Now that the dust has settled on the fratricidal all-out-warfare of the Super Rugby conference season, it’s pleasing to note that support for the Sharks seems to be streaming in from across the country as they face the Crusaders in the finals series this Saturday.
Perhaps the unlikeliest of these messages came from former Sharks veteran Ollie le Roux, the subject of an acrimonious split from his former team a few years back. While the often outspoken prop, who most recently played for the Cheetahs as well as Leinster in Ireland, concedes that he won’t be putting his money on the Sharks to win, he did tell Sport24 that he believes the contribution of big ball carriers like Jean Deysel and Bismarck du Plessis will be key, particularly given their ability to forage for possession on the deck. Against a Crusaders team unlikely to feature Richie McCaw, the Sharks turnover kings may just feel they could edge the breakdown battle.
Le Roux also points out that the sublime for of Sharks winger JP Pietersen could be key, an aspect picked up by former Bok wing Breyton Paulse in his regular column, also on Sports24. Paulse feels that while the travel factor is likely to massive hindrance to the Sharks, their success in Saturday’s fixture will depend on the performance of Pietersen and other “X Factor” players in their ranks, including Fred Michalak, Lwazi Mvovo and, of course, the insanely-talented Patrick Lambie.
Stormers forward coach Matt Proudfoot, though, seems the most positive of the assembled pundits and rates the match as a 50-50, based on the superb form shown by the Sharks forwards at Loftus on the weekend. Proudfoot reckons he last saw the Sharks heavies play with that sort of commitment back in October, when the pack laid the foundation for a 30-10 shout-out of Western Province in the Currie Cup final. He goes on to say that the fact that they don’t really have anything to lose anymore should motivate the Sharks and told Sport24 “with the momentum the Sharks have now, I think it will be difficult to beat them”.
Good to see fellow Saffers from across the rugby spectrum getting behind the Sharks as, together with the Stormers, they aim to keep the name of South African rugby high in the Super Rugby Finals Series.
Yep; its do or die now, and one can only hope for a Sharks/ Stormers Final, just to give the AB’s and Oz a warm, fuzzy feeling heading into the WC.
Matthew Proudfoot knows his stuff.
I’d say this is a 60/40 % game. 60% being Crusaders.
They don’t get much heavier than Ollie and Proudfoot.
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 3) : glad you spotted it
On top of the game today
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 3) :
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 5) : haven’t even got warmed up yet
I see Border has appointed a new coach – a lady nogals!
@Ice (Comment 8) : what what? is this true?
@robdylan (Comment 7) : Soe bek moet JAM kry !!!
@Ice (Comment 8) : My neighbour calls his dog lady…
@Ice (Comment 8) : What?
Okay, that’s enough of that. We now need the naysayers to tell the Sharks they don’t stand a chance.
@molly (Comment 9) : @Jarson (AddicteD) (Comment 12) :
Babalwa Vena – Womans former Springbok Rugby player – based on the her coaching success at club level!
@Ice (Comment 14) : Congrats to her then. Maybe she can make some changes over there
Of the people in NZ who watch Re-union and bothered to vote, 60% reckon the Crusaders are going to win the tournament.
Apparently Mark Andrews fears the physical demands of the Sharks’ Super Rugby derby triumph against the Bulls last weekend will make the Crusaders a bridge just too far at Nelson on Saturday.
I was confident before the bulls game and even more so for this game, THIS IS THE YEAR OF THE SHARKS!!!!!
Let me say this load and clear. Wen of verloor, I’m shouting till I have no voice for the team I believe can stil do it. Let Plum do what he thinks is right and good, but I will wear the black and white, I WILL support the SHARKS all the way. No surender no retreat, BLACK AND WHITE nothing els matters….. Go SHARKS!!!!! (And you will see this comment again,edited)
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 3) : Hehehehehehe You took the words right out of my mouth.
@McLovin (Comment 17) : If we could manage that sort of performance in the semi AND final of the CC then why not back to back in the S15 as well?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 21) : Well – I think we can – however this time we are travelling half way around the world and are not sitting at home..
@Ice (Comment 22) : don’t let me pick a bid of doubt there hey!
@franshark (Comment 19) : Let me say this loud and clear. Wen of verloor, I’m shouting till I have no voice for the team I believe we can still do it. Let Plum do what he thinks is right and good, but I will wear the black and white, I WILL support the SHARKS all the way. No surrender no retreat, BLACK AND WHITE nothing else matters….. Go SHARKS!!!!!
I edited it for you a bit. Seeing that you use it so much.
@franshark (Comment 23) : Nooit!!! Just stating to KSA what the differnce was between the Back to back game then and what is coming now!
@Ice (Comment 25) : just checking
@franshark (Comment 26) : I picked the Crusaders on Superbru.
@Ice (Comment 25) : to emphasize the step up the Sharks are making
I seem to be figuring it out. The recipe seems to be keeping Franshark opimistic, Robbo sceptical and Sharon waiting for miracle
@rekinek (Comment 28) : and Ben picking against the Sharks on SB
oh no
my stars disappeared 
@rekinek (Comment 29) : Win win situation!
@Ben (Comment 31) : of little faith. I’d advertise it as jinxing the Crusaders
@rekinek (Comment 32) : Yes let’s call it that! Wouldn’t really say its a win win situation but at least I get a consolation prize if the Sharks lose.
@Ben (Comment 27) : what noooooo ben
@rekinek (Comment 28) : lol:
A bit dissapointed that Mark Andrews does not share the sentiment that the heading of this arti suggestes.
@SharksRTB (Comment 36) : I agree, I was very disappointed when I read that.
I have a feeling the Crusaders are going to try and pull out all the stops in this game, I even had a dream last night that Sanders ran onto the field with all black jerseys, to try and rattle the Sharks. hehe
@rekinek (Comment 28) :
@rekinek (Comment 30) : OMW – You ARE blonde!!! congrats Team Captain!!
@rekinek (Comment 30) : Congrats BTW.
@Uli (Comment 37) : Sanders?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 40) : Corrie…
@Ice (Comment 41) : Or Colonel?
@McLovin (Comment 42) : Chenchucky? (Like my 4yr old would say!)