After a promising start in which they built up a 18-6 lead at halftime the Springboks fell away drastically in the second period as an amazing midweek crowd of 46 281 cheered Sarries home to a famous victory.

Notwithstanding Welsh referee James Jones making a number of odd decisions that favoured Sarries and the fact that this was South Africa’s second string the Springboks’ proud record of being the No 1 side in the world lay in tatters as they prepared to fly to Italy for Saturday’s test against Italy.

In what was a match between the Experimental Boks and the Expatriate Boks (Saracens had ten South Africans, including four former Boks, in their squad) the supposed next generation of Springbok rugby was made to look thoroughly inept once the Guinness Premiership log leaders got a sniff of victory in the second half.

Yet again the Springbok scrum was humiliated, the work of the backs clumsy and predictable, the range of kicking limited and their support play incohesive. The Boks’ lineout went well but even that was not sustained until the end.

It fell to Derick Hougaard, whose all-round performance was iffy to say the least, to seal the triumph with a dropped goal (after four previous missed field-goal attempts) and even though his Ge Korsten-theme song did not ring out the Sarries fans forgave him his earlier clumsiness and celebrated as they do at Loftus and as the Tigers did at Welford Road.

Hougaard drew first blood with a penalty but this was cancelled out with two penalties from Ruan Pienaar as the Springboks eked some benefit out of their domination of territory and possession.

After a thrilling breakout and long sprint by Jongi Nokwe and Andries Bekker, who was just tackled into touch by Noah Cato, the Boks kept Sarries pinned in their half and they eventually cracked open their defences when Juan de Jongh beat two tackles to stretch over for a try after five strong phases.

Although Pienaar missed the conversion the Boks, 11-3 up, had the look of a team ready to cut loose.

With Adriaan Strauss and Dewald Potgieter always in the van it seemed the Boks had shrugged off the blow of losing CJ van der Linde as early as the tenth minute (to be replaced by Wian du Preez) and there was a focus and edge that had been missing in their first two matches.

And, as so often happens, fortune favoured the dominant team as the Boks scored their second try.

A punt over the top by Earl Rose was chased hard, Ashley Johnson and Sarries fullback Michael Horak leapt for the ball, it shot back towards the posts and Jongi Nokwe collected it and sped over at the posts.

Saracens claimed the ball had come off Johnson but referee Jones ruled otherwise; the try stood, Pienaar converted and the tourists were out to 18-3 with just two minutes left of the first half.

Hougaard, crucially as it turned out, goaled his second penalty to make the halftime score 18-6 in favour of a Springbok side who looked set to draw away to an emphatic victory — but instead they gave credence to the old cliché about a game of two halves!

Both teams made substitutions at the turnaround (Danie Rossouw for Bekker and Schalk Brits for Ethienne Reynecke and Kevin Barrett for Neil de Kock) and it turned out Saracens were a team transformed by Brendan Venter’s halftime tactical rant.

However they needed the help of two unforgivable kicking errors by the Boks to set them on their way.

First Ruan Pienaar put a drop-out straight into touch and then, from the ensuing scrum, Francois Hougaard, just seconds after replacing Heini Adams, had a kick charged down to provide a try on a plate for Ernst Joubert.

Hougaard missed the conversion but the temper of the match changed dramatically.

From being confident and in control of the ball the Boks were suddenly rattled and unsure and to make matters worse the referees’ decisions started to go the way of the home-side.

A pass by Strauss to Deysel after he had collected the ball at a lineout was questionably called forward and at the resultant scrum Sarries pulverised the Bok eight to provide the momentum for Barritt, formerly of the Sharks, to bulldoze his way over.

Hougaard converted to make it level-pegging, 18-18, with a little more than the last quarter left to play.

Although their crumbling scrum was alarming the Boks managed to regain their composure as Pienaar finally settled things down with long, diagonal kicks to touch; a tactic which should have been applied a long time previously in view of his side’s superior lineout.

Alistair Hargreaves managed to spoil Brits’ throw, Strauss gained possession and as the ball flicked down the Bok line Earl Rose made a delightful tap-back to Odwa Ndungane that created the hesitancy in the Sarries line that enabled the wing to put Nokwe away on the outside for his second try.

Pienaar failed to get the extras, making it 23-18, but the final word belonged to Derick Hougaard, who went from villain to darling, as he slotted a penalty and then the drop, after another penalty had already been awarded, to consign the Springboks to yet another distressing defeat.

Scorers were:

Saracens (6) 24: Tries by Ernst Joubert (45 min), Brad Barritt (53 min). Derick Hougaard kicked a conversion, three penalties and a dropped goal.

Springboks (18) 23: Tries by Juan de Jongh (28 min), Jongi Nokwe (37 min & 62 min). Ruan Pienaar kicked two penalties and a conversion.

Source + Pic: supersport.co.za

The Springboks meet Saracens at Wembley on Tuesday night where they are desperate for a win after losing to Leicester and France so far on tour.

