The South African conference is opened in the third match of the Super Rugby campaign where the Bulls host the Sharks in Pretoria, a match between probably the two most successful South African franchises.
The Bulls, after their mass loss of Springboks still field a very impressive looking side, with a pack that will match the Sharks evenly in a contest that many anticipate will be a forward battle, with Pierre Spies captaining the side from the back of the pack. It will be interesting to see the combination of Hougaard and Steyn working together.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has named a side that nobody would have expected from him, with a mixture of youth and experimentation taking the place of the tried and tested approach. Fred Michalak and Pat Lambie in the halfbacks will be catalyst to the backline getting going, with a strong forward pack securing decent front foot ball being priority.
This game should be yet another classic close encounter between these two teams, and it is always difficult to call a winner, but I will follow both my heart and my gut in saying the Sharks will come out victors.
This match kicks off at 19h10.
Bulls: 15. Zane Kirchner, 14. Akona Ndungane, 13. Johann Sadie, 12. Francois Venter, 11. Bjorn Basson, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Francois Hougaard, 8. Pierre Spies (Captain), 7. Jacques Potgieter, 6. Deon Stegmann, 5. Juandre Kruger, 4. Flip van der Merwe, 3. Werner Kruger, 2. Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1. Dean Greyling
Replacements: 16. Willie Wepener, 17. Frik Kirsten, 18. Wilhelm Steenkamp, 19. CJ Stander, 20. Jano Vermaak, 21. Louis Fouche, 22. JJ Engelbrecht
Sharks: 15. Riaan Viljoen, 14. Louis Ludik, 13. JP Pietersen, 12. Tim Whitehead, 11. Lwazi Mvovo, 10. Patrick Lambie, 9. Frederic Michalak, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Marcell Coetzee, 6. Keegan Daniel (Captain), 5. Anton Bresler, 4. Steven Sykes, 3. Jannie du Plessis, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Dale Chadwick
Replacements: 16. Craig Burden, 17. Wiehahn Herbst, 18. Ross Skeate, 19. Jacques Botes, 20. Charl McLeod, 21. Meyer Bosman, 22. Paul Abraham Jordaan
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Anybody at Loftus that can give us an uodate of the Sharks XV side match please?
BB13 – S 0 60 min
The gang is all here…..
Is there a final score the sharks xv yet?
@diablo (Comment 2) : I take offence to that sexually explicit avatar of yours. 😛
@felicity (Comment 4) : The score at 18:07 on 60min from @diablo (Comment 2) : was only given 11 minutes before your next question making it 71min into the game. 😉
I suspect there is about 5min left in the game still.
Diablo. You still at the game? Any news, good or bad!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 5) : My avatar is so much more acceptable, it is all about ballet and the arts. 😛 😉
Thanks. Sitting at home not able to watch the game, makes 11 min feel like an hour!
@felicity (Comment 9) : I know the feeling.
Game should be over by now. 😉
@KSA Shark © (Comment 10) :
Super excited!!! 🙂
Sharks xv lost 21-0 🙁
21 – 0 FT to the BB
Thanks everyone. Good luck to the senior side. Now I can watch it on tellie!!
SHARKS!!!!!!!
Oh man I just saw the Sharks XV score on facebook and for a second I thought it was the Sharks score and almost had heart failure…
@robdylan (Comment 12) :
That’s a pounding! 😯
Hopefully not a sign of things to come.
Pretty please keep the updates coming so I can be a neglectful mother and follow the updates while feeding, bathing and putting the little beast to bed 😉
LMS for this game
The Sharks 13
Vodacom Bulls 5
We have some gaurenteed lifelines on the line 😎
@lostfish (Comment 18) : I will give the broad strokes and scores.
are you reaaaddyyyy?
@lostfish (Comment 16) : 😀
@KSA Shark © (Comment 20) : Great!!! Your updates are always awesome #kissass
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) : May 13 of those make it through to the next round!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 19) : I thought I was going to lose mine with the Brumbies in the first half.
@robdylan (Comment 21) : I’m still busy watching Auction kings tell them to wait please.
ek is ook hier… Richie is kindly taking over twitter
@lostfish (Comment 25) : I was only brave enough to go for a BYE today. Not brave at alla ctually.
Finally got into the stadium – Bulls logistics team need to be fired!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 28) : did you? After you gave me so much flak for doing the same thing?
Ah there’s Hugh’s voice, my how I missed that.
@vanmartin (Comment 29) : what’s the weather like?
Just showed the Sharks change room… man, but Chadders is not built like a typical prop!
@robdylan (Comment 30) : I like playing with people’s minds. 😆
@robdylan (Comment 27) : you gonna comment?
@KSA Shark © (Comment 28) : @robdylan (Comment 30) : chickens
Matfield… what a plank !
I just spotted Deon Stegmann… do I get a prize?
@robdylan (Comment 37) : Hehehehehehehehehehe I woulda called him a Dutchman. 😆
Before anyone asks. That is not a band aid on Kaplan’s head he has a little tuft of white hair.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 39) : now now you don’t want to offend anyones frail sensibilities
1st LO and the Sharks get a PK for the Bulls #8 stepping across and shielding their jumper.
4 rucks and Michalak’s passing is great. 😎
@lostfish (Comment 41) : 😛
Pack weights
878 Bulls
886 Sharks
Seeing as they’re all doing it i might as well.
