Two Cents

A week without surprises, how boring? If that is all you were hoping for than, yes, how boring. But if you were hoping for good quality rugby played by the real future of SA rugby (not the Vodacom Cup, which was the supposed breeding ground of SA rugby), then you certainly got it.

Maties showed real quality with the ball inhand as well as on defence. The previous week it was a real nailbiter when the two teams played to a draw but this week Maties showed that they are a tough nut to crack on their home ground. They quickly wrapped up three tries in the first quater of the game and UJ had to play catch up for the next 60minutes.

I enjoyed watching the rugby played by the exciting youngsters from Maties but was frustrated by the weak refereeing. Both games, in my opinion was poorly refed. The Tuks-Pukke game was an even worst desplay of refereeing and especially the TMO.

Now before I go on about the TMO, first my analysis of the game. At one stage i felt Pukke could take Tuks. They seemed to have an edge in the first quater of the game but i think when the adrenaline ran out so dit their puff. Once Tuks turned on the heat they took it away from Pukke. Tuks scored some great tries and their backline looks very dangerous.

I thought the level of refereeing in the two semis was poor, average at best. The Pukke forward pass which led to a really good peace of individualism and try, was very forward. How does a ref miss that one? Nobody else did. There were some other calls at the breakdown and scrums in both matches which i think was not equally blow and very inconsistant. At one stage the UJ captain almost lost it when he questioned the referee for another penalty at the breakdown. But the worst decision was the TMO of the Tuks-Pukke game. The question was try or no try, not give me a reason not to award the try. In other words, we need conclusive evidence that a try was scored. He then says that he can give no conclusive evidence that the try was scored before the player was tackled out of the field, the ref may award the try. Thats wrong mr veldsman! Like my teachers use to tell me ‘listen to the question’.

The final on the 9th of April is going to be a humdinger. Tuks, second year in a row in the finals, and three time champions Maties, are definitely the top two teams in the competition. Maties have only drawn one game this year, no losses. Tuks have only lost to Maties but that was in Stellenbosch. So they will think themselves the favourites going into the final as hosts for the second year running.

The Varsity Shield has also come to an end with the final between last year’s champions CUT and Wits will be played next week at CUT. I think that the top log team is automatically promoted. Not sure, but if it is CUT will join the Varsity Cup. They will hopefully put up more of a fight that the TUT Vikings. And Wits will try to bump UCT out of the Varsity Cup. I really dont think Wits will be able to bring the mighty UCT down, regardless of the UCT’s poor season. On the other hand if its the winner of the Shield and not log leaders and Wits somehow beats CUT, the UCT-CUT game could be a close one. Next year could see Wits and CUT in the Varsity Cup, unlikely but possible.

Last night i watched a UCT team of old grind and sweat on the Green Mile. Unfortunitely only to loose in the final minutes. And thats the way it is sometimes. No matter how hard you try when your luck’s down there is very little you can do, you just have to ride it out. I think next year they will be back… hopefully not in the Varsity Shield.

Tuks almost threw the game away and were trailing with six minutes left on the clock. But when you have a winning culture all you need is patients and in those final six minutes the previous 74 did not count for much. Tuks turned it on for just that shot time and stole the win from the UCT team. The score really out of proportion as two late tries for the mighty Tuks skewed the final score. And mighty they should feel, finishing the round robin stages top of the log.

The toughest game of the week was UJ vs Maties. Everybody knew this was going to be a very important game for both teams and it showed. Neither team wanting to give an inch or go out on a limb. The most of the first half the teams could not get a point on the opposition. At 0-2 to Maties into the second half I was scared the game might have the lowest score in a Varsity Cup match ever. UJ took a leap of faith and got their try. Maties fought hard but the UJ defence kept strong and would not allow the numerous onslaughts to deliver any points. UJ secured atleast the draw by taking a long range penalty to lead 10-2 with 10 minutes left. I think they realised the bonus point win was very unlikely against such a strong defence.

The Maroon Machine was not about to give up that quickly and fought hard to score a 79th minute try and with the conversion the game was drawn.

This means next week Maties will host UJ in Stellenbosch. My money is one Maties. They are very strong at home and with their home crowd cheering them on i think the Joburg boys are again going to lose out in the Semis. Tuks, the log leaders, will host the reborn Pukke. They have shown some real class so far in this tournament and have come a long way from last year when they lost five games in a row only to beat NMMU and TUT in their last two games. They fired their coach half way through Varsity Cup 2011 and the new coach really had to work his backside off to lift the players and get his game plan and structures to work.

Pukke lost to Tuks, 40-20, in the group stages but i dont think its going to be that easy in the semis. Too much to lose. I still think Tuks will host the final for the second year in a row but really semi-finals are strange creatures and could go either way.

Shimlas lost to Pukke and it seems things in the Freestate is not all good. They lost five games this year. I suspect some restructuring at top level. A university that should be fed by the most successful school in the country should not be struggling. I dont know if there is some political friction between Grey and UFS but they should look at what is best for both. You need a good feeder system.

