Ooooh – the big one! Hands up everyone who’s nervous!
The Sharks are at home to the Hurricanes and need at least a four-pointer to stay at the top of the log.
Will Plummo’s boys build on their superb effort against the Brumbies last week?
Or will the dangerous Hurricanes cut the shaky Sharks midfield defence to shreds?
Kick-off in Durban is at 17h05.
Teams:
The Sharks: 15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Adrian Jacobs, 12 Riaan Swanepoel, 11 JP Pietersen/Luzuko Vulindlu, 10 Francois Steyn, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Keegan Daniel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (captain), 4 Steven Sykes, 3 John Smit, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Jannie du Plessis, 17 Deon Carstens, 18 Albert van den Berg, 19 Skholiwe Ndlovu, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Monty Dumond, 22 Luzuko Vulindlu/Chris Jordaan.
Hurricanes: 15 Cory Jane, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 David Smith, 10 Piri Weepu, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Rodney So’oialo (captain), 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Bryn Evans, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 John Schwalger.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Jacob Ellison, 18 Tim Fairbrother, 19 Api Naikatini, 20 Victor Vito, 21 Willie Ripia, 22 Tamati Ellison.
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Touch judges: Joey Salmans (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
Tweet
whos playing, jpp or zuks? GO SHARKS!! Whooehooe!!
GOOO Sharks!!
Zuks..last I heard…
😥 😥 😥 😥 😥 😥 😥 😥 😥 😥
sharks will win – i usually don’t have so much bad luck in one day 😥 😥 😥
Justin TV is showing damn Frnech rugby instead of Sharks game!! 🙁 😥
@rekinek (Comment 4) : If we don’t..it will be 5 losses for SA teams this weekend!!
oh my gosh – fransie’ shaved
Zuks gets the nod…lets go SHARKS!
PK CANES! BIS offside…
OVER 3-0 Canes …
go sharks
PK SHARKS… Ref chatting with the skippers…
Kockott middles it…3-3…
Zuks looking good so far. Great kick by Stef to find touch…
Try! 😯
Try Levave…loose defence by Sharks. Weepu converts. 10 -3 Canes
PK Sharks- offside. Kockott middles again. 10- 6 Canes
Missed tackles Sharks 11 – Canes 3. PK SHARKS- Canes not using the gate. Kockott scores 10 – 9 Canes
Steyn drop…misses to the left…
Oh ok….so the LIONS did well last week then….they missed less tackles…but at least also managed to break tackles
Moses Mabhida stadium looking good…
Hey Hmmm…
ADI gets a warning …dangerous tackle…
@blackshark (Comment 23) : can u believe it
35 minutes gone. Odwa try saving tackle …
Odwa playing a stellar game according to the Radio 2000 commentator but what is the turnover count?
REK 24… Ive seen worse…
there is no way sharks will loose this game but BP – doubtful
Oh, my gosh! Is our back three not working or are they just creaming us at rucks and mauls?
Half time 10- 9 CANES
9 -10 HT
BTW – I’ve been crying – nobody even asks why 😈
@Hmmm (Comment 20) : lions have so many great touches and yet no winnings – I am so frustrated with them – not sure what to pinpoint.
I think Loffie should actually go entire game with his starting XV
@blackshark (Comment 22) :
Hey how you doing?
Sharks had better show up for the game during the break, those impersonators are barely holding on
@rekinek (Comment 32) : ???
2nd half is your Sharkies, go make SA proud
@blackshark (Comment 27) :
You should have seen the one JFourie was penalised for off which the Chiefs scored a converted try!??! And the LIONS turned over the ball in that move after the incident and not enough advantage…so penalty was still given
@JarsonX (tantric shark) (Comment 36) : i’m dead hoped for at least bit of compassion
GO STEFAAAAAAN
lms?
half 10-9 Canes
Zim… Our midfield is not creating enough… Rory and Steyn…oh and S wannie need to slow it down a bit…
come on guys! FOCUS!!!
