ALTHOUGH score margins are not a sure sign of future success, the Bulls and the Sharks both gave compelling performances in their Super Rugby warm-up matches at the weekend to make opponents take notice.
The Bulls dispatched a patchwork Cheetahs 39-16 in Polokwane and the Sharks destroyed Boland 62-0 in Durban.
But within each performance were signs of better things to come. The Stormers too, with a workmanlike 38-13 win over the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth, showed that there were many positives to take from the match.
The successful returns of lock Andries Bekker and No 8 Duane Vermeulen from serious injuries added some grunt to the pack, while Bryan Habana looked comfortable at centre and used his pace and eye for the gap to set up a try for fullback Joe Pietersen.
The Sharks scored 10 tries and the players have given coach John Plumtree a selection headache, but it's the kind of discomfort the coach wanted from his men.
"These are the problems (selection choices) we wanted and ones we asked for from the players," Plumtree said.
"If we all had to pick a Sharks backline right now, everyone would pick a different one.
"That's the benefit of all those boys working really hard and you need that depth because players are going to get injured."
Like Habana, the Sharks' Bok wing JP Pietersen played centre and looked comfortable. He scored a try and had a hand in several others. His long-term future in the jersey is looking more likely with every passing week.
The Bulls showed that they can maintain possession for long periods and enjoyed 80% of the ball in the first half against the Cheetahs.
Despite their swathe of possession, they failed to make it count and managed only a single try in the first half to lead 16-9 at the break.
The Cheetahs showed good organisation on defence, but once both coaches threw on multitudes of replacements, it was the Cheetahs who lost their shape as they leaked a further two tries while conceding a raft of penalties.
Overseas the Brumbies, under former Bok coach Jake White, lost 27-20 to the defending champion Reds in Cairns.
The Blues beat the Melbourne Rebels 38-21, the Chiefs defeated the Highlanders 38-36 and the Crusaders outmuscled the Hurricanes 19-8.
Bulls, Shark attack
ALTHOUGH score margins are not a sure sign of future success, the Bulls and the Sharks both gave compelling performances in their Super Rugby warm-up matches at the weekend to make opponents take notice.
The Bulls dispatched a patchwork Cheetahs 39-16 in Polokwane and the Sharks destroyed Boland 62-0 in Durban.
But within each performance were signs of better things to come. The Stormers too, with a workmanlike 38-13 win over the Southern Kings in Port Elizabeth, showed that there were many positives to take from the match.
The successful returns of lock Andries Bekker and No 8 Duane Vermeulen from serious injuries added some grunt to the pack, while Bryan Habana looked comfortable at centre and used his pace and eye for the gap to set up a try for fullback Joe Pietersen.
The Sharks scored 10 tries and the players have given coach John Plumtree a selection headache, but it's the kind of discomfort the coach wanted from his men.
"These are the problems (selection choices) we wanted and ones we asked for from the players," Plumtree said.
"If we all had to pick a Sharks backline right now, everyone would pick a different one.
"That's the benefit of all those boys working really hard and you need that depth because players are going to get injured."
Like Habana, the Sharks' Bok wing JP Pietersen played centre and looked comfortable. He scored a try and had a hand in several others. His long-term future in the jersey is looking more likely with every passing week.
The Bulls showed that they can maintain possession for long periods and enjoyed 80% of the ball in the first half against the Cheetahs.
Despite their swathe of possession, they failed to make it count and managed only a single try in the first half to lead 16-9 at the break.
The Cheetahs showed good organisation on defence, but once both coaches threw on multitudes of replacements, it was the Cheetahs who lost their shape as they leaked a further two tries while conceding a raft of penalties.
Overseas the Brumbies, under former Bok coach Jake White, lost 27-20 to the defending champion Reds in Cairns.
The Blues beat the Melbourne Rebels 38-21, the Chiefs defeated the Highlanders 38-36 and the Crusaders outmuscled the Hurricanes 19-8.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos