Going nowhere: Earl Rose can't escape the Tigers' clutches
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Leicester Tigers made history on Friday, beating South Africa 22-17 at Welford Road after a thrilling finale.
A Tigers XV shorn of five England players and eight others through injury and unavailability was expected to provide cannon fodder for an admittedly second-string Springbok squad.
But Leicester opened up a surprise 16-8 lead in the first half on the back of sure kicking from their 20-year-old scrum-half Ben Youngs, and a superb try from Argentina winger Lucas Amorosino.
And the Guinness Premiership champions were able to weather a belated Boks response late in the game to secure a famous victory.
Leicester marked the first-ever visit of a South Africa side to their 117-year-old stadium with an official unveiling of a new £14million 10,000-seater Caterpillar Stand before kick-off, which swells capacity to 24,000.
On the field, the Tigers were at less than full strength. Tom Croft, Lewis Moody, Jordan Crane, Dan Hipkiss and Louis Deacon were all on England duty, with a further seven players sidelined through injury. The England lock Ben Kay was also pulled from the Tigers XV at the last moment for unspecified reasons.
South Africa named five uncapped players in their XV, as they prepare for Tests against rance, Italy and Ireland. Only Odwa Ndungane remained from the team that beat New Zealand in the final Tri-Nations match in September.
After Youngs missed the chance to put Leicester in front, Ruan Pienaar kicked the first points from dead in front.
Within 10 minutes the Springboks had the first try of their tour. An apparent obstruction from an up-and-under went unnoticed, and Earl Rose gathered to send a perfectly weighted grubber kick which fell into the hands of Jongi Nokwe. Pienaar missed the conversion.
Youngs kicked a penalty to cut the deficit to five, but a second score appeared inevitable when full-back Rose beat two opponents and kicked into open space until Johne Murphy rushed back to mop up.
South Africa were robbed of their captain midway through the first half, when Chiliboy Ralepelle hobbled off.
Then the match turned after 27 minutes on an uncharacteristic moment of carelessness from the Springboks, seized upon by two of Leicester's young starlets.
Teenage centre Manu Tuilagi, the latest member of his family to gain exposure at the top level, was allowed to run through unchallenged, and off-loaded with Amorosino in support.
Amorosino still had much to do from just inside the 22, but he jinked past two tacklers to go in under the posts. Youngs converted from in front to open up a two-point lead at 10-8.
The infringements racked up for a frustrated South Africa, allowing Youngs to kick two further penalties, the first a fine goal from dead on halfway.
Pienaar repaired some damage with three points to end the half, but Leicester still held a useful lead at 16-11.
That was restored to eight points two minutes after the restart when Youngs profited from South African hands in at the ruck to kick a fourth penalty.
Leicester's harrying had South Africa struggling to perform the basics - the Tigers stole a lineout deep in their own territory, and twice turned over Springbok ball within three minutes.
There was a notable debut handed out in the 55th minute, when the celebrated former Australia winger Lote Tuqiri came on for his first Leicester start.
After Youngs found the posts again from the 10-metre line, Pienaar had to kick from very wide out to bring the deficit back to eight.
But Leicester had the lions' share of possession throughout, and were only denied another scoring opportunity when referee Stuart Dickinson gave the benefit of the doubt to Ndungane, who fumbled the ball when clearing up.
Pienaar had nerves jangling when he reduced the gap to five from in front of the posts, setting up a five minute period of intense South African pressure.
But the ball spilled loose and Tuqiri's first major contribution was to scramble it to touch and end the game.
The scorers:
For Leicester:
Try: Amorosino
Con: Youngs
Pens: Youngs 5
For South Africa:
Try: Nokwe
Pens: Pienaar 4
Leicester Tigers: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Lucas Amorosino, 13 Andy Forsyth, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Johne Murphy, 10 Aaron Mauger (c), 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Brett Deacon, 7 Ben Pienaar, 6 Geoff Parling, 5 Ben Kay, 4 Calum Green, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Mefin Davies, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements:16 George Chuter, 17 Dan Cole, 18 Tom Armes, 19 Dan Hemingway, 20 James Grindal, 21 Greig Tonks, 22 Lote Tuqiri.
South Africa: 15 Earl Rose, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Juan de Jongh, 12 Wynand Olivier, 11 Jongi Nokwe, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Heini Adams, 8 Ashley Johnson, 7 Davon Raubenheimer, 6 Dewald Potgieter, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle (c), 1 Gurthro Steenkamp.
Replacements: 16 Bandise Maku, 17 Heinke van der Merwe, 18 Alistair Hargreaves, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Riaan Viljoen.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Assistant referees: Roy Maybank, Robin Goodliffe
Television match official: Andrew Turner, Graeme Hughes
Comments
willems says...
What a sorry excuse for a 'second' Springbok team. It seemed more like a provincial third team if you ask me. Mr Maku is third choice hooker at the Bulls after Derick Kuun and Chiliboy Ralapele but he gets selected for a Springbok tour? Same goes for Adams at no.9! QUOTAS.
