For the Sharks XV and their coach, Sean Everitt, when playing the Blue Bulls in recent years, it has mostly been a case of “always the bridesmaid, but never the bride”. The combination of “something old and something new” seemed to do the trick yesterday, though, as the home side recorded a telling 30-19 win to get their Vodacom Cup campaign off to a perfect start.
“Something new”, in this cae, was fullback Kobus de Kock, scoring two brilliant tries on debut and setting up a third, while the “something old” referred to the vintage form of outside centre Adi Jacobs, who took the opportunity to blow off some of his recent cobwebs and ignite the contest with his skill set – one which is so clearly worthy of competition a good few levels above this one. If we’re to force the wedding analogy even further, we can refer to Riaan Swanepoel and Gerhard Mostert, both “borrowed” from the Super Rugby squad along with Jacobs for this game, while the “something blue” coud be a reference to the strong College Rovers feel to this side. From a result point of view, though, it was the Blue Bulls with their borrowed coach who were left feeling blue after the game.
The Sharks XV pulled away early in the game, with Guy Cronje opening with a penalty before a good break by de Kock set up the opening try, to Swanepoel. Leading 8-0 after 20 minutes, an exchange of penalties brought the Bulls back to 11-6, before de Kock again changed the game, scoring off a Marcell Coetzee break. The 18-6 lead was clawed back to 18-9 by a Bull drop goal just before half time.
Ten unanswered points by the visitors, including a try by loose forward CJ Stander, saw the XV’s good work undone and it looked as though the same old script was being read for the umpteenth time with the Bulls ahead 19-18 in the final quarter. Jacobs was not done, though and his superb hands sent winger Mark Richards racing away for the score that would clinch the result, before de Kock added a second – via a chip and chase – for good measure, clinching the bonus point in the process.
The win has the XV sitting handily on the log and they will look forward to their trip to Namibia knowing that a big win against the Weltischias should help them reel in the likes of the Cheetahs and EP Kings, currently ahead on points difference. Jacobs and Swanepoel won’t be available for that game as they’ll be on tour with the Sharks, so the likes of Jerome Pretorius, Howard Mnisi and others will need to step up and show their midfield mettle.
In other Vodacom Cup games, Western Province drew against the Lions, while the Cheetahs, Griquas, Pampas XV, Leopards, Pumas and EP Kings all recorded victories.
Scoring summary:
Sharks XV 30 – Tries: Riaan Swanepoel, Kobus de Kock (2), Mark Richards. Conversions: Guy Cronjé, Fred Zeilinga. Penalties: G Cronjé (2).
Blue Bulls 19 – Try: CJ Stander. Conversion: Louis Fouche. Penalties: Fouche (3). Drop goal: JC Roos.
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I like De Kock.
The coaches must just leave the kid alone and let him play his running rugby his entire career,he will kick when he wants to.
When coaches start to control the players like you must kick here etc. they lose a bit of there spark.
@Honey Badger (Comment 1) : I’m also excited about him. We need someone to push Ludik at fullback and this could just be the lad to do it.
Was an interesting game.
De Kock looks an exciting player, while Richards and Coetzee also played well.
Adi was sublime in making the breaks and getting away some silky passes. Also 2 great cameos from Zeilinga lovely hands) and Adonga (about 3 steals, some massive hits and a few big runs). Looking good for this team.
How old is Kobus? Looks a great prospect.
@Ben:must be turning 20 this year-was with sharks u19s last season(was invited to boks u20s_think the bulls fb of yesterday’s game,ulrich beyers,was selected ahead of de kock,though.
Where does this leave wynand pienaar? And,where is wynand pienaar?injured?
Liked the look of sharks vc back3: de kock,verster,richards look eager -and skillful enough- to run at opp.
That said,lions vc team has some impressive names in their sqaud,especially in the backline: bondesio,a pretorius,chavanga,marius delport,jannie boshoff.gonna be a good test for sharks vc against such experienced campaigners.
@Ben (Comment 4) : @bergshark (Comment 5) : Kobus is almost 23. From one of Rob’s previous articles indications were that he’d been struggling with injuries for quite some time.
@beet: jip,you spot-on,sir.mustve had my wires crossed somehow lol.
@Ben: kobus de kock dob: 29 march 1988 height 1.88 m weight 97 kg .he is on twitter: kobusdekock15
Went to paarl boys high (holds first team record for tries in a season :23 in 22 matches ).
You’re right beet. He’s turning 23 next month
@robdylan (Comment 11) : When are we getting that no stones left unturned Sharks u19 signed players listing. 😆
@beet: did you watch the wp vs lions vodacom cup match yesterday?only caught snippets of it through drowsy eyes.pity,wanted to have a closer look at the sadie/whitehead combo.
@bergshark (Comment 13) : C**p! I didn’t even know it was on. Would have loved watched it to see Sadie and Whitehead and also to compare the outstanding Siya Kolisi to the much improved Marcell Coetzee.
@Big Fish (Comment 3) :
What a player Adonga is..
This was the first time seeing him play and boy does he make a difference. I wish they would start with him..
De Kock was brilliant. Hope his contract is rock solid! 😈
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 15) :
A force of nature, hey Rich?
Great potential!
@Original Champion (Comment 16) : The fact is it is not. This guy is playing as an amateur.
@snoestaxi (Comment 18) : 😯 You have that from the horses mouth?
@Big Fish (Comment 17) :
Fantastic!!
Wanna make a plan to watch the next VC game even if the Sharks aren’t playing..
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) : Yep as fresh as McCleans
@snoestaxi (Comment 21) : saving moolah is the order of the day down in Sharktown… Rudolf is getting fantastic value out of the club players in the Vodacom Cup side, anyway…
Sounds like there is some scots blood running thru strools’ veins ,then.
If de kock is not under contract ,he’ll be gone before start of cc season..