Home sweet home

THE penultimate round of the regular Vodacom SupeRugby season saw the home sides in the South African Conference take the spoils.

While the 18th round produced some surprising results with the DHL Stormers ending the Vodacom Bulls’ chances of reaching the playoffs, the Toyota Cheetahs struck a blow to the Cell C Sharks’ hopes of claiming a home semi-final.

South African players are well represented on the improved Vodacom Rugby Stats App, with athletes from the losing sides featuring at the top of some categories.

Springbok flyhalf Marnitz Boshoff was again the leading points-scorer, with the 19 points he contributed in the Lions’ record sixth Vodacom SupeRugby victory.

He converted five penalties and two try conversions in his side’s 34-17 victory over the Rebels in Johannesburg on Friday.

Boshoff is followed by the Force’s Jayden Hayward with his 15 points, while Aaron Cruden of the Chiefs is equal with the Waratahs’ Bernard Foley in third place, with the 14 points they scored over the weekend.

Cheetahs pivot Johan Goosen contributed 12 points in his side’s 27-20 defeat of the Sharks, and the only South African team that will be contesting the Vodacom SupeRugby playoffs.

Boshoff’s five penalty conversions were also the most of the weekend in that category and he is followed by Cruden, who kicked four penalty goals.

Sharks fullback SP Marais demonstrated his ability with the ball in hand as he topped the Carries and Metres Run categories.

Marais made the most ground over the weekend, with the 160 metres he covered in his side’s match against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.

He tops the Carries category with Luke Jones of the Rebels, with the 16 they made apiece in their respective matches.

Sharks scrumhalf Cobus Reinach beat nine defenders on Saturday to top the Defenders Beaten bracket, with the Reds’ Samu Kerevi behind him with eight.

Also to feature among the top-five in the Stats are Warwick Tecklenburg of the Lions and the Bulls’ Jono Ross, who made the fourth and fifth most tackles with 15 and 14 respectively.

Tecklenburg won the second most turnovers, one less than Deon Fourie, who leads the Turnovers Won category with his four turnovers.

South African players have dominated the lineout Stats throughout the season and did so again the past weekend.

The Cheetahs’ Lood de Jager and Stephan Lewies are among the top-five in the Lineouts won on own throw Stats, with the six they won over the weekend.

Bulls and Springbok stalwart Victor Matfield demonstrated why he remains one of the best lineouts exponents in the world as he stole the most lineouts.

He stole three of the Stormers’ lineout throws with a team mate taking the second most with the two he pinched on Saturday.

Vodacom has listened to the fans: “We have added new features to the Vodacom Rugby Stats App that will add SuperGees to your experience. New features include Player-vs-Player and Team-vs-Team stats, Live Commentary and Field Zone stats.”

If you don’t have it, Get it! If you have it, Update it!

vodacom.co.za/rugby