Running an eye over the Sharks team named to take on the Cheetahs, there is far more to make one positive than may be immediately apparent.
In the tight five, the visiting Durbanites make a strong claim to having the better combination, on paper at least. While the Free State props, Wian du Preez and Kobus Calldo are both young an promising, their Sharks counterparts, Deon Carstens and Jannie du Plessis are Springbok veterans, boasting a hundred-and-plenty Currie Cup caps, as well as 20 or so Bok ones, between them. Although Sharks hooker Skipper Badenhorst has never really set the world alight, he does boast a fair bit of experience, having been around for bloody ever (he was at Affies the same time I was at Boys’ High, just to put this in perspective). His opposite number is, Jaco du Toit, has been pulled into the Cheetahs team at the last minute to cover for new Bok Adriaan Strauss. Whichever way you look at it, this move has to disrupt the Cheetahs to some extent. The Cheetahs would appear to have the upper hand on the bench, with Richardt Strauss more experienced than his Sharks counterpart Craig Burden. Both are dynamic, though and one would expect Burden to be sharper, given that Strauss is just coming back from injury. Robbie Harris has more experience than Phillip Lemmer, although neither replacement prop is really a world beater.
In the second row, each side boasts and experienced campaigner, with Johann Muller and Barend Pieterse both having been around seemingly for ever. Pieterse is a master at lineout time, but his relatively small stature ( only 1.96m and 110kg) has somewhat hampered his progress at higher levels of the game. Muller is bigger, stronger and is no slouch in the lineout himself. Also, he brings the experience of having captained the Boks in New Zealand; something which few can claim. Steven Sykes and David de Villiers are similar players, of similar size and playing style. Their battle at the front of the lineout, as well as in the tight phases, should be an interesting one to watch. On the bench, th Sharks may just have the second row battle won, with Albert van den Berg likely to have far more of an impact than journeyman Flip van der Merwe.
Free State appear to have the upper-hand in the loose forwards, with the combination of Hein Brüssow, captain Hendro Scholtz and Bioplus van der Merwe one of the form units in the competition. Their Sharks counterparts have struggled to gel all season and it won’t get any better this week with yet another new face at number 7. Jacques Botes and Keegan Daniel are operating quite well at 6 and 8 respectively, but big Nik Blignaut has never really shone as a loose forward and will need to up the tempo of his game considerably. The Sharks will want to win the tight five battle and try to suck the roving Cheetahs loose forwards in, but it’s going to be a long day for the Sharks if Brüssow gets up to his usual ball-stealing tricks. Skholiwe Ndlovu and Kabamba Floors are similar impact options and should cancel one another out, to an extent.
The halfback battle should be enthralling. Scott Mathie and Neil Powell are both journeymen at best, but one position further out we have the unpredictable Chris Rossouw against the frankly, completely crazy Frenchman Fred Michalak. The Sharks’ enfant formidable is just as capable of bamboozling his own teammates as he is the opposition, but when on fire, few can touch him. Certainly at his best, the pedestrian Rossouw would not be able to live with him. Which Fred will pitch up, though?
The Cheetahs have picked teenage wünderkind Rob Ebersohn at inside centre, with the defensively frail JW Jonker outside him. Although the youngster is a capable one-on-one tackler, he is a pretty tiny unit by today’s standards and the Sharks might feel that the Cheetahs midfield will present opportunities for the strong-running Andries Strauss and Waylon Murray to exploit. Then again, should Ebersohn be afforded any room whatsoever in which to weave his magic, the Sharks centres may well find themselves chasing Jonker to their own tryline all evening.
Henno Mentz and Eddie Fredericks are probably reasonably well matched on the one side of the field, with Fredericks possibly not as quick, but more dependable than the mercurial Mentz. On the other, expect fireworks as new Sharks sensation Chris Jordaan comes up against Jongi Nokwe, possibly the fastest man in the Currie Cup this year. Stef Terblanche and Bevin Fortuin will wage their own battle as opposing fullbacks and we can only hope that both opt to keep the aimless kicking out of it and rather aim to bring their wingers into play on the counter-attack.
