It’s semi-final time at Newlands!
The Stormers have put together a truly superb campaign thus far, going undefeated in only two of their 16 league matches. They’ve not scored a lot of tries – or bonus points – but their structured approach to the game and rock-solid defence have meant that they didn’t really need to, with the boot of Peter Grant often proving decisive. They come up against one of the only teams who has actually beaten them this season, though – the Sharks.
John Plumtree’s men have been to hell and back several times already this season – losing five of their first eight games and looking dead at the competition’s halfway point. They recovered well after their first bye and were pushing hard for a home knock-out before disaster struck again, wit the team losing badly against the Lions. Yet another strong resurgence has seen them win three on the trot since then, including a great away win against the Reds last week.
Today will see the two teams slug it out for 80 minutes or more to decide who will face the Chiefs in next week’s final. Kick-off is at 17h05 in the Cape Town and Australia’s Steve Walsh will be the man to kick things off at that point.
Stormers: 15. Joe Pietersen, 14. Gio Aplon, 13. Juan de Jongh, 12. Jean de Villiers (Captain), 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Peter Grant, 9. Dewaldt Duvenage, 8. Deon Fourie, 7. Rynhardt Elstadt, 6. Siya Kolisi, 5. Andries Bekker, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Brok Harris, 2. Tiaan Liebenberg, 1. Steven Kitshoff
Replacements: 16. Frans Malherbe, 17. Deon Carstens, 18. De Kock Steenkamp, 19. Don Armand, 20. Louis Schreuder, 21. Burton Francis, 22. Gerhard van den Heever
Sharks: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Louis Ludik, 13. JP Pietersen, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Frederic Michalak, 9. Charl McLeod, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Marcell Coetzee, 6. Keegan Daniel (Captain), 5. Anton Bresler, 4. Willem Alberts, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira, 0. Jean Deysel / Riaan Viljoen
Replacements: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Steven Sykes, 19. Jean Deysel, 20. Jacques Botes, 21. Meyer Bosman, 22. Odwa Ndungane
Go SHARKS
talks about changes in the Sharks team….
Talks are Viljoen at 15, Ludik at 14, jp at 13…..
late changes for Sharks
@Franshark (Comment 3) : why why?
and its confirmed by Plum…. I don’t think I like this, two off the inform players now playing out off position….
shit man… I don’t like this
@jako (Comment 5) : I hope this is not gonna bite us in the ass….
@Franshark (Comment 6) : plums brain fart
Is Plum panicking – AGAIN
WTF
Someone shoot John Plumtree or something, how can he play these guys out of position in such a big game?
@robdylan (Comment 7) : all off a sudden I’m much more nervous……
Go SHARKS!!!!
@Franshark (Comment 8) : not the time to try being clever.
This is like a nightmare come true, the combo’s are working so well at the moment.
When was the last time that Viljoen even played……this is just absolute madness.
Is plum trying to lose this match for the Sharks?
Epi taione anyone?
Aag, Plum’s just trying to give the Streamers a fighting chance
Bosman injured or what is the reason?
Just installed my 51″ plasma. Just in time to see the Sharks rape the Stormers.
@jako (Comment 16) :
@klempie (Comment 19) :
did you see the changes…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 17) : make the game interesting, not so one sided
@Bokhoring (Comment 18) : his rested for next week
I am FUMING!!!
@Franshark (Comment 23) : so the sniper did some damage
watte awesome add by SS…..
just relax guys… we’ve won games with this combo before…
Sharks can’t win… all week we have one set of people bitching that Bosman is in… now he gets pulled, a different set of people start bitching cos he’s out!
@Bokhoring (Comment 25) : Bosman’s try-saving tackle on himself was giving Plum nightmares
Viljoen has not played any first class rugby for two and half months now? I am definitely not relaxed
heng….. this is it….
@Franshark (Comment 6) : @robdylan (Comment 7) : @Poisy (Comment 9) : @Franshark (Comment 12) :
What else do you okes expect from him?
Go Sharks!!!
Don’t cock this up Walsh.
Here we goooooooooooooo!!!
Good first lineout for the Sharks.
Bis offside early.
keep the ball
Fred puts one high….and no one chases.
Sharks playing high-risk inside their own 22.
Etzebeth makes Bis his bitch….results in a penalty. Grant going for goal.
Bis not looking hundreds now.
Grant puts it over from 30m in front.
@klempie (Comment 41) : not looking good….. Sharks too dig deep now
Stormers 3 – 0 Sharks
6 mins
Grant fluffs taking an up and under in his 22.
Has Plum inherited Muir’s talent for stuffing up playoffs with poor selections? Hope not!
Grant puts one out on the full. He’s making a few mistakes here.
Sharks 5m out!
neeeeeeeeeee
Viljoen knocks the ball on 5m out.
First scrum of the game.
@klempie (Comment 51) : As the pass went to him I just knew…
Sharks demolish the Stormers scrum. Penalty Sharks.
Shaaaarks…
Sharks scrum still working!
@klempie (Comment 54) : That was big.