Can anyone tell me when last did Chiliboy play a full 80 min of rugby in one single game. I can honestly say the last time I saw him do that was at junior level. How many times will Derick Kuun be looked over for Springbok selection? He is the Bulls no.1 choice but the Bulls no.3 choice gets selected. Quota!
Earl Rose? He will die a quota.
Raubenheimer had a few good Currie Cup games and now he gets selected over players who have performed and won a Super 14? Quota. Same can be said for the WP centre (I can't even remember his name) who was absolutely nowhere.
Ashley Johnson is a very good player but somebody needs to teach him what his primary duties are. No.1: Scrumming. I thought he was playing scrum-half as his head was not in one single scrum! Same can be said of Dewald Potgieter and Raubenheimer. This contributed to the under par scrumming from Steenkamp.
Nokwe is a great finisher and that is where it ends. He is terrible under a high ball, with kicking and defending. There are at least 10 better lefts wings in SA.
The SA government wants black players and black coaches (in all our national teams) irrespective of their performances. Yet when they have the opportunity to appoint a black soccer coach they appointed white Brazillians (who can't speak English) and pay them 10 times that which a local black coach would have cost them. By the way, the SA soccer team dropped from FIFA ranking 40 to somewhere in the 80's since the Brazilians took over.
Never mind the queen, God save the Springbok!
Posted 13:32 09th November 2009
justice_4_all says...
Come on South Africa...get a grip. This wasn't an important game. It was a chance to experiment, and the experiment worked perfectly: it showed that many of the players on the field are not up to top club level, let alone the top international level. More importantly it showed that a couple of these experimental players are within reach: as an example, I give you Ashley Johnson. Admittedly, Spies doesn't need to lose any sleep yet, but neither do Bok fans have to worry that top notch players are coming through the ranks.
And lastly guys, I was disappointed to see how quickly some of you played the "race card." If you really want to screw Bok rugby up, keep this up and drive young players of colour back to soccer. I believe passionately in selection by merit. But I also beleive that Bok future depends on bringing in as much talent as possible from all sectors of society. And it would be helpful if all of us who love the Boks would relax a little and enjoy the rugby. Yesterday wasn't important. Winning the next Tri-Nations and the RWC2011 is important. Bringing talent through and giving players a chance to measure up will help us do exactly that. Inspiring young players of 10 to pick up the funny shaped ball will mean we win the RWC again and again....and THAT is what matters.
Posted 12:31 08th November 2009
alice says...
Welpie, i agree with your selection..
this is insane................Chilli Boy is the worst of all..........."At this level you can't wait for someone to do that. If you can't do it yourself it's best that you sit at home." his comment! what a joke...! he is the one that should be sitting at home..he doesnt even feature in the Blue Bulls pack.. what a shameful attempt at rugby from the emerging springboks..first off, management should be fired.. second off, the team should be fired except for a handful of players..viz. olivier, deysel, - this is bad, as i cannot recall who else plays in the team... oh yes... dewald potgieter...............thats about it.
Posted 06:01 08th November 2009
rudi337 says...
It is a sad day for any sport when politics takes over. Especially a team with a history such as The Boks. RIP SARFU if it continues.
Posted 17:17 07th November 2009
Welpie says...
Hahahaha, transformation wins again! There are way too many freeloaders in that team!
Based on currie cup form I'd say the following 22 is much closer to a true second string Springbok side. I left Heinke vd Merwe out because of lack of game time.
Some other notable exclusions are Joe Pietersen, Hennie Daniller, Willem Alberts, Cobus Grobbelaar, Steven Sykes, Wicus Blaauw, Johan Muller.
1. Wian du Preez
2. Tiaan Liebenberg
3. Jannie Du Plessis
4. Andries Bekker
5. Danie Rossouw
6. Deon Stegman
7. Dewald Potgieter
8. Ashley Johnson
9. Francois Hougaard
10. Jacques-Louis Potgieter
11. Lionel Mapoe
12. Wynand Olivier
13. Juan De Jongh
14. Gio Aplon
15. Ruan Pienaar
16. WP Nel
17. Adriaan Strauss
18. Jean Deysel
19. David De Villiers
20. Riaan Viljoen
21. Sarel Pretorius
22. Jaco Pretorius
Posted 15:54 07th November 2009
brianjar says...
Has anyone ever seen Chilliboy play 80 minutes? If not, why the heck is he playing rugby in South Africa? There's a handful of better players in SA right now. So, the second string Leicester team beats the "imposter" Boks. Well done PdV, the French and Irish are shaking in their boots...or is that dancing?
Posted 13:53 07th November 2009
Beanskin says...
Embarising for the Boks and us fans, having said that well done to Leiscster! Blame the politicians. PdV is under immense pressure to force transformation, but it really shouldn't be at the expense of the pride of the country and the the Bok emblem. The really sad thing is that the politicians don't seem to recognise the profile and esteem a top-ranked Bok side gives South Africa on the world stage.
