Ex Supersport
The DHL Stormers continued the weekend of surprises and upsets as they produced a dominant performance to down a shoddy Vodacom Bulls side 29-17 in their Vodacom Super Rugby game at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
For all the pre-season hype that followed the Bulls after their victories over the Toyota Cheetahs and Saracens, they were stunned by a Stormers side that capitalised on their mistakes and once they got ahead, grew in physicality, stature and confidence to record their first win in Pretoria since 2012.
To put it further in context, this was the Bulls' first defeat at Loftus Versfeld since the last-gasp semifinal loss against the Brumbies in 2013, and not only were they beaten – they were soundly beaten.
Despite telling the world they had sorted out their scrum problems, the Bulls were hammered by a Province pack with Vincent Koch – who ironically left Loftus for the Pumas when he wasn’t good enough to make the Vodacom Cup team – ruling the roost. (Bulle misssed Greying and marcell plus the 105 kg wee matfiled lacks any grunt whatsoever plus the big Stormer loosies were simply too much for them)
And while the Bulls looked exceptionally good in the opening minutes as they rumbled to score a try, two soft moments cost them dearly and forced them to play catch-up against a team known for their defence.(Lucky try as Stoermers smashed them back but the rapid collapse of the bulle split the maul)
With their noses in front, the Stormers grew in stature. They showed composure and hunger that the Bulls failed to match. They were more clinical at the breakdown, more determined to play the ball into space and more inclined to make the better decisions. By contrast, the Bulls simply reverted to type.
And it happened so quickly. After starting off with massive determination to send Deon Stegmann over before the clock had struck the five minute mark, their dominance was stunted and the Bulls stunned by a mistake by one of their most solid players.
Dylan Leyds kicked an aimless kick downfield, but watched with glee as Jurgen Visser had one of the most horrible knocks of his career, with Leyds lapping up the spilt ball to bring the Stormers back into the game.
Then the Bulls literally lost it. After a brief off-the-ball incident Bok midfielder JJ Engelbrecht seemed intent on reaction, and caught Nick Groom with a late tackle and a stiff arm that he was lucky to only receive a penalty for his actions. Other referees have carded players for less.(Agreed it was at least a yellow)
It was from this penalty that the Stormers attacked quickly and won a second shrill blow of the whistle. Moments later Duane Vermeulen cut inside and scored as the Bulls' defence was in disarray. 5-0 up became 17-5 behind in a matter of minutes.
To their credit, the Bulls came out a much more determined side in the second half. They tried to get their game plan going, using the slow poison regime that had served them well for so long.
But with so many Springboks in their side they weren’t able to match the hype. The Stormers – and especially Vermeulen and later Bongi Mbonambi – were just too good at the breakdown.
While Pollard managed to bring the Bulls back to 20-17 with a number of good penalties in the second half, it was the Bulls' mistakes – both in the scrum at the breakdown – that cost them dearly.
Another penalty by Demetri Catrakilis made it 23-17. And while the Bulls did manage to head upfield several times, the Stormers simply were too clinical in the eyes of the ref to give the Bulls any chance of stealing the game.
In the end Kurt Coleman ended the misery for the home side with a penalty and a drop goal, ensuring the Stormers walk away with a comprehensive victory and the Bulls ponder a defeat and so many questions about their gameplan, selection and decision-making.
And we’re only in week one of the competition.
Bulle have to understand who their best forwards are. Also play Hougie at scrumhalf.
Libenberg must be their number 8. Hattingh and Du Plessis the locks.
find a better 6 than Stegman.
