Successive defeats to first the Cheetahs and then the Crusaders have seen the Sharks fall from being top contenders to fighting for a play-off spot.
The bye week, back to back losses before that, and wins by the “wrong” teams, sees the Sharks languishing in sixth on the log. A win today may be important to keep the Sharks in the hunt for the play-offs but it is crucial if they have any hope of having a home semi-final.
The Highlanders’ play-off chances being something of the past, back to back defeats and the trip to South Africa could all conspire against them today allowing the Sharks to take the much needed win.
Expect an almighty clash in the front rows at scrum time with both sides boasting extremely strong front rows. The Sharks welcome back Ruan Pienaar but have lost Adi Jacobs for this match.
Was a one week break enough to help the Sharks secure a bonus point victory over the Highlanders?
Or will the Highlanders feel they have a point to prove after last week’s loss to the Stormers?
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 15:00 Local time
Referee: Phillip Bosch (South Africa)
ARs: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Pro Legoete (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
Sharks:
15 Stefan Terblanche, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Riaan Swanepoel, 12 Francois Steyn, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Ruan Pienaar, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Jean Deysel, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Johann Muller (captain)/Albert van den Berg, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 John Smit, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements:
16 Deon Carstens, 17 Jannie du Plessis, 18 Albert van den Berg/Johan Snyman, 19 Keegan Daniel, 20 Charl McLeod, 21 Monty Dumond, 22 Andries Strauss
Highlanders:
1 Jamie Mackintosh, 2 David Hall, 3 Clint Newland, 4 Hayden Triggs, 5 Tom Donnelly, 6 Adam Thomson, 7 Alando Soakai, 8 George Naoupu/Steven Setephano, 9 Jimmy Cowan (captain), 10 Mathew Berquist, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 12 Daniel Bowden, 13 Jason Shoemark, 14 Ben Smith, 15 Israel Dagg
Replacements:
16 Jason Rutledge , 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Josh Bekhuis, 19 Steven Setephano/Tim Boys,
20 Sean Romans, 21 Johnny Leota/Jayden Hayward, 22 Kendrick Lynn
Tweet
Springbok flyhalf Ruan Pienaar has emerged as an injury doubt for the Sharks ahead of Saturday’s Super 14 clash against the Highlanders in Durban.
The news comes on top of the injury that is likely to sideline Springbok centre Adrian Jacobs from the game.
Pienaar, 25, trained flat-out with the Sharks for the first time on Monday since sustaining a knee injury on their tour of Australia and New Zealand.
However, he has missed a further session after feeling the effects.
At this stage it’s still uncertain how serious the injury is. Should Pienaar withdraw, it will not only be a big blow for the Sharks, but also put pressure on the Springbok camp. He has been earmarked to play flyhalf for South Africa against the British and Irish Lions in June and July.
The Lions play their first tour game at the end of May, which means that other flyhalf contenders such as Morné Steyn and Peter Grant will have more opportunities to stake their claim.
Frans Steyn, who will move back to inside centre if Pienaar can play on Saturday, would otherwise remain at flyhalf. That would also mean that Riaan Swanepoel is retained in midfield.
Andries Strauss trained in Jacobs’ place on Monday. He and Swanepoel are very similar players.
Sharks coach John Plumtree conceded that they would struggle to adapt without Pienaar and Jacobs.
“Our psychological approach to Saturday’s game against the Highlanders is to view it as the start of a new season. It would have been nice to do that at full strength,” said Plumtree.
He realises, however, that injuries are part and parcel of the Super14.
“We were fortunate with injuries last year, but we have struggled this season. They were often long-term, with players sidelined for 5-6 weeks,” said Plumtree.
“We will have to adapt and it’s up to the forwards to give us the foundation. It will be hard work because the Highlanders have an exceptional pack. That is why they were the surprise package in this year’s competition.
“They also have a world class scrumhalf in Jimmy Cowan and one of the outstanding players of the tournament in fullback Israel Dagg.”