Stormers 3 – 3 Sharks
13 mins
@lostfish (Comment 53) : Hey hun.
Good basics by Sharks
@lostfish (Comment 53) : The pass wasn’t great, but he should still have taken that. Pressure from the Stormer flustered him.
Sharks possession 67%
territory 57%
Fourie knocks on an up and under with Ludik bearing down on him.
Tackles made
Stormers 27 – 9 Sharks
@klempie (Comment 63) : Good chase!
@klempie (Comment 59) : Hi Klemps
@klempie (Comment 61) : It’s McLeod passing so of course it wasn’t great but Viljoen buckles under pressure far too often.
I am nervous every time Viljoen looks like he is getting near the ball.
Sorry guys. Emergency break.
Stormers 3 – 6 Sharks
Stormers into 22 for the first time.
Forward pass.
Grant is looking really bad today.
Sharks lineout on the Stormers 10m
McLeod having a hissy fit that Walsh is not calling what he wants.
Habana does a Bosman with plenty of space around him
Jannie pinged for not rolling away. Stormers get a lineout.|
geeeez this is tense…. come on Sharks….
WTF was that kicking the ball away??
JdV held up over the line. Lots of unlucky bounces for the Sharsk there.
Stormers 5m scrum.
I’m gonna brake something…..
Why the FFFFF have we changed the game plan that floored both the Bulls and Reds??? We have returned to a KAK style of kick and chase.
LOL!!! Just as I wrote this we score from a high kick and chase.
@rhineshark (Comment 82) : True.
What a take Mvovo!
LUDIK!!!!!!
Ludik is on the end of an up and under. Twists out of a tackle and makes a beeline for the posts.
Fred converts.
Stormers 3 – 13 Sharks
36 mins
Nicely done Ludik. When Viljoen kicked that I wanted to smack him, but well done to Ludick for cleaning that up.
Coetzee is all over the place.
Ludik once again proves he has decent pace
Stormers into the 22.
Forget coming in from the side…Jannie comes from completely the other side of the ruck…
Grant going from 33m out, 10m from left hand touch.
Stormers 6 – 13 Sharks
39 mins
Kanko boots it into touch to bring HT.
HT Stormers 6 – 13 Sharks
On current form, Ludik should be selected ahead of Zane for Rugby Championships
Well Viljoen has got a lead foot on him
@klempie (Comment 91) : For someone who is supposed to be intelligent, he really does make the dumbest mistakes on the field.
@vanmartin (Comment 95) : by a land slide….
@lostfish (Comment 97) :
Come on Sharks….the time is NOW!!
Believe!!!!
how are we feeling guys?
@robdylan (Comment 102) : I wish we were a try further ahead.
Here’s the second half.
Nice one Riaan.
Sharks set up a maul on the 22.
But then Marcell isolates himself and the Stormers snatch it.
Fred tries a drop but it’s charges down. Pietersen kicks it out…and because it was taken back, Sharks have a lineout in the 22.
The Stormers pull the maul down, and Fred has a 39m kick, 5m from left hand touch….
And it’s OVER!!
Stormers 6 – 16 Sharks
45 mins
Sharks lineout in the Stormers’ half
@robdylan (Comment 102) : Like it could still go either way
First fluffed Sharks lineout…and it was a shocker. As if they got the call wrong.
Keegan the fetcher
Etzebeth offsides. Viljoen is going to kick from 3m inside his own half….into the wind.
Good direction. Way short.
Stormers really closing gaps down well.
Stormers have majority possession in the second half, but only 20% territory.
This is the rudest newlands crowd ive heard ever! #SAD
@klempie (Comment 116) : Indeed!
JdJ really needs to learn how to offload. Momentum often dies with him.
McLeod stupidly offsides. Right in front.
Stormers 9 – 16 Sharks
56 mins
This needs to be said… WTF is Kanko thinking with that hair???
JPP breaks Joe’s back
Sykes on for Alberts
20 to go…. this is too tight…. come on Sharks
van den Heever on for Joe
Sharks into the 22.
Sharks pack driving deep into the 22.
JPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!
WHAT A TRY!!! You fucking BEAUTY!!!
JPP is a hot knife. The Stormers defence is butter.
yessssssssyesyesyesyeys
The Sharks forwards drove that deep into the 22 to the right.
The backs fanned up with Fred at first receiver. He flicked it onto JP who made a killer step to break the line and go straight through.
CONVERTED!!
Stormers 9 – 23 Sharks
60 mins
Grant pulls a Bosman on the counter and gets a penalty for his efforts.
The Sharks are caught not rolling away. Grant lining up.
And he’s missed! From in front!
Now can the Sharks keep the lead for 20 more minutes?
that is just is for a bad bad call….
@vanmartin (Comment 134) : Grant proceeds to pull a Steyn with the kick
van den Heever looking nippy
I’m not going to say it…not yet…
@lostfish (Comment 136) : we need to score again…..
@klempie (Comment 139) : Yeah but his confidence has never quite recovered. Nowhere near as dangerous as he used to be.
Stormers in the Sharks half
Habs nearly squeaks through
Stormers into the Sharks 22.
see what I mean…..
Aplon scores. That was a good build up by the Stormers. Good team try.
back to 7 points dif….
Grant converts.
Stormers 16 – 23 Sharks
67 mins
Well deserved Stormers. Well constructed try.
Sharks in the 22. But pass goes forward.
Bekker off.
Stormers into the Sharks half with defence at 6′s and 7′s
Into Sharks 22
5m out
Bis hands in ruck.
Grant going for poles right in front.
Stormers 19 – 23 Sharks
73 mins
Kanko off. Deysel on.
ShSharks into the 22.
Stormers defence stretched here.
FRED DROP!!!!
Stormers 19 – 26 Sharks
75 mins
I am sweating like a pig.
77 mins
My nerves!!!!!
Keegs steals it in our own half and it’s booted into Stormers territory,
78 mins
Sharks lineout 8m from our line.
79 mins and we have it 5m out.
FUCK!! penalty Stormers and they take it quickly.
Siren goes. Stormers have it 5m out.
STOLEN!!!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!
FT Stormers 19 – 26 Sharks
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
I am absolutely finished.
Well done Sharks. Totally deserved it.
That steal was the result of my fervent praying. Well done Sharks!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT A GAME!!!!!!!!!
@klempie (Comment 174) : Well done Klempie. My nerves are shot, dunno how you managed updates too!
@wpw (Comment 175) : Well played Stormers too, Wes. My nerves are shot.
What a game!!!!!!! Well done to both sides for a great game of rugby, but most of all WELL DONE SHARKIES, THAT WAS AWESOME!!!!!
So proud of the guys I want to cry!!!!
Can we please get a `So proud I could cry` emoticon Rob?
@vanmartin (Comment 178) : You’re welcome, bru.
Well done Sharks – hard luck Stormers, shame really feel bad for their players.
But Sharks, huge achievement as this might be, you all know, reaching the final is but stepping up to the mountain, time to start that climb.
Ok Plum, my apologies. Your tricky dicky trick worked – Viljoen had a pretty good game.
What a finish. Well done boys – you just made history. Never before has a super team won a semi after travelling twice across the Indian.
My nerves are shot. YEAH BABY!!!!!!!
I’m going to have to have a shower before I go for dinner at mom’s. I REALLY smell.
What a game SHARKIES!!! We are there, the Chiefs are waiting, the CUP is waiting. Lets go get them!
I’m shaking…
One more game Sharkies, one more game!
The Sharks are now the best SA side in the comp.
Good thing I can type my congrats, my voice is gone!! Sharkies you beauties! I can’t even move!
SHARKS!!!
So proud right now.
Hard luck Stormers; you guys were also excellent. JdV: awesome leader.
Next week – we storm the Chiefs!
Great reactions by the boys after the whistle.
Fred is MoM.
Sitting in Lusaka, brilliant, brilliant performance. 1 they 22 phenomenol.
Steve Walsh you doos. Even guys sitting in Lusaka people can’t believe how pathetically inconsistent this prick really is.
Keegan take a now with the rest of your team.
Congratz on the win you guys
Well done Sharks. SO PROUD! Hard luck Stormers fans, your team gave it their all.
@klempie (Comment 188) : we should help ourselves to that conference trophy before we leave
@Ben (Comment 195) : Very true
@robdylan (Comment 196) : That means we’ve got the ozzie conference trophy and now the SA conference trophy
@robdylan (Comment 196) :
Ahhhh….maybe we should let the Streamers have some silverware.
Well done boys…fantastic stuff. Rest and enjoy the victory.
@Bayshark (Comment 193) : I thought Steve was good. He really let the game go on.
@wpw (Comment 175) : Must say jean de villers was breaking sharks defense and etzebeth not too shabby either
@wpw (Comment 175) : You gentleman you!
@rekinek comment. Personally had visions of being screwed by Walsh again. Guy I was sitting with is an old provincial player and a few comments he made about Walsh’a officiating made sense. Example Jannie tackling and getting up immediate to play the ball, result penalty to Stormers. A few minutes later Fourie does the same thing and play on. Another example is he never blew once for stormers flying over the top and dealing the ball. Blowing Bossier for legit having the ball, and then saying not supporting his own weight.
I’m seriously chuffed, Paul Dobson, Jan De Koning, Gavin Rich, Brendan Nel,.Bobby and Mathew, eat humble pie. Tony Johnston you called it right.
@wpw (Comment 175) : dankie Westerling! *mwha*
@ Rob and co.
Keep the injury updates on Jordaan, Alberts (think he took a knock) and Lambie rolling mate. WE WILL NEED THEM ALL.
If we can field our best team (Jordaan 13 and Ludik 15) plus have Lambie coming off the bench it will be awesome…
BTW does anyone know why Plum brought in Viljoen at the last minute??
GO SHARKS
I think it was to try and counteract that heavy wind by pumping plenty of huge up and unders,with that massive boot of his..