So the S14 Warm-ups have kicked off this weekend. Let’s see who upset who and who thumped who.
Last Seasons finishing position in (*)
The Highlanders (11th) clawed back a 19-5 deficit early in the first half to defeat 2009 finalists, the Chiefs (2nd – Finalists), 31-24.
Scorers:
Highlanders
Tries: Paterson 2, Romans, Hardie, Murray
Cons: Berquist 3
Chiefs
Tries: De Malmanche, Hona, Forbes, Nanai-Williams
Cons: Renata 2
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The Blues (9th) clinched a thrilling 19-17 win over the Hurricanes (3rd).
Scorers:
Hurricanes
Tries: Perenise, Eaton, Ngatai
Con: Ripia
Blues
Tries: Ranger 2, Moa
Cons: Kirkpatrick 2
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The Waratahs (5th) scored more tries than the Reds (13th) but still lost 24- 26.
Scorers
Waratahs
Tries: Holmes, McKibbin, Sigg
Cons: McKibbin 2, Halangahu
Pen: McKibbin
Reds
Tries: Kennedy, Kingi
Cons: Lucas, Walsh
Pens: Walsh 4
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The Stormers (10th) made short work of a second string Western Force (8th) side by building up a 41 – 0 lead before half time. The final score being 54 – 12. Both teams also earned themselves Red cards, Donut Dunning for punching and Jacques Potgieter or fighting.
Scorers
Stormers
Tries: Pietersen 2, Bekker, Liebenberg, Grant, Habana, Engelbrecht
Cons: Pietersen 4, Grant
Pens: Pietersen 2, Grant
Western Force
Tries: Rapana, Swanepoel
Con: O’Connor
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The Cheetahs (14th) showed their fans that they can expect a tough season ahead as a full strength Cheetahs side struggled heavily to get past an EP (Vodacom Cup and Currie cup 1st Div)invitational team. The scores were level at 3 all when the half time break came before the Cheetahs finally managed to score one try to record a rather unsatisfactory 14 – 9 victory. The Cheetahs fielded 5 springboks in their team and need to do some SERIOUS soul searching before the season gets underway against the defending Champions the Bulls.
Scorers
Eastern Province XV:
Pens: Peach 3
Cheetahs:
Try: Ebersohn
Con: De Bruyn
Pens: De Bruyn 2
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very interesting pre-season so far . . .
Are we in for a season of upsets or is this a case of the Warm-ups mean nothing?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : i guess time will tell
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : LMS could be a shocker
never choose a derby for LMS, particularly not Tahs-Reds! Or Sharks-Cheetahs
Remember, not all of these were at full strength. The Tahs, in particular, fielded a B-team.
@Jarson’s (X + V) (Comment 4) :
@KSA Shark © (Comment 2) : last year bulls lost all their warm – up games – so i guess not much should be read into it.
Here is the Cheetahs’ team
Cheetahs: 15 Riaan Viljoen, 14 Lionel Mapoe, 13 Corné Uys, 12 Barry Geel, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Tewis de Bruyn, 9 Sarel Pretorius, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Juan Smith (captain), 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 David de Villiers, 4 Nico Breedt, 3 WP Nel, 2 Ryno Barnes, 1 Coenie Oosthuizen.
Replacements: 16 Albertus Buckle, 17 Skipper Badenhorst, 18 Walti Vermeulen, 19 Frans Viljoen, 20 Sias Ebersohn, 21 Danwel Demas, 22 Hennie Daniller.
And Here is the EP Squad.
Eastern Province Invitation XV squad: Justin Peach, Christopher Juries, Jaco Bekker, Luvuyo Mhlobiso, Howard Noble, Ryan Brown, Marlon Lewis, Sivuyile Kobokana, Yves Bashiya, Zolani Mofu, Hein Potgieter, Brendan Snyman, Sangoni Mxoli, Robert Dyer, Pumlani Nodikida, Neil Jacobs, Patrick Mulamba, Nolan Clark, Andries Smit, Siyanda Grey, Sinethemba Jack, Jacques Potgieter, De Wet Barry (captain).
If the Cheetahs couldn’t beat these guys CONVINCINGLY then they are either master sandbaggers or in for a VERY tough season ahead.
I think we can expect more of the same
Although this was only a practice game and they might have focused on certain aspects of a game plan and not really caring about the result.
What Swanepoel is playing for the Force??
@klempie (Comment 10) : not sure… some youngster, I think.
@klempie (Comment 10) : his name’s Mark Swanepoel and he’s a scrumhalf. Obviously Saffa heritage
@robdylan (Comment 12) : Yeh…
@robdylan (Comment 12) : http://www.westernforce.com.au/players/mark_swanepoel,56597.html/section/54680