I’m told the Sharks will host the pumas in Durban tonight.
“I’m told” because there will be no actual proof of this seen on any televisions anywhere. π Super Sport in their wisdom have decided that u/18 and 1st Division games will be more of a spectacle for fans to watch that showing all four Premier division matches. But rather than makes this an attack on the incompetent fools at Supersport (or is it too late for that?) let us rather focus on the game at hand.
The Sharks WILL be hosting the Pumas in Durban this evening with some news that there might be a reshuffle of the backline due to an ankle injury to Steve Meyer. Even with this reshuffle though the Sharks should manage to rumble the Pumas AND get a bonus point. Anything less will be very disappointing.
Thankfully if Jonathan Kaplan does end up having the runs at half time then both the Assistant Referees are very accomplished and we should still win the game.
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 19.00
Ref: Jonathan Kaplan (SARU)
ARs: Tiaan Jonker (Lions), Reuben Rossouw (KZN)
Venue: Absa Stadium, Durban
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
The Sharks: 15 Louis Ludik, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Stefan Terblanche (captain), 12 Patrick Lambie, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Monty Dumond , 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Keegan Daniel, 7 Michael Rhodes, 6 Jacques Botes, 5 Alistair Hargreaves, 4 Steven Sykes, 3 Wiehahn Herbst, 2 Craig Burden, 1 Patric Cilliers.
Replacements: 16 Kyle Cooper, 17 Eugene van Staden, 18 Ross Skeate, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Rory Kockott, 21 Steve Meyer, 22 Andries Strauss.
Pumas: 15 Carl Bezuidenhout, 14 Ashwin Scott, 13 Shaun Venter, 12 Siviwe Magaba, 11 Allister Kettledas, 10 Ricardo Croy, 9 Jacques Coetzee, 8 Doppies le Roux, 7 Alwyn Bester, 6 CornΓ© Steenkamp, 5 Marius Coetzer, 4 Eduan van der Walt, 3 Ashley Buys, 2 Hannes Franklin (captain), 1 Ronnie Uys.
Replacements: 16 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 17 Dawie Steyn, 18 Willem Serfontein, 19 Jaco Bouwer, 20 Tian Meyer, 21 Elgar Watts, 22 Tiaan Marx.

I will be commenting live from the stadium on this thread later.. so tune in and don’t miss a thing..
I’ll be here π
Yeeha! Go Rich π
I’ll be sitting infront of the computer with a long beer and my Sharks jersey on, thank you Richard!.
Its only a pleasure guys..
I hope its a good game and I can give everybody a good idea of how we playing..
thanx Rich – will tune in later.
cheers for now π
Thanks Richie
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 5) :
You are fast turning into a hero of mine !
Sharks U19 game update..
10 minutes gone 14 – 0 to the Sharks
Tries by Lindeque and Williams.. both centres
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 8) : When can we expect your 1st post regarding the ITM?
Go Sharks…
I wish this was on TV. Ridiculous that it isn’t. If it was the Leopards vs Pumas game that wasn’t being televised I could understand but The Sharks???
It seems that Chris Cloete has a serius injury.. he screamed heavily after being tackled short of the line ..
Got the signal that its a broken leg..
@Jarson (Comment 10) :
Just thinking that….. would a pre competition preview be an idea.
With a few players of interest to watch out for go down ok !
PS we need to boost our Superbru pool somehow…. it’s sitting on a very sad total of 14 !
Lindeque scores his second after an easy overlap..
Converted by Olivier
21 – 0 16 minutes gone
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 13) : There are bigger pools out there u know π Post a thread and maybe more will be interested π‘
@Jarson (Comment 15) :
I am conscience of not advertising our pool without permission ! π₯
van Tonder scores a good try..
Olivier misses the conversion
26 – 0 to the Sharks
12 minutes to go before half time
go baby sharks!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 12) : oh no!
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 16) : Offcourse π Remember u can join up to 5 different pools, the 1 I’ve joined has like 83 people.
Griffons get a penalty for the sharks holding onto the ball..
Sharks 26 – 3 Griffons
5 minutes before half time
Sharks 26 – 3 Griffons
HALF TIME
Go Sharks!!! Hope the seniors enjoy a try-feast tonight, pity its not on the tele! π₯ π₯ π₯
Second half has kicked off..
Eighthman Coetzee scores for the Sharks..
Converted by Olivier..
