Two crucial errors from the Lions halfbacks within 6 minutes of each other resulted in a 14-point blitz that saw the Sharks eventually emerge as comfortable winners in an exciting match at ABSA Stadium yesterday. The Sharks scored five tries to the Lions one and were good value for their 48-19 win, although John Mitchell’s side will feel the scoreline is no reflection on the way they played the game, particularly in the first half.
They key factors in the build-up to the match were two-fold. With either side boasting a 19-year-old at flyhalf, the question on everybody’s lips was whether Pat Lambie or Elton Jantjes would emerge victorious. The amazing power and versatility of the Sharks back row, with both Jean Deysel and Jacques Botes named on the bench was the other factor, one presumed to be a telling advantage in favour of the hosts. This latter factor was not to be, however, with Ryan Kankowski crying off injured before the game. His replacement in the starting lineup, Deysel, went off after 5 minutes with a knee injury and it appears as though his Currie Cup season may have been curtailed yet again, before it has really begun.
The Sharks forwards were utterly superb, nonetheless and it was particularly at the breakdown and on the pick-and-drive that they completely overshadowed their Lions counterparts. While huge applause must go to the Joburg team for the way they defended and kept the Sharks out for the majority of the first 40 minutes, the efficiency with which the Sharks pack held onto and recycled ball was wondrous to behold and with the home side regularly keeping the ball for 8 phases or more, only superb tackling from the Lions managed to restrict them to two tries in the first half. With Lambie dominating proceedings behind a rampant pack, there unfortunately wasn’t a whole lot for Jantjes and the rest of the Lions team to do other than tackle, tackle and tackle some more.
They showed that they are dangerous, though. After Lambie had scored the first 8 points via a penalty and a superb individual try, the Lions came straight back as Deon van Rensburg pounced on a poorly-executed grubber from Stefan Terblanche and streaked through some average Sharks tackling to score. Jantjes’ boot kept his team in the hunt even after Jacques Botes scored the second and with a scant three points separating the teams at half time, it was virtually anybody’s game, the Sharks’ forward supremacy notwithstanding.
To be fair, the Lions superb ball-in-hand play once they did manage to get some more possession early in the second half appeared to rattle the Sharks and while poor finishing robbed the visitors of any further tries, they were certainly well in the contest right up until the 47th minute, when Jantjes threw a looping pass straight to Lwazi Mvovo, who galloped in to score the Sharks’ third. Jano Vermaak repeated the feat not six minutes later as his telegraphed pass was pounced on by the impressive Craig Burden, the hooker swallow-diving under the posts to give the Sharks their bonus point and sew up the victory. Lambie hammered the nails in properly as he slotted two further penalties, before converting Mvovo’s late second try for a personal haul of 28 points and a clear victory over his rival Jantjes.
The Sharks will take huge relief from this win, knowing that the Lions team that showed up to play was nowhere near as weak, either in talent or in spirit, as anybody would have been expecting and for large periods of the game looked the more dangerous team with ball in hand, despite the paucity of possession they had to endure. This was a tough test, all right and one the well-schooled Sharks passed with flying colours. Lambie showed that he is destined to be a future great at pivot and the only thing now causing John Plumtree and his team any concern will be the looming spectre of mass Springbok call-ups disrupting his team with the crunch match against Western Province now only two weeks away.
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>>and with a scant three points separating the teams at half time
it was 18-16 at the break so it was two points 😛
Anyone know the story about Rory Kockott and where he is going next season?
I was impressed by The Sharks ball-handling skills and support play which kept a brave Lions team on the back foot. The patience The Sharks had throughout the game paid dividends as the Lions weakened from having to make so many tackles, particularly in the first half. Losing both Kankowski and Deysel at the beginning of the match would normally be disruptive but they are such a balanced team now that they took it all in their stride. Having said that the Lions are beginning to become a team to reckon with and are improving with every game. Victory is so sweet so let’s make it a habit. Well done Sharks.
Well done to the Sharks for smashing the Lions!!
😎
It was the Sharks biggest score over the Lions in 17 years and perhaps the biggest winning margin (29 points) ever in the Currie Cup, and also now 6 wins in a row for the Sharks in the Currie Cup. What makes you think there is something wrong at the Lions?
Just a note..
Kanko injured his calf on Tuesday already, and he was only ruled out on Saturday.. That is the word from Pluntree.. It wasn’t sustained on the day..
@ walter
The Lions really weren’t that bad! Although Mitchell was disappointed after the game, they weren’t terrible though!!
Hi Angaas and welcome to the site. I’ve had no confirmation about Rory going anywhere but he’s obviously unhappy about the way things are going at the moment. The coach has been quite vocal in his criticism of the player – not that it hasn’t been deserved based on form, though.