The backline benches are much of a muchness. The Sharks’ danger-man will be replacement scrumhalf Charl McLeod, who has pace aplenty, while the Cheetahs will look to sevens star Fabian Juries to provide the spark coming on.
The Sharks can take this – the question is, do they want it badly enough?
Teams:
Sharks: 15. Stefan Terblanche, 14. Chris Jordaan, 13. Waylon Murray, 12. Andries Strauss, 11. Henno Mentz, 10. Frederic Michalak, 9. Scott Mathie, 8. Keegan Daniel, 7. Nikolai Blignaut, 6. Jacques Botes, 5. Johann Muller ( Capt ), 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Skipper Badenhorst, 1. Deon Carstens
Replacements: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Robbie Harris, 18. Albert van den Berg, 19. Skholiwe Ndlovu, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Riaan Swanepoel, 22. Monty Dumond
Free State: 15 .Bevin Fortuin; 14 .Eddie Fredericks, 13. JW Jonker, 12. Robert Ebersohn, 11. Jongi Nokwe; 10. Chris Rossouw, 9. Neil Powell; 8. Schalk van der Merwe, 7. Hendro Scholtz (capt.), 6. Heinrich Brussow, 5. Barend Pieterse, 4. David de Villiers, 3. Kobus Calldo, 2. Jaco du Toit, 1. Wian du Preez. Replacements: 16. Richardt Strauss, 17. Phillip Lemmer, 18. Flip van der Merwe, 19. Kabamba Floors, 20. Tewis de Bruyn, 21. Hendrik Meyer, 22. Fabian Juries
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call me crazy, but I’m backing us to take this. Sharks are always best when we’re the underdogs!
You really know how to lighten up one’s Friday.
Well…I’ve been feeling ok about our chances for the whole week…now I feel a lot more ok 🙂 .
Tough times ahead for our loose trio (if we can even call it that)…but- surprises ONLY happen when you’re not expecting them.
@blackshark (Comment 2) : Keegan and JB will need to put in MAMMOTH performances.
Ah hell, all the forwards will
@robdylan (Comment 1) : I agree, The Sharks always perform better when underdogs, its like they want to prove something – Motivation. And personally I think Freddie will have a cracker of a game, remember his carreer was threatened after than injury and he has been working really hard to come back into the game. He has looked really eager to get back in, I believe on Saturday the “enfante terrible” will be on the parck, he will put up quite a performance!
My Lucky nr is 4.. but not for the reasons you think…but I am also glad that he is back on lock…
sharks to take cheetahs – no doubt in MY mind… 😉
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 5) : yeeha! Let’s do it
They bleddie better, I’ve picked them on SB. 😈
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 7) : you are a good man! 😉
@robdylan (Comment 6) :
NIKE!!!! 😉
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 9) : isn’t that “JUST do it!”?
Where is everyone today?
Morning all!!
Let’s not forget that the Cheetahs have lost their No.1 hooker to the SBs.
@robdylan (Comment 10) :
ja man – dont spoil my moment now!.. 😉
howdie Mama!!
Ja – where the frick is everyone?? 😕
@Me2 (Comment 11) : true… one of only two players out
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 12) : Hi Ice!!
Lovely voice you got there
I think everyone is trying to work & blog in between 🙄
this is anybody’s game with the forwards well matched, both backlines looking a little bit scratchy…. Michalak could get something going and get our boys to really play, on the other hand Ebersohn continuously breaks the line and makes things happen around him… this is really so open… i’m hoping the Plumtree factor, which has yet to show this CC, will break the deadlock
Free State must be hurting with all those players out, not like the Sharks, only missing, what 14 or 15 players!!
@spykerbaard (Comment 15) : I think we have just got to CONCENTRATE 100% of the game and grind out a win…we are capable of doing so, as we have proved so often in the S14.
@Me2 (Comment 14) :
Mama – I did not quite get that… 😳
@hellbent (Comment 16) :
@hellbent (Comment 16) : Currie Cup bullies
@robdylan (Comment 19) : WC & 3N spectators
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 18) : Your “Happy Birthday” song 😕
Free State appear to have the upper-hand in the loose forwards
And that is where games are won and lost more often than not. Cheetahs to take it.
