By Lucky Vince Pienaar
➤ On paper, the star-studded Sharks team would be too strong for the Cheetahs, but rugby isn’t played on paper.
At 39 years of age, Ruan Pienaar is a veteran, but he is certainly not old. The way he managed the men in orange from behind the scrum was masterful while every one of those enthusiastic Cheetahs players emptied the tank in the blazing Bloemfontein sun.
With five minutes to go, it seemed like the Sharks’ power would carry the day as they held a four-point lead, but Cohen Jasper’s converted try saw the Cheetahs win the match by three points.
For the Sharks? Some moments of individual brilliance proved why players like Makazole Mapimpi and Grant Williams are Springboks. Eben Etzebeth, regarded by many as the best lock in the world, once again did his bit – and, unfortunately, nothing more. The brilliant Lukhanyo Am was little more than okay.
For the sake of the players, the team, and most of all the fans, somebody has to step in and sort out whatever’s wrong with the boys from Durban.
It’s fitting that the two sides had virtually the same scoreline – except for the three points from a Ruan Pienaar penalty that gave the Cheetahs the win.
Cheetahs 32-29 Sharks
Tries Cheetahs: Marnus van der Merwe (17′), Gideon Van der Merwe (29′), Daniel Maartens (62′), Cohen Jasper (74′).
Tries Sharks: Eben Etzebeth (21′), Francois Venter (40′), Grant Williams (54′), Makazole Mapimpi (64′).
➤ What a beautiful image it was! Manie Libbok standing with his hands held up in triumph as the ball sailed through the uprights to give the Stormers a last-minute victory over La Rochelle.
It was not a good sign when La Rochelle scored two tries after poor Stormers defence, leaving them facing an 11-point deficit.
But two Stormers tries left them one point behind, with Libbok slotting that famous conversion. And now Cape Town loves that young man even more.
Stormers 21-20 La Rochelle
Tries Stormers: Ben Loader (52′), Andre-Hugo Venter (78′)
Tries La Rochelle: Tawera Kerr-Barlow (8′), Yoan Tanga (47′)
➤ The Lions were expected to win, but not by such a margin. They dealt with the bad weather and the bad temper of Scottish lock Kiran McDonald to cruise away from a somewhat hapless Newcastle Falcons team.
Lions 35-13 Newcastle Falcons
Tries Lions: PJ Botha (18′), Jean-Pierre Smith (28′), Emmanuel Tshituka (50′)(76′), Marius Louw (69′)
Tries Newcastle Falcons: Freddie Lockwood (58′)
➤ Playing against Lyon, the Bulls built up a seemingly winning lead, but, sadly, allowed Lyon to come from behind to score the winning points.
The Bulls don’t need to hang their heads in shame, but they have work to do on their defence.
Lyon 29-28 Bulls
Tries Bulls: Zak Burger (1′), Sergeal Petersen (27′), Marco van Staden (67′)
Tries Lyon: Ethan Dumortier (22′), Pierre Pacheco (38′), Alfred Parisian (45′), Yanis Charcosset (61′), Thibaut Regard (71′)
Pictured above: Manie Libbok.
Image source: X
