Blues centre Rene Ranger, playing his 50th Super Rugby match, powered past three would-be tacklers to score out wide to hit the front againThe Chiefs began their defence of the Super Rugby title in impressive style as they won 41-27 away to the Highlanders.
New South Wales Waratahs suffered stage fright at precisely the wrong moment, coach Michael Cheika said after they lost 25-17 to
The Chiefs began their defence of the Super Rugby title in impressive style as they won 41-27 away to the Highlanders.
Centre Tim Nanai-Williams scored a brace of tries and wings Patrick Osbourne and Asaeli Tikoirotuma grabbed one apiece. Fullback Gareth Anscombe kicked 21 points from five penalties and three conversions as the Chiefs laid down a marker for the rest of the season.
The Southern Kings celebrated their first Super Rugby victory in their first attempt as they claimed a 22-10 win over the Western Force. South Africa's new Super Rugby franchise trailed 10-5 at half time after Pekahou Cowan and Alfi Mafi scored tries for the Force. But the Kings hit back in the second period as two penalties from Demetri Catrakilis edged them ahead before Sergeal Petersen ran in his second try of the match and Catrakilis completed an historic victory.
Triple champions the Bulls beat the Stormers 25-17 in front of a crowd of 44,272 at Loftus Versfield thanks to a faultless kicking display from Moyne Steyn. The fly-half kept the pressure on the Stormers with a mature tactical kicking display and landed seven from seven from the tee, while hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle scored their only try.
Patrick Lambie kicked 19 points as the Sharks began their Super Rugby campaign with a 29-22 victory over the Cheetahs. The South Africa fly-half slotted five penalties and converted tries from Lwazi Mvovo and Marcell Coetzee to lead the Sharks to an opening victory at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. The Cheetahs outscored the Sharks three tries to two with Johann Sadie, Pieter Labuschagne and Phillip Van Der Walt all crossing but were always playing catch up after trailing 16-5 at the break.
