Former Boks coach Nick Mallett. Photo: Getty Images

Former Boks coach Nick Mallett. Photo: Getty Images

Nick Mallett reckons Stormers vs Bulls was “more like New Zealand teams playing”

Nick Mallett was chuffed to bits with what he saw at Newlands on Saturday.

Former Boks coach Nick Mallett. Photo: Getty Images

Former Boks coach Nick Mallett. Photo: Getty Images

Super Rugby got underway over the weekend and while it was mostly business as usual, the Stormers and Bulls delivered some entertaining rugby at Newlands on Saturday.

The Cape Town side won 37-24 in a match that wasn’t characterised by the usual skop, skiet en donner we might expect from South African rugby.

In fact, Nick Mallet reckons the clash was akin to “two New Zealand sides”.

Mallet said in his post-match analysis in the Super Sport studio: “This was a wonderful game to watch. I really enjoyed the enterprise from both teams, combined with solid defence and the skills from the backline payers. It reminded me much more of two New Zealand teams playing than two old South African teams.”

“The Stormers deserved to win, but there are a lot of positives for both teams. The Stormers played a fast-paced game, but with a very good set piece. They were disrupting the lineouts and exceptional at scrum time, which set up the attacking play they showed,” Mallett continued.

“The front rows were always going to make a big difference in this game. Unfortunately, the Bulls front row was murdered by the Stormers. The Stormers’ scrum dominance set up that unassailable 24-0 lead at half-time. Another area where the Stormers improved is at the breakdown. They were outstanding and just look like a much more rounded team.”

The Stormers took an enterprising approach with a number of quick-tap penalties and some crafty skills on show.