Thursday, October 14, 2010
Duane Vermeulen smashed boot-less but still catches Lwazi Mvovo
Western Province secured a Currie Cup home semi final on the weekend by beating the Sharks 33-21 at Newlands. It was a great game, with highlights to follow, but for now here is one of the best moments of the match.
Duane Vermeulen has been in great form of late and for many, should be on the end of the year tour with the Springboks. While it seems that Pierre Spies in unmovable as first choice, the aim for Vermeulen would be to jump ahead of Ryan Kankowski in the pecking order.
Province fans will tell you that Vermeulen should be first choice, while ardent Bulls and Sharks fans will no doubt disagree. Thats just the way it goes and despite all the pressure and criticism of Spies in recent times, its pretty safe to say that itll take a lot to bump him off the top spot.
This isnt about that though, this is about Sharks center Andries Stauss absolutely smashing Vermeulen in the first half of the match. It was a fantastic tackle but didnt stop the workmanlike Vermeulen, who then got up and without his boots on chased down gasman Lwazi Mvovo, another possible end of year tourist.
Why was Vermeulen bootless? Watch at the beginning of the clip when he and Bismarck Du Plessis go head to head and youll see that the one boot popped off then. What probably happened is that he wanted to keep up with play, so just took off the other.
It made for a comical incident though and even without the boots, he showed his pace and commitment by chasing down Mvovo, one of the top try scorers this season. Great rugby all round first the confrontation with Du Plessis, then the Habana run, then the cracking hit, and finally the great chase. An outstanding few minutes of rugby.
Posted at 9:26 am | 32 comments
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Viewing 32 comments
RD October 14, 2010 10:30 am
Mike October 14, 2010 10:45 am
Nick October 14, 2010 11:34 am
Considering how small Aplon is he really puts himself about a bit, that second tackle on Mvovo was fairly out there.
Anonymous October 14, 2010 11:53 am
edbok October 14, 2010 11:57 am
Suggested title: "Pieter de Villiers gently reminded that SA has no shortage of talent."
I think on the Bok #8 question, I am coming round to the idea that Vermeulen might be a better choice to play alongside Burger and Smith. Spies is still the best ball-carrier we have, but the extra graft of Vermeulen might be more valuable to the team.
And the other thing to take from the game is how sharp the likes of Habana looked. 6-7 weeks off, on a conditioning program, seems to have been a very good idea. As if anyone should be surprised that players would benefit from playing less and training smarter.
NiWiTa October 14, 2010 12:16 pm
How about "vermeulen smashed and smashes" for the title...
Anonymous October 14, 2010 12:35 pm
Andy October 14, 2010 2:00 pm
Fantastic stuff and what a tackle for the turnover!!
Alejandro October 14, 2010 2:18 pm
Both attacking and defending without them. Incredible.
Bru.Yadi 7 October 14, 2010 2:42 pm
Title Judge October 14, 2010 4:56 pm
The PC brigade October 14, 2010 4:57 pm
The PC brigade October 14, 2010 4:57 pm
Laz October 14, 2010 5:49 pm
RedYeti October 14, 2010 5:53 pm
RD October 14, 2010 6:13 pm
Old7 October 14, 2010 10:40 pm
"Vermeulen smashed, then socks it to Mvovo".
Currie Cup rugby is a great Comp.
chinook October 14, 2010 11:19 pm
I like playing rugby barefoot; I find it easier to run that way. But the problem comes when kicking the ball (after a dozen times, your foot gets pretty red), and the fact that 29 other guys are probably going to wear boots.
For Ireland's sake, I'd wish Gio Aplon isn't in the Boks squad in November, but then again, I'd love to see him and Shane Williams playing off each other.
Juggernauter October 15, 2010 12:29 am
Leguizam October 15, 2010 12:42 am
Jono October 15, 2010 1:24 am
Like alot of countries they do lack in some departments though.
Not many ball playing five eights or centres in South Africa.
Amazing forward packs though.
Jono October 15, 2010 1:27 am
Laz October 15, 2010 8:24 am
Love this clip by the way.
Anonymous October 15, 2010 12:26 pm
Canadian Content October 15, 2010 10:00 pm
"Scintallating sock foot tackle"
"South African rugby at it's best, boots optional"
"Big run, big hit, big run, big hit, great tackle, no boots"
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