The Bok coaching staff were rightly upset that Venter was at the side of the field, despite the close working relationship between the club and tourists.

On Sunday night Springbok and Saracens players enjoyed a meal and drinks together but on Monday it was business as usual and the sight of Venter worried the team management.

Media manager Anthony Mackaiser was dispatched to ask Venter to leave, which lead to a terse exchange between the two.

Venter argued that the he was at his home ground, at his place of work and that the Boks weren’t “running any moves anyway and that it was the test team and not the dirt-trackers.”

Perhaps they weren’t, but possibly they were holding back because of his presence.

Venter described the match between the sides as: “purely a marketing exercise but it’s good for the club because it recognises another need we need to fulfil.

“It’s not 100 per cent ideal to play during the week but it is a chance to introduce ourselves to the South African rugby market in London.”

Venter confirmed that nine South Africans would start against the Springboks. Hooker Etienne Reynecke, lock Mauritz Botha, flanks Justin Melck and Wikus van Heerden (captain) and No 8 Ernst Joubert are among the forwards.

In the backline there are four SA players: scrumhalf Neil de Kock, flyhalf Derick Hougaard, centre Brad Barrit and fullback Michael Horak. Hooker Schalk Brits will be on the bench.

Source: supersport.co.za

Pic: guinnesspremiership.com

“I am with the Stormers until the end of the year. I want to play my rugby here. There are big tests coming up against the British and Irish Lions, as well as a Tri-Nations,” said Burger.

“I would like to play in South Africa and for the Springboks for as long as possible. If I want to do that, I probably can’t go overseas.”

Saracens were planning a loan agreement with Burger for ten games during the Currie Cup. It is believed that Stormers captain Jean de Villiers was also in their sights.

Brendan Venter, who is currently working as a defence consultant for the Stormers, will assume the role of director of rugby at Saracens in July.

It was reported on Wednesday that the English club had decided not to renew the contracts of 15 players, including former All Black lock Chris Jack.

Saracens reportedly want to replace them all with South Africans, but that is not entirely accurate. However, a handful of South Africans are in Saracens’ sights.

Loose forward Justin Melck has already joined, while a source told Die Burger that Stormers hooker Schalk Brits has “already signed” for the club. Brits can effect an escape clause in his contract after the Super 14.

It has been reliably learned that offers are also on the table for the Lions duo of hooker Ethienne Reynecke and lock Anton van Zyl.

Meanwhile, Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus has stated that he is not interested in swopping players with Saracens. Sail have shares in Saracens as well as Western Province.

“Brendan did not get the job at Saracens because of his links with WP. It was because he had previously coached in England. There is no formal link between Saracens and WP,” said Erasmus.

“We are not going to swop players. When Brendan finishes with us in May, we will view Saracens as the same kind of opposition (for playing resources) as a club like Toulon.

“Players are contractually bound not to negotiate now. That is why I’m not really concerned by all the rumours.”

Source: supersport.co.za

The half-time score was 24-16 in favour of the Stormers, who in the first half looked like the team with the more ammunition and deserved to be ahead. That Newlands can prepare itself for a bumper Super 14 season was evident with such a big crowd rocking up to see their heroes in action.

The Stormers will be happy with the performance, although they know that they would have to up the intensity levels considerably in the competition proper. They showed good skills on the attack and although there were a few defensive lapses the tackling was generally good.

They held their own in the scrums – except maybe for the last 15 minutes or so after a few changes were made to the pack – and lineouts and their loose play was good.

It was not the ideal start to the match for the Stormers, as Saracens right wing Kameli Ratuvou was the beneficiary of a pretty fortunate bounce – and for Stormers wing Tonderai Chavhanga a very cruel one as he completely missed the ball – after a kick ahead from scrum-half Justin Marhsall.

Fly-half Glen Jackson converted. With barely 3 minutes gone on the clock the home side was behind 7-3.

The Stormers, however, made their intentions clear with an intense onslaught on the visitors’ try-line which resulted in a penalty close to the Sarries try-line. Flyhalf Peter Grant made it 7-3.

In the 12th minute the Stormers attacked strongly again and scrumhalf Ricky Januarie was stopped short of the line but had enough presence of mind to hand the ball to wing Sereli Naqelevuki, who stretched and scored the first Stormers try of 2009. Grant converted to put his side in the lead (10-7).

Jackson, however, drew the scores level with a penalty in the 16th minute. A minute later former Natal Sharks centre Brad Barritt left the field in a shaken state after an illegal tackle on Grant.

Centre Gcobani Bobo, who showed impressive early-season form, darted through the defence from close range in the 19th minute after a good build-up from his mates. Grant converted to make the score 17-10 just before the first water break.

Jackson slotted penalties in the 23rd and 31st minutes to bring his side back into contention at 17-16.

A scintillating movement, in which number eight Luke Watson, full-back Percy Montgomery featured prominently, led to a great try by hooker Schalk Brits in the 38th minute. Grant again converted to make the half-time score 24-16.