🙁 🙁
A Brumbies BP win puts us 7th. barely in the top half 🙁
BP try already scored by the Brumbies, now just the win needed.
Sharks Xv lost to Griquas. 🙁
Sharks XV 25 – 36 Griquas
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) : ah no man, shyte. I hope someone will commentate this game
@KSA Shark © (Comment 3) :
Go the Kwas!
and gOOde luck to the $harks!
😈
ruan on the bench. Strauss starts at 13
@Oranje Orakel (Comment 5) : isn’t there a bridge somewhere you should be guarding?
@robdylan (Comment 7) :
13 is a gOOde player!
@JarsonX (Comment 4) :
I will do my best to commentate on the Sharks Match
@robdylan (Comment 8) :
Why?
Is there a national emergency?
a lot of leMMinglike mrPrice clad okes that “cant take it anymore” and will now jump oFF that samesaid bridge?
News from Dbn is that Ruan will NOT be starting. He will be coming off the bench.
It will be
10. Steyn
12. Swanepoel
13. Strauss
@robdylan (Comment 8) :
bridge? In the flatlands? 😯
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) :
BTW KSA Which skOOl were you in?
Bloues, ROOies or anuDDer?
I am worried about the referee. 🙁
I lIkE tO LooK sTuPiD
@Oranje Orakel (Comment 14) :
I was in HTS De Wet Nel.
When I was in Kroonstad there were 4 High schools.
Kroonstad HS (Bloues)
Afrikaanse HS (Rooies)
HTS De Wet Nel (Ampies)
H Landbou Skool (Lanties)
KHS and HTS have no amalgamated to be called Bloues I believe.
@Baldrick (Comment 16) :
Dont woRRy
You already suPPort the right team then!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 17) :
Ah Ok
Thanks
Did not know that aLL!
@Oranje Orakel (Comment 19) :
Gert Smal is from HTS as well as Derrick Grobbelaar who used to play for the Bulls.
The two Highlander props weigh 129 and 130 KG’s 😯
@Oranje Orakel (Comment 18) : Almost as stOOpid as supporting the opposition.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 21) : Big boys!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 20) :
SmaLLas was an Yster
I believe he then went to PuKKe before ending up at PROOOVins!
cHEErs for now- I ahve a bridge to guard
bEEn promoted from fliPPin hamburger paTTies!
😀
No Dumond on the bench. Luzuko Vulindlu is in there.
Why the hell is Ruan not back yet? 👿
FK Sharks as Highlanders don’t roll away.
Sharks opt for scrum
30m out.
Pack weights
Landers 910
Sharks 849
collpased scrum reset.
blood for the Landers hooker already
Sharks go right and after multiple recycles they are 2m out before they knock it on.
Looks like the handling errors from the last game have not been sorted out. Awesome.
After 2 minutes of play there is a scrum to the highlanders 15m inside their half.
Both teams are running the ball. Stefan not kicking.
Sharksscrum them off the ball 😯 and they have to clean it up.
FK on the Landers 22 to the Sharks for the tackler using his hands in the ruck after tackling a good running Swanepoel.
Opt for scrum
ST knocks on another one. We’re looking spectacular with ball out of hand. 🙄
Kockott breaks and passes to Stefan.
knock as the sun get’s in Stefan’s eyes.
FK Sharks as the Landers engage early.
Kankowski taps and goes.
After a 2nd run by Kankowski the Sharks get a PK 8m out for side entry at the ruck by the Landers.
Sharks going at goal.
JM chooses posts. Stupid decision. We’re all over them and we HAVE to get 4 tries.
Kockott slots it.
Sharks 3 – 0 Landers
9min
@klempie (Comment 37) :
We HAVE to win first. 😆
i dont know which is better, not watching or not reading or not listening 😈
@KSA Shark © (Comment 39) : No man. If we don’t finish in the top two then it’s completely pointless.
