Sunday Social: North-South derby, bizarre tries and acts of kindness

Dylan Coetzee 19 Feb 2023 10:49 AM

It is time for Planet Rugby’s Sunday Social, your quirky recap of the serious and not so serious talking points from the past week’s action.

The North-South derby between the Bulls and Stormers served up another spectacle on Saturday as the defending champions claimed a nail-biting 23-19 victory. The fans played their part with over 41,000 people in attendance, breaking the United Rugby Championship attendance record in the southern hemisphere. Top effort from the supporters!

NEW RECORD! 🚨

The @Vodacom @BlueBullsRugby & Loftus has officially hosted the largest attendance in the Southern Hemisphere in the @Vodacom United Rugby Championship with 41 205 in the stadium 👏#BULvSTO | @Vodacom #URC | #UnitedWeRise pic.twitter.com/zPPGltHH5l

— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) February 18, 2023

A seriously funny take on the signs in South African stadiums. Hit the nail on the head, especially the proposals! South Africans only do things their way.

Watching it back and I swear every South African has a cardboard sign in the crowd at games😄.

Love to see the passion – even if about 50% of them are marriage proposals in Afrikaans😁. Don’t see that at games up north. pic.twitter.com/DdbZuC10cL

— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) February 19, 2023

The derby also saw the welcome return of Sbu Nkosi, who scored on his comeback after taking time away from the game for mental health reasons. It is lovely to see you back and scoring, Sbu!

👏 S'bu Nkosi marked his return to rugby with a try against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld, a pleasure to see him back!pic.twitter.com/BKgIorptrh

— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 19, 2023

What an angle!!! Stunning footage from Northampton Saints as Fraser Dingwall scores in front of an erupting Franklin’s Gardens. What a roar that is! Goosebumps.

That noise 😍

Unbelievable atmosphere at the Gardens as @FraserDingwall_ completed the comeback. pic.twitter.com/DQCml6RtlM

— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) February 19, 2023

He clearly doesn’t like that! Hilarious from Jim Hamilton, who reacts to taking the fifth longest to reach a century of Premiership appearances during his playing days for Leicester Tigers, Gloucester and Saracens.

What kind of stat is this @premrugby 🙈 pic.twitter.com/9iex4CYovR

— Jim Hamilton (Vice Captain) (@jimhamilton4) February 16, 2023

Ah Luke McGrath, that is a filthy defensive read! The Leinster scrum-half was all too aware and telegraphed the Dragons set play to pinch it and gallop through. Great awareness and game preparation.

Luke McGrath has done his homework this week – great pick off #LEIvDRA #Rugby #URC pic.twitter.com/3lJoPxNCFw

— Brett Igoe (@brettruganalyst) February 18, 2023

The big talking point over the last week has been around the Welsh Rugby Union’s contract stand-off with the regions. This tweet clearly highlights that something is going very wrong…

I know families of professional rugby players in Wales, who are out of their minds with worry about what the future holds. They're having sleepless nights.

Not an accountant, but not sure how a company (WRU) that generated £94.3m last year has got itself in such an unholy mess.

— Owain Jones (@OwainJTJones) February 15, 2023

Just one of the most bizarre tries we have seen! It seems like catching a bar of soap in the rain as the ball pinballs between players multiple times for one determined attacker to fall on it at the end.

This is one of the craziest tries I have seen. 😂 pic.twitter.com/KthzasPfcv

— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) February 19, 2023

Lovely gesture from Wallaby Quade Cooper who makes a fan’s day by giving him free socks and discussing mental health. Look at the smile on that lad’s face, amazing to see. Top stuff, Quade!

Had an amazing moment today at the traffic lights. Guy pulled up next to me & told me he love my clothing brand but he had followed my journey which helped him climb out of depression & now helped him pursue his highest self. ❤️ happened to have shosai socks in the car for him 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/nbzfTHTx7u

— Quade Cooper (@QuadeCooper) February 17, 2023

A classic moment that will remain legendary for years to come. Fans will never forget Sonny Bill Williams giving his World Cup medal to a young fan after winning the tournament with New Zealand in 2015

Win #RWC2015 ✅
Donate your medal to a young supporter ✅ 🥇@SonnyBWilliams, making dreams come true throughout his career #RandomActsOfKindnessDay pic.twitter.com/mLkYmvGdFL

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) February 17, 2023

Brilliant Valentine’s Day post from Northampton! Courtney Lawes is known for his big bear hugs, and in this one, his tackle makes mincemeat of Charlie Hodgson.

Happy Valentine's Day 🖤💚💛

Hands up if you'd like a hug from Big Courts 🥴 pic.twitter.com/alywOeQ9Vs

— Northampton Saints 😇 (@SaintsRugby) February 14, 2023