@Me2 (Comment 21) :
Why Thank you,Ma’am!
Cricket update :
England 9/0 (4.0 ov)
South Africa
Batsmen R
AN Cook 7
AJ Strauss 2
I thought we were supposed to bat first…
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 18) : @robdylan (Comment 1) : Ok you are crazy.. but then you are in good company, well in mine anyway!
@MorneN (Comment 22) : “appear” is the operative word! Sharks to win 😀
anyone know who the match “Officals” are?
@MorneN (Comment 22) : Shhhh…. I’m trying to ignore that fact 😉
@blackshark (Comment 24) : not another A Strauss!
@MorneN (Comment 22) : Morne go away 😈 its been a shit day, I don’t need to read posts like that one 🙁
@blackshark (Comment 24) :
Seems like mr Smith is trying to single handedly change the thinking of test cricketers for generations to come by deciding to bat second when the toss is won. He’s done it twice in arow now. 😯
English pitches obviously get better for batting the longer they are played on.
@Me2 (Comment 26) : Mark Lawrence = Ref and Cupido or should we say Stupido is the TMO! I don’t remember who the Assist refs are.
@Sharksmad (Comment 29) : what can we do to make your day better? 😉
@Salmonoid (Comment 30) : maybe Smith just isn’t very clever?
@Salmonoid (Comment 30) : Just remember Heningly is not a “typical” English wicket 😉
@Me2 (Comment 34) : 😳 Headingley 😳
@robdylan (Comment 28) : Was just about to complain about the same thing.
The Strauss’s are taking over !!! 😯
@Salmonoid (Comment 30) : I’m confused. McKenzie basically begged Biff to bat first
if we won the toss…unless that was just a strategy to throw the Poms off…make them stay on fielding mode. We’ll have to see if this can be justified (by a win…not a draw).
@MorneN (Comment 22) : Stop trying to spread your propaganda on sharksworld. 😆
This is madness. Bowling first again? 👿
@robdylan (Comment 32) : Get Eskom to switch the electricity in Richmond! These fools managed to blow the Transformer and now we are three days without electricity 😈 I hate cold showers and fortunately we are huge fans of the Braai!
@blackshark (Comment 36) : Morras is just being the voice of reason… damn him! 😉
@Sharksmad (Comment 38) : ah shit – sorry to hear that. Wish I could send you some of the electricity we have here in the UK… problem is, it costs so bloody much it would bankrupt me to do so 👿
@Sharksmad (Comment 31) : Thanks Mad! At last we seem to be getting better refs ❗
So waar, someone took a wicket. 😎
@Sharksmad (Comment 38) : Joys of “Country Living” 🙄
Morkel to Cook, OUT, massive appeal and it’s given! Misdirected down the leg side, Boucher dives across to leg, and South Africa go up in unison. Bowden takes his time, understandably, but up goes the crooked finger! Replays don’t appear to be entirely in support of the decision – the ball clearly clips the thigh-pad on the way through
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 42) : A rather “dicey” decision from what I hear ❗
@Me2 (Comment 45) : You hear correctly. 🙂
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 46) : Now Vaughn is OUT…nothing wrong there ❗
shplah
Steyn to Vaughan, OUT, full, edged and gone! Vaughan falls to his nemesis for the second time in the series, and now South Africa are fully in control. Just enough bounce and movement to take a thick edge, and Graeme Smith at first slip swoops to complete a comfortable catch
@Me2 (Comment 47) : Seems ol’ Smittie’s decision might pay off. 😯
Hope Pietersen makes a duck. 👿
Hahaha
Okay a Bok arti is up which might put a smile on your face again Sharksmad
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 51) : To confound you….. he hits a SIX ❗ 🙁 for you ❗
@Me2 (Comment 53) : I knew I should have kept my mouth shut. 😆
@MorneN (Comment 52) : ah thanks will go read it immediately 😛
@Me2 (Comment 43) : Used to love Richmond but these last couple of days I have been wondering why 😯
Now Makhaya needs to come to the party. 👿
He hasn’t been great for ages now.
