The Sharks emerged narrow, but deserved 14-9 victors in the final of the Absa Currie Cup to be crowned Champions on Saturday at The Absa Stadium Durban.
Michael Marnewick writes for Sharksrugby.co.za that it might have been a long time in the making, but boy does victory taste sweet. The Sharks were made to work hard for their win, but there seemed a collective belief driving them, one where, for the players, the result was non-negotiable and as was earlier said in dispatches, it was the team who wanted it more who won and the Sharks always seemed to be the ones asking the questions of the Bulls.
It was always going to be a close result and the five point margin of victory was testament to the excellent defensive effort from the visitors. However, two tries to none told the story of a team who were able to better create – and finish – opportunities and despite the best efforts of the Bulls, the Sharks were simply too committed, too physical and too good on defence.
It was trench warfare out there as finals should be, and as games between the Sharks and Bulls always unfold, there was no holding back as the two sides hammered away at each other.
Ruan Pienaar eyed a gap, took his chances and scored the opening try of the game to get the Sharks into a good position in the first half, and he constantly asked questions of the Bulls.
A narrow 7-3 lead to the Sharks at the break meant it was still anyone’s game, but in truth, the Sharks always seemed to have their noses in front and it was the Bulls who were playing catch-up rugby.
The game was played at helter-skelter pace from start to finish and Francois Steyn rounded off a move to put the Sharks well into the lead, Frederic Michalak slotting the conversion to mark a successful and sentimental end to his season with the Sharks. Stefan Terblanche too played a vintage match that was testament to his experience and calmness and he failed to put a foot wrong all game, giving the Sharks immense stability at the back. When recollections of this match are made in time, people will have to acknowledge what an outstanding team spirit was able to achieve under the astute coaching of John Plumtree and his management group.
Scorers
Sharks: 14 (7)
Tries: Ruan Pienaar, Francois Steyn
Conversions: Ruan Pienaar (1), Frederic Michalak (1)
Blue Bulls: 9 (3)
Drop-Goal: Morne Steyn (1)
Penalty: Morne Steyn (2)
Image Credit to Michael Marnewick
Tweet
It felt so good walking out of school, after dropping the kids this morning, bumping into the only Bulls supporter on the Staff.
I think he JUST managed to turn away before I could smile and say good morning to him. 😛
The Sharks imo wasted quite a lot of chances, should have had a bigger winning margin. Nearly choked again(at least could have), but having said that, the defence on both sides were top class.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 1) : You’ve got a whole year dude, too long for him to keep on evading you.
@Silver Fox (Comment 2) :
We don’t move in the same circles but I am sure he has heard my comments.
With us being involved with an American school some of the American teachers have commented that our family doesn’t sound anything like the other South African Families on campus.
I then proceed to explain that it is sort of like comparing a Southern hillbilly to an American from California. It is a totally different culture and almost a different language.
With Sharks supporters being from California and Bull supporters being the HillBillies.
Comments like “your children are really managing well with English” Amuse the crap out of me sometimes.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) :managing 😆
@PJLD (Comment 4) :
Ja they scheme none of us can speak English in SA. it cracks me up.
@Silver Fox (Comment 2) : When you’re a Sharks supporter like me, you can always just take the “glass is half full” approach rather than half empty and accept that we won. The trophy doesn’t have a section for “match comments”.
Give credit where it is due methinks.
@Baldrick (Comment 6) : What a win! I’m still speechless
@robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 7) :
probably coz i am not in South Africa, but I am feeling a little let down by myself for not being more excited that we have won. 🙁
Either way We have bragging rights for at least a year. 😎
In two evenly matched forward packs, Beast, Bismarck and Deysel came out tops due to their superior strength. Those three makes a mockery of the word ‘power’.
The back line of the Sharks were superior, with Stefan my man of the match. And JPP, great dude, you are now starting to show your superior abilities. I say starting, for I believe you can become one of the very best.
@Baldrick (Comment 6) : I am. I have. ❓ ❓ ❓
@KSA Shark © (Comment 8) : I was just bummed that Sky showed NONE of the post-match stuff. No interviews, no celebrations – not even the bloody cup being handed over. Am downloading the game now, though.
@robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 11) :
You missed some excellent stuff then.
The post match stuff were awesome. Breyton and that other dude doing the crowd interviews outside the stadium, the changeroom shots, the Sharks team around the pitch. The Dups with their father….. And many more.
Kette and I just sat there smiling away.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 12) : hoping the Kuduclub version will have all that stuff
a very very good morning to everyone. i woke up with a slight hangover, but nothing compared the one hangover i have been suffering for the last 12 years, which is now gone.
yay yay yay!
@knersboy (Comment 14) :
I’ll never forget the 1995 Victory in Dbn. The next morning we had a road race that went past the stadium. There were still a few people milling around at around 5am when we went past the Stadium.
I would love to see what the place looks like this morning.
I see Superviv and Bricktop have ended level on total points in SB with Superviv getting top spot because of more points scored.
