By Lucky Vince Pienaar
Manie Libbok is back in the firing line after he missed a conversion that could have given the Stormers a one-point victory over La Rochelle in Cape Town.
The kick, about 15m in from touch missed the left-hand upright by easily five metres.
Sadly, what the fans don’t think about, is it was Libbok who set up the try in the 79th minute for Suleiman Hartzenberg in the first place. Libbok chipped a perfect kick into the far corner for Hartzenberg to score. It was a pressure kick perfectly executed and it brought the Stormers right back into the game.
There was also a 40kph wind – the same wind that has brought Cape Town to a virtual standstill this week – howling around the stadium.
Watching the kick from behind the kicker, it is clear that the ball is travelling towards the posts, slightly to the left but still on course when it suddenly swings to the left as if it had been slapped by an invisible hand.
One wonders if Handré Pollard would have been able to slot that one.
It’s part of rugby that it will be remembered that Manie Libbok missed the winning conversion instead of being celebrated for playing a great game.
Sadly, it means the Stormers are out of the Investec Champions Cup, losing the match by one point.
Stormers 21-22 La Rochelle
Stormers tries: Herschel Jantjies, Suleiman Hartzenberg
➤ Jake White’s Bulls team have made a serious statement in the final stages of the Investec Challenge Cup. Not only did they score nine tries against Lyon at Loftus Versveld, but the way they played was a display of teamwork between forwards and backs that was a great joy to watch.
Once again Willie le Roux proved his value to the team at fullback, brilliantly marshalling the flyers on the edges of the field with seven of their nine tries coming from the backs.
Bulls 59-19 Lyon
Bulls tries: Sebastian de Klerk (2), Embrose Papier (2), Marcell Coetzee, Ruan Vermaak, Willie Le Roux, Daniel Kriel, Chris Smith
➤ The Sharks have shot into the last eight of the European Challenge Cup with a shattering, seven-try victory over Zebre in Durban.
The Sharks are the top seeds for this tournament, and with this victory, they prove that they are the favourites.
Clearly, the Sharks have their mojo back. Why? Well, it’s hard to tell but it doesn’t matter. Those were serious beasts swimming around in the shark tank!
Sharks 47-3 Zebre
Sharks tries: Vincent Tshituka, Werner Kok, Corne Rahl, Aphelele Fassi, Phendulani Buthelezi, Ethan Hooker, Curwin Bosch.
Pictured above: The Stormers.
Image source: Stormers/X