Wium Basson knocks on and the Sharks have a scrum just inside the bulls half.
PK Sharks for the Bulls prop going down in the scrum.
Sold out eh? Lots of Bulls supporters disguised as seats it seems.
Sharks getting mullered in the tight.
Kaplan has been tanning a bit it seems…
@KSA Shark © (Comment 46) : Lambie went at goal and missed.
(I got logged out for some reason so my comment was lost)
Ludik takes an excellent highball under pressure and we get the scrum put in just outside our 22.
why was that a bulls scrum?
Ah there’s queen Victoria’s voice now ot goes so well with brosnihan.
Step aside old-timer. I’m here to resume my duties. 😎
Bismarck gives away a PK for going in the side of the ruck. 🙁
Basson is killing the Sharks with the fielding of the high balls….
@robdylan (Comment 50) : puzzled me as well, seemed as though Kaplan didn’t want to award the scrum until he saw who was in possession at the bottom of the ruck.
In any event shouldn’t the defending team get the scrum from the kick?
11min
Matfield grates me
Eish… we need to fix the forward effort here…
Penalty Bulls. Steyn setting up 10m from right hand touch, 37m out.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 53) :
And the Sharks had the Bulls under some pressure…not very smart from Bizzy
Missed.
PK Bulls Steyn going at goal and also misses.
Bulls 0 – 0 Sharks
12min
Then Daniel goes off-side and gives away another penalty….
Whats wrong with the Sharks…
30 players and no goal kickers on the field 😉
Engelbrecht on for Sadie favouring his left arm.
Bladen: “Holding his stomach” You need to put the glass down before looking sir, or else your vision will be lurred.
This is a scrappy soccer game…..he-he
Bulls hands letting them down
@KSA Shark © (Comment 61) : I said you can put your feet up. 😈
Nice work by the backs in this phase of play.
Is kaplan making up his own laws?
Great running by the Sharks backs there but JPP penalised for holding on to long on the ground. 🙁
The Bulls def have teh upper hand on the Sharks come scrum time…
But a lot better scrum by the Sharks that kicks off a good backline move…that ended in JPP conceding a penalty…whats the count already?
Bis tackles the ball free.
@klempie (Comment 68) : for once our backs look better than our forwards 🙂
Nice pic of you there KSA? (@profile pic)
Bresler tackles flip vd Merwe and we get knock on advantage but we grubber it up and the LO is in the Bulls 22.
Bulls take it and hoof it back up LO on our 10m line
@robdylan (Comment 73) : Haven’t seen enough of the game to make a call, but yes, it’s refreshing.
Not a smart move from a lineout that sees Ludick tackled out of the field of play…
hahahahaha….wonderful lineout by the Bulls
Something of a frustrating game to watch already.
Players seem rusty…no play going passed 2 phases that I have seen…
Ludik runs into a brickwall called Ralepelle into touch
we steal the LO and then Michalak knocks at the base of the ruck.
Nice one Louis under that up and under!
Another monster kick by Morne that sees Basson chase…but better fielded by Ludick this time….
Another awesome mark under pressure from Ludik.
Tjoppie has balls!
Bulls turn to give away a penalty…Viljoen going for a 65m PK
PK Sharks 2m beyond our 10m line 62m out.
Viljoen is going at goal. 😯 😯 😯 😯
Viljoen setting up a 65m offsides penalty in front. 😕
Had the distance but faded right…
Had the distance but missed on the right….
@KSA Shark © (Comment 87) : Distance fine but to the right.
21min
Bulls 0 – 0 Sharks
Bulls playing from sideline to sideline…
First play with some continuity…
Ended with a PK against Bizzy for a high tackle….
Bismarck is screwing up everything he touches tonight 🙁
Bis blown up for high tackle. Steyn from Sharks 10m and 42m out.
Morne going for a 42 m PK
Bismarck gives away a PK again and Steyn is going at goal from our 10m line 20 in from touch.
And he’s missed a sitter. 😎
Ag nee, die arm Bulle. 😈
Missed………
Again….30 players on teh field….0 kickers!!!! 😈
@robdylan (Comment 93) : WTF did they make him vice-captain? Is the strategy that if he’s given more responsibility then he’ll behave himself? 🙄
BWHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAH I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!
Bladen: Victor, do you think he’ll miss this one has he ever missed two in a row from here?
Victor: No i don’t fink he will miss dis one it will go straight frew the middle.
AND off to the right it goes.
VICTOR MY HERO I SMAAK YOU STUKKENED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bulls passing the ball around again…but a mix up between Venter and JJE sees the Bulls blown for obstruction….
SuperPat misses a penalty for that obstruction.
Fredie taps quick but poor pass to Mvovo sees the Bulls being penalised with not being 10….
Lambie misses to….
Very poor call by Pro adjudicating Zane out of his 22 but reply shows he clearly was not….
Not So Pro Legoete screws up and he says Kirchner was outside the 22 when he booted a ball to our 22, but he clearly wasn’t. 😳
Pro opens his season in spectacular fashion by ruling that Kirchner’s clearance was outside the 22 and gives the Sharks a lineout on the 22.
Bulls lineout on Sharks 22.
Sharks win the lineout