Although John Plumtree would favour a stronger, more recognised Bulls outfit to visit Absa Stadium tonight, it’s game time for his Super 14 players that counts. “There’s a lot of new players in the Bulls side but make no mistake, they always have a point to prove in Durban and have nothing to lose,” he said.
Plum added his players needed contact and game time. “We must know we are ready for Super 14, not hope”.
Skipper Johan Muller highlighted pre-season training, which started in November, had been a blessing for him and the players. “This was a first for me in my rugby career, starting pre-season well in advance and personally, I feel confident and strong. My body is ready,” he said.
With front row woes due to injury, Plum is hoping to give his big name players a run tonight and has enough depth and replacements to allow all fit players a run on the park.
“Beast hasn’t played since November, Jacques Botes and Keegan Daniel will share game time in the second half, Ryan Kankowski has a slight hand injury but will get a run, the backs are strong and it’s a final wrap before the business starts next week in Cape Town. We want to see how players have progressed from the Currie Cup, select the squad for the overseas four-match tour and give some youngsters a run as cover for the senior men as the season progresses. This is by no means our strongest squad – injuries don’t allow for that – but it’s the best we have at the moment. Super 14 is a tough competition and we want to be the best we can be, come the opening whistle,” he said.
Away from Super 14 matters, former Sharks and Springbok scrumhalf, Craig Davidson, was awarded the Freedom of the Park, at Absa Stadium yesterday.
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Nice article, Dave… thanks
I agree but then Im biased
Plum’s words give me more confidence- hope I’ll be feeling the same way after the game today.
And congratulations to Craig for getting his FOTP …saw this in the news last night as well…well deserved…
Sharks forever!
@Fattmann (Comment 2) : I know what you mean… I just became Justin Downey’s biggest fan 🙂
Away from Super 14 matters, former Sharks and Springbok scrumhalf, Craig Davidson, was awarded the Freedom of the Park, at Absa Stadium yesterday
man – he reminded me so much of a meerkat!! 😀
Freedom of the Park?
What is that? Doesn’t he need to pay for a ticket now?
Yep. You got it right Morne. That’s what freedom of the park means.
reckon there’s going to be a titanic struggle in the front row between Mox and Barra… Just checking out Mox’s facebook pics… man, that boytjie has a MASSIVE pair of shoulders on him.
@Dave Knowles (Comment 7) : But how come Butch got it before him?
@MorneN (Comment 6) :
He get’s two season tickets for life.
@MorneN (Comment 6) :
Freedom of the Park was introduced back in 1912 and the latest recipients include Craig’s team-mates John Smit and Butch James who also received the coveted award along with the likes of Wayne Fyvie, John Slade and Gary Teichmann. Besides the recognition, Craig also receives two season tickets for life.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) : they should give me the freedom of the Park, given all the PR work I do for them…
John Slade? You know that poor [email protected] nearly dies of a heart attack? At 35…
Davidson’s `freedom’ seemed to be kept rather low key. Perhaps in the light of his relationship with Jake White maybe they felt it was the least they could for him.
@Dave Knowles (Comment 7) : @KSA Shark © (Comment 10) :
Well some would not see that as an honour.
Imagine getting that in the 80’s! 🙂
Here you go: Freedom of the Park!!!
(Clap, Clap, Clap)
“Can I exchange it for money?”
@robdylan (Comment 12) :
I had to buy MY freedom of the park (twice) and now I don’t even get to use them 😆
@MorneN (Comment 15) : @MorneN (Comment 16) :
Ha ha ha 👿
@arrogant blackshark (Comment 18) : ho ho ho 👿
I miss being able to watch the sharks live. I was a loser and poor when i lived in durban but once a week i was in absolute heaven, and a little hammered.
@billy (Comment 20) : I’m glad you can be so open about what was clearly a painful period in your life 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 21) : Thanks for listening. I may need a hug if we keep sharing this way.
@billy (Comment 22) : just keep your hands off my wallet 🙂
I hereby designate this the official live updates thread… going to be shamelessly copying what MM and the crew say
@robdylan (Comment 23) : after the financial f***fest im currently experiencing i wouldnt bring your wallet.
@billy (Comment 25) : eish boss… credit crunch. Pounds are worth nothing anymore
game must have started… Sharks haven’t scored yet 🙁
Elapsed Time: 4 mins
The Sharks turn a Bulls’ scrum around 90 degrees and earn the put in attacking to within 10m of the tryline, but good defensive work sees the Bulls come away with the ball and clear to their 10m line.
Elapsed Time: 2 mins
Pienaar kicks deep to get the game underway and the Bulls return the compliment. Both sides test each other, although the Sharks chase the high kicks. JP PIetersen manages to steal the ball from under the nose of the Bulls but gets tackled into touch in the Bulls 22.
@robdylan (Comment 28) : sounds like the Sharks c-team front row is doing ok
Elapsed Time: 7 mins
Rory Kockott makes a lovely break showing strength and athleticism to break through a tackle and give his team some momentum. They take the ball up but it gets scrappy at the breakdown with players all over the show and the Bulls manage to steal possession.
@robdylan (Comment 30) : losing the breakdown battle already? NOT GOOD 🙁
Ruan scores 7 points!
The Bulls are giving the ball plenty of air and looking to disrupt the Sharks’ lineouts, but Craig Burden is having no trouble finding his catchers. The Sharks spin the ball wide and Ruan Pienaar finds a gap, sprints into space and wrong-foots the fullback to score under the posts. He coverts his own try.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) : EIGHT FOURTY-FIIIIIIIVE!! How’s that for “committed”? 😉
@klempie (Comment 33) : …in the rain I might add. 😀
Elapsed Time: 14 mins
The Sharks earn their first free-kick at the breakdown just on the edge of the Bulls’ 22. They take it wide, Adi Jacobs rounds the defence nicely and spins the ball out wide but it is lost and the Bulls get the scrum. The Bulls have spent most of the game in their own half and battling to get any continuity going.
BTW – thanks again to SHARKSRUGBY.CO.ZA for these updates 🙂
FRANS played a part in that try…
@klempie (Comment 34) : clap clap
@arrogant blackshark (Comment 36) : you there? Sweet
WOLLA!
Elapsed Time: 16 mins
Jean Deysel puts in one of his trademark devasting runs that leaves opposition would-be attackers lying prone in his wake. The ball is recycled and chipped over the defence but the mark is made.
@klempie (Comment 34) :
Now thats the committed part.
sounds like the Sharks are creating lots, but the finishing isn’t clinical
Yep- and Deysel is a monster…
@arrogant blackshark (Comment 42) : how many Bulls has he killed?
Craig scores number 2
Elapsed Time: 20 mins
The Bulls look to run the ball from their 22 but just as it looks like the break is on, they kick the ball into touch. The Sharks win another lineout and Craig Burden gets the ball at pace and makes a small break before being tackled. However, the Sharks take the ball wide and Stefan Terblanche grubbers the ball low and forces the Bulls defender to run it into touch 5m out. Burden is back in action and as the Sharks drive the ball over the line, he’s the man in possession, second try! Pienaar’s reliable boot adds the two from a wide angle.
score is 14-0, for those who are interested
the enemy claws back 3 points…
Elapsed Time: 24 mins
The Bulls make their first entry deep in the Sharks half as they manage to get into the 22. They earn a penalty for offsides and go for the kick. Francois Brummer converts.
Burden seems to be playing in the backline!
Elapsed Time: 29 mins
The Sharks are once more on attack and looking dangerous but Stefan Terblanche runs out of options. He manages to fling the ball inside but a hurtling Craig Burden is tackled as he gets the ball and it goes loose. Bulls are saved.
Elapsed Time: 33 mins
The Sharks earn a penalty on the ground and kick to touch, the lineout taking place 10m out. They regain a loose ball and earn another penalty for offsides, again going for the lineout. Unfortunately the Bulls manage to poach it and clear.
@robdylan (Comment 48) : must be tired after all the hurtling… failed to find his jumpers
Gah! Still the finishing lets us down.
Elapsed Time: 38 mins
The Sharks attack again and JP Pietersen follows up excellent work from Jean Deysel who blunders his way through five or six players. The Bulls however earn a penalty at the breakdown.
OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH i forgot about this actually. 😆
I just saw all thes comments by Rob and thought, WTF is Rob doing talking to himself? I thought only Hmmmy and i did that. 😛
Oom Stef having a great game but he just denied JP a try…failed to pass…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 51) : …and me when there’s cricket on. Check out post 33.
@arrogant blackshark (Comment 52) : You at the game?
@arrogant blackshark (Comment 52) : you can forgive him… just once
@klempie (Comment 54) :
He is in the press box if i have it right. 😎
Elapsed Time: 40 mins
Stefan Terblanche fields a long kick in his half and hefts it over the defence and makes a lovely touch-finder in the 22. They poach the lineout and spend the next two minutes hammering away on attack, taking the ball from one side to the other and forcing the Bulls to dig deep. The half-time hooter wins the race and at the breakdown, referee Jonathan Kaplan blows for the players to head for the changerooms.