PK Landers as Kankowski knocks on after a good run but Botes plays the ball from in front.
Lander set up LO.
Clean take at the LO.
Landers on attack 10m out.
Overlap and TRY!!!!!!!!! for Rutledge.
HAHAHAHAHA!!! Highlanders score!!
@klempie (Comment 44) :
TT you will get banned if you keep using Klempie’s login details. 😉
oh dear
I am not seeing an improvement over the Saders game from these clowns.
Coversion over from the touchline
Sharks 3 – 7 Highlanders
14min
@KSA Shark © (Comment 45) : ST is god. 😎
@klempie (Comment 47) :
i’m not seeing any improvement from the “supporters”
@KSA Shark © (Comment 50) : Hey I was supporting them last game but they have not improved.
@klempie (Comment 49) :
TT would never say that, it MUST be Klempie. 😉
SYKES TRY!!!!!!!!!!!!
go steve
Kockott converts
Sharks 10 – 7 Landers
18min
Finally!! JP gets the ball at the halfway mark and takes it down 5m line. Hands off to Kanko who feeds Bissie round about the 22 and Sykes falls over the line.
Converted.
10-7
@KSA Shark © (Comment 52) :
Sharks seem to be showing the Highlanders the way in the scrum.
Tackles made
Highlanders 23
Sharks 6
21min
just 3 more
@klempie (Comment 56) :
Possession
Sharks 69% – 31% Highlanders
Kankowski beats the two highlanders and goes down the line.
Kockott JUST can’t gather the pass and we have a scrum to the Landers in their own 22.
loving the mex commentary
@robdylan (Comment 60) : Why say that? Why say it and jinx it? 🙄
@KSA Shark © (Comment 63) :
scrum was 10m out and the Sharks demolished them. 😯
Another knock on a metre from the line. 🙄
im havin a gr8 sb weekend 4 from 4 thus far although most margins are way out 😆
knock on by the Sharks 2m out at the base of the ruck. (Bismarck)
@klempie (Comment 67) :
Sharks WANT to scrum. 😆
@robdylan (Comment 64) : Agree. 😎
We demolish them again and they have to send it back to the flyhalf under pressure.
He knocks in goal and Botes pounces for a TRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
im supporting the KZN Knockers from now on, go Knockers!!! 😛
Try Berquist!!
He standing back in his in goal to clear a kick from a ruck. He knocks on and Botes follows up to make sure of the grounding. 😎
Converted.
17-7
Kockott slots it.
Sharks 17 – 7 Highlanders
26min
go jb!
@JarsonX (Comment 73) :
Deysel will knock you OUT if you say that to him in person. 😛
@JarsonX (Comment 73) : Are you talking about the Flashers? 😉
@klempie (Comment 74) :
try berquist???????????????????????? 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 77) : He’s a pussycat. 🙂
The crowd audio is pissing me off no end. The Volume goes up and down all the time.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 77) : 🙄
who’s the ref? He’s good
@KSA Shark © (Comment 79) : I give credit where it’s due. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 81) : Crowds have a habit of doing that. 🙄
Down the line by our backs and Strauss chips it out on the full. 🙁
Kockott passing a lot more tonight. 😎
Bismarck knocks another. 😯
@klempie (Comment 85) :
😆 NO MAN!!!!!!!!!! it’s just the volume that is screwed up.
@klempie (Comment 84) :
The Sharks should just minimize mistakes and we could see a cricket score here.
Who coaches these players how to carry the ball?
Stefan takes a GREAT catch in his 22 diving to collect the ball about 1m off the deck.
he almost has his head taken off in the tackle on him and Botes dives in to help.
AR Craig joubert recommends a PK against Botes for interfering.
PK Landers going at goal.
Over
Sharks 17 – 10 Landers
35min
FK Sharks and Steyn taps and goes.