At least a WP SUPPORTER won something even if WP didn’t. 😉
@knersboy (Comment 14) : I know what you mean about that barbie… 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 16) : hey hey – check where I ended… and I got the final score spot on 🙂
@robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 18) :
I saw that.
Superviv must be smiling he will be getting his Euromillions entry voucher soon.
For Info
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Many people outside of Europe do not know that they can play in the EuroMillions Lottery. The innovative service offered by PlayEuroMillions.com gives them the chance to do this, opening up the incredible winnings in this weekly lottery to the whole world.
How you will qualify for a pool prize
For you as an individual player to qualify for a pool prize, you?ll have to be playing in a pool that qualifies (see below). And you?ll have to have joined that pool by the cut-off date for this tournament, which is Fri 15 Aug 2008 at 00:00 (South African time). This rule is to prevent players hopping between pools near the end of the tournament just to try to win a prize. To use your voucher on the PlayEuroMillions site, you?ll need to be over 18. If you are under 18, PlayEuroMillions is happy for you to transfer the voucher to an adult family member.
How your pool will qualify for a prize
Your pool (whether private or public) must have been set up by the cut-off date for this tournament, which is Fri 15 Aug 2008 at 00:00 (South African time). This rule is to prevent players creating new pools near the end of the tournament just to win prizes. Your pool must also contain at least 5 qualifying players.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) : HAHAHAHA. So are you the only souties on campus?
So…who all are nursing headaches this morning? 😉
@klempie (Comment 22) :
I got one. Beer, brandy and rum!
All worth it!!!
@Baldrick (Comment 23) : lots of beer, some cider and red wine… EINA!
Cider’s for girlie-men!
😉
@robdylan (Go Sharks!) (Comment 11) :
Still can’t believe Foxsports did… good on them…
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 26) : Just watched the celebrations. Brought tears to my eyes all over again
This is like winning the lottery. (I presume)
It takes a few days to hit home, but man when it does…………….IT DOES!!!!!!!!!!!
SHARKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GREAT WORK SHARKS. I AM LOVING THIS FEELING
Oh what a beautiful morning…la la la la la …
Had a great weekend really…
The SHARKS won…Liverpool beat Chelsea…Pirates won…life’s good…
@just blackshark (dead bull gives you mince) (Comment 30) : I think my avatar is outdated
@KSA Shark © (Comment 20) : I won a public pool of 16…
@just blackshark (dead bull gives you mince) (Comment 32) :
I won a supper and a Sharks sticker on a Blue Bulls car!!
BTW…I did not even over-indulge! I was so shocked, happy, suprised, in awe…..I woke up yesterday morning, feeling on top of the world, no thirst, no headache, but a CURRIE CUP CHAMPION SUPPORTER!!! 😀
@just blackshark (dead bull gives you mince) (Comment 32) :
Great Stuff.
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 33) : I’m just so relieved…SUPER 14 here we come! I think we’ve just opened the door for more titles…
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 33) :
Unlike this guy then. 😆 😆
Blue Bulls fan 10x over limit
26/10/2008 23:01 – (SA)
Hilda Fourie, Beeld
Pretoria – One of several Blue Bull supporters who had to sleep it off in the police cells on Saturday night, had almost ten times more than the permitted percentage of alcohol in his blood.
The man’s blood alcohol level was 0.239?g/100?ml – compared to the legal limit of 0.024?g/100?ml for drivers.
“I was just watching rugby.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” the man said before he was taken to the Sunnyside police station where he spent the night.
He was one of ten men, some of them dejected Blue Bulls supporters, who ran into another group of men in blue – this time from Tshwane metro police – at a road block at Spaghetti Junction east of Hatfield, Pretoria.
The man had been on his way to drop off a friend when he was pulled over.
The breath of another fan, disappointed after the Bulls lost to the Sharks in the Currie Cup final, pushed the breathaliser to 0.05?g/100?ml – more than double the permitted percentage.
“I’m in my moer now,” the man said.
“It’s choices and consequences,” he added laconically.
A third man’s blood alcohol reading was 0.221?g/100?ml.
Metro police spokesperson, Senior Superintendent Alta Fourie, said when a person’s blood alcohol level exceeded 0.250?g/100?ml it entered the danger zone and the person could end up in hospital.
“The public think we’re heartless.
“We feel sorry for them, but we have to enforce the law and the traffic regulations.
“The metro police must bear in mind not only the rules, but also the safety of the other road users.”
The arrested men were taken to the Sunnyside police station, and then to a district surgeon who tested their blood alcohol levels.
They spent Saturday night behind bars.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 36) : I’ce just pasted that on the other thread 🙂
@KSA Shark © (Comment 36) :
I have posted it on another link….seems I am it more awake thans yous!!
BLACK SHARK…one kind request from one Currie Cup Champion Suuporter to another…..please change your little (or rather long) description behind your name…you’re confusing the thread summary! 😉
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 38) : Really…oh ok it looks fine this side.
