Author: SH Rugby Blog

Dylan Sage Bulls 2018- Blitzbok to move to Blue Bulls

Blitzbokke forward Dylan Sage will leave the sevens setup to join the Pretoria based Blue Bulls ahead of the Currie Cup season. Sage’s last engagement with the Blitzboks was their Rugby World Cup Sevens campaign in San Francisco, where they finished third by beating Fiji.

A back in the 15’s game, Sage has been used as a forward by coach Neil Powell and has become one of the mainstays of South Africa’s 7’s side. He was part of the Dream Team named for the 2017 HSBC World Sevens series- the only South African in it (the Blitzbokke won the series by pipping Fiji to the title)

Sage, the grandson of former Springbok Doug Hopwood, is not the only Blitzbok leaving the sevens after the 2018 7’s RWC. Ruhan Nel is also moving on, but to the Cape Town based Stormers. Neither the Stormers nor the Bulls were able to make the Super Rugby playoffs this year. Continue reading “Dylan Sage Bulls 2018- Blitzbok to move to Blue Bulls”

Most Offloads in Super Rugby 2018 vs Tries scored- Team Stats comparison

The offload has become an important attacking weapon in rugby these days. Offloads generally lead to unstructured defences which increases the probability of scoring a try.

All stats as of July 19, 2018 (at the end of the regular season, BEFORE the playoffs)

Which team has the most offloads in Super Rugby 2018?

At the end of the regular season, it’s surprisingly the Sharks from Durban who top this metric. The number of tries they’ve scored, however doesn’t make for great reading. The Sharks, interestingly also have the FEWEST team carries of any Super Rugby team (1689 in comparison to the highest 2045 from the Jaguares in the regular season)

Which team has scored the most tries in SR 2018?

At the end of the regular season, the Crusaders and Lions were joint top with 77 tries. The two were also No.1 and 2 on the Super Rugby table.

The Lions are the team with the fewest offloads in the regular season. Continue reading “Most Offloads in Super Rugby 2018 vs Tries scored- Team Stats comparison”

Super Rugby Quarterfinals 2018- Which teams have qualified for playoffs?

After a enthralling final day of Super Rugby that saw the Rebels narrowly lose to the Highlanders in Dunedin and the Sharks beating the Jaguares in Durban, here are our Super Rugby quarterfinalists for 2018.

Crusaders (1) v Sharks (8)
Hurricanes (4) v Chiefs (5)

Winners meet at the home of the higher seed

Lions (2) v Jaguares (7)
Waratahs (3) v Highlanders (6)

Winners meet at the home of the higher seed

Super Rugby Table After Round 18- Who can qualify for playoffs & which teams have qualified?

An eventful penultimate round of Super Rugby saw some surprise results, with the Rebels, Jaguares and Sharks all losing their respective away clashes to the Reds, Bulls and Stormers respectively.

Which teams have already qualified for the Super Rugby 2018 playoffs?

Seven teams are definitely there- Crusaders, Waratahs, Lions, Hurricanes, Chiefs, Highlanders and Jaguares. The Jaguares will be making their first ever playoff appearance this season.

Who can still qualify for the playoffs?

Rebels and Sharks.

Mathematically yes, but unlikely- Brumbies

The Sharks are on 32 points, the Rebels on 35. Victory for the Rebels over the Highlanders in Dunedin will see Dave Wessels’ side qualify for the playoffs. The Sharks need to beat the Jaguares at home and hope that the Rebels lose to the Highlanders. Continue reading “Super Rugby Table After Round 18- Who can qualify for playoffs & which teams have qualified?”