Hmmm 34- Good…just wish the Lions didnt give away those points…
try
vulindlu tryyyyyyyyyyyyy
zuks try!! Caught canes sleeping
try was so quick we don’t even know who created it.
looked like js
16-10
@rekinek (Comment 33) :
I actually think the big issue this morning was the loose forwards…they completely dominated the Chiefs loose forwards until Grobler got injured…Joubert sent to the bin and Clever got injured and played with a dodgy shoulder for about 0 min is quick succession…
With the change of rose to 12 and a Andre/Rose midfield not long before all that…
I think that stretched the LIONS and the Chiefs just hit them up…and the LIONS did not have enough gas to keep defending as they did…
rory conceding a lot of turn overs
@try time (Comment 49) : the line-out
steyn try!
maybe BP is not out of question
23-10 Sharks 48min
I want this French rugby to hurry up and finish so that Justin TV will put on the Sharks game. Hate not being able to watch!
@JarsonX (tantric shark) (Comment 41) : 😥 😥 😥 😥
at least u
I understand why Loffie wanted to do that as he could see that the players were tiering….
So he wanted to pot for the double kickers in Rose and Andre as it worked very well against the Brumbies….
But with a topsy turvey loose trio the LIONS backline hardly got good ball and the kicks were not all that great…
FOCUS!!
Black, thanks for that info…This commentator…ex Lion’s centre is shocking!! Looks like we have woken up!
@blackshark (Comment 45) :
Yeh…would have done the Bulls and Sharks a hue fav with a win…
Well they can still help by beating the Blues/Saders and Tahs…
@rekinek (Comment 59) : funeral for rekinek after sharks game, shame. 😆 😉
Sharks look hungry now
jannie on smit off
Nice…
Shakrs pulling away
But beware…the Canes score weird tries…Sharks need to keep it going!??!
pity – odwa couldn’t go all the way – he deserves
Im back…
@JarsonX (tantric shark) (Comment 64) : with white lilies and speeches pls 😥 😥 😥
Jannie playing well this season….
2 more tries
Come Sharky’s…
Can anybody post the territory stats?
muller u ass
zuks hobbling around but tries to defend
jordaan on for zuks
jordaaaaaaaaan 😀
Zuks out- Jordaan in… 64 mins gone
stefan u beauty
stefan saves with a kick to touch
Yes you ass
TRY CANES TMO…Given! Weepu scores 23-17 SHARKS
@JarsonX (tantric shark) (Comment 76) :
Oh lazy….you cannot be hobbling around in S14…you need to give it your all…
23 – 17 68th min
@blackshark (Comment 83) :
Oh I told ja…
Come-on Sharks….SA side needs to stay on top…
STEYN DROP…26-17
fransie finally got one over – all previous sins forgotten
Ok kool….so he Canes need to score twice….
NONU gettin aggro with Stef. FK changed to PK .Canes tap and they knock it…
@blackshark (Comment 90) :
Ha-Ha
Lets go Shaks
Canes 5m out…
Scrum canes 5m out…this is pretty tense…
FK SHARKS Nonu not releasing…good tackle Adi…
jordaaaaaaaaaan
CHRIS scores! Yeah…
can they get one more ❓
Kockott converts …31-17
Rek 97- if only we had 5 more minutes…
THATS THE GAME! 33- 17
Plum for pres.
Well done Sharks, you’ve salvaged what would have been a disaster weekend for SA sports. We just need the Proteas to pitch up tomorrow.
What a great second half from Steyn.
with that crowd at king’s park – the sharks just can’t loose
Are we the only SA team that has won. AGAIN? 👿
Yes…the Sharks top the log
Did they get 4 tries?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 104) :
YIP
@KSA Shark © (Comment 104) : hello = are u still here 😀
kockott – not a MoM- that means he had a good game today 😀
KSA 104- my thread problem has been fixed…no more jokes! MU-HA-HA-HA!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 104) : @rekinek (Comment 107) :
u can say speech at my funeral
@Hmmm (Comment 105) : nup 😕
So SA has 1 – 4 – 10 – 12 – 14
12 should have been around 7/8 at least….
ZUKS MOM…hows a follow up article Rob?
