Two hard fought contests in the South African conference kicked off this year’s Super Rugby on Saturday with the Stormers edging the Jaguares in Cape Town and the Lions outlasting the Sharks in Johannesburg.
Here are our takeaways from the opening day:
Could this be the year of the Jaguares?
After some enterprising attacking play in the first half, and some less than enterprising defence, the Argentine side found themselves down 22-6 early in the second half and with fullback Joaquin Tuculet in the bin.
With the Stormers threatening to run riot it looked like the Jaguares would follow the script of their first two years and fall apart as the game ran away from them.
But it looks like new coach Mario Ledesma has already made a difference.
This Jaguares outfit looked far superior in fitness to the 2016 and 2017 vintages and actually got stronger as the game wore on.
20-year-old Cobus Wiese was among the Stormers best
Their set piece also improved, especially the scrum, as they clawed their way back to 25-20 with ten minutes on the clock and if not for a Nicolas Sanchez pass that did not go to hand they may have pulled off a famous victory, before a late penalty to the hosts made it 28-20.
Some promising signs but they must build on these when they travel to Johannesburg next weekend to face the Lions.
As for the Stormers 20-year-old giant Cobus Wiese was impressive on the flank as was 19-year-old fly half Damian Willemse who made some thrilling long breaks and also landed 13-points with the boot.
It looks like the starting No10 spot will be his this year so look for big things from the Paul Roos old boy.
Lions just do enough
It was almost a carbon copy of the last time these two sides met in the quarter-final last year when the Lions edged it 23-21.
This time it was just as close although the score line flattered the home team a little at 26-19.
The Lions look to be relying on the same key players as the last few seasons – hooker Malcolm Marx, captain and No8 Warren Whiteley and lock Franco Mostert.
Flanker Kwagga Smith also seems to be growing in influence as he strives to put his red card in the final last season behind him.
Elton Jantjies had a mixed day for the Lions
Last year’s runners-up look a little light out wide and fly half Elton Jantjies had a mixed game, both with the boot and in general play, so that element of their game will need to improve if they are to challenge again this year.
For the Sharks they look blessed at No10 with both the starter Robert du Preez and the back up Curwin Bosch having excellent matches.
They may look to start the 20-year-old at full-back going forward to get him some more game time.
