After three other games already this Saturday, we get treated to two great matches in succession in the Currie Cup, the first being in Bloemfontein where the Cheetahs host the Sharks, a match that could make life very difficult for the losing team to have the honour of a home semi-final.
The Cheetahs have announced an almost unchanged line-up from the team that drew against the Bulls last weekend, with Boom Prinsloo brought in to add bulk to the Cheetahs loose trio. But it is in the front row that I think the biggest battle lies as the trio of van der Merwe, Strauss and Oosthuizen tackle Chadwick, Burden and van Staden.
The Sharks have brought in Marius Joubert to face his old team mates, forming an ex-Cheetah centre combination with Meyer Bosman. The Sharks will hope to get some good ball to wings Mvovo and Sithole, as they are bigger than their counterparts, which could be an advantage out wide.
Cheetahs: 15. Hennie Daniller, 14. Riaan Smit, 13. Robert Ebersohn, 12. Philip Snyman, 11. Cameron Jacobs, 10. Johan Goosen, 9. Piet van Zyl, 8. Ashley Johnson, 7. Pieter Labuschagne, 6. Boom Prinsloo, 5. Izak van der Westhuizen, 4. Francois (FS) Uys, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Adriaan Strauss (Captain), 1. Marcel Van Der Merwe
Replacements: 16. Hercu Liebenberg, 17. Trevor Nyakane, 18. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19. Johan Wessels, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Sias Ebersohn, 22. Andries Strauss
Sharks: 15. Stefan Terblanche, 14. Sibusiso Sithole, 13. Marius Joubert, 12. Meyer Bosman, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Frederic Michalak, 9. Conrad Hoffmann, 8. Keegan Daniel (Captain), 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Alistair Hargreaves, 4. Anton Bresler, 3. Eugene van Staden, 2. Craig Burden, 1. Dale Chadwick
Replacements: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Julian Redelinghuys, 18. Jandre Marais, 19. Marcell Coetzee, 20. Ross Cronje, 21. Adrian Jacobs, 22. Louis Ludik
Tweet
I’m nervous. Go Sharks!!
@JarsonX (Comment 1) : Very much…. GO SHARKS!!!!
go sharks.you can do it
Sharks!!!!!
Should be a good game this..
10:@Ben (Comment 4) : hallow Ben long time no smell
VRYYYSTAAAAT!!!!
9: @Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) : after this mornings 2 games just a good game might be boring… Hope for another great game
8: @McLovin (Comment 7) : :heheee…
@McLovin (Comment 7) : Maak soos Rockoff en……..
7: @JarsonX (Comment 10) :
he can give us Griquas scores 
6: If, BIG if, the Cheets win this one they will come mighty close to us on the log…
Let’s see how Marius Joubert goes!
FL update.
Tries 5
Kicks 6
@Franshark (Comment 11) : I agree
5: I have the SHARKS by 11, giving the Cheets some chance
@JarsonX (Comment 10) : I’m like that irritating rash that just won’t go away.
Johan Goosen has got a MASSIVE boot!
@Ben (Comment 18) : I’ve got a size 12
4: Well that was his first miss for the season…
Sharks make him nervous.. 
@McLovin (Comment 17) : Don’t you have a Griquas game ti attend to
Sharks will struggle to win this; I think we will have to use turn-over ball very well if we hope to win.
@JarsonX (Comment 19) : Looking at the distance he kicks I’d guess he’s got a size 16!
3: Goosen PK
Cheetahs 3 – 0 Sharks
5min
Is it just me or is the camera work very kak? Typical Bloemfontein!
2: Freddi’s turn to give it a go for a PK
The Goose vs Le Cock. Should be interesting.
1: Mich PK
Cheetahs 3 – 3 Sharks
8min
WTF Hoffman???
0: I’ve just reached the 5 star gang
Goosen PK
Cheetahs 6 – 3 Sharks
11min
@Franshark (Comment 30) : Congrats
@Franshark (Comment 30) : Congrats.
Hoffman with a try saving tackle..
Where’s Mclovin with the Griquas updates
@Ben (Comment 33) : @JarsonX (Comment 32) : Thanks
Is foresee a long day ahead on this Bloemfontein turf!
Goosen PK
Cheetahs 9 – 3 Sharks
14min
Sharks warned not to transgress again…
@Ben (Comment 37) : Every thing is going the way of the Cheets now…
How’s our overall play thus far? Should we be positive?
GRIEKWAS V PUMAS UPDATE
Neither side will make the semi’s.
No-one cares.
Who’s the ref?
@McLovin (Comment 42) :
Griquas 7
Mpumas 0
JA Frek…
@McLovin (Comment 42) :
Steffie scores
@JarsonX (Comment 43) : Marius Jonker
Most talented and youngest Marius on the field!
