The Sharks and Bulls have really been the “big two” of South African rugby for several years – and it is just beginning to look as if the status quo will not be disturbed in 2009.
Rob Houwing writes on News 24 that the outcomes of the enthralling final series of Absa Currie Cup round-robin matches will probably have most canny punters now envisaging a carbon copy of last year’s showpiece: the Sharks against the Bulls in Durban.
On that occasion, of course, the home side prevailed 14-9 to lift the trophy for the first time since 1996, although the Bulls roared back a few months later to claim their second Vodacom Super 14 title in three years.
So these are the two South African franchises with the most to brag about at present and things could well stay that way, even if there remains a fair enough threat that the cat could be set among the pigeons in next week’s semi-finals.
Saturday’s results, in which the Sharks jumped back to top spot with exquisite timing in Kimberley — simultaneously wrecking the Griquas fairytale — and a grimly motivated Lions outfit upset prior leaders Western Province to nudge them into second, set up a meeting between
the Currie Cup holders and the Cheetahs at Absa Stadium, and Province against old foes the Bulls at Newlands.
There will be an especially good chance of no empty seats at the latter, as Luke Watson’s side arguably remain the likeliest hope of the recent Sharks/Bulls dominance of the South African landscape being broken.
Their assignment at Coca-Coca Park, to not only beat the Lions but also do it with a bonus point, was always going to be hazardous, especially as a home semi was already safe for them and that may have unintentionally impacted on their levels of urgency.
So Province, the pesky possible intruders to the lofty domain of the juggernaut duo, will now have to go a tougher route if they wish to claim the coveted prize for the first time since 2001.
Beating a full-strength Bulls next week is a tall order, despite WP’s revitalisation as a domestic force this winter and even the fact that they will have home-ground advantage.
They will certainly make a fist of it, egged on by a particularly partisan crowd, and should they somehow topple the senior Springbok-laden Bulls, there is a strong chance that they would then have to travel to the Shark Tank, and encounter another raft of hardened, Tri-Nations-winning internationals in their quest to make the dream come true.
Mind you, that is assuming that Stefan Terblanche and company do the KO business to the Cheetahs, who can never be discounted and may view their late, late qualification for the last four as a wonderful passport not to be surrendered easily – they will happily take the mantle of cheeky underdogs.
Something that will be worrying the Sharks is a mounting injury toll among forwards who provide most of their true “grunt”: Beast Mtawarira and Bismarck du Plessis were among those not to see out the encounter with Griquas on their rock-hard paddock, and if you throw in some lingering concerns around John Smit, Johann Muller and Jean Deysel, that is a lot of brawn to surrender if the worst comes to the worst for them personnel-wise over the next two or three weeks.
Similarly, Province were not exactly smashed to smithereens by the admirably earthy Lions pack in the Johannesburg reverse, but they also didn’t have matters all their own way and some of their supporters will again be quietly rueing the departure of Chris Jack, the All Black lock who did so much to awaken their eight in the earlier stages of the Currie Cup.
Will they have enough gas left in the tank after a Highveld lung-burner to be able to go toe to toe with Bakkies Botha, Pierre Spies and the other woolly mammoths this Saturday?
Still, a fascinating showdown is in store, especially as emerging WP customers like Joe Pietersen, Juan de Jongh and Francois Louw generally did their credentials no harm, even in defeat to the hyped-up Lions.
But my money, even if it’s rather jumping the gun, is on Sharks v Bulls II on October 31 …
Tweet
The Cheetahs are coming to Deben, the Sharks have no front row, a shakey linoeut and not much defence. Be afraid Sharks, be very afraid!
@Loosehead (Comment 1) : I remember 97 far too well to be complacent 🙂
The Cheetahs are going to be a tough team to beat,
But the sharks should have enough to take them, although im not counting my chickens just yet
Being a little more serias [ 😛 ] for a moment. I think that this will be a far harder game than the WP / Bulls game. The Sharks have the team and the “stars”, but the last game or two they haven’t palyed all that well, although they have won. Cheetahs are a team of grafters, who could just upset the Sharks.
In Cape Town I think that the Bulls will go into over drive and kill the WP.
@Loosehead (Comment 5) :
Sharks have played well in their last games until they scored the BP try and then relaxed.
I don’t think there will be any relaxing from the Sharks if they play a half decent team.
@robdylan (Comment 2) :
OI!!!!!!!!! Happy Birthday Dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thought you’d sneak by without us noticing?