Posted 11:47 07th November 2009
ardugpc says...
Leicester, well done, you've beaten the emblem, Our Transformation side were totally outplayed by the Tigers. Ashley Johnson played very good, but I don't think he'll lift Pierre Spies. Good win Tigers
Posted 10:56 07th November 2009
Bigspottedcat says...
I am even more angry this morning having slept on it. This racist team (intentionally selecting inferior black players over competent white players) has disgraced the Springbok jersey and South African Rugby. Peter de Villiers has no respect for the Bok legacy and should be sacked. It is Jake White's team and Jake White's development that is keeping us in silverware. PdeV is a muppet.
Posted 10:06 07th November 2009
Stellenbosched says...
That game was painful to watch. I am not even going to blame the ref, although Dickinson has an interesting track record of being in charge of Bok losses. To Leicester I must offer my congratulations. With 9 first choice players away you still beat the SA 15 on the field. Well done. To those like @Trinats who are now insulting us you must please enjoy the moment. This is a lesson learned and the Springboks WILL come back stronger and more focused as a result of the humiliation. And we will remember the insults.............
Posted 09:58 07th November 2009
LieweHexie says...
Well that wasn't all that surprising really. As I predicted straight after the team was announced, the front row was hopelessly inadequate. The real "B" team front row (maybe even "A" team) are all sitting back in Bloemfontein and the "next best" are chilling their heels in Capetown. Assistant coach, Dick Muir, was heard to say, "I don't think I've ever seen (a Springbok pack) as bad as that". Says a lot about their merit selection. You can't expect to win rugby games at a high level with players that just don't match up. You need the ball to score and, not unexpectedly, it was in very short supply. Saracens must be licking their chops waiting for their turn.
Interesting to see if Maku will be on the bench against France now that Ralapelle is injured. Fat chance! Kuun is probably on his way already....he should have been there in the first place!
Posted 09:28 07th November 2009
nikid40 says...
Seems Castrogiovani and Ayerza gave their opposites a workover. I'm really looking forward to seeing if the Italians, lead by Castro, can fire agaisnt the bok's 'A' scrum. Hard to believe that tight five would get bossed around.
I wonder what effect the selection policy is having on the bok's mindset at the moment. They won the Tri-nations because, amongst other reasons, they had a great 'family' mindset. You have to wonder what the inclusion of players like Earl Rose and Bandise Maku in th squad is doing to that mindset.
Posted 08:07 07th November 2009
Greencor says...
No wonder!! This was apart from one or two players actualy not second stringers, but fourth stringers. What is Steenkam still doing on the International front. I won't apart from the fact that he is not white, choose him for the town first XV.
Raubenheimer, was overwhelmed. When Deysel, Vander Merwe and Hougaard went on, things went a little bit better. De Villiers must stop with his afirmitive action attitude and choose the best men for the job. There is other SARFU officials who is responsible for that part of the job. The Cheetah frontrow would have made a big difference. Heinke Adams, he was totaly out of his depth, and I am certain, he was at stages close to tears. Poor South African Rugby. The manpower Jake White build up is slowly dissapering, and De Villiers must choose his own men, and that is where the problem start, He don't have a clue!!!
Posted 08:00 07th November 2009
Pietie says...
This is not the 2nd stringer SA side. it's the one selected by the politicians. Please remember that. Chilliboy is considered the Messiah of SA rugby's future for many obvious political reasons and he actually lasted 15 minutes longer than I anticipated.
In any event, it does show SA's inability to deal with transformation in the game of rugby union.
Posted 06:53 07th November 2009
The_Mustard says...
Well done Leicester, the best team on the day especially that monster they have at 1st center whom every South African union should be looking to poach.
However this was hardly a second string SA side, they left behind an entire team of better players and some of these fellows were questionable selections to say the very least.
An absolute embarrasment and a disgrace to give away a Springbok scalp as easily as that.
Posted 05:59 07th November 2009
rich says...
Bok second string? More like fourth string - most of those players can't even make their Curry cup sides and were purely political selections
Posted 05:23 07th November 2009
Trinats says...
Wouldn't read too much into it, it's only South Africa. I reckon Leinster will still win the Heineken Cup (if they get Elsom back!)!!!!!
Posted 04:57 07th November 2009
beachcomber says...
Tuqiri didn't get his first start - he got his first club cap, made his debut or made his first appearance. He'll make his first start when he runs out as part of the starting XV.
In international rugby, such meaningless caps are now being given, often earned by under five minutes on the field that the statistic of starts, or full caps will surely gain importance.
Posted 04:27 07th November 2009
Asterix says...
This is all Earl Rose's fault.
Posted 02:09 07th November 2009
Bigspottedcat says...
And that idiot Peter de Villiers came on to say it was a fantastic result. His hand picked development was full of racial selection and he refused to admit that they lost to a club side. Starting to think Ireland will beat the Boks. Again.
Posted 02:08 07th November 2009