming he has Bok written all over him. Elstadt and Vermeulen were not far behind.
I expected the Bulls to lose to an impressive Blues sides but the Bulls smashed them into submission. Vermaak was poor at 9 and Morne lost the momentum he gained from the previous week, but it was good to see the Bulls running the ball, where Olivier and JJ were good. They were up against the form centre pairing of the competition and but for one lapse, they had the better of the Blues pair. Mapoe and Ndungane did well and Kirchner was once again disappointing.
Spies continues to show good form and Arno Botha is proving a real Bok contender. It was good to see Jeandre Kruger having a good game and Flip continues to impress this season. The Bulls frontrow is far better with Mellett and Frik Kirtsen as their props, both impressed.
Great weekend for SA rugby, long may it continue.
My Bok Barometer side for the week:
15. Ludik (all the fullbacks were poor - he was the best of an average bunch).
14. Aplon
13. JJ. Engelbrecht
12. de Allende (closely followed by Olivier)
11. Mapoe
10. Jantjies (closely followed by Goosen)
9. Groom (closely followed by Pretorious, although I have serious issues with this guys poor service)
1. Kitshoff
2. Strauss
3. Malherbe (closely followed by Frik Kirsten)
4. Flip
5. Bekker
6. Kolisi
7. Labascagne (closely followed by Botha and Elstadt)
8. Spies (closely followed by Vermeulen)