HAPPY BERFDAY YOU BIFCUIT! 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 7) : slowly, slowly. The big day is only on Tuesday 🙂 but I do appreciate the attention!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 7) : 😆 😆 😳
i must have cocked up my calendar. I have the reminder set for today. ❓
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) : maybe it’s set earlier so that you have enough time to buy a present
any news on bismark?
@rekinek (Comment 12) : i’m trying to find some
What would the plan be if the Sharks are without Beast and Bismark? I would start with Carstens, Smit and Jannie with Cilliers and Burden on the bench.
VRYSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!
@Loosehead (Comment 14) : correct. And that front row would stand up fine against the Cheetahs, considering you guys are also without Strauss
@rekinek (Comment 11) :
No chance of me having set it earlier for THAT reason. 🙂
Time for Texas holdem on FB.
Haven’t been there in a WHIIIIIIIIIIIILE
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) :
You fool!
Now I look like a twit as well. 😳
And I have a lot less practise than you! 😈
@robdylan (Comment 15) : sorted it out! Upgraded opera mini to 4.2 and can log in again:) wooo hooo!
Did morne write this article?
@Rahul (Comment 20) : nah – it’s not long enough 🙂
@Rahul (Comment 20) :
WP Don’t win the final. NO WAY Morne wrote this article. 😆 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 22) : what time do you get up ? 😯
morning – it’s monday – again 😐
Sharks & Province final would suit me just fine…- getting tired of the Bulls… 🙂
I really hope we’ll get good news regarding Beast & Bis…or at least one of them…
Sharks!
@blackshark (Comment 24) :
WP vs Cheetahs final will suit ME just fine!!!
Getting tired of these arrogant Sharks and Bulls supporters!!!
@wpw (Comment 25) : check the URL
Bismarck wont play in the semi final and is doubtful for a possible final. He injured a rib cartilage. Beast seems to have a niggle as well. At least Burden has been playing extremely well.
@JarsonX (Insomniac) (Comment 27) :
🙁 …unless that’s what they want the cheetahs to believe…
@wpw (Comment 25) : yeah im also sick of arrogant sharks and especially arrogant bulls supporters, humble sharks supporters are just fine
@JarsonX (Insomniac) (Comment 27) : where did you hear that?
@robdylan (Comment 30) : that site we do not speak of 🙁
I need a Sharks/Bulls final for FL. I had to take a position a couple of weeks ago and my team is 90% Bulls and Sharks.
@robdylan (Comment 30) : Do we get more trades for the semi and final on FL?
@war1 (Comment 31) : Voldy? I didn’t see it there…
@Pokkel (Comment 32) : you have 10 – the number you have already used.
@robdylan (Comment 33) : look again, young man
@war1 (Comment 34) : apparently a rib cartilage injury, but how did they know?
@war1 (Comment 34) : oh yeah – found it
@war1 (Comment 35) : it’s all just speculation. They are surmising that he hurt his rib cartilage, based on a speculative comment made by Blayden.
@robdylan (Comment 33) : Where did the Keo / Voldy thing come from?
@Loosehead (Comment 38) : looong story… let me see if I can refer you to a previous comment 🙂
@Loosehead (Comment 38) : http://www.sharksworld.co.za/2009/07/30/time-to-salute-john-smit/#comment-144544
@robdylan (Comment 30) : actually, Supersport Mobi. Theres no reference to a writer, they also imply that Smit might play hooker against the Cheetahs
@JarsonX (Insomniac) (Comment 41) : relax, it’s all hearsay. Bis might play this weekend.
@robdylan (Comment 42) : do u hav a mysterious source o wise one?
@war1 (Comment 43) : I always have a secret sauce 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 44) : From SharksRugby web site, a quote from Plum:
“At this stage of the season, just bringing those Boks back in, it’s great to see a few guys coming back into form. John Smit was good, so was JP. Obviously we’ve got a couple more guys coming back next week and that’s always encouraging. Jean Deysel came on, got a couple of turnovers and we’re hoping to have Bismarck back as well after injuring his ribs, he’s a pretty fast healer.”
@Dancing Bear (Comment 45) : ja, exactly. So whoever’s going on about Bis definitely being out is not on the same page as Plum.
Or the Sharks doctor, Craig Springate.
@robdylan (Comment 46) :
You such a show off!!!
@robdylan (Comment 46) : any news on Beast?
@Pokkel (Comment 48) : none… see the latest post 😐