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 7) : Isn’t conceding the most points in 17 years and the worst points difference in 19 and possibly ever terrible?
Can someone clarify what injury Deysel has and how serious it is?
Have read it is a a serious ankle injury and out for 6 weeks. Then read it is a serious knee injury. Now just read on another site he took a blow to the head 🙄 From what I saw it looked like a ankle injury.
Pity to lose Deysel so early in the tourney especially before the WP game in two weeks time.
@ walter
I didn’t think they were that bad. Better than expected.. But that just my opinion..
@Puma
He did his PCL in his knee and is expected out for 6 to 8 weeks. Scans today will confirm the damage. The info I have is from Plum’s mouth..
@wpw (Comment 4) :
Wait! your turn is coming in a few weeks time. 😆
Well done Sharks u were great now we must just win the WP and top of the log but 2nd place is ok don’t want to peek to quick
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) : can u help tried to change my users name on SB from Sharks Revenge to Chaz it shows on the profile but that is that it won’t change any further and only the part of it changed. 😳 😉
So when is this damned Bok squad being announced? 👿
@KSA Shark © (Comment 16) : 😕 maybe Rob will know 😳
@chaz (Comment 15) :
obviously a problem with your PC. 😛
I can see your name as being Chaz on Superbru.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 18) : i’ve done everything broken page at the top of the pc and ctrl and f5 its shows Chaz but when i go in on SB next to my pic it shows Sharks Revenge, is there anything else i can do 😳
Very good game yesterday.
Bit concerning that we didnt convert our domination into enough points in the 1st half, but I knew that the constant tackling would take its toll – already clear in the 1st half Lions players were tiring.
I really hope Deysel makes a miraculous recovery – he could be great for the WC. Alberts was monstrous, as was Burden and Daniel, but really, the whole pack stood up.
Awesome game by the halfbacks – Mcleod made a few errors, but that will happen when you play as high tempo as he did: compare that to when Kockott came on.
Strauss was excellent, Stef average, but the back 3 were very good. Mvovo got the glory, but for me JPP was a machine – I’m eager to see the ruck attendance, tackles and runs stats, but won’t be surprised to see him right up there. He is the only wing in SA who can beat his man for pace but still mix it with the big boys – ask Minnie, who got the ball ripped off him in a tackle.
Well done Sharkies!!!
and well done Lambie!!! Your going to be an awesome flyhalf.
I’m wondering how many new call ups Pdiv will make to the bok team, I hope he leaves the Sharkies alone, he can sellect them for the EOYT where we can actually win something. Not that I’m saying the Boks won’t win any of their games, just that the Allblacks pretty much has this Tri-Nations wrapped up and that I want the Sharkies to stay and win the CC.
Mvovo, Alberts and probably even Lambie deserves a call-up based on their CC and s14 season.
JPP, Hargreaves, Jannie, Beast, Bissie, Kanko will go after next week.
So we’re going to have to play WP, Griquas and the Bulls without these guys.
The Bulls aren’t to bad because their team would be strengthened just as much or even more with the return of the Boks, but Griquas and WP will be two really, really tough matches.
Still even without these guys we would have a pretty good team.
As long as Lambie, Mvovo and Alberts doesn’t get called up also.
15. Ludik
14. Odwa
13. Stefan
12. Andries
11. Mvovo
10. Lambie
9. McLeod
8. Alberts
7. Keegan
6. Botes
5. Skeate
4. Sykes
3. Herbst
2. Burden
1. Cilliers
Reserves:
Van Eden, Cooper, Marais, Rhodes, Kockett, Pretorius, Swannie
Oh, I saw Andre Pretorius before the game on Saturday, he said he should be ready to play next week. I asked him if he’s going to play some good rugby when he runs out for the Sharks and he said, that’s the plan.
@Letgo
You talking to yourself? Hehe
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 32) : thanks Punter 😉
@Letgo (Comment 24) :
No way Lambie will get a callup IMO.
Agian IMO if he does then PdV is a clown.
Lambie has played 12 and 10 in the CC. We have an awesome 12 (de Jongh) and a very good 10 (Steyn) in the squad already.
Lambie played S14 at 15 and PdV has seen al those games, and lambie wasn’t good enogh at the start of the 3N so if he does call him now then why didn’t he call him earlier?
And then the golden Rule. DON’T make players Springboks on CC performances. the CC is a below par competition
Bresler at reserve lock ahead of marais
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 12) : Thanks Richard for clearing that up. What a bummer for Deysel. Feel for him with that injury and out for such a long time again.
Springbok Training squad announced. Frans Steyn Back so sanity has prevailed!!!!!!!!!
@RuckingFun (Comment 37) : See the thread I have just posted for the full training squad..