Smit in the backline passes forward to JPP. 😕 (Wants to scrum) 😉
Cowan look like he has a little bit of a swollen cheek.
except for the knock on effect, hows the overall performance, work rate of they guys compared to the last couple of games?
we should be ahead by 30
Cowan TRY!!!!!!!!!
Try Cowan. Wonderful.
17-15 Conversion to come.
Poor defence Kanko!!
Oops. Sharks go to sleep…
man, I want to pull my hair out
@robdylan (Comment 96) : Mexted agrees. Says they should have scored 4 more tries already.
HT 17-15
Conversion missed
Sharks 17 – 15 Highlanders
HALF TIME
OK. While HT is on, is anyone interested in buying Sharks v British and Irish Lions tickets at R230 face value?
@JarsonX (Comment 95) :
Sharks lead in EVERY department of the stats.
The Highlanders have been in out 22 for no more than 2minutes.
Scored twice from there though.
what is wrong with this team?
@robdylan (Comment 102) : Hair?? 😯
@robdylan (Comment 107) : Handling. That is it. Everything else is perfect but if you keep dropping the ball 5m from the line then any team can match you. Simple as that.
@klempie (Comment 105) : no. You will need to suffer through that yourself! 🙂
@klempie (Comment 109) : Hell even beat you like the Saders managed.
@klempie (Comment 109) : conceding soft tries doesn’t help either
@klempie (Comment 108) : suppose his not talking about those ones
@JarsonX (Comment 113) : 😯 Geez then he must be REAAAAALLY frustrated.
Gimme a day or so and I will get you a buyer or six.
Really awful game by the Sharks so far – Highlanders are just waiting to be beaten, but we keep screwing up.
We might still win, but I doubt we will get the BP or confidence we need to go all the way.
Back to the drawing board.
man. This is annoying
@robdylan (Comment 107) :
Nothing, you are just impatient. 😛
@Big Fish (Comment 116) : what more can we change? We had it on a plate this season
whats happening here guys Ruan on tv talking now hope he,s on soon
@robdylan (Comment 119) : Yep…great draw, easier away games. Things were in place…..so far we haven’t made the most of it…but still a way to go!
Half time Stats
Handling Errors
Sharks 17
Landers 5
Turnovers conceded
Sharks 1
Landers 2
PKs and FKs conceded
Sharks 3
Landers 7
Tackles made
Sharks 22
Landers 36
Tackles missed
Sharks 7
Landers 11
Possession
Sharks 57%
Landers 43%
Territory
Sharks 64% (Time in Landers 22 15%)
Landers 36% (Time in Sharks 22 8%)
I would hate to see you guys as Stormers, Cheetah or Lions supporters.
Half of you would have committed suicide by now. 😕
@KSA Shark © (Comment 123) : if i was a bulls supporter, who knows what i should have done already 😈 😆 👿
Steyn makes a slip up and kicks it out on the full after it was passed into the 22 to him.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 123) :
Judging by the current calibre of Cheetahs supporter, any suicide would be an act of philanthropy.
The fact is that we are Sharks supporters, with talented team throwing it all away – reason enough for frustration.
Setaphano receives a forward pass and runs into Deysel for his trouble. 😳
Smit off
Jannie Dup on
Daniel on for Deysel (Bloodbin)
@KSA Shark © (Comment 123) :
😆 😆 😆
Sharks hook a tighthead on the Landers 22
Morning gentlemen
Sharks PK for illegal entry at the ruck.
Cowan: mr Ref you didn’t call a ruck (or something similar)
Ref: I called it.
Cowan: Are you SURE? 😆
Kockott slots the PK.
Sharks 20 – 15 Landers
go Rocket
@Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 132) :
Hey Lindy.
You are going to have Klempie in a tizz now that you HAVE changed your pic back to the original one. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 135) : I try to keep Klempie on his (?) toes.
Stefan hits a nice little gap.
Bismarck takes it and goes and knock it on again!!!!!!!!!
bis has knocked on 5 balls on his own
@Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 136) :
His, is correct yes. 🙂
Landers scrum 5m out.
