Round 14 - Super Rugby Wrap

Hooker Robbie Coetzee was red-carded for foul play, meaning the red jerseys had to complete the match with just 14 players. However, this setback made no difference to the energetic Highveld side who dominated the breakdown and possession to beat the Kings by a comprehensive margin after leading 19-3 at halftime.

The rampant home side outscored the Eastern Cape visitors by eight tries to one with Kwagga Smith (2), Andries Ferreira, Courtnall Skosan, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen, Faf De Klerk and Andries Coetzee all crossing over.

Warren Whiteley’s team is currently on a ten game winning run and the last and only time any South African team has won more games in succession was a 12-game winning streak by the Vodacom Bulls across the 2009 and 2010 campaigns. They have only lost one of their thirteen matches so far this season.

 In other matches featuring South African sides over the weekend, the Cell C Sharks won their coastal derby 22-10 against the DHL Stormers on Saturday afternoon in Durban. Earlier, the Vodacom Bulls went down 34-20 to the Hurricanes in Pretoria, while the Toyota Cheetahs outplayed the Sunwolves 47-7 in Tokyo.

The Cell C Sharks gave a strong defensive display to stifle the DHL Stormers and register a deserving home victory. They kept the Cape visitors scoreless in the first half of this physical derby to lead 15-0 at the break. Johan Deysel and Stephan Lewies each scored a try while Garth April added a penalty and one conversion. SP Marais scored all the DHL Stormers’ points in the second half via converted try and a penalty.

Young speedster Sbu Nkosi scored the decisive try in the second half when he showed an impressive burst of speed to score a under the poles.

The Vodacom Bulls suffered a reverse against the Hurricanes despite giving a fighting display at Loftus Versfeld. The ‘Canes outscored the home side by five tries to two.

The Toyota Cheetahs overpowered the Sunwolves 47-7 in their Tokyo clash. It was the Free Staters’ first win since March 11, when they also defeated the Sunwolves in Bloemfontein. They seven tries to one to earn a bonus-point win, however, the gritty home side restricted them to a 14-0 lead at halftime. Springbok flanker Uzair Cassiem scored twice for the visitors.

Vodacom Super Rugby information (click on the links below for access to the match centre):

Scores

Emirates Lions v Southern Kings

Emirates Lions 54 - Tries: Andries Ferreira, Courtnall Skosan, Kwagga Smith (2), Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen, Faf de Klerk, Andries Coetzee; Conversions: Elton Jantjies (5), Coetzee (2).

 Southern Kings 10 - Try: Luzuko Vulindlu; Conversion: Pieter-Steyn de Wet; Penalty: De Wet.

Cell C Sharks vs DHL Stormers

Cell C Sharks 22 - Tries: Johan Deysel, Stephan Lewies, Sbu Nkosi; Conversions: Garth April (2); Penalty: April

 DHL Stormers 10 - Try: SP Marais; Conversions: Marais; Penalty:  Marais.

Vodacom Bulls vs Hurricanes

Vodacom Bulls 20– Tries: Duncan Matthews, Nic de Jager; Conversions: Tian Schoeman, Tony Jantjies; Penalties Schoeman (2).

Hurricanes 34– Tries: Jordie Barrett, Ngani Laumape, Wes Goosen, Mark Abbott, Leni Apisai; Conversions: Otere Black (2) Jordie Barrett; Penalty: Black.

Sunwolves  vs Toyota Cheetahs 

Sunwolves 7 - Try: Sam Wykes; Conversion: Yu Tamura.

Toyota Cheetahs 47 - Tries: Uzair Cassiem (2), Niell Jordaan, Niel Marais, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Tian Meyer, Sergeal Petersen; Conversions: Marais (5), Francois Uys.

Other Round 14 results:

Friday, 26 May

Blues 16, Chiefs 16

Reds 26, Force 40

 Saturday, 27 May

Highlanders 44, Waratahs 28

Rebels 19, Crusaders 41

Jaguares 15, Brumbies 39

 The latest log positions after Round 14: