I believe even the Kiwi’s and Aussies will view the clash between the Stormers and the Sharks as the game of the weekend.
So much depends on this game not only for the two teams involved, but also to the Antipodeans since these two teams are generally tipped as favourites for the competition.
Every single coach and captain will tell you that a win in the opening round is non-negotiable. Apart from semi’s and finals or playing yourself into them the opening game of any competition is the most important game teams will play – it sets the tone for the rest of the season, and in a tough competition like the Super 14 you cannot afford to fall behind.
This weekend will be a massive clash between the two coastal sides, with seemingly nothing splitting the two teams given all the dynamics involved.
The Sharks are the favourites and their past record, domestic and Super rugby, suggests they should still be favourites especially if one considers the team they named. But the Stormers’ impressive season last year in addition to playing in front of a packed home crowd with an almost fully fit team evens the odds out somewhat.
If one goes and does specific comparisons and match-up’s, it’s almost like splitting hairs. The fact is that from a rugby point of view there is no way to predict a winner for this match.
Match-up’s that should be fascinating though will be;
Smit the incumbent vs. Brits the hopeful
Muller the past Bok vs. Bekker the new kid on the Bok block
Schalk the Hulk vs. Deysel the Diesel machine
January the Tiger vs. Kockett the clinical
Pienaar the Talented vs. Grant the Consistent
And of course…
Jean the Classy vs. Steyn the game-breaker
In fact, there are match-up all over the show and with so many Boks on show why not – this is what local rugby and derbies are all about.
There has been a lot of talk from both sides in the last week or so, but then you can view it as just that – talk. Don’t read anything into it because once that whistle blows on Saturday at the start of the match no amount of talk will count for anything.
The two teams have strengths in different areas which will make this match even more interesting. Just who will be able to force the other team into playing the game they want to play?
If the game is tight and bruising the Sharks will feast, if it is open and broken and fast, expect the tide to turn the Stormers way.
So just how do you separate these two teams?
Well if you are looking to separate them on rugby terms you can forget it, there is simply no way.
If you want to know who will walk away with the spoils this weekend you have to look at the make-up of the team (structures), the dynamic of the squad and coaches, and zest/mindset/composure in which these two teams are coming into the competition.
And on that, even though they look a bit thin on the bench and they are playing away from home, the Sharks just edges this with less than 5 points, possibly only a penalty.
Yes ladies and gents, it is that close, so prepare yourself for a cracker come Saturday.
Teams:
Stormers
15 Conrad Jantjes, 14 Tonderai Chavhanga, 13 Gcobani Bobo, 12 Jean de Villiers (captain), 11 Nick Koster, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Enrico Januarie, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Francois Louw, 6 Schalk Burger, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Adrian Fondse, 3 Brian Mujati, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 JD Moller.
Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Wikus Blaauw, 18 AJ Venter, 19 Luke Watson, 20 Bolla Conradie, 21 Joe Pietersen, 22 Percy Montgomery.
Sharks
15. Stefan Terblanche, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Adrian Jacobs, 12. Francois Steyn, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Ruan Pienaar, 9. Rory Kockott, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Jean Deysel, 6. Keegan Daniel, 5. Johann Muller (Captain), 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. John Smit, 1. Deon Carstens
Replacements: 16. Bismarck du Plessis, 17. Melusi Mthethwa, 18. Alistair Hargreaves, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Ross Cronje, 21. Riaan Swanepoel, 22. Luzuko Vulindlu
Kick-off: 17:00 CAT
Venue: Newlands, Cape Town
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Tweet
I hope you’re wrong.
although the chiefs crusaders game could be as good considering the lighty that has been put in to replace carter.
Results for the weekend:
Highlanders v Brumbies = Highlanders
Force v Blues = Force
Lions v Cheetahs = Cheetahs
Crusaders v Chiefs = Chiefs
Hurricanes v Tahs = Canes
Stormers v Sharks = Sharks
Bulls v Reds = Bulls
@MorneN (Comment 3) : if you’re right, I’m going to be stuffed in SB 🙂
I have Brumbies, Force, Lions, Saders, Canes, Sharks and Bulls
Yep- talk is cheap…and whisky is not (as TT has reminded us)…
This is not for the faint-hearted…
I hope we will not be disappointed and be treated to the most exhilarating 80 odd minutes of world class rugby…from both sides…
Sharks forever!
@MorneN (Comment 3) : @robdylan (Comment 4) :
$h!t- I better make my SB picks…
MorneN
You wrong boet.
We gonna walk this one!!! 😉
@robdylan (Comment 4) :
The two local derbies are the most difficult to call.
yeah i am going, brumbies, blues, lions, chiefs, canes, sharks, reds.
@robdylan (Comment 4) : ive got tahs and reds 👿 the rest is same!!!!
@MorneN (Comment 8) : I see the Lions as having faaar too much for the Cheetahs. Saders/Chiefs is going to be a nailbiter, though.
@MorneN (Comment 8) : You’ve changed your tune, what’z up boet ❓
@wpw (Comment 7) : Seems you are walking alone on this one… 😉
@willa (Comment 10) : yes the reds have a shot. bulls have started poorly in the past at home. a thinking team could take them.
@Charlie (Comment 12) :
I never changed my tune dude!
Show me once where I said the Stormers will win!? 🙂
I just gave you reasons why the Sharks might lose!
@robdylan (Comment 4) : I stuffed too , I got Brumbies , Blues , Lions , Saders , Canes , Sharks , Bulls
I just as excited as the next fan , but let’s not forget that this is the 1st game of the season so expect a lot of errors
@MorneN (Comment 15) :
I have to keep you guys grounded and bring some balance to this place.
I even had Rob worried!
@Pokkel (Comment 17) : yeah that is a problem. you are so excited about the new season you expect it to start like it ended and then you’re left disappointed cos the teams played like the nh teams do every week. poorly with lots of errors. good thing is by week 3 we have forgotten the 1st round.
@robdylan (Comment 4) :
I have :
Brumbies, Blues, Lions, Saders, Canes, Sharks and Bulls
@Pokkel (Comment 16) : @blackshark (Comment 21) : Same as me Blackshark….don’t worry Bonus point for us 😀
Large pool…all BP’s will be shared…
@Pokkel (Comment 22) :
Yeah…just noticed that…
@blackshark (Comment 23) :
Unless we all pick a conservative margin…then the highest will get the BP …
@blackshark (Comment 24) : I meant Grand Slam point 😳
@Charlie (Comment 13) : ]
I’ll NEVER Walk ALONE Adi, I mean Charlie!!! 😈
Not the best bench we’ve ever had. Some pretty inexperienced guys there.
My bet of the weekend is Chiefs to take the Crusaders!
@Villie (Comment 27) :
Then pick the Chiefs on LMS… 🙂
@blackshark (Comment 28) : Not a chance…will save them for an easier game. 😉
Have gone for Lions this week.
But I have put some cash on the Chiefs. Looking at about 3/1..not bad odds!
@blackshark (Comment 28) : The LMS is not so cut and dry this weekend. A lot of games can go either way…I went for the Bulls
@Villie (Comment 29) :
Not bad at all – not too sure about the Lions either…although I picked them on SB…
@Pokkel (Comment 30) :
Looks like we’re partying or dying together this weekend- I picked the Bulls as well…(useless COWS!)…
@wpw (Comment 26) : 😯
@blackshark (Comment 32) : I’m saving the Bulls for when they pick up steam 😉 usually slow starters and the Reds showed much improved form under Phil Mooney last season
@blackshark (Comment 32) : We’ll let’s hope it’s partying 😎
@Villie (Comment 29) : The Cheetah’s usually start the season quite well….until the injuries come and their lack of depth is exposed. I also have the Lions for a win…but not confident enough for LMS
I LUV THE SHARKS
Obviously the game of the weekend. I can’t get any prediction/news on the Lions/Cheetahs game or the Bulls/Reds game on any of the sites that I frequent
@Charlie (Comment 37) : Yeah, Baby, Yeah…Go Sharks
@Pokkel (Comment 38) : hmmmm….
I haven’t yet been accepted into Sharksworld superbru? Whhhyyyyy? I have Brumbies, Force, Lions, Canes, Chiefs, Sharks and Bulls… I think Blues are missing too many players of quality and are in Perth. Chiefs have won 2 years in a row against Saders who will miss Carter. My 2 cents
@deanoelsch (Comment 41) : I have accepted all outstanding applications…
@deanoelsch (Comment 41) : it might be because superBru’s site is f*cked
Hi Rob. My brother wants to join the Sharksworld Superbru. How do we go about it,can he join?
2 days, 0 hours, 50 minutes to go.
@Pokkel (Comment 44) : yeah – sure.
the pool invite code is pumayogi. If he just enters that on the “join a pool” page, I will approve his entry.
@Pokkel (Comment 44) : then again, SuperBru is screwed today. Get him to join JustRugby instead 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 46) : Shot , name is Anton
@robdylan (Comment 47) : Already told him 😉
Highlanders v Brumbies = Brumbies
Force v Blues = Force
Lions v Cheetahs = Lions
Crusaders v Chiefs = Crusaders
Hurricanes v Tahs = Canes
Stormers v Sharks = Stormers
Bulls v Reds = Bulls
I wouldn’t be surprised if a certain Sir Eli Kallie Woekie makes it onto the teamsheet come Saturday. 😉
Alomost forgot. Happy Birthday Charles Darwin!
@McLovin (Comment 51) : funny… I keep hearing that
It should be a great game…
Let’s just hope the “1st game shambles” don’t creep in and spoil…
@McLovin (Comment 52) : He selects himself, naturally…
@robdylan (Comment 53) :
Only cozz his coach is Rassie…
I believe that will strengthen their side…
@robdylan (Comment 55) :
@McLovin (Comment 57) : thort that might appeal to your SoH 🙂
I think the Sharks should edge this one (cozz the Stormers are going to come out fighting like crazy)…
But is the Sharks can you Kanko to open up some gaps in the backline it could potentially be a runaway…
Took the conservative seat though on SuBru…and edged Sharks by 5…
Sharks by more than 15 😈
@Hmmm (Comment 59) : ❓
On my way to class now; finish at 16:00,will break the land-speed record on the way home, and then run over to the stadium – we had better win!!! 😆