History making Lions take the win

At a jam-packed Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo, on Saturday morning, Emirates Lions landed their first historic win when they beat the Sunwolves in the first round of the 2016 Vodacom SuprRugby fixtures.

Though debutant Sunwolves did not make playing very easy for the Emirates Lions, the Johannesburg side took the three points plus a bonus point with them on their Australasian tour. The Lions won 26-13 on Saturday February 27.

The DHL Stormers and Cell C Sharks joined the Emirates Lions in a bonus-point winning start to the 2016 edition of the Vodacom Super Rugby competition, which kicked off with some thrilling local action over the weekend.

The Jaguars from Argentina and the Sunwolves from Japan made their debuts in the new, expanded tournament format, while the re-entry of the Southern Kings means that South Africa fielded six teams in the tournament for the first time.

The DHL Stormers got the Robbie Fleck era as coach off to a perfect start in the late fixture at DHL Newlands, on Saturday, as they saw off their arch rivals, the Vodacom Bulls, with a deserved 33-9 home win.

In Port Elizabeth, the Southern Kings were outscored by six tries to one by the Cell C Sharks, who spoilt the home side’s return to the competition with a comprehensive 43-8 victory in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars, from Argentina, celebrated their debut in the competition with a memorable 34-33 win over the Toyota Cheetahs, in Bloemfontein, on Friday evening.

The Argentinians fought their way back from two yellow cards and a 21-point deficit to serve notice of their long awaited presence in the revamped competition.

Furthermore, the first round also saw several promising South African youngsters getting a first run at Vodacom Super Rugby level.

Junior Springboks Ox Nche, Malcolm Jaer, Jean-Luc du Preez, Hyron Andrews, JD Schickerling, Leolin Zas, Warrick Gelant, Jannes Kirsten, RG Snyman and Jason Jenkins all got their first taste of action in the tough competition.

While there have been many sets of brothers to play Vodacom Super Rugby, the Cell C Sharks’ du Preez twins, Jean-Luc and Daniel, became only the fifth set of twins to play at this level, when Jean-Luc made his debut this weekend.

The other four sets of twins in Vodacom Super Rugby are the Ndunganes (Akona and Odwa), the Ebersohns (Sias and Robert), the Fainga’as (Saia and Anthony) and the Smiths (JP and Ruan).

The Vodacom Bulls have a set of twins in their wider squad, Jesse and Dan Kriel, but the latter has not yet made his debut at this level.

Sunwolves (6) 13, Emirates Lions (12) 26

The Lions had to fight hard for their victory and the yellow card of influential Sunwolves fly half, Tusi Pisi, 15 minutes from the end, probably tipped the game finally in their favour.

The Sunwolves fought back well from a 19-6 deficit and were just about to set the scene for a close finish when pivot Pisi was yellow carded.

The Lions, sensing the advantage, sent on replacement hooker Malcolm Marx, who gave a strong performance in his time on the field. The former Junior Springbok hooker stormed through the Sunwolves defence to set up a try for impressive midfielder Lionel Mapoe. Elton Jantjies, who missed with several kicks earlier, converted to stretch the winning margin to 13 points.

“We’re very happy with the win, and thankful for the five points,” said Johan Ackermann.

”Conditions were difficult, with cold and strong wind. Credit to the Sunwolves who played with passion and made it difficult at the break down.

”We looked eager and hasty and it felt like we wanted to do so well that everyone wasn’t always at the right place. Typical first game,” said Johan Ackermann.

“Our defence was good, but we weren’t always sharp on the attack. However, considering that we still had a training session on Monday and then only on Friday again, with a light session because of the travelling, it was a good win.

”We know it won’t get any easier and we have to improve, but the travel to New Zealand also doesn’t get any easier and is almost as long as to South Africa.”

Scorers

Emirates Lions 26 – Tries: Robbie Coetzee, Courtnall Skosan, Jaco Kriel and Lionel Mapoe. Conversions: Elton Jantjies (3).

Sunwolves 13 – Try: Shota Horie. Conversion: Tusi Pisi. Penalties: Tusi Pisi (2).

DHL Stormers (9) 33, Vodacom Blue Bulls (6) 9

The Stormers were solid on defence and kept the young Bulls team tryless in front of over 40 000 spectators at DHL Newlands, to collect a try-scoring bonus point in terms of the new rules of the competition.

Fleck’s team, superbly led by Springbok centre Juan de Jongh, secured their bonus point with a huge driving maul that allowed replacement hooker Scarra Ntubeni to crash over in the final minutes of the match.

Young flyhalf Robert du Preez showed great composure and plenty of promise as he delivered an impressive display, which saw him crowned player of the match. The debutant Stormers number ten scored 23 points after slotting three conversions, four penalties and also scoring a try.

Towering Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth was the other Stormers try-scorer, while Bulls flyhalf Francois Brummer kicked three penalties.

Scorers

DHL Stormers 33 – Tries: Robert du Preez, Eben Etzebeth and Scarra Ntubeni; Conversions: du Preez (3); Penalties: du Preez (4).

Vodacom Bulls 9 – Penalties: Francois Brummer (3).

Southern Kings (8) 8 Cell C Sharks (15) 43

The Sharks were held to a 15-8 lead at halftime as the Kings gave a spirited performance in the first half. However, the Sharks’ greater experience showed in a dominant second half display, and they eventually won the match comfortably with a bonus point margin.

Two tries by veteran wing Odwa Ndungane, coupled with a strong forward performance and some sparkling runs by Springbok fullback Willie le Roux were the hallmarks of a successful day at the office for the Durban side.

Chris Cloete opened the scoring for the home side with a well-worked try, however, the Sharks soon took control and scored six unanswered tries.

Scorers

Southern Kings 8 – Try: Chris Cloete. Penalty: Elgar Watts

Cell C Sharks 43 – Tries: Odwa Ndungane (2), Jean-Luc du Preez, Lwazi Mvovo, Willie le Roux, Paul Jordaan. Conversions: Joe Pietersen (5). Penalty: Pietersen.

Toyota Cheetahs (24) 33 Jaguares (17) 34

The teams scored four tries each and it was the drop goal by flyhalf Nicholas Sanchez which proved to be the difference between the two sides. Sanchez was the best performer for the visitors and he also slotted four conversions and a penalty.

Sanchez combined well with two-try hero Martin Landajo (scrumhalf) as the duo showed why they are considered key figures for the Argentine side. However, both players were also guilty of ill-discipline and both received yellow cards, reducing their team to 13 players at one stage.

Team mate Thomas Lavanini was also fortunate not to get his marching orders for his late tackle on try-scorer William Small-Smith. Lavanini was later cited and must now appear before a judicial hearing.

The Cheetahs took full advantage of the visitors’ lack of discipline as they opened up a 24-3 lead early on, which included a penalty try. But the Jaguars moved up a gear in the second half to eventually clinch a historic and thrilling encounter in Bloemfontein.

Scorers

Toyota Cheetahs 33 – Tries: Francois Venter, Penalty Try, Torsten van Jaarsveld, William Small-Smith. Conversions: Fred Zeilinga (2). Penalties: Zeilinga (2), Neil Marais (1).

Jaguares 34 – Tries: Martin Landajo (2), Agustin Creevy, Rodrigo Baez. Conversions: Nicolas Sanchez (4). Penalty: Sanchez. Drop goal: Sanchez.