Mich convertion missed
Cheetahs 9 – 8 Sharks
21min
@Ben (Comment 49) :
Ai
I can see why Jonker isn’t at the RWC.
@Ben (Comment 49) :
Dare I ask… what is happening in the scrums?
@Ice Ice Bokkie (Comment 52) : Hai
Griquas 7
Mpumas 3
I like the way the Cheetahs 12 tried to use his feet to bring Sithole down.
@hendrikp (Comment 55) : we where penalized for early engage
@Ice Ice Bokkie (Comment 52) : jai
Need to get some momentum!
@hendrikp (Comment 55) : It depends if you as Naka or a Sharks supporter.
I’ve just started watching so have no idea.
PK Mich
Cheetahs 9 – 12 Sharks
25min
Hendrik – Coenie is being mothered!
We taketh the lead
Marius says early again, but I don’t agree
@Franshark (Comment 56) : ai jai jai jai JAI!!! NO!!
Goosen should put in a goose step every now and again.
@Ice Ice Bokkie (Comment 64) :
I don’t believe it.
Can someone confirm?
Goosen try
No defensive lines evident!
Pathetic defense
@Franshark (Comment 70) :
Any good? Worth streaming it before the half-time highlights?
Goosen is a Bok next year. Falls in with guys like Lambie & F Steyn. Too good to leave out for much longer.
What about luring frans steyn back 2 the SHARKS? World class player, we need a centre in his class. Future backline: 9 hoffman 10 freddie 11 mvovo 12 steyn 13 viljoen 14 jp 15 lambie 22 ludik 21 meyer 20 charl! Just a thought.
Goosen converts
Cheetahs 16 – 11 Sharks
30min
@McLovin (Comment 68) : @Franshark (Comment 70) : Happy Mclovin?
Ok – we need to kill Goosen now – where’s Butch when u need him!?
@hendrikp (Comment 73) : was good, if you support the Cheetahs
@JarsonX (Comment 76) :
P Gotti – I’d love to have Frans back at 12 after today!
You know Hoffman is bad when you keep wishing for Mcleod – even the Super Rugby 2011 vintage.
Chadwick not too much better.
@Gotti (Comment 74) :
I presume Freddie is only a short-term solution. He’s not going to win you a S15 title… too indirect. But I like Lambie at the back
This time Cheets penalized, not one completed scrum yet
Lovely try Mvovo
How’s that pace by Mvovs?!
Volvo try
@Franshark (Comment 86) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 84) : Awesome
Marius Joubert already looking like a better 13 than Stef! Why? Because he passes the ball!
Mich Converts
Cheetahs 16 – 18 Sharks
35min
@JarsonX (Comment 87) : What
@hendrikp (Comment 73) : Goosen is having a good CC, we can’t for players to be Boks with the CC being as watered down as it is.
In no particular order
Morne Steyn
Butch James
Pat Lambie
Elton Jantjies
At BEST Goosen would be the 5th best flyhalf IF is ignore Ebersohn completely.
WTF!! I am being serious about that Goose bloke! KILL HIM!!
Nooooo cheets try
How good is Goosen.
He should be playing for the Lions.
Griquas 7
Mpumas 6
Goosen Converts
Cheetahs 23 – 18 Sharks
38min
@Franshark (Comment 90) : What?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 91) :
I guess he does have to prove himself at S15 level… but he will
@KSA Shark © (Comment 91) : But can you deny that Goosen has got SUPERSTAR written all over him?
@JarsonX (Comment 97) :
HALF TIME
Cheetahs 23 – 18 Sharks
@McLovin (Comment 94) : haha
2nd half is yours Sharks.
@Ben (Comment 99) :
People keep saying Jantjies, but Goosen does everything Jantjies does, with a much bigger boot & what appears to be a more relaxed temperament.
I know who I’d pick. And you only pick 1 young flyhalf. The other has to be Morne Steyn.
Jonker is not having a good game. But the Cheaters pack are!
Goosen is doing well in this CC. So did Jantjies last year. Read between the lines.
Griquas 7
Mpumas 9
@hendrikp (Comment 104) : Goosen has got a lot more to prove but if early signs are anything to go by he will be our flyhalf in 4 years.
Lms picks
Griquas 32
Pumas 1
Sharks 1
Bulls 1
@Ben (Comment 107) : Our = Sharks!
@JarsonX (Comment 108) : if Griquas looses its a blood bath
@JarsonX (Comment 106) : That’s also the halftime score.
@Ben (Comment 109) :
@Franshark (Comment 110) : Go Pumas
Com’on Sharks lets do this…
Give the guy more steroids so he can be banned!
@Ben (Comment 107) :
4 years? I was thinking more like within the next year.
Ohlojoi
Goosen drops for another 3 points
What a drop!
@hendrikp (Comment 116) : If he was playing for the Bulls yes!