That’s it… half-time
@klempie (Comment 33) :
CHECK DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And you didn’t want to run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great stuff!!!!!!!!!
Sorta like the parties you don’t really want to go to always end up being the best ones. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 56) : bastard.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 58) : I’ll have to take word for it on the parties. 😉
@klempie (Comment 60) :
So that either means you always WANT to go and party or you have never been to a party. If your legs battle to run 1,7k’s I suspect it may be the latter. 😛
What is the half Time score?
@klempie (Comment 60) : shrinking violet 🙂 You should spend less time stalking people on the internet…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 62) : 14-3 to the good guys
@robdylan (Comment 64) :
Ha! So the high tide is just busy coming in at the moment. 😎
@klempie (Comment 60) : your word 😳
ok – game back on. Bulls in drop-goal mode
Elapsed Time: 2 mins
The second half is underway and the Bulls have their hands on the ball, opting for a drop-goal – which is wide. Odwa Ndungane is on as is Ross Cronje. The Bulls have a scrum and again go for a drop. Again it goes wide.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 61) : I’ve never had a drink in my life and I can’t dance. Have you ever been sober at a party? 😕
come on, Sharks… 3 quick tries
Elapsed Time: 45 mins
The Bulls have possession and chip the defence but Francois Steyn collects and grubbers ahead. He chases down the ball-carrier and puts pressure on, the Bulls kick for territory but kick directly out.
hehehe this is awesome, reminds me of the olden days when I didn’t have broadband coverage of almost every Sharks and Bok game, and I had to hang out online with folks like you getting any update I could. Good job Rob. 😀
@klempie (Comment 68) :
I live in Saudi, alcohol is illegal…………………..
Besides as none of my wifes friends are allowed to drive, I am usually the designated driver. 😕
@Dancing Bear (Comment 71) :
Hehehehe 😆
wrong side starting to play 🙁
Elapsed Time: 51 mins
The Bulls come closest to scoring their first try when the ball goes loose but a Sharks’ boot manages to heave it into touch. The Bulls are showing a bit more interest in running the ball and are now looking a bit more adventurous.
Elapsed Time: 55 mins
The Bulls earn a penalty just outside The Sharks 22 and again opt to kick. It’s over and the deficit is reduced to eight points.
Elapsed Time: 52 mins
Alistair Hargreaves and Justin Downey come on to replace Johann Muller and Ryan Kankowski as the Sharks have a lineout just outside their 22. The Bulls steal the lineout ball but the Sharks maul them off their own ball and Cronje is able to clear.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 72) : How many wifes have you got? That’s what’s nice about Saudi. You can have more than one. 😎
Elapsed Time: 57 mins
More changes for the Sharks as Craig Burden comes off, John Smit shifts to hooker and Frik Venter comes on at prop. Chris Jordaan and Riaan Swanepoel have also joined the fray and Frans Steyn has shifted to flyhalf.
@klempie (Comment 76) : You must never have been married, because if you were, you would know that one is more than enough. 😆
@Dancing Bear (Comment 71) : it’s all MM’s work… I’m just copying and pasting
@Dancing Bear (Comment 78) : And I plan never to be. 😎
Sharks need to up the tempo in the last quarter… this is ridiculous
@robdylan (Comment 81) : It’s the pre-season dude……relax 😉
@robdylan (Comment 81) : Still 14-3?
@klempie (Comment 83) : 14-6
@robdylan (Comment 81) : Hey what does the Bulls team look like? Also B-stringers?
@klempie (Comment 85) : D or E stringers.
@klempie (Comment 80) : enjoying that closet still?
I’m sure Julies is showing up Fransie at 12 😀
Elapsed Time: 61 mins
The Bulls have managed to steal the ball, but took it back into their 22 before clearing, so The Sharks get the throw-in 10m out. They win the lineout and recycle the ball a number of times before just falling short, but get the penalty, opting for the scrum in front of the posts. They take it wide but lose possession just short of the line.
scrapfest…. DB, Frans is at 10 now…
@Dancing Bear (Comment 82) : ok… will go pour myself a drink
@robdylan (Comment 90) : Probably had to move to 10 because Julies was kicking his arse at 12! 😆
@robdylan (Comment 91) : There you go…….
