Craven Week: Limpopo bounce back

The Limpopo Blue Bulls recorded their first victory of the 2015 Craven Week when they defeated Border CD 34-20 on Wednesday.

Limpopo ran in four first half tries in a dominant performance, which helped them take a commanding 24-0 lead, and proved to be too much for Border CD to overcome despite outscoring their opponents in the second half.

Limpopo made the ideal start by taking the game to their opponents and found reward in the third minute when Stefan Engelbrecht benefited from a well executed driving maul after sustained pressure on the Border CD defence.

Border CD went in search of some points but were out-muscled at every breakdown and scrum. Limpopo increased their lead in the 14th minute when, after a patient build-up, Chris Jenkinson bulldozed his way over the try line despite the best of three defenders. Wernich Kachelhoffer made no mistake with the conversion to add the extra points.

Limpopo maintained their early dominance and grabbed their third try through Jan Coertze, who dotted down next to the posts. Kachelhoffer made no mistake with the extra points.

Border CD had the stuffing knocked out of them on the stroke of half-time when Limpopo scrumhalf Franco van der Watt grabbed his sides fourth try to take a commanding 24-0 lead.

The Eastern Cape side came out firing after the restart and found some points through the boot of Alrich Plaatjies who slotted a penalty in the 37th minute.

Limpopo enjoyed a lengthy period of possession and territorial advantage that culminated in Jenkinson grabbing a brace in the 46th minute. The loosehead prop was once again unstoppable from close range as he spun out of two tackles to stretch for the line.

Border CD held out for another 11 minutes before Limpopo were able to grab their sixth try of the match following an error by the Eastern Cape side. The ball spilled out on the side of the ruck and Salomon Vermaak reacted quickest to collect the ball and grab the score.

Just as it seemed like Limpopo would manage to not concede a try, Border CD showed what they are capable of when their flair and skill setup Soyama Ngceke in the 62nd minute. The prop ran onto a Plaatjies pass – which put him through a gap – to grab their first try of the match.

However, Border CD had the final say in the dying minutes of the match when they grabbed two quick tries through Josh Armstrong and Aviwe Mancotywa, respectively, to narrow the margin to just 14 points.

Man of the Match: Stefan Engelbrecht

Scorers:

For Limpopo Blue Bulls:

Tries: Engelbrecht, Jenkinson 2, Coertze, van der Watt, Vermaak

Cons: Kachelhoffer 2

For Border CD:

Tries: Ngceke, Armstrong, Mancotywa

Con: Plaatjies

Pen: Plaatjies

Teams:

Limpopo Blue Bulls: 15 Danny Mokhoabane, 14 Sibusiso Mlangeni, 13 Stefan Nel, 12 Jan Coertze, 11 Bjanyane Molokomme, 10 Wernich Kachelhoffer, 9 Eduan Smit, 8 Stefan Engelbrecht, 7 Salomon Vermaak, 6 Thapelo Molapo, 5 Kobus Botha, 4 Tony Siima, 3 Dieter Meyer, 2 Hanco Taljaard, 1 Luandro Cangueiro.

Replacements: 16 Matimu Manganyi, 17 Darren Steyn, 18 Chris Jenkinson, 19 Melvin Matlala, 20 Franco van der Watt, 21 Albertus Van Deventer, 22 Chrizaan Strauss.

Border CD: 15 Asishandile Mrubata, 14 Ntando Mfengu, 13 Josh Armstrong, 12 Migcobo Bovu, 11 Enrico Bokwe, 10 Brandt Fields, 9 Alrich Plaatjies, 8 Sonwabo Jwacu, 7 Kanye Mamve, 6 Hano Jacobs, 5 Sinoxolo Valela, 4 Phumzile Maqondwana, 3 Soyama Ngceke, 2 Philela Mabandla, 1 Stormer Snelling.

Replacements: 16 Sonwabise Batyi, 17 Piwe Dumalisile, 18 Sibusiso Gwenxana, 19 Kanyisa Salaze, 20 Aviwe Mancotywa, 21 Thabo Dlebedlebe, 22 Ayanda Mvimbi.

Referee: Oregopotse Rametsi

Assistant referees: Sindile Ngcese, AJ Jacobs

TMO: Vusimuzi Msibi