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VIDEO: Eben Etzebeth and Sonny Bill Williams get acquainted

Eben vs SBW

Eben Etzebeth has never been one to shy away from contact, and the big Stormers lock and Sonny Bill Williams enjoyed a brief hand bags session in their sides’ clash in Capetown.

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The skirmish didn’t work out well for Etzebeth, who was duly yellow carded. A minute later the Stormers conceded the first try of the game.

Ultimately the Stormers won for the first time in five matches and dealt a major blow to the Blues’ Super Rugby hopes by winning 30-22 in Cape Town on Friday.

Tries from Siya Kolisi, Dillyn Leyds and Sikhumbuzo Notshe secured the victory for the leaders of the Africa 1 conference, while the Blues now find themselves cast adrift at the bottom of the New Zealand standings.

After conceding an early penalty and losing Matt Duffie to a yellow card for persistent fouling, the Blues survived a Stormers siege to open the scoring through George Moala, who benefited from Charlie Faumuina’s quick hands to cross at close range, Piers Francis converting.

That try arrived just after Eben Etzebeth, back in the team after recovering from a minor injury, earned his yellow for his role in the melee near the Stormers’ try line.

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Faumuina’s clever floated pass allowed captain James Parsons to cross in the corner for the Blues’ second with seven minutes to go in the half.

There was still time, though, for Kolisi to barge his way over following a scrum and SP Marais to convert, making it 12-10 in the visitors’ favour at the break.

Sonny Bill Williams was the architect of the Blues’ third try, his pick and drive leading to Blake Gibson crossing four minutes into the second half.

Francis added the extras but quickly found himself out of the game, suffering a suspected concussion after a high, swinging tackle by Shaun Treeby, who was fortunate to escape the sin bin.

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The Blues responded well, applying consistent pressure and finally hitting back through Leyds, who caught his own chipped kick to score in the 61st minute. Marais, having earlier sent over a penalty goal, added the extras to put the hosts back in front.

After Kara Pryor stopped Cheslin Kolbe with a try-saving tackle on the wing, Duffie earned his second yellow for a clumsy follow-up tackle on the prone Stormers player.

Substitute Notshe was awarded a try in the 70th minute after escaping a review from the television match official for a suspected double movement, Marais converting to extend the home team’s advantage.

Francis’ replacement Bryn Gatland sent over a penalty from 40 metres out to close the gap to five points with six minutes to go, but Marais returned fire to afford the Stormers a measure of comfort in the final minutes.

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Nickers 25 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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