They must be kaaking themselves
@KSA Shark © (Comment 140) :
much better scrum than in the first half.
@robdylan (Comment 138) : misvang du plessis
Raun on for Strauss
Steyn moves to center.
@JarsonX (Comment 142) :
hy kannie ‘n busvang nie. 😉
pinie makes an immediate impact
go ruan!!
Kockott going at goal for a Hightackle PK.
Slots it.
Sharks 23 – 15 Landers
57min
And there is the sound issue again. 👿
60min
Sharks 23 – 15 Landers
@KSA Shark © (Comment 123) : @JarsonX (Comment 124) :
Deysel back on but Botes comes off as Daniel get’s to stay on.
Carstens on for Beast
deysel back on looks battered two eggs!!!!
game getting a little boring now.
Skew throw at the LO by the Landers.
Handling Errors
Sharks 22
Landers 12
@Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 136) : Hey the SW cheerleader is in! 😉 WOOOHOOO
no bonus. There goes the season
@klempie (Comment 153) : Hi Klempie.
How the FUCK did we not score there?? They didn’t even knock it on this time!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH
JPP down the line
Feeds kankow gets stopped 4m out.
Knock on Highlanders.
Sharks attacking scrum 5m out.
@Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 155) : 🙂
@klempie (Comment 156) : ???
@KSA Shark © (Comment 150) : get’s?
@robdylan (Comment 154) :
Where’s the glass? 😆
Held up in goal
Sharks scrum 5m.
I’d like to know how the ref can shout “leave it, leave it” And the highlanders still hold it and he doesn’t blow his whistle?
@robdylan (Comment 160) : 😆
Sharks knock on in the ruck 2m out.
can’t believe this shit
Thank Goodness this ref is a Saffa becuae we seem to be winning the lottery calls at the moment.
Sharks attacking LO 5m out.
no way you can give that
TMO pending for a F%^K UP
How the ref can allow so many hands in the rucks is beyond me.
Yellow card for the Highlanders Bowden for a high tackle.
75min
HOW STUPID.
Kockott is getting a RED CARD for sure
now or never
Kockott tackled late and then as Thompson get’s up to walk away he get’s floored with a punch in the face by Kockott.
STUPID
STUPID
So who is playing Scrumhalf for the next few weeks?
Ruan pienaar?
The Sharks have become a complete joke. Well done Rory. Highlanders down to 14 men when we need two tries and he throws a punch. I think you’re right Rob. That’s the season gone thanks to BP…again.
Hooter has gone.
Craig joubert calls a “tip tackle” by 19 black and suggests a Yellow card.
HAHAHAHAHA!!! Another Shark binned in injury time. It’s Keegan. LMAO. What a bunch of jokers.
Cowan goes at goal from our halfway line on the 15m line.
Miss
FULL TIME
Sharks 23 – 15 Highlanders
Log updated
Sharks go 2nd
Highlanders go 10th
What an awful game. The Tahs will eat us up with that kind of display not to mention the Bulls.
apalling.
Utterly apalling.
It’s over? My feed is slow because the game is still on.
so no kockott for next week? I hope they start with MacLeod. The backs might actually get some ball.
HEY WHINGERS!
Send me your physical addresses please so that I can send you a Stormers jersey
😯 well maybe not, had a bad feeling about this
@Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 184) : Yes it’s over. Be grateful you didn’t have to watch that.
Okay i’m off to braai the boerewors.
Will be back in a little bit.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 186) :
Free Stormers jerseys???
Will mail you mine now! 😉
@robdylan (Comment 185) :
My thoughts exactly!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 186) : Andre, dude… you KNOW I am usually the world’s best cheerleader, but this is awful.
Remember, we were in a position a few weeks ago when we were a shoe-in to finish first. With this kind of shit being dished up, we’ll be lucky to end 4th.