Sharks 33 – 3 Griffons
Griffons convert a penalty..
Sharks 33 – 6 Griffons
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 1) :
Excellent stuff. Thanks.
@Hertford Highlander (Comment 16) :
Have no fear. π
We have no problem with a pool being advertised if we are not running a SW pool π
BTW we are not running a SW pool. π
No 18 for the sharks, van Wyk scores a try!
Olivier converts
Sharks 40 – 6 Griffons
20 minutes to go..
@KSA Shark Β© (Comment 28) : this site is full os SB addicts will be enough for every one π
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 30) :
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 29) : π
i’m back – watching Jamie Olivier instead of some nice Sharks rugga π
Dube scores after a great move in the midfield.
Olivier misses
Sharks 45 – 6 Griffons
16 minutes to go..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 33) :
beeeeeeeeg score coming seems as if the flood gates are opening.
I expect a 63 – 6 from here.
winger Goss scores a beaut of a try after every member on the team had their hands on it..
Olivier converts from the toucline
Sharks 52 – 6 Grifons
14 minutes to play
Go kieran. He’s registered here π
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 35) : and SS is not showing this π
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 37) :
SS make some very strange broadcasting choices.
Cant believe they showed the EP/ Griffons game but not the Sharks. π―
I’m such a name-dropper π
Steve meyer is out on the park practising his up and unders behid the poles..
I dont see a sore ankle?
Sharks scored another try, and I have no idea who it is?!
As I type this, Kyle Wilkenson scores another!!
Sharks 66 – 6 Griffons
1 minute to go
Apparently they’re benching him as a precaution, rich. Cheetahs next week
Interesting to note that Lindeque has been taken the conversions..
2 from 2 for the centre
@robdylan (Comment 39) :
Maar nog ‘n poephol.
Jafta scores just before the final hooter..
Another conversion for Lindeque
Sharks 73 – 6 Griffons
And thats the game
Sharks 73 – 6 Griffons
FULL TIME
Well done Sharkies π
ITM RUGBY POOL
Bok Factory
Code: curedeft
@robdylan (Comment 42) : I picked Sharks for LMS before finding out that Monty was starting…
Flasher Girls are out.. fantastic stuff π
@KSA Shark Β© (Comment 34) : Your prediction was rather close
South western wind came out of nowhere making it a very chilly night indeed..
Was that u/19 or u/21 game?
And its ick off time in the tank..
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 53) : U 19
Sharks playing with the wind in the first half, playing right to left..
OMG I didn’t realise this wasn’t being televised!! πΏ πΏ
Sharks turnover after Pumas in our 22m..
Oom Stef clears..
@Big Fish (Comment 38) : now that I saw “SS” it has all bad connotations π π³
Go Sharks! Win by 38 points
Sharks steal the lineout, and the Pumas player knocks the ball out..
Sharks lineout on 22m
Leeeeoooooopaaaaaaaaaaaaaards!!
Sharks sustained attack creates a penalty inside the 22m
Lineout to be taken..
wind causing havoc with our lineout throw.. we lose it and Pumas clear
@Jarson (Comment 60) : i have by 32
They started already? WP ain`t even on the field yet β
Real sloppy play in mid field with turnovers both ways
Great break through the middle of the field by Burden. the guy is fast..
Pieterson knocks on 5m out..
Lotsa dew Rich?
Ronnie Uys, the prop for the pumas must weigh 150kg!!!
@Original Pierre (Comment 69) : Yeah, the grass doesnt sem to grip.. U19 players fell all over the place..
Pumas get a penalty and go for poles..
Missed to the right..
0 – 0
10 minutes
Burden with another good break.. he seems to burst through tackles!!
Sharks on the attack, line 5m out..
Sharks handling letting them down..
Losing the ball on attack..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 73) : He is my FL captain π
Burden getting his hands on the ball a lot!!
Sharks camping but can’t score
JPP looking for work, taking the ball at first receiver..
Another turn over on the 5m line.. disapointing..
@Jarson (Comment 75) : I have Mvowo.
iPhone shmiphone
Pumas eightman scores the first try!!!
Score?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 78) : how’s Lambie doing at center??? Just how much of possesion do u think we’ve had so far. ohhhhhhhhhhhh i so wish this was on the tele!! GRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRR π
He broke thru Ludik and Cilliers could not catch him..
Try converted..
Sharks 0 – 7 Pumas
19 minutes
wp djou lekke ding!