@rekinek (Comment 110) :
Darn…
@blackshark (Comment 112) :
Was he really or is he your MOM
Woooohooooooo!
Very grateful for the won, but jislaaik John Smit got monstered in the scrums. As soon as Jannie Came on, the scrum turned around immediately and started going forward. Worst performance at TH for Smit I have seen. He is still superior to anyone in the world scrumming at hooker.
Just glad the Sharks won…
The LIONS were involved in one of the games of the week for the second consec week…but not good enough to pull it off…
Thank goodness he has 7 more S14 games to sort our his shit at TH before the Lions series. 😈
@Dancing Bear (Comment 116) :
Jannie has been playing well…
He is the stand out 3 and the only other prop playing wel at 3 lately is Lawrence Sephaka…
@Dancing Bear (Comment 116) : they say – jannie best tighthead – but then again jonno best captain
But Smith will be good cover anyways….
My rant on Smit by no means diminishes Jannie and his performance. He is a superb TH, best in SA right now in my opinion. He scrums very well and also gets around the field a fair bit. Smit is such a good captain, and in my opinion is still a better hooker than Bissie is. Thinking Smit might be best for SA at 2 for the Lions unless he improves dramatically in the next 7 games.
The best game of the season for the Sharks.
Really liked Beast, Swannie and Botes – thought they were great.
But the Sharks really impressed me by adding muscle when it needed, and flair when it presented itself.
Adi also had a really good game, has a great feel for play which is why it might not be too far fetched to try him at 10 because Fransie – good as he has been in the 2nd, could have put the Sharks far behind in the first half.
But most impressed by the Sharks – the best game of the weekend and to be honest, I think most teams would have lost to the Canes today as they were not bad in the least.
By far the best losing side this weekend.
Actually they were better in losing than most teams were in winning.
Well done Sharks.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 122) :
You must be the first Sharkie supporter (maybe Try Time) who agrees with me that John is a better hooker than Bismarck.
I suppose it is nice having his versatility for the Boks. If he is captain and will play 80 minutes, he only has to play 50 or 60 at hooker and can hold up his end for 20 minutes or so at TH. Just think he will get monstered in the scrums at TH against the Lions if he starts.
@Morné (Comment 124) : Bissie is a fantastic rugby player, but Smit still edges him in the scrums and throw-ins. If today is any indication, Smit can not hold his own at 3 on the international stage. (But hey, someone disagree with me if I am off on some rant here. 😀 )
@Morné (Comment 123) : fransie @ 10 – enigma – cannot wait for ruan to be back.
so are u sharks supporter – or did u fool me. hit me now. i’m dead
Steyn is a fantastic rugby player, all kinds of talent and skill, but is not a flyhalf in my opinion. He is a capable fill in for Pienaar though isn’t he?
@rekinek (Comment 127) :
Whats the date today?
@Dancing Bear (Comment 126) :
You know your rugby dude!
@rekinek (Comment 127) : Morne is a true rugby supporter who happens to be burdened with a love for Western Province and the Stormers. 😉
@Hmmm (Comment 60) : I’m sorry the boys need to toughen up – the replacements are not working.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 130) : he pretended sth else on the 1st – so i’m checking. i’m bit of a softie u know 😆
Oh, and in case you didn’t know, I still think the world of Smit, best captain in world rugby, superb player, and leader of note. Not really fair to ask someone at his stage in his career to try to switch to probably the most technical position in the scrum. He is a beast, huge and strong, but clearly his inexperience shows at TH. I think you will see him have good games at TH, but an experienced, strong LH will figure him out (I think). I’m sorry Bissie, you may have to wait just a little longer to be the Bok 2.
@rekinek (Comment 132) : Morne knows his rugby, and is always worth giving a listen. Besides his love for the WP, you have to understand that he played scrumhalf when he played, and we all know the attitude inherent with anyone that plays scrumhalf. 😉
@Dancing Bear (Comment 134) : i have no problem with his comments. 😎 i’ve always thought him reasonable
i’m referring specifically to our 1st April discussions and just checking – you know the day.
re: jannie , john and bissie – i view rugby as a team sport – so i always see things in terms of combinations and team dynamics – and this makes john indispensible and right – he is best hooker than tighhead. but the bis better than jannie – eish
@rekinek (Comment 132) :
I am afraid DB is spot on dude.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 133) :
Where I find it fascinating that Plummo (who is technically very good) has Smit at 3 (where Jannie is technically better) and Bissie at 2 (where John is technically better).
