It is not so much specifics of the game itself, or even who they played against, what matters most is that the Sharks came to match-day with the attitude of “We owe it to ourselves, and our fans”.
I have gone about the unpredictability of South African derbies for years now, and during the build up last week, I mentioned to some that the Sharks have had the Stormers’ number for a good 4 years running now, so was I surprised by the result?
Not so much, an upset in a game where one team was playing for a home semi being favourites and the other one out of the competition altogether always had the makings of an upset.
What did surprise me however, was the collective attitude of the Sharks team on Saturday night.
I was at a friend’s house for a braai, and I told him and his dad the Stormers are cruising for a hiding this evening even before the game started.
When you follow rugby a lot, and especially ‘noises’ coming from camps through press releases and what is said to the media you pick up a general vibe of that team.
The vibe during the whole of last week was that the Stormers talked themselves up as favourites, whilst the Sharks kept well below the radar.
But even I did not expect this ball-to-the-wall approach from the Sharks.
I think almost 30 minutes passed before I saw the Stormers string together more than 4 passes. The Sharks simply denied them anything on the night, and it was not so much through tactical or technical superiority that they achieved this, they simply bullied the Stormers in each and every facet of the game.
And I mentioned ‘collective attitude’ before, because this game was not marked by individualistic performances of one or two Sharks players, but rather as a mob-squad playing tag-team in every area of the game for a full 80 minutes, bullying the much more fancied Stormers team.
Some of you might be shocked and Rob arguably a bit pissed that I mention this, but through many private discussions before the season even kicked off both of us believed the Sharks will not feature in this year’s competition for many reasons. And even though the Sharks have lost any chance of a play-off place weeks ago, unlike most other teams out of contention, you get the feeling the Sharks wanted to send one clear message out to their fans; “This one is for us, and for you”.
Tweet
And it bodes well for the Currie Cup.
@rhineshark (Comment 2) : Some decent centres and it could even bode well for next year’s super 15…
Hey Rob, I assume Waylon has shuffled sideways off the rugby radar? Need some quality centres and fast… If I was Jean De Villiers..
I think everyone who saw the pre season games against the Stormers and Force knew the Sharks won`t be big title contenders. If memory serves I think I predicted a 6 th place finish for them.
So yeah, not making the semi`s, maybe not such a big disappointment, but some of the things that happened really upset me.
The whole flyhalf circus at the beginning of the season was a huge setback, for me personally as well as for our season.
When Steyn left everyone knew that`s where we`ll be tested this year yet at the time it felt, to me at least, as if Sharks management just couldn`t care and couldn`t plan.
I`m not saying I would`ve started Pienaar at flyhalf from the beginning, but I`m not the one who gets paid the big bucks to make these kinda decisions am I?
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 1) : My sincerest condolences. It must be difficult to know the Stormers went from a possible home final position to away semi finalists in Christchurch.
It`s gonna be difficult from here on.
My advice: See if you can get Joubert or Jonker as a ref in Christchurch and wear your blue outfits . . .
@CapeShark (Comment 4) : If Jean saw what Butch had to say in the press he won`t touch the Sharks I`m afraid . . .
@Original Pierre (Comment 6) : Yeah but Butch was being ridiculous asking for so much. I mean, if you playing in the UK and you want to go back to the green and gold, you have to take a pay cut. It’s that simple.
@Original Pierre (Comment 5) : Making the semis will be much better than last years bollocks, the home game would be awesome though.
@CapeShark (Comment 3) : I couldnt agree more, a true flyhalf (who actually wants to play there) would be nice too.
Nice article Morne, also for being totally honest.
I have read so much rubbish in the newspapers from idiot journos, saying Stormers lost cause they just made too many errors, instead of giving Sharks credit for playing great rugby and outplaying Stormers on the day.
Agree, the players must have felt this is for us, but saw them after the game (on tv) just walking about talking to all the supporters for a long, long time. So maybe it was also a thank you to the Sharks supporters. Think there was 40 000 supporters at the stadium. So they came out to support their team, even though knowing Sharks wont make a semi. Kudos to all those supporters that went to the Stadium.
@Puma (Comment 10) :
I think Stef Terreblanche meantioned it in his interview that when the Sharks bus started getting the heavy traffic around the stadium Jon Smit told the team that those cars and their occupants were there for them (the Sharks) and that they must play for them (the fans)
@Puma (Comment 10) : Got to agree on the journo thing as well. Battling to find one half decent report on the game. Mind you all journos in SA have blinkered vision. Either lug blou or streeptrui. Even the verious columns that have their own Bok barometers reflect the blinkered vision.
Based purely on the weekends performance, that’s the given criterion by the publications, I cannot see how any Stormers could have made the Bok Bar. Sadly its a case of find the Shak and win a Datsun.
I look forward with baited breath to see the Rugby365 squad as well as superwrap……………….
@Bayshark (Comment 12) : Most so-called rugby ‘guru’s’ online can be traced back to all working together at Touchline Sport, owned by Media24 and running out of Cape Town. Nothing but collective bias presented as expert opinion…
Great article,
And its great to be a SHARKS fan
@rhineshark (Comment 2) : it does
@provincejoulekkading (Comment 8) : its not all over yet win the bulls and Home semi you’ve got
@Bayshark (Comment 12) : Bayshark, go look at rugby365. Sharks have 6 picked this week as the best in their positions for week 13.
Lambie, Stefan, Rory, Deysel, John and Beast. Jannie was bubbling under at 2nd spot.
Is it my internet or can nobody else see the grahic/pic at the top of the article either?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 18) : Hello – not just you, can’t see it either
@diablo (Comment 19) :
From the link Morne has used he has linked directly to his C Drive. maybe he wants us to access his C drive
I found this on that News site that is on 24 hours a day who asked us not to post any of their stuff on our site.
Nominee for Plonker of the month.
Brendan Venter
The Saracens mastermind is a shrewd rugby man – not to mention doctor – but he seemed to have lost his marbles a bit, after a storming performance for the English club by their livewire hooker Schalk Brits, when he branded him South Africa’s best No 2 and among the top three in the world. Maybe Brendan hasn’t seen enough of Messrs Liebenberg, Botha, Smit, Du Plessis and company in the Super 14 this season?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 18) : the only thing i see is mornè pic thats all now why
Oh and evening KSA
@diablo (Comment 19) : hello Diablo good to see you now what do you think about our great game and are the BB reading for their big game
@KSA Shark © (Comment 21) :
KSA, to be fair to Brendan, Schalk is the reason Sarries are in the semis.
I’ve watched him about about 10 games this season and he has been absolutely sensational.
I reckon he’ll be up there for the Premiership Man of the Season.
He’s been scoring almost every game and they play around him.
Its no exaggeration to say he’s been exceptional and playing the rugger of his life.
Not to take anythign away from the other listed but he’s been very, very good.
@Chaz (Comment 23) : Hello – impressed with your chaps on Sat (did post my congrats on the game thread)
As far as Sat’s concerned I trust all the required reading has been done 
@VinChainSaw (Comment 24) :
The fact that he’ll be up there for man of the season does nothing other than underline how FAR ahead of the Northern hemisphere the Shouthern hemisphere really is.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 26) :
With respect KSA you need to have watched him play to make that judgement.
He has been absolutely magnificent and some of the best broken play I’ve seen by any player in the premiership.
I’m really not exaggerating.
If you dont believe me then check out his stats.
I’m not gettign into the whole north south debate as its quite pointless and subjective.