Willem Alberts on for Rhodes after just 20 minutes
Ludik settles things by booting us into the 22m..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 86) : i mean the Pumas scored – this calls for panic π―
Hope sharks aren`t too relaxed after taking care of the bulls threat! π―
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 84) : Oh great, though if we can come back against the bulls then we can over here, cmon boys! don’t let the pumas get the betta of ya!!! Still a while to play at least…
Lambie looking okay.. not getting much ball from Monty
Keegan with a 50m run down the touchline.. no support..
WP leading 10-3 15minutes
Alberts with a great break through defence. again no support and nobody to pass to..
Sharks 0 – 7 Pumas
25 minutes
Another knock inside the 22m..
This is terrible play now by the sharks
And another knock.. this time Mvovo with a decent gap and open tryline..
This is just like the Sharks, they never show up for the small unions πΏ
Sharks dominating possession and set pieces but just cant hold onto the ball..
Sharks try!!!
Keegan scores after a good maul after a lineout in the 22m
Lambie converts
Sharks 7 – 7 Pumas
30 minutes
At last πΏ
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 99) : Oh whoopee! πΏ
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 95) : maybe it’s good after all that it is not televised – it could be too stressful
Pumas dropgoal!!!
Ricardo Croy
Sharks 7 – 10 Pumas
31 minutes
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 100) : yey β β β
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 100) : In my starting xv π
I`m guessing Monty`s struggling . ..
Penalty in front the poles after a pick up and drop tackle..
No yellow..
Lambie converts
Sharks 10 – 10 Pumas
33 minutes
Monty isn’t struggling, just not getting a lot of ball..
Lots of loose play..
and willem de waal kicked some more (I put him in my team)
@Jarson (Comment 107) : same here π
Cilliers with a beast of a tackle..
Pumas on the attack and into our 22m now..
Monty with a pearler of a kick, taking us into their 22m with a lineout 5m out
We need to tighten this game up, tire out their massive forwards, leave the loose stuff for the last few minutes!
Pumas try!!!
This is dissapointing πΏ
Ronnie Uys bulldozes over..
Croy converts
Sharks 10 – 17 Pumas
HALF TIME
OMG . . . we`ll be the laughing stock!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 118) : This is pathetic πΏ
shouldn’t Monty do the kicking.
Sharks handling really letting them down..
Plum will have a lot to explain if they don’t get the 4 tries here..
We have a lot of possession, we just cant finish.. its the Super 14 all over again..
Burden having a great game again..
Our backline letting us down by dropping every single ball they get..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 123) : ooops – c’mon, I’m busy working I need some inspiration π
@robdylan (Comment 80) : I’m putting my upgrade on hold until Windows Phone 7 arrives. π
Alberts looking good.. wants to get involved..
Rucking and mauling we are doing great, set pieces good as well.. we lost the one scrum after the front row went down..
Lineouts have been good bar that first throw in that the wind interfered with..
You not hitting the bar at halftime Rich π
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 124) : who are the main culprits – I hope you’ll not tell me that Oupa is kicking all the time.
Sounds like the Sharks are kak again. π π
@Original Pierre (Comment 128) : be gentle on the man – remember he has to watch it
WP scored 3 tries already. π
@Original Pierre (Comment 128) : Not today.. nothing to celebrate..
The backline as a whole has been bad.. a lot of selfish play, the ball not going wide when it should..
Lambie gets the second half started..
Hopefully Plum gives them a much needed earfull now β
Sharks penalty for Pumas not releasing..
taking the lineout inside the 22m
Come on we need 3 quick tries!!
Sharks looking good on attack, retaining the ball and not dropping the ball..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 139) : π―
Try time!!!
McCleod with a break around the fringes..
Lambie converts
Sharks 17 – 17 Pumas
45 minutes
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 141) : GO SHARKSSSSSSSS
Two more . . . Plums` halftime speech coming through for us now !
Pat Cilliers and Hargreaves double teaming a Puma player out..
What a site!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 144) :
This site? π
What is the score BTW?
Monty’s distribution not great.. passing behind the player..
