Super 14 heating up in Cape Town comment count

• News
• March 08, 2010 ∥
• By Roy Barford

There is plenty rugby action still to come at Newlands this season. Photo courtesy Dplanet

Cape Town rugby fans had much to smile about this weekend, as the Stormers thrashed the Highlanders 33-0 at Newlands on Saturday.

On a scorching afternoon, the Stormers burned several holes in their opponents’ defence, ending the match with a bonus point after an opportunist try by world-class wing Bryan Habana.

The Stormers now sit third on the Super 14 log and will have a chance to continue their winning ways on Saturday, when they take on the fourth-paced Hurricanes, again, at Newlands.

Although the Stormers weren’t flawless in their demolition of the Highlanders, they showed many promising signs, and are starting to show some cohesion between forwards and backs. Captain Schalk Burger lead from the front, and even crossed the line for a try of his own.

One area where the Stormers are missing some very obvious tricks is out wide, with speedsters such as Habana and Sireli Naqelevuki needing to get their hands on the ball more often. Replacement Gio Aplon, one of the smallest players in the Super 14 at 72kg, showed some great pace and prospect when he came on in the latter stages of the match. He could indeed be one to watch in coming weeks.

Another exciting player of diminutive build is fullback Joe Pietersen, who bears a striking resemblance to one of his predecessors, Percy Montgomery. Pietersen has been in great form during the last two seasons, both off the kicking tee and in general play.

Newlands offers far more than just rugby, with great entertainment on offer before and after kick-off. Saturday’s game against the Hurricanes, from Wellington in New Zealand, kicks off at 19h10. Tickets are available through Computicket.

Visitors to Cape Town can find accommodation through our visitors’ section.