Ja, it looks like lots of travelling for our teams and a really funny time to play in the middle of summer and then 0 degrees the next week up north.
Sharks vs Harlequins
Sharks looked to have it in the bag until ox got the wrong end of the new laws. Still think they are over policing the head contact area. Andre Esterhuizen showed his value and I hope the sharks can lure him back to SA. Sharks faded but struck back in the final play. Good game
Stormers vs Clermont
This was a very physical game and the giant island wingers were hard to contain. The stormers hot steppers had a hard day in the office. Much faster line speed which led to several unforced errors from Libbok. First time 18 months that I saw him implode and look very unsure and fragile. Will be good to see how he progress and whether he can cope with the elite teams. Stormers just didn’t have the right players in the park. Willemse was really quiet. Guess horses for courses and not hot steppers when up north. Stormers have been poor in wet conditions.
Boools vs Lyon
Jake fielded his c team full of youngsters. The bulls raced out the blocks before being pulled back. High scoring game and lots of running, but they forgot the fundamentals of direct rugby and lost the physical battle in the 2nd half. Held on for a very good win.
In my mind it was a master stroke by Jake, backed a very young and inexperienced team with a win. These guys will get better over the next 12 months and I can’t wait to see how the develop. The bulls just need a solid core of players that is not to young or to old