I’m still annoyed πΏ
17 – 17
Sharks being man handled at the breakdown.. not enough players there.. they all in the backline
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 148) :
to who? π
@KSA Shark Β© (Comment 150) :
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 149) : Yeah that`s something that`s really been bugging me. We commit nobody to the ruck, everyone`s waiting to be a showpony in the backline and then we lose possession! πΏ πΏ
Pumas must be praised for putting the pressure on the Sharks!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 149) : oh my gosh – we’ve becoming western province π
BTW they scored bonus point try π
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 149) : guess they didn’t learn that lesson after all
@rekinek (Go Klose!) (Comment 154) :
30 – 6 to WP after 44min.
Great backline move almost resulting in a Mvovo try..
Puma player sin binned for holding on..
number 19..
is Steve on yet?
Sharks maul it up.. TRY!!!
Daniel again! Lineout after the penalty resulting in a maul, Keegan breaking..
Lambie misses conversion..
Sharks 22 – 17 Pumas..
55 minutes
Stuck in the car with cr*p signal so I can’t even follow the game properly.
No Steve yet.. but Skeate is on for Hargreaves now..
WHOOP WHOOP!!!!
Go Keegan!! I’m staying annoyed untill there’s a 38 point margin πΏ
Dumisani Matyeshana just scored for Leopards…man he is quick!!
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 159) : woohoo
@Villie (Comment 164) : I felt we never gave that guy enough of an opportunity
Sharks looking to defend their 5 point lead..lol
@robdylan (Comment 166) : Er might be showing my ignorance here but . .. WHO is that? π―
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 167) : oh my crumpet…
@robdylan (Comment 166) : Yeah I didn’t get to see him at all for the Sharks. Not sure what his defence is like..but give him the ball and he can motor!
@Original Pierre (Comment 168) : dumi matyeshana
@Original Pierre (Comment 168) : He was at the Sharks Pierre….but didn’t get any game time.
Do you remember Ronnie Uys playing for the Sharks?
Sharks much to slow getting to the breakdown..
WP scores their 5th try! π
I can’t believe how big Ronnie has got. It’s like he’s moved into the Witbank Wimpy…
Sharks camping in Puma teritory, just cant get the breakthrough.
@Villie (Comment 172) : mmm Not really .. what year was this?
Ronnie is huge!! Like 135kg huge!!
Meyer and Cooper on for Dumond and Burden
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 176) : Not good. We really should win games like this comfortably!
12 minutes to play and the Sharks only lead by 22 points to 17
That’s 3 tries right? π
@robdylan (Comment 175) : eMalahleni Wimpy π
Enterprising play from the sharks but we cannot kee the ball in hand as JPP drops the ball in contact..
Strauss comes on for Lambie..
Lambie was put under a lot of pressure by the Puma defence
Okay nevermind my SB then, just make sure of the 4 tries and the win!!
π
We need one more try for teh bonus point..
Pumas player gets his second yellow for the night.. and thats a red and goodnight 19 – Jaco Bouwer
Sharks player ratings for round 3: All 22 gets a 0/10 from me πΏ
I swear if we miss the bonus here I’m going to have a meltdown
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 185) : So we’re going to win thanks to ill discipline. Speaks volumes.
@Original Pierre (Comment 177) : He only played a few games….was about 3 years ago before he moved to Cheetahs, then overseas and now back in SA
@robdylan (Comment 187) : Well it’s 15 against 14 so you’d be more than justified.
Sharks with a huge overlap and they cannot get the ball to Skeate on the wing,,
Kyle Cooper having a good go at the Pumas.. looks a lively hooker
Sharks 22 – 17 Pumas
7 minutes to play
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 192) : How`s Skeate doing? Possible long term replacement for Sykes?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 192) :
WHAT is Skeate doing on the wing is the question. π
Just score a FUCKING try damnit!! πΏ πΏ πΏ
JPP havng a shocker tonight!! Another dropped ball..
Would love to see the turnovers and handling errors for this game..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 192) : Have been VERY VERY impressed with him in the 2 games I’ve seen him come on
How much time left ?
Daniel try!!!! Thank the pope!!!
@Charlie (Comment 199) : Not enough it seems. πΏ πΏ
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 200) : THANK YOU!!!! π³ π³
If only we had Odwa on the bench . . .
Hat trick for the number 8..
Meyer misses
Sharks 27 – 17 Pumas
3 minutes to play
Sharks are so frustrating. These games should be a guaranteed bonus point. Not can they keep the 5 point lead they have in the last 10 minutes or will they get the bonus point.
Meyer missed an absolute stinker of a conversion right in front..
@Charlie (Comment 199) : How is Adi coming along?