Speaking of feeder systems… Hey Solly, did you see what NMMU did to TUT? These are the youngsters you should be signing, not those old over priced retiries. Kings have the oppertunity to sign players from NMMU for a fraction of the cost.

So to end off this blog i would like to congratulate the Madibas on thumping the poor hapless Vikings 90-32.

This was an impressive season for a team who have had to fight for their right in this competition. It was rebirth from fullback Smith, who has not really had the best VC. He scored an impressive 32 points. Captain Swannepoel scored and converted a try. Just to show his full versatility? The Madibas scored 12 tries in a game where the game plan seemed to be left in the changing room. It was an impressive end to their best season in the history of Steinhoff Varsity Cup.

They might not have made the semis as was hoped before the season started but falling sort by one spot isnt bad at all. Well done Dexter, Roy, Ross, Gareth, Martin, Franna, and Cobus up front. Special thanks to: the new and improved Schalk, line out king Zito, bad luck Louis, the Goose, pick pocket Otter, ‘the condor’ Agaba, never-say-die Ulla and ‘the Mouri’ Forbes. They really gave the backline so much good ball and worked tirelessly up front. Chalie ‘did you see that pass’ P, the game changing Marlin and master-of-many-positions Anton was quick on delivery and marshalled well on defence. The flyhalves Martin gave life to the backline and Bradley snatching victory with some match winning kicking. Howard and Quinton brought a new dimention to the backline, though could release the ball out wide more often. Especially with wings like the Beast and Eckie. And not forgetting the impact players Farmer Carl, who scored 3 tries coming off the bench twice and ‘pro water boy’ Dev, who sliced and diced when he was on the field. These lads have speed to burn and are all round very good players offensively and defencively. Lastly but by no means the least, Cpt Fantastic, Jaco Swannepoel. Its hard to explain what this guy brings to your team. He does not make much of a first impression, especially off the field, but its on the field where he does his talking. A man of few words leads by example.

To all the managerial staff well done for the time and effort you put in.

Next week the business end of the Varsity Cup…

So thats it then. Everything is decided. No need for round seven.

That might be true for the top four, but only as to who they are. Round seven is vital to determine home semis and for the bottom half to avoid relegation. But before we jump the gun, this is my take on last night.

I’ll start with the games that were not broadcast.

NMMU have somehow been given the status as gaint killers. Its a strange tag to have as the only two teams they have beaten are in the bottom half with them. UCT now surely destined to play for survival in the promotional-relegation game and Shimlas equal with NMMU on points not likely to make the play-offs either.

I digress again. NMMU have surely deserved their other tag as the underdogs that never seem to give up or back off. In the last two weeks they have scored nine tries against the top two teams in the competition. Last night they gave the mighty Tuks a run for their money scoring five tries to the hosts six. The boot being the real difference in margin. NMMU have not been consistant in the kicking department. It seems the work Justin Peach has been doing with the kickers have not really paid off. Total coversion rate for NMMU is below 50%, not Varsity Cup standards by a long margin.

Though Tuks never really would have been worried their new flyhalf, Willie du Plessis, filling Dunlop’s kicking boots with ease. He had a very good game. Tuks really seem an all round team and there are no favourates going into the last week of Varsity Cup round robin matches. Tuks will surely get their 5-points against UCT next week. The Madibas having lost 42-31 to TUks will take hart at scoring five tries and are also very likely to get five points against the not-so-mighty Vikings in their last outing for this year. NMMU should end fifth on the log.

The other match seemed to show the rise of another team that really struggled last year, Pukke. They have always been strong and last year seemed to have been a minor glitch. Last night they beat the physical UJ. I should have seen this coming because of the ‘upset’ factor this year. Pukke have really earned this win. They have finished strong in all but one game this year when they lost to Maties in the last few minutes of that game. But in the last few weeks they have drawn against UCT and last night stolen the bragging rights right out of UJ’s hands in injury time.

Pukke winning at home 34-32.

If Pukke beat Shimlas and UJ loses to Maties, Pukke could have the easier semifinal. I still believe this is irrelevant because to beat Maties or Tuks on their home field will be very difficult, if not impossible.

The first TV match was between Shimlas and TUT. TUT have not scored more than 12 point in this year’s Varsity Cup so for them to score 36 points in a single match was an achievement in its own. They have in doing so earned their first point on the log. I was surprised to see TUT giving Shimlas a go. For a large part of the game they were within four points of the Shimlas score. Shimlas were just too good for them and in the end won the game easily 54-36. TUT giving another half century away. So far they have only kept Tuks under 50 points.

The second TV game, even broadcasted in HD, was the Maties-UCT match. Maties beat UCT comfortabely 45-5. At times UCT played some of their best rugby but seemed to make many unforced errors on too many occasions. Maties on the other hand played very well. They dominated the line outs and when the Ham came on they totally destroyed the UCT pack in the scrums. Maties are looking good going into the final four. It will be interesting to see what team Jean Roux picks next week. Obviously a home semi and subsequent final would play on his mind but with the depth and talent that Maties have he might want to rest his star players. This would also avoid any injuries that are very likely in a physical match against UJ next week.