@klempie (Comment 188) : I am still watching the game… I was confused because you guys were talking about the red card and it hadn’t happened yet.
@Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 192) : Turn it off. TURN IT OFF! 😛
Congrats with the win!
😎
@robdylan (Comment 185) : It’ll be Ruan at 9 and Steyn at 10.
i want to say something but i dont know what, lets try: bizmarck to play from the bench only, kocky to go to VC squad, steyn to france and the rest to primary school to learn the basics and ball handling. Happy about the win but not proud
@klempie (Comment 195) : I’m glad I’m not watching the next two games
@klempie (Comment 193) : Yeah, but I like the Highlanders.
@robdylan (Comment 197) : Of the round or of the Sharks?
Firstly – Greetings fellow Sharks fans 🙂 I’ve been a lurker here for quite a while and have finally taken the dive and registered *bows*
Secondly – How it can be called by Craig Joubert that Rory “threw a vicious punch” when the replay clearly shows a flatty, I’ll never know. But hey, the Sharks scored two tries from attacking rugby, not defending rugby and that in my books can only be a good thing 😀
@Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 198) : Then get off our site. No don’t! Stay! I mean…we can’t have opponents on this site. But we need cheerleaders! Oh I’m so torn. 😳
I still love the Sharks – like I did even when we had Kevin Putt and his merry men of no-hopers – Jaco Gouws, Jacques Schutte and other such mensch.
The difference is that this is actually a team with talent.
I am certainly not going to accept the mediocre and become a fan who can feel a sense of happiness if my team wins 2 games a season.
I leave that for the less evolved amongst us.
@Mephisto_Shark (Comment 200) : welcome aboard, hope your time here wont be a dissapointing one
@Mephisto_Shark (Comment 200) : Hey Mephisto. Welcome. You will have to battle it out with Lyndy for the lurker honours.
@Big Fish (Comment 202) : ditto, but i dont think i can be more dissapointed than i already am, sharks forever
@klempie (Comment 201) : HEY! I like the Sharks for most of the time, just not when they play the Highlanders.
@klempie (Comment 204) : Yeah but there’s a lot to catch up on, I was lurking for over a year.
@Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 206) : @Lyndy_in_Mtl (Comment 207) :
@Big Fish (Comment 202) :
🙄
Ah Genes
what an interesting rugby topic!
Hi all. I know it’s wrong and fighting is bad BUT I liked the idea of Rory flooring the big boy Thompson with a flatty. And that tackle was high in the first place.
@Nita (Comment 210) : I didn’t. Looked childish and actually stupid to me. I don’t know whether it wouldn’t be better if he is cited. Though it is going to be just another disruption for a backline.
otherwise good evening people.
at least sharks won
@Nita (Comment 210) :
No place for that in the game – he hit him while he wasn’t looking, and it was uncalled for.
@klempie (Comment 199) : of the sharks
@Big Fish (Comment 212) : he’s got too big for his boots and is now acting like a complete prick
@robdylan (Comment 214) : agreed – i must say sth was coming for rory.
but if he gets cited we will probably have frans back at 10 😕
@rekinek (Comment 215) : i’d rather have muller at 10
@rekinek (Comment 215) :
A red card is an automatic citing and disciplinary hearing. So we will have Ruan at 9 and Steyn at 10 i believe and I also believe it will be for at least three weeks.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 217) : and come lions the springboks will have a flyhalf that did not play FL in like 3 months
😐
@KSA Shark © (Comment 217) : what’s the update on dessert semis (if I remember correct ❓ )
@rekinek (Comment 219) :
No there are no semi’s. depending on yesterday’s results next weeks game could be the decider.
Will probably get the results tomorrow some time.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 220) : 😳
i think you’ve mentioned decider so I immediately thought about semis.
@rekinek (Comment 221) :
Just got the weekend’s results.
The Weekend’s match will decide 3rd and 4th place between Bahrain and Dubai Dragons.