Why do we need to replace sykes, pierre? And why would we choose someone 3 years older?
Kockott on for McCleod now..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 204) : π
At least we now have the WIN assured. π³
Go Pumas!!! Sharks suck!!!
Strauss trying to find JPP on the wing and passes it 5m in front and to the touch judge..
Jorrie moment..
@robdylan (Comment 208) : Not replace, just in case something happens.
You know I`m forever looking for a player like Mark Andrews again . . .
We`ve got the 4 tries now right?!
@Original Pierre (Comment 203) : So he could drop and knock on at the try line. The stress of that might cause me to go into early labour.
Keegan you legend. Guys, it’s 5 points. Who cares how we got them?
Sharks 27 – 17 Pumas
FULL TIME
@KSA Shark Β© (Comment 195) : he has WP bad habits π
@robdylan (Comment 215) : Amen!
Sloppy stuff by the Sharks.. but 5 points nonetheless..
Effing LOSERS!! πΏ πΏ
@robdylan (Comment 215) : Yeah I guess in hindsight it`s a good thing supersport decided to turn a blind eye . . . Not good for my health this kinda thing!
I dont care if Keegan is in my starting XV, the Sharks sucked πΏ πΏ
Thanks for the commentary Rich.
Guys clearly not switched on for this game, despite what they said
@klempie (Comment 220) :
Try Time is that You?? π
@ Villie, nearly there π
@KSA Shark Β© (Comment 225) : π π π π
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 219) : Thanx for the effort appreciate it.
Not exactly what I expected but you`re right, a win with bonus point is all we wanted from this . . . and my LMS is still in good nick hehehe
And on that Bombshell
Goodnite!
Rich, give plum a bit of a grilling ;). Thanks for being there!
@robdylan (Comment 224) : If they can’t switch on to play the pumas at home, I would hate to think how badly they would play in witbank.
Don’t be greedy/ungrateful/demanding.
It is VERY easy for a weak team to bring a good team down to their level and make them play kak rugby.
Rich u were a star tonight, its a shame that the Sharks was such a dissapointment π
@Original Pierre (Comment 203) : ha ha ha – tell you he will not have to wait π
After this game has been updated on LMS we have 2 DEATHS and 4 lifelines lost
not coz someone was silly enough to pick the Pumas but coz they made a second default pick. π
@KSA Shark Β© (Comment 231) : Is that why we always lose to the Cheetahs π―
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 206) : go monty π
@Charlie (Comment 226) : Excellent stuff. Good to hear!!
@KSA Shark Β© (Comment 231) : really ? WP – Leopards 42 -13
@Jarson (Comment 235) :

@Jarson (Comment 235) : π
@Original Pierre (Comment 221) : agreed 100%
Richard.
Thanks very much for the commentary, you can now go and have those beers. you deserve them.
@Original Pierre (Comment 228) : you watch too much TG π
@lostfish (Comment 230) : π
i may be spounding as a broken record – but they are supposed to be a professional players … π
Its a pleasure guys.. sorry that it was a kak result..
Plum was very disappointed in the interview..
Will tell all in the articles..
I think the Pumas can beat the Lions π― They already did π³
Plum praised the Pumas, but tonight it was him who looked like bursting into tears..
Rich thanx for the updates – and yes pls grill Plum .
Disappointing but I guess 5 points is 5 points – well done Keegan !!
Night guys π
I think Botes should play from the Bench with Keegan starting when Deysel returns.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 247) :
How many tries for the pumas.
@KSA Shark Β© (Comment 250) : Two tries by the Pumas
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 251) :
Thanks. needed to make sure for the log.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 251) : Rich; well played bud, you legend for covering the game…
It comes across as a real scrappy affair, your point of view as to why? Was it playing conditions, was the team not G’d up for this game, were the combinations redundant this time around, was Monty selfish? Why so many knock ons and turnovers? I am disappointed to read this score line, I have been saying all week that we need to treat this match like a test match and build from the set-piece & play percentage rugby, anything else would be a failure leading to the build up for the Cheetahs… Anyway, if you get the chance, please give us some post match analysis? Thanks a mil, and BIG UP for doing this… Cheers
KSA, Agree those fools at dstv not showing our game. Was spitting mad last night. Why we pay enough to dstv. They should have shown all the games.
Pleased our Sharks won though. Still would have enjoyed to watch it rather than hear the score later.
Shame on you DSTV.