Goosen DG
Cheetahs 26 – 18 Sharks
42min
Sharks won’t win the CC this year. Might as well quit while we are at it!
Come on Sharks, you can do this.
Ref = Cheetah nr 23?!
Dirty Sharks lucky not to be carded.
Goosen PK
Cheetahs 29 – 18 Sharks
44min
Hoffman has got to be subbed now. Way too many errors!
@Ben (Comment 122) : Please refer to Comment 7
@Ice Ice Bokkie (Comment 124) : Sharks = Cheetahs Nr 23 – 44!
You just have to love it
@Franshark (Comment 128) : What?
That is the 2nd time a BUTCHERED pass from Johnson has saved our arses.
Guy at SS is having a nap again. Score still 23 – 18.
Ok – let’s get positive now!
Cheetahs mors met sharks…
@McLovin (Comment 125) :
@Ice Ice Bokkie (Comment 134) : I’ll pass thank you..
Stef and Hoffman to be subed immediately
Ag f@# Stef!
Somebody shoot Terreblanche!
Not looking good for my SB, I have the Sharks and Griquas
@KSA Shark © (Comment 132) : Nice Initial intercept attempt leading to the gap by Marius Habana.
Griquas 10
Mpumas 9
TMO try??
Volvo!!!!
Try Mvovo
Is that now Volvo’s or Botes?
Need to charge this useless BlackBerry.
Mvovovoom!!!
Mich converts
Cheetahs 29 – 25 Sharks
51min
Come on Sharks just win by 5 in need my margin point
Griquas 10
Mpumas 12
Penalty Goosen
Vrystaat 32
Sharks 25
@Franshark (Comment 147) : Botes according to SS
Goosen PK
Cheetahs 32 – 25 Sharks
55min
Haaie!!!!!!!!!!!
Kom Sharks kom Griekwas
To many mistakes by the Sharks
Dankie tog Hoffman is af
What’s with the turnovers???!!
@JarsonX (Comment 154) : if it was Mvovo than it was double movement… Botes was a-ok
@Mutley (Comment 159) : jippy, kom cronje
Great! Harv off!
@Franshark (Comment 161) : both in my starting XV so it doesn’t really matter
I see a card coming.
Try Jonhson
Ashley try…
Magtig man!
Scrum update anyone?
Coenie making me look good or bad?
Yellow for Marias
Griquas 17
Pumas 17
Goosen converts
Cheetahs 39 – 25 Sharks
61min
Who’s the Sharks defence coach? Morné Steyn?
Sharks in big sheit…
WTF is going on the Sharks and Griquas are struggling???????
Come on Sharks
come now sharks
This is good news for my Lions but not for my SB
Goosen looks to have a serious injury.
Really makes me sad
@McLovin (Comment 173) :
Sithole has a very nice hand-off: those guns aren’t just for show!
We are gonna lose this, but this is just a young side – not a big issue.
VRYSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!
Try Lappies
Griquas 17
Pumas 22
Cheetahs 46
Sharks 25
66 min
Once again we’ll lose without a bonus point
Seems my overrun afternoon nap was well-timed…
VRYSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!
Is Keegan the man for the captaincy?
Wouldn’t mind a Sharks try or two before the final whistle.
Try de bruin
28 points behind
Cheetahs 53
Sharks 25
71 min
This hiding has been waiting all season. Fucking useless.
@McLovin (Comment 179) :
Seriously?
@hendrikp (Comment 195) : Looked like he was in a lot of pain.
Botes BP try
Defence and discipline, non-existent.
Guys, a word of caution: I know this was bad, but this is a team missing almost a full 15 Boks – let’s not go over-board on the negativity.
Cheetahs 53
Sharks 32
75min
Griquas 22
Pumas 27
The Cheetahs have 2 quality FH
@Big Fish (Comment 199) : I LIKE!!!!!!
@Big Fish (Comment 199) :
Exactly. Come the S15 and they’ll be near the top again.
@McLovin (Comment 196) :
Not good! Hope it’s just a minor knock then
Thanks 4 the perspective BF!
@hendrikp (Comment 204) : Keyword being ‘near’
Cheating bastard Cheetahs, blow the Hooter with 20 seconds still on the clock. But Jonker is wise to them.
Fulltime
Cheetahs 53
Sharks 32
@JarsonX (Comment 207) :
True! You never know. If they can find a better balance between ball-carriers & guys to clean-out, and make things happen in the midfield, I’m sure the Sharks could go far. Midfield being the area of concern.
Well done Cheetahs.
we need steyn,pienaar and barret back
FL update.
Tries 8
Kicks 13
@juba_fan (Comment 212) : for the first time ever, I will concede that it would be nice to have Frans Steyn back
@JarsonX (Comment 213) : Won’t get the Full starting bonus though
pretty glad we got a point out of that game. Forget about it, move on… plenty of rugby still to play.
Griquas 31
Pumas 27
@hendrikp (Comment 210) :
Very much my take: we have some good ball carriers here, but few good cleaners. Beast and Alberts are 2 of the best in the business there. But coaching is also an issue here.
Regarding the midfield, maybe its too early to judge Marius yet, but I saw nothing that Adi couldn’t have done better. I do understand your reasoning from the other day, but don’t agree with it.
Griquas 31
Pumas 27
i agree rob and he’s still young.the haircut did him well
@Big Fish (Comment 218) :
If he’s not cutting it, then they should look elsewhere. All I know is you can’t go into a rugby game anymore with centres who can’t match up physically.
Not if you’re intending to win trophies anyway.
Anyway I’m out folks. Have a great afternoon everybody.
THE PUMAS JUST WON A GAME!!!
MOtM
Lappies Labaschagne
FULLTIME
Griquas 31
Pumas 34
Pumas and Cheetahs won. Ouch did not expect that
Damn Kwasse.
32 picks for Griquas on LMS
@Mutley (Comment 223) : SHOCKING decision. Goosen was clear man of the match
@hendrikp (Comment 221) :
You make a good point. I believe that a good 13, like the back 3, needs to be an athlete first and foremost. He must have pace and power.
But amongst the current Sharks stocks, we don’t have anyone with much of that. I feel Adi is that special player who uses his feet and brain to do what brawn and speed often do.
But he is wasted at the sharks.
@robdylan (Comment 214) :
@Big Fish (Comment 229) : well, he is wasted because he never gets onto the bloody field.
@klempie (Comment 230) : Frans blew my mind today… I’ve always known he HAD a lovely pass… I’ve just never seen him actually USE it so often.
Go Frans Steyn
@robdylan (Comment 232) : And a lovely boot.
Based on that alone, he’s great for knockout rugby.
@robdylan (Comment 214) : and then play him at 15 eventhough he won us the RWC at 12.
Ring any bells? 
@JarsonX (Comment 108) :
how do you spell ‘blood bath’
@Big Fish (Comment 199) :
Willem Alberts , Gio Aplon, Bakkies Botha, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Butch James, Pat Lambie, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield (vice-captain), Tendai Mtawarira, Johann Muller, Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (captain), Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, Frans Steyn, Morne Steyn, CJ van der Linde.
is is just me or do i count 8 sharks players . including JS ( and wont he retire ?
@Zibbie (Comment 236) : Very carefully
@Zibbie (Comment 237) : Nope not retiring. He’s going to Saracens.
@Ben (Comment 239) :
sorry my bad .
@Ben (Comment 239) : Daniels
@Zibbie (Comment 237) :
Add Kanko and Mcleod to that and you have 10. Add Muller and Mostert of last year’s CC and you have 12. Might be more; I’m not making a careful count.
But let’s stick with just the 10, shall we. How many have you lot lost in this season? Personally, I’m not too bothered if we don’t win this watered-down CC, but I can understand if it means a lot to the “mighty” lions.
All I want is good development of young talent for next year, and sadly the selections of has-beens like Oupa and Joubert means that isn’t happening – and that’s my real disappointment in this season so far.
@Big Fish (Comment 242) :
Muller extended his contract with Ulster so he is not coming back to the Sharks. so you cant really say his missing … he left ..
Kano and Mcload is injured . with that logic the Lions are missing Wikckus van heerden as well
Last year the boks didnt play in the Currie cup up and til the semis if im not wrong ? but you guys celebrated winning the watered down currie cup last year did you not ? Last year nobody mentioned that the boks where away . yes the “mighty” Sharks did celebrate .. but oh how the might have fallen …
Last year during the Currie cup and Tri nations you miised 7 players
Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, BJ Botha, Schalk Burger, Jannie du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Dewald Potgieter, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde.
Backs: Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Zane Kirchner, Wynand Olivier, ,Ruan Pienaar, Morne Steyn.
and Bismarck who was injured .
@Zibbie (Comment 243) :
I’m failing to see your point. So last year we did well without our Boks, should we condemn our mediocrity this year on the basis of our success last year? We played above ourselves then, doesn’t mean we will do it every year.
Oh, and we did win the CC against full-strength WP and Bulls sides in the knock-outs. Didn’t you watch the games? Was it cos your team wasn’t there – again?
I’d say we beat a full-strength Lions side too, but what does that really mean anyway?
@Big Fish (Comment 244) :
what im saying last year when the Sharks won the ‘watered down’ Currie cup it mattered . but this year strangely it doesnt anymore ?
im saying you wouldent have said the same thing if the Sharks where on top of the log . what happens if the Sharks win the Currie Cup ? will you still be saying ‘ag it doesnt matter ?’
and do you remember the Super 15 game @ Ellis park this season ? 30 All ?
i cant wait to play you guys in next years Super 15 . cause we might just be competitive