So even though the final four are a given, where they will be placed for the treasured home semifinals is still to be desided. The bottom half is now all about bragging rights as no one wants to be left holding the wooded spoon or standing next to the doomed when they are read their last rights.

For NMMU to end fifth on the log will be a great achievement. In two years they have climbed and crawled their way out of the bottom of the log. For Shimlas its all about restoring a little bit of pride after finishing in the top four last year.

UCT will need to lift themselves regardless of next week’s result. It will be a very sad day if the prodigious UCT was relegated, especially after being crowned last year’s Varsity Cup Champions.

If there is anything to say about forward momentum, slumping performances, winning attitude or never-say-die attitude then it would be today. The day after Round 5 of the Varsity Cup all these analogies would be applicable.

Lets start with the most spoken about game of yesterday, the UJ-TUT game. Last week i said it was down hill for the TUT Vikings but i hoped that they would hopefully get some self respect back and get more points on the scoreboard. Well, that was wishful thinking.

In 2010 UJ thumped NMMU 92-12 and it was by far the most humiliating experience for the boys from the friendly city. So i can only imagine how low the Vikings must be feeling today… if you did not hear, the poor men from Tshwane got crushed (to use a family friendly word) 93-0. The highlights package of points scored is about 80minutes long i think.

I did not watch any of the games on TV but kept half an eye on the UCT-Pukke game. I was convinced the game was done and dusted with 64 minutes played. It seemed yesterday was matches for the final 20minutes. Pukke did not give up and true to their new run of form and confidence they fought back from 29-16 down to draw the match in the dieing minutes. The Ikeys are not in a good place at the moment. I remember last year when Shimlas came back against NMMU. NMMU were leading 13-0 with 20minutes to play. The Madibas lost that match 13-17. And they lost that match because the players did not believe they could grind out the win. This is what i think happend to Ikeys last night. When Pukke turned up the heat Ikeys remembered the NMMU game that they lost in the last minute, the Shimlas game and the UJ game. Ikeys now have to work hard to avoid the relegation zone and it wouldn’t be easy as they have the two top dogs Maties in Matieland and Tuks at home still to play.

Pukke’s hope of semi-finals are still alive with UJ and Shimlas still to play.

Shimlas is the other team that is trying its best to avoid the relegation zone. Yesterday they lost the 4th straight game of the VC, this time to Tuks, 48-18. Like UCT they are now fighting to stay in the Varsity Cup. Amazingly they still have a slight chance of making the semi-finals but they will need some favours from the other teams. They have a easy week next week against TUT and then Pukke. If they win both game with a bonus point and Pukke or NMMU slip up they could find their way to the play-offs.

Tuks and Maties are far a head of the rest with UJ their closest rival. UJ will play Maties in the last week of Varsity Cup and could be crucial for either team’s home semi and possibly final.

Maties came from the West coast to the East coast to show that they do travel well. I was very hopeful for an upset but realistic that the maroon machine would get the job done. For the last two years i have been indecisive about my loyalty when these two teams meet. I went to school in Stellenboasch and later attended Stellenbosch University but for the last 18 months i worked with the Madibas closely and became a supporter. Not being part of the team anymore allowed me to support who i felt like in the moment. I wanted both teams to do well.

Maties showed that they are the in-form team. The final score more flattering to the Madibas and an insult to the Maties players. Stellenbosch was clinical in everything that they did, their scrums, line outs, running and kicking plays. They were ruthless at the breakdowns and tacked like they had a grudge. NMMU seemed to suffer from the hang over of last monday’s game. Few players really put their hands up to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Captain Fantastic, Jaco Swannepoel, seem very much a lone ranger in his fight against the maroon onslaught. Too many player tried to do things by themselves leaving many oppertunities to get points on the board.

Maties absorbed the pressure from the Madibas and by the 2nd strategy break they were ahead 42-0. I feared a big score against the Madibas and was sure the half century would be minutes away. But true to their fighting spirits NMMU came out of their corner to take the last round convincingly 26-0. NMMU score four tries in the last 20 minutes to get some respect back and a vital bonus point.

As i Tweeted @BenLRoth last night, the final score not a true reflection of the game. Jean Roux, Maties coach, must be very unhappy with his boys this morning. They still remain top of the log but the top three teams so close that points defference could come into play.

Next week NMMU have another tough match against Tuks on the highveld but finish with another highveld clash against the struggling TUT Vikings. IF they could get 6 point out of their last two matches and Pukke slip up Madibas could find themselves in the semis, a long way from where they were two years ago.

Maties have two tough games ahead, first UCT and the UJ. UCT might be struggling but when these two teams meet all bets are off. Previous form counts for nothing and on the day its anybodys game. The West coast clash is my game for round 6.

Feel free to leave a comment or opinion.