The Vodacom stats app is really addictive, for those passionate about rugby. I spent the weekend deciphering some of the figures to try and gain some insight into why four out of 5 SA teams lost.
There are of course elements which are not reflected directly in the stats, such as the underperformance by the referee and the TMO in the Lions match. Crying foul after the event will not lead to a reversal of the outcome, but hopefully we will see some more inept officials taken off the list. At the time of writing, there was nothing on the IRB website in this regard.
Foul weather floored the Sharks, but that is not the only reason they lost. Francois Steyn had a very forgettable game, and this rubbed off on all those around him. Cobus Reinach had a brilliant game under difficult circumstances, and against a highly rated opponent, but for the rest, all they proved is that the voodoo of the second tour match is a reality.
| Highlanders | Lions | |
| Points | 23 | 22 |
| Tries | 3 | 4 |
| Kicks from hand | 24 | 17 |
| Metres run | 312 | 520 |
| Carries | 81 | 161 |
| Passes | 93 | 169 |
| Tackles | 167 | 69 |
| Handling errors | 10 | 16 |
| Lineouts won on own throw | 10 | 19 |
| Brumbies | Sharks | |
| Points | 16 | 9 |
| Tries | 1 | 0 |
| Kicks from hand | 45 | 42 |
| Metres run | 266 | 415 |
| Carries | 69 | 118 |
| Passes | 52 | 100 |
| Tackles | 124 | 42 |
| Handling errors | 12 | 15 |
| Lineouts won on own throw | 10 | 14 |
| Cheetahs | Force | |
| Points | 16 | 23 |
| Tries | 1 | 2 |
| Kicks from hand | 17 | 25 |
| Metres run | 450 | 250 |
| Carries | 139 | 65 |
| Passes | 183 | 102 |
| Tackles | 75 | 109 |
| Handling errors | 6 | 2 |
| Lineouts won on own throw | 21 | 8 |
| Bulls | Stormers | |
| Points | 28 | 12 |
| Tries | 1 | 2 |
| Kicks from hand | 26 | 20 |
| Metres run | 279 | 445 |
| Carries | 86 | 78 |
| Passes | 103 | 119 |
| Tackles | 87 | 76 |
| Handling errors | 10 | 11 |
| Lineouts won on own throw | 14 | 6 |
From the above it appears that a more conservative approach pays dividends, which is sadly why the rugby this weekend, featuring SA teams, was indeed droll. Dis maar goed ek skryf nie nou in Afrikaans nie, want ek sou dalk dieselfde woord kon gebruik, met een “l” minder.
Van die verwagte slagting van die Stormers se jong slotte het toe ook min gekom – hulle het weliswaar twee lynstane afgestaan, maar ook een afgevat by die ooms in die ander span. Hopelik sal dit vir Alistair Coetzee aanmoedig om verder te eksperimenteer.
Die stryd tussen die Cheetahs en die Stormers om die laaste plek bly verbete. Ai, kan dit nie maar eerder aan die anderkant van die punteleer gewees het nie?
