Hogs Retain Super Rugby Title
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday July 29, 2019 12:12
Hogs won the last encounter between the two teams as coach, Louis Fourie said it was not going to be easy task playing against the military men.
“A final is a final, it can get either way. We were expecting serious contention from BDF, but we basically tried to keep a level head, down to ground, down to basics. All glory to my boys; it has been a tough season for us. We wanted to mobilise some of their key players, put them to phase and get our back phenomenal. We were trying to create space for our backs. We had to sit back and realise that the game is not yet done. I asked the boys to dig deep and keep up the work rate, get down to where the ball is and play. Well, to have four finals for a club in the league it must say something,” Fourie told this publication after the game.
Playing in front of a capacity crowd, Cheetahs took the lead as the first minute with a penalty, but the Hogs drew level with a penalty 10 minutes later. A try conversion for the Cheetahs put on a 10-3 lead after mid- through the first half. The army boys dominated the majority of the half, as they held a 17-13 lead into the break. Form the start of the second half; the home side dominated the proceedings as penalties gave them a 19-17 lead after 70 minutes. Cheetahs tried to come back into the game, but were let down by their own mistakes as Hogs capitalised. Just two minutes to time, a try conversion by Hogs sealed the game as they won 26-17 to bag yet another championship.
Cheetahs’ caretaker coach, Kabo Batsile felt his side gave the game away after a good showing in the first half.
“We played well in the first half until the last minute. At times to win a championship like this, you need luck. There was a concentration lapse, they won at our own mistakes, they kept us in our half. At times we lacked confidence,” he said.
The Teams:
Hogs: Biggie Dipeba, Mpho Raditlhopi, Kabo Morobane, Stefan Vanzyy, Jeremy Babbage, Brighton Chinyanya, Emmanuel Zangari, Ronan McCann, Pride Nyameni, Tapiwa Malenga, Roberto Phobe, James Vambe, Abdrian Zvarevashe, Mkuluu Ndlela, Godknows Mavara
Cheetahs: Martin Simon, Mogotsi Ndah, Oarabile Chiche, Ernerst Eddy, Thabang Diphera, Omphile Debuwa, Joseph Letiya, Ketshepile Matenanga, Kagiso Molefhi Aobakwe Sengwatse, Emmanuel Ntshiwa, Stanley Simon, Lovemore Jameson, Shamuaka James, Matthews Masike.