A poor kick from Montgomery gave wing Richard Haughton a bit of space and he ripped the Stormers defence apart to score under the posts. Jackson converted to ensure the match was not over as a contest for a long while (24-23).

The Stormers had ideas of their own though as Ricky Januarie bamboozled the defence and passed to Luke Watson who scored under the poles for Grant to convert. The Stormers led 31-23.

Brits, who put in some big tackles in the first half, received the biggest cheer of the day when he nailed Haughton in the 46th minute in a monster tackle. Haughton stayed down but received an ovation when he got up after some medical treatment.

Montgomery left the field in the 60th minute and Joe Petersen took over at full-back.

Two minutes later the crowd went wild as the Stormers exhibited the full range of their attacking skills, starting off with Januarie collecting his own kick ahead, Jean de Villiers brilliantly picking up the rolling ball and beating a defender who ankle-tapped him.

Francois Louw took the ball closer to the Saracens try-line before being hauled in by the defenders. He found another pair of hands in Naqelevuki who dived over in the left-hand corner. Grant failed for the first time but at that stage the game looked safe at 36-23.

Pietersen confirmed this when scoring in the 56th minute after some slick passing by the inside backs, notably Bobo.

With 20 minutes left coach Rassie Erasmus sent on replacements Deon Fourie, Tongan wing Alipate Fatafehi, Nick Koster, Bolla Conradie, Pieter Louw.

Saracens used the opportunity to drive flank Wikus van Heerden over the try-line in the 61st minute. Jackson converted and added a penalty in the 66th to reduce the deficit to 10 points.

Former Bulls star Hilton Lobberts and centre Dylan des Fountain also got a run later on. The Stormers take on Boland at Wellington on Saturday in their final warm-up match.

Scorers:

For the Stormers:
Tries: Sereli Naqelevuki 2, Gcobani Bobo, Schalk Brits, Luke Watson, Joe Pietersen
Conversions: Peter Grant 5
Penalties: Peter Grant 1

For Saracens:
Tries: Kameli Ratuvou, Richard Haughton, Wikus van Heerden
Conversions: Glen Jackson 3
Penalties: Glen Jackson 4

Source: planetrugby.com

Pic: sarugbyblog.com

Percy Montgomery will get a chance to return to the Stormers No15 jersey in the absence of the injured Springbok fullback Conrad Jantjes and Schalk Burger will be out for another week with a foot complaint, otherwise the team looks a close replica of the one likely to start the Super 14 campaign against the Sharks on Valentine’s Day.

Duane Vermeulen, the star loose-forward newcomer from the Cheetahs, will start in the No7 jersey, with Francois Louw being entrusted with the task of taking over Burger’s openside duties for this match.

“As you know, in our side the No8 is the openside,” joked Erasmus, who has often expressed the opinion that numbers on the back mean little to the loose-forward configuration.

“Francois will have the job of doing most of the work of the openside flanker in this game, but they will help each other out and do a bit of both.”

Vermeulen is normally a No8, so it is interesting to see Luke Watson retained at No8. What will be even more interesting, however, will be to see what Erasmus does with his selection once Burger is fit again.

As anticipated, Erasmus is giving Tongan Alipate Fatafehi, who apparently showed some good touches in an opposed practice session against UCT last weekend, a chance to show what he can do in a match situation.

“He went over on his foot in the session against the Ikeys, so he did not get a big chance to show us what he could do, but he showed enough to suggest we should take another look at him. The Saracens match is a big opportunity for him for if he does well we will keep him on our books for the Super 14 season,” said Erasmus.

If nothing else, the Stormers should not lack for size at wing this season, for the Saracens game will also be used as a chance for Nick Koster, normally a loose-forward, to show his paces on the wing. Sireli Naqelevuki will start in the No11 jersey, but Fatefehi and Koster will be used there later in the game, with Fatefehi also covering fullback.

There was a suggestion that Naqelevuki, like he did last season, would move into the midfield in the second half, but Erasmus confirmed that Dylan des Fountain was the back-up outside centre for this game.

Stormers team: Percy Montgomery, Tonderai Chavhanga, Gcobani Bobo, Jean de Villiers (captain), Sireli Naqelevuki, Peter Grant, Ricky Januarie, Luke Watson, Duane Vermeulen, Francois Louw, Andries Bekker, Adriaan Fondse, Brian Mujati, Schalk Brits, JD Moller.

Reserves: Deon Fourie, JC Kritzinger/Schalk Ferreira, Wicus Blaauw, Hilton Lobberts, AJ Venter/George Earle, Pieter Louw, Bolla Conradie, Joe Pietersen, Dylan des Fountain, Alipate Fatafehi, Nick Koster.

Source: supersport.co.za

Pic: legerity.wordpress.com

Saracens land in Cape Town on January 24 and play the Stormers the following day.

They also play Boland in Wellington on January 28.

Source: supersport.co.za

Pic: thesun.co.uk