@wpw (Comment 57) : True that…maybe he should be dropped for the next test. Let’s see what Zondeki can do.
( I love how we’ve just hijacked this thread 😆 )
62/3 ❗
Morkel to Strauss, OUT, got him now! A great delivery from Morkel, round the wicket, finds some lift and Strauss fends on the back foot, slightly away from his body and the meaty edge goes through and is pouched without trouble
blackshark @ #58
Especially since Rob hates cricket…
Maybe i should put up a cricket thread…
Morkel seems to be doing well on the English pitches.
bs
I would’ve prefer Langers on tour… much better option than Nel or Zondeki imho cos of his ability to swing the ball.
@wpw (Comment 61) : That’s still bad but I think it’s better than polluting the rugby thread with this cricket garbage.
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 60) : 🙂 Wow!!!
@wpw (Comment 62) : Oh yes… him too. He’s a much better bowler than HE thinks.
The less I say about Nel the better.
@blackshark (Comment 64) : Hi BS long time no talk 😀
Sorry I had to attend to some work…has Langers not retired from international cricket after the Nel disaster?
@Me2 (Comment 65) : Hi Me2 …
I don’t know the full story there but I hope he hasn’t retired. He’s a fierce bowler…especially for the ODI’s.
Lunch – 70/3 (24 Overs)
bs and Me2
Charl decided to sign a Kolpak contract and retired from International cricket.
@blackshark (Comment 24) : It was a VERY important toss to win and we HAD to bowl first…no question about it. It’s very overcast in the North of England today and the ball swings loads under overcast skies. Bear in mind that the weather forecast for Sat and Sun is much better and if the sun shines, conditions for batting become a lot easier.
We need to bowl the Poms out for under 200…especially in light of the fact they have weakened their batting and have Ambrose coming in at 6! We need Flintoff to be in, facing a relatively newish ball!
Cricket? On my beautiful Sharks thread?
SHAME on all of you!!!
Villie
Has Collingwood been dropped? 😯
@blackshark (Comment 66) : BS- I think I am right BUT hope NOT. I feel he was a very underestimated player and very sad that he ended his career because Arendse made him a politcal prawn. I really admired the guy for standing by his principals.
@Villie (Comment 69) : One word – overcast – nuff said Villie. 😀
We need to break the current partnership ASAP…can’t have KP & Bell rebuilding the innings. This would be a good time for Ntini to join the party.
Morkel is the future, aint he?
@robdylan (Comment 70) : 😮 note my tears 😥 !!!
“They” say to auto refresh you have to go to preferences/workload preferences and adjust the default which will be at 0. I don’t know, it is what “they” say. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 70) : It’s Friday! 😉
@wpw (Comment 68) : Ah…joined Kemp and them…
@blackshark (Comment 77) : Yeah but had already announced his retirement.
@Villie (Comment 76) : Hey Villie!! Hows the weather treating the golphers today?
@Me2 (Comment 78) : Our loss then…
@Silver Fox (Comment 75) : Still going on about the autorefresh ? 😆
@blackshark (Comment 80) : If I don’t, who will??? 😀
@Silver Fox (Comment 75) : huh?
@wpw (Comment 71) : Yes!
Ambrose coming in at 6 and Flintoff at 7. They say they don’t want to put Flintoff under too much pressure to perform considering he has been out for so long.
They have also selected an ex Aussie Darren Pattinson for his FIRST test cap in place of Sidebottom who failed his fitness test!
Oh HELL what’s wrong with me 2day 😳 golfers 😳
@Me2 (Comment 79) : Howzit Me2
It’s awful weather again for the golfers. I live about half an hour from Royal Birkdale and its starting to rain now, the wind is also up (but not as bad as yesterday). Some high scores will be shot no doubt!
@Silver Fox (Comment 81) : My mouse does it for me!!!!
@Villie (Comment 85) : Mary says they are having quite reasonable weather in London…thought I was mad, when I asked her about the wind & rain 😆
@robdylan (Comment 82) : Does your blogg have those options? Like I said, I really don’t know, but there is a bloke on the net that claims something to that effect. And he says it is really very simple.But I may be way off target here.