@just blackshark (Comment 39) :
Thanks Schweets! 😉
Well Done Sharks….Its about time ! 😆
Anyone get jitters when Steyn missed the penalty? 😆
@Sauce (Comment 41) : Hell yeah! 😆
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2008/10/27/muller-admits-to-a-nervous-moment/
@Sauce (Comment 41) :
Flippen ALL of us I am sure.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 43) :
I watched the game again yesterday…so I said to my eldest, now dont disturb, mommy is gonna watch teh Sharks play…she asked who we playing so I said the Bulls…she: Again??? are we playing them everyday now??
So Mom said…I bet you the Sharks are gonna win…wahddaya say?? 😆
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 44) : 😆
@Sauce (Comment 41) : I was shitting myself!
@klempie (Comment 46) : definite change of trousers required
How great was it watching Deysel bounce off Danie Rossouw?
It really encapsulated the fact that we outmuscled them – despite their reputation. 😎
@Big Fish (Comment 48) : Daniesaurus my *&^ … 😆
@Big Fish (Comment 48) : Man, but that kid is literally built of concrete
@just blackshark (dead bull gives you mince) (Comment 30) : Noooooooo (the pirates part)
@robdylan (CC Champ ‘08) (Comment 50) :
Seriously, it was awesome – you could just see the look of bafflement on Danie’s heavy brow – he was left standing still while Jean went on to run over a few more of his compatroiots.
Was also beautiful watching JPP run straight over the top of Kirchner in the build-up to Ruan’s try. 😀
@Big Fish (Comment 52) : I was expecting a Jonah :omu moment there,ok JP didn’t pull it off like the big guy did but it was still cool to watch.
@robdylan (CC Champ ‘08) (Comment 50) :
I also thought Sykes made a good scrummy!
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 54) : Sykes had a superb game… even suipgat Blayden remarked on how he’s one of the most improved players of the CC this year.
I LOVE the New POLL.
@robdylan (CC Champ ‘08) (Comment 55) :
I think he handled his first final (as so many youngsters in the team) very well..
And I think Blayden reads this blog, as that is what I have said a few months ago…he is maturing in his game.. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 56) :
Can you dance around it??
@PJLD (Comment 53) :
But the lightie is really more powerful than he looks hey?
And of course watching Beast violate Gerber was also fascinating to watch.
I reckon Gerber is gonna need therapy to get over what was done to him by the big guy. 😈
@Ice Sharkadelic Babe (Comment 57) : hi Hugh. I didn’t meant to call you a suipgat! Love your work! 🙂
@Big Fish (Comment 59) :
😈
@Big Fish (Comment 59) : some dumb twisted fool on another site I had the misfortune to read reckons that the useless Werner Kruger got the best of Beast when he came on. I didn’t see that… did anyone else?
Well done Sharks, deserved winners.
Plumtree must also be congratulated, done a very good job.
Will be interesting to see if Sykes and Deysel can impose themselves in S14.
@cab (Comment 63) : hey cabman! Nice to see you
@robdylan (CC Champ ‘08) (Comment 64) :
hello Rob, u must be very happy today.
Beast has also become huge in the scrum.
Gerber was taught a wee lesson me thinks.
Great game, both very good sides.
@cab (Comment 63) :
Sykes, maybe
Deysel Surely
Had I been asked to answer that question before the boks were back in the CC, then I would probably have adopted a wait and see attitude. But they have played well even when the boks were back.
@PJLD (Comment 51) : Why? You Chiefs?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 56) : Love the new poll too…and the new pic- it just makes me smile…
@robdylan (CC Champ ‘08) (Comment 62) : Hell NO!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 66) :
will be key to the sharks prospects in S14, ackerman and aj are going to be big boots to fill. gut reaction is they need at least one more S14 season to establish their prescence/confidence, but looked damn good in CC.
@cab (Comment 70) :
True. Filing those boots won’t be easy, Sykes has a way to go to match Ackermann in the LOs but I think Deysel will be a more than able replacement for AJ.
BTW, seeing as you are the only Lions fans on at the moment. I see Ernst Joubert is having a wrist operation and will be out for 5 months. How unlucky is this guy with injuries?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 71) : really? Shit…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 71) :
damn unlucky, very good player too ernst. loffie’s depth plundered every year, 1 or 2 injuries and scraping barrell. lock is real problem.
You know if freddy playing in S14, or wonder if pienaar or steyn will shift to 10?
@cab (Comment 73) : Fred is going back to Frans. I guess Pienaar will shift to 10…otherwise none of this would make sense.
@cab (Comment 73) :
back to France for at least 3 years.
http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2008/10/27/the-sharks-have-changed-my-life/
@robdylan (CC Champ ‘08) (Comment 72) :
@cab (Comment 73) :
At least Todd Clever is still there.
@just blackshark (Comment 74) : or Len Olivier could play 10…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 76) : smart move that 🙂
@robdylan (CC Champ ‘08) (Comment 78) :
@robdylan (CC Champ ‘08) (Comment 77) :
SHEIT, I forgot about our new Gem!!! 😀