Durbanites seal it with second-half comeback – Vodacom Super Rugby Review, Round 17 | 15.co.za | | Rugby News, Live Scores, Results, Fixtures

Durbanites seal it with second-half comeback – Vodacom Super Rugby Review, Round 17

Jul 2 • General News, Super Rugby, Super Rugby News • 1799 Views • Comments Off on Durbanites seal it with second-half comeback – Vodacom Super Rugby Review, Round 17

Sunwolves edge Vodacom Bulls in Singapore
Jaguares defeat DHL Stormers in Buenos Aires

The Cell C Sharks produced a tenacious second-half fightback to defeat the Emirates Lions 31-24 and in doing so they kept alive their outside chances of reaching the Vodacom Super Rugby playoffs. They also ended a seven-game losing streak to their Johannesburg rivals, who led 21-11 at the break.

The competition resumed this weekend after a four-week break for the June internationals.

The Sunwolves downed the Vodacom Bulls 42-37 in their encounter in Singapore, despite two early tries from Springbok centre Jesse Kriel.

In the late evening match played in Buenos Aires, the Jaguares defeated the DHL Stormers 25-14 to record their seventh straight win as they move within touching distance of South African conference leaders, the Emirates Lions.

Tries from Bautista Delguy, Guido Petti and Matias Orlando secured the game for the Jaguares, while the Cape team scored through Springboks Sikhumbuzo Notshe and Dillyn Leyds. The Argentine side is now just three points behind the Highvelders and they also have a game in hand.

Meanwhile, the Cell C Sharks kept their playoff hopes alive with their comeback home win over the Emirates Lions. The visitors enjoyed most of the possession and territory and deserved their 21-11 lead at halftime.

However, the home side clinched the local derby with a successful comeback in the second half. Tries from Daniel du Preez, Andre Esterhuizen and Lwazi Mvovo and also 16 points via the boot of flyhalf Robert du Preez, clinched it for the Durbanites. The Highvelders scored through Ruan Combrinck, Cyle Brink and Kwagga Smith and turned down several penalty kicks.

In the first match of the day involving a South Africa side, the Sunwolves snatched victory right at the end of their clash with the Vodacom Bulls in Singapore. A late try by replacement Raboni Warren-Vosayaco condemned the Pretoria side to their second away loss in two years to the Japanese side, who won Saturday’s match 42-37.

Following the weekend’s action, the Emirates Lions are still leading the SA standings. They have 41 points from 15 games and are followed by the Jaguares on 38 points from 14 games, with the Cell C Sharks third on 32 points. In Australia, the Waratahs are leading the pack on 39 points after Friday’s 31-26 win over the Rebels, who are second on 35.

Although the Crusaders were not in action this weekend, they are still comfortable in the lead on the New Zealand table with 54 points, followed by the Hurricanes (45) and the Chiefs (41).

Jaguares 25, DHL Stormers 14

Scorers:

Jaguares – Tries: Bautista Delguy, Guido Petti, Matias Orlando; Conversions: Nicolas Sanchez (2); Penalties: Sanchez (2.
DHL Stormers – Tries: Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Dillyn Leyds; Conversions: Jean-Luc du Plessis (2).

Cell C Sharks 31, Emirates Lions 24

Scorers:

Cell C Sharks – Tries: Dan Du Preez, Andre Esterhuizen, Lwazi Mvovo; Conversions: Robert du Preez (2); Penalties: Du Preez (4).

Emirates Lions – Tries: Ruan Combrinck, Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith; Conversions: Jantjies (3); Penalty: Jantjies.

Sunwolves 42, Vodacom Bulls 37

Scorers:

Sunwolves – Tries: Hayden Parker, Keisuke Uchida, Gerhard van den Heever, Willie Britz, Little, Rahboni Warren Vosayako; Conversions: Parker (6)

Vodacom Bulls – Tries: Jesse Kriel (2), Handré Pollard, Conraad van Vuuren; Conversions: Pollard (4); Penalties: Pollard (3)

Other Round 17 results:

Friday, 29 June

Blues 39, Reds 16

Rebels 26, Waratahs 31

Saturday, 30 June

Highlanders 22, Chiefs 45

Brumbies 24, Hurricanes 12

Bye: Crusaders

The latest conference standings after the weekend’s Round 17 action:

South African Conference

Pos	Teams	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	PTS
1	Emirates Lions	15	8	0	7	481	423	58	71	53	41
2	Jaguares	14	9	0	5	365	355	10	45	47	38
3	Cell C Sharks	14	6	1	7	401	405	-4	46	53	32
4	Vodacom Bulls	14	5	0	9	386	430	-44	51	55	25
5	DHL Stormers	15	5	0	10	363	407	-44	43	55	25

New Zealand Conference

Pos	Teams	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	PTS
1	Crusaders	14	12	0	2	443	256	187	64	33	54
2	Hurricanes	14	10	0	4	408	291	117	56	36	45
3	Chiefs	14	9	0	5	411	325	86	53	41	41
4	Highlanders	14	9	0	5	372	363	9	50	48	40
5	Blues	14	4	0	10	337	413	-76	44	52	22

Australian Conference

Pos	Teams	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	PD	TF	TA	PTS
1	Waratahs	14	8	1	5	449	380	69	58	50	39
2	Rebels	14	7	0	7	380	381	-1	51	50	35
3	Brumbies	14	6	0	8	334	367	-33	47	45	29
4	Reds	14	4	0	10	304	451	-147	38	61	19
5	Sunwolves	14	3	0	11	352	539	-187	42	80	14