@Dancing Bear (Comment 134) :
Haha, dude, being a 9 I have been next to tightehads and looseheads all my life – I think I know more about scrumming than most refs!
(Just joking)
BTW – why “dancing bear” ❓ – if not too personal
Okay I am out, night all.
@Morné(Comment 136) : this jersey looked suspicious
o sorry – cannot grin -i’m dead
Totsiens Mornie good seeing you.
i like how the log looks like – chiefs and waratha didn’t come to Republic yet 😆
@rekinek (Comment 137) : Not personal but might be a long story 😉 See I was born many years ago……Just kidding. I sail (a lot) race sailing boats and one boat that I owned and campaigned for many years I named Dancing Bear. Always thought it would be a good name for a boat. Has kind of stuck since, even though I don’t own that boat anymore, My crew and I are always known as Dancing Bear, no matter what boat we sail.
There, not too long.
@Morné (Comment 138) : night man 😛
@Morné (Comment 136) : I think Plummo playing Smit at 3 is purely at the behest of the Bok coach. Which is fine, I understand the choice he made to try John at 3, and perhaps it will work with time, but I think against the Lions Smit should start at 2 with Bissie on the bench. Perhaps in a year or by the next RWC, John will be a world class 3 and then it will be Bissie’s turn in the 2 jersey. He is young yet, especially for a front rower.
Morne, dude, you 9s know more about everything than anyone when on a rugby pitch, more about refereeing than the ref, more about scrumming than the scrum. 😉 We just love to have you on our side. It is the opposition 9 we hate! 😆
@Dancing Bear (Comment 142) : did some sailing myself – even got papers to sail on the sea – but never did.
mainly Polish lakes – but then it all changes so quickly – i remember times when you just got to the shore and it did belong to nobody … now very commercialised
@Dancing Bear (Comment 142) : what kinda boat you have / had
log : stormers – 11
lions – 12
cheetahs – 14
that’s not good
@rekinek (Comment 145) : All over the world it is like that, can’t find a quiet uninhabited beach anywhere.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 148) : what’s getting to me is … that i could see the thing happening myself . — jeez i soumd like an old man 🙄
sailing just became more expensive
Awesome game… entire 22 must be commended… keep Smit at 2 though this TH thing does not work… far better balance rotating the front-row with two hookers… anyone pay attention to how much graft Muller got through… he’s my bench man for the Boks after this season… in fact it would be difficult to drop any of the Sharks 22 from a Bok squad…
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 150) : yes but he made some shocking decisions as captain. the team seemed to lose its way when john smit left the field. that definitely says something about the man. and everyone moaning about smit at th never noticed that jannie wasn’t much better. i think it was more a case of the forwards over thinking what they needed to do that they forgot the basics.
@try time (Comment 40) : DOTH MINE EYES DECEIVE ME?? 😯 😯
@klempie (Comment 152) : i was going to go go frans, but he is too doff to understand that.
Zuks had a great debut….was most impressed….hope the injury is not too bad.
@try time (Comment 151) :
Do you actually watch these games… scrum improved dramatically from the very scrum when Jannie came on…
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 155) :
“the team seemed to lose its way when john smit left the field”
Not knocking Smit at all… but FFS they started to score tries from that point on…
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 156) :
Game of the season so far…
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 155) : yes but the hurricanes changed their front row, so you can’t judge. we also had albert come on. your reasoning is based on too many variables. the team definitely lost its way with smit off the field.
@bryce_in_oz (Comment 156) : @bryce_in_oz (Comment 156) : two of the tries were scored with smit on the field, were you watching the game? if you call being camped in your own 22 for 20 minutes playing well, then you enjoy a defensive game.