@robdylan (Comment 87) : Are you trying to insinuate that I’m a….Stormers fan?? 😮
@klempie (Comment 94) : Well what do we really know about you, other than you hate the Bulls. Could be any South African outside of Pretoria. 😆
another try for us, another penalty for them
Elapsed Time: 66 mins
The Bulls lose the ball on attack and the ref blows the scrum. However, the Assistant referee brings his attention to something and the Bulls get a penalty which they convert.
Elapsed Time: 63 mins
The Bulls clear to touch but gain little distance and the Sharks attack off the lineout. Ross Cronje gets the ball and manages to power his way through to score. Frans Steyn drop-kicks the conversion over.
and now Frans adds a fourth…
Elapsed Time: 67 mins
The Bulls throw a wild speculative pass which goes loose and Francois Steyn is onto it like a flash, kicking it ahead twice before beating the defence to the ball. Kaplan has to confer with his assistants in the absence of a TV ref and awards the try.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 95) : Actually, I’m sitting in my office in Brummeria, East Pretoria. LOL 😆
26-9 now… better
@klempie (Comment 98) : 😆 Too funny….So you’re a self hater then. 😀
number 5:
Elapsed Time: 69 mins
The Sharks are back on the scoreboard before you know it as JP PIetersen combines with Odwa Ndungane for the latter to get over in the corner. The conversion misses but that’s all academic now!
31-9… tries to Pienaar, Burden, Cronje, Steyn and Ndungane now
@Dancing Bear (Comment 100) : Durbs boy born and bred. 😀
@robdylan (Comment 102) :
Tide has really pushed in now and the Bulls can’t swim.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 100) : Robbo is closer to being a self-hater. 😉
@robdylan (Comment 102) : See, I told you it would all be alright.
@klempie (Comment 103) : Nice…..me too. More than we can say for Rob though 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 104) : The Shark Tank is only a few hundred metres from the Indian Ocean.
Elapsed Time: 74 mins
Francois Steyn attampts a chip and chase but is tackled without the ball and earns the penalty. He kicks to touch and the Sharks will have the lineout 5m from the tryline. Unfortunately the Bulls manage to steal the ball and clear.
what I lack in birthright I make up for with rabid enthusiasm 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 109) : And we gladly accept you.
@robdylan (Comment 109) : and plain and simple stalking! 😆
Fransie having fun now:
Elapsed Time: 76 mins
The Sharks steal a Bulls scrum ball and manage to get into the 22 once more. Francois Steyn gets the ball and pops over a cheeky left-fotted drop goal.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 111) : damn straight! And now I have a family connection too 🙂
it’s 34-9
@robdylan (Comment 113) : We’re all part of the Sharks family Rob, even those without the royal birthright. 😆
@klempie (Comment 107) : 680 at high tide to be precise.
I Google Earthed it. 🙂
@Dancing Bear (Comment 111) :
@robdylan (Comment 113) : But he’s going to play for England… 😕
@robdylan (Comment 114) : Hope this doesn’t put us into a false sense of security.
number 2 for Craig
Elapsed Time: 80 mins
The Sharks have the scrum put-in as the hooter sounds. They take it up strongly a good 30m and almost every player gets involved as finally Craig Burden manages to power over and put a final nail in the Bulls’ coffin.
@klempie (Comment 118) : not him, poephol! 🙂
@klempie (Comment 119) : nah come on! It was the Bulls C-team
@robdylan (Comment 120) : Cool. A hiding to get the season off to a decent start. I’m off fellas. Mom needs me to help her install her printer. Her CD-ROM ate the installation disk so I had to download more drivers. 🙄 Just finished.
so – Burden 2, Pienaar, Cronje, Steyn, Ndungane
@klempie (Comment 123) : have fun
@robdylan (Comment 122) : That’s what I’m saying. I just hope they don’t take the result too seriously.
It’s only the pre-season!!!
Would you rather the Sharks start out like a house on fire and are dead on their feet at the end of the season, or start a little slowly like they did in the Currie Cup and finish off the season with a string of victories, including the Super 14 trophy.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 128) : i just want them to win every game by 50 points. Is that too much to ask?
@robdylan (Comment 129) : That is why we love you Rob….your unbridled enthusiasm. Unbridled by reality that is. 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 130) : yeah – I would never let that get in the way of a good fantasy
I better get some work done….cheers Rob. Thanks for the updates and the enthusiasm. 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 132) : always a pleasure 🙂
Only the Sharks????
No doubt FL will we running around with a semi, waxing lyrical about the “positives” he can take out of this game. Well done Sharks that should send a clear message out to all teams….do not send your 2nd rate sides to the Sharktank!