@Silver Fox (Comment 88) : It is a little bit more difficult than that… but I have a plan.
Let me work on it over the next few days, ok?
@robdylan (Comment 89) : Your the man,man 😉
@robdylan (Comment 89) :
i like a man with a plan!.. 😉
Steyn to Pietersen, OUT, got him now! Steyn punches hard, delighted, after finding a better length outside off, Pietersen flashes firmly away from the body and the thick edge goes through
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 91) : Icy, you like the “hands on” man, cause I had the plan. 🙄
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 91) : you have not done to badly either young lady.
Changing codes does this not sound good? 😉
Pietersen gets rousing appaluse for his 45 from 46 balls, but he is a furious man as he walks off, knowing that he’s hardly done the job for England
Steyn to Pietersen, OUT, got him now! Steyn punches hard, delighted, after finding a better length outside off, Pietersen flashes firmly away from the body and the thick edge goes through
what do you guys think of the idea of a “refresh” in the fantasy league? Everyone gets 5 free trades between round 6 and 7… ?
Now we need to get a few more quick wickets and I’m sure we’ll knock them over for less than 250.
Go Proteas!!!
@robdylan (Comment 95) : Now your talking, the league has gone seriously flat!!
@Silver Fox (Comment 93) :
But you are a luigat! 😈 😈
@Ragged (Comment 94) :
Oh – i did not realise.. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 95) : You have my vote… I would suggest however you may only change players that have left the country or who have not played at all in the season.( well I leave it you) But the idea is a good one.
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 98) : you are too modest! 🙄 You really have taken up my profession!
@Ragged (Comment 100) :
i have???? 😯
@Ragged (Comment 100) : Explain in detail please!! 😆
@Silver Fox (Comment 102) : Check my profile on superbru!
@Ragged (Comment 103) : You got it wrong, not to me!!
talking about Superbru, I see that there are lot of so called Shark supporters who do not back their team… 😥 I always have and I am torn between head and Heart I normally go with the heart. Worked in S14 but seems like not doing it in the CC
Ntini to Ambrose, OUT, round the wicket and gets the dismissal, forced across him, Ambrose pushes at it, takes the edge and Boucher takes yet another chance, another straightforward too
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 106) : yes but last few balls were dispatched for 4’s.
Freddy off the mark with 4.
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 101) :
131/5
@Ragged (Comment 105) : Uuhhmm, I’m one.Guilty.They do need to wake up in a serious way though and that is my way of protesting. To call names like “so-called”??
@Ragged (Comment 103) : Not too shabby. Did it take very long? 😀
137/5 (37 overs) Drinks
Is this a Test or ODI?
or 20-20?
@hellbent (Comment 112) : Where you from son? 😀
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 111) :
yes please!! 😈
Another one gone!!! Bell!!
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 114) : *LOL*
Kallis to Bell, OUT, oh dear oh dear, he was looking a million dollars, but he’s now dragged onto his middle stump! A bit of action on the ball from Kallis, negating the swing, and Bell pushed hard with bat away from pad, and off he goes 😆
@Silver Fox (Comment 110) : if the cap fits!
@I’ce (Rebel With a Cause) (Comment 114) : Double, baie ys?
@Ragged (Comment 118) : 😀
160/6
@ra-cheltjie de’ be-er (Comment 119) :
You know me too well… 😉
Flintoff OUT ❗
Cheers all – be COOL (as ice)… 😉
Broad…GONE!!!
Cheers Ice…looking forward to me glass of wine tonight!!!
Panesar gone… 😎 😎
Going home now to see if we can catch the Proteas batting after tea!!!
Have a great weekend!
GOOO SHAAARKS!!!
Debut boy gets a 4
Lets wrap this up Biff…
you all had a good day here on sodding cricketworld.co.za? 😈
How’s this? From Rugby365…
Prediction: There’s a bit more than territorial pride at stake in this game, so all eyes on Vodacom Park. The Sharks on paper seem the more resourceful and experienced side, but those boys from the Free State have something mystical in their diet. Sharks to win a tight game by six points.