The Cheetahs appear to have profited most from another topsy-turvy weekend of results in the Currie Cup and while the Lions continue to hold onto pole position, don’t be too surprised to see their former Cats team-mates storm into the second home semi-final slot, where they will be difficult to beat in the knock-outs.
They say it is an ill wind that blows nobody any luck and the one reasonably positive consequence of the Western Province win in Durban is that it keeps the Blue Bulls out of the top four, at least temporarily. With two reasonably benign fixtures ahead, Pine Pienaar’s men will want to capitalise on a likely Western Province loss against the Lions this weekend, although Griquas in Kimberley certainly won’t lie down and let the Bulls leave with the log points without putting up a hell of a fight. With the Sharks seemingly incapable of stringing together a decent performance, it would be foolish to make any predictions about bonus points (or even a win) against the Leopards this weekend, while the Cheetahs could steal second after round 13 should they run riot against the Pumas.
If the Sharks are to play at home in the semis – and if Province are to make the knock-outs at all – both sides will need to beat the Lions over the next two rounds, a feat which seems unlikely for either of the coastal teams on current form. I suspect that despite being handed a reprieve by the shocking Sharks this weekend, the Capetonians will find their challenge all-but-over after this weekend’s trip to the Coke Tin, while the Sharks hopes of a home play-off should be ended a week later by the Lions in Durban.
That scenario will set up semi-finals in Johannesburg (Lions v Bulls) and Bloemfontein (Cheetahs v Sharks) with the home teams, both in good nick at the moment, on course for a repeat of the 1994 and 2007 finals.
Maybe if we don’t make the final, it will be a wake-up call to the KZNRU and we may get a new coach.
It won’t happen, I just enjoy putting myself through scenarios where the light at the end of the tunnel is sometimes on.
Didn’t catch the Lions Cheetahs game. How did the Goosen vs Jantjies battle go?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) :
Kind of like the Putt era. I hold the same hope.
We should’ve booked our spot this weekend against wp. If we took 4 there, and 5 against the Leopards, we would’ve been “safe” for a homke semi.
we can just never get up when the opportunity is there!
@Ben (Comment 2) : The answer to that is simple if you know what happened on Saturday.
Goosen’s game ended in the 41st minute (1min into the 2nd half) after a heavy head on collision with Taute. That happens occasionally to players. The interesting bit is the rest of what happened.
Goosen STILL got Man of the Match.
You can decide for yourself if that is a classic example of:
A) The quality of the player.
B) The power of the media.
C) Home town favouritism.
My choice won’t be objective so I won’t reveal my answer.
KSA was thinking along those lines on Saturday, myself
We were camping @ ATKV Natalia this weekend and coming back from the game I was so embarrassed by my teams performance that I changed my shirt before we got back to the resort
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : Didn’t watch so seeing that he went off in the 41st min I’m leaning towards B and C!
@Sharksmad – The Blog’s Dudette (Comment 7) : I don’t blame you. Would have done the same!
THE SHARKS ARE STILL IN 2ND PLACE!!!!
Wow! I can’t believe it. Home semi destiny is still more or less in our own hands.
But what depressing performance over the weekend.
Thirs consecutive weekend where I could not watch the Sharks for a variety of reasons. Third consecutive weekend where it seems I should be grateful for small mercies. The Sharks is, has and will always be my team; however, in lieu of the quality of their play, here is my list of priorities for the coming weekend:
1) Playing with my daughter and hanging out with my wife
2) Bokke vs. convicts
3) Finishing the two books that I have been busy with for what seems like an inordinate amount of time
4) Developing deep, lasting relationships with the two whiskies I picked up in Jhb this weekend
5) Music music music!
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17) Sorting out the mess of photos on the home pc
18) Sticking down the edges of the wallpaper where it is lifting in the spare room
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43) Washing my hair
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87) Staring blankly into space
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143) Taking pleasure in the functioning of my respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems
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254) Watching the Sharks/Leopards
@beet (Comment 10) : The problem this whole season, and in fact the year, has not been one of log position so much as quality of performance. The terms “flatter to deceive” and Sharks are fast becoming synonymous.
@Culling Song (Comment 11) : LOL… Luckily I’ve booked in to Sun City for this coming weekend a long time ago. If not I might have put myself through the terrible experience of watching the Sharks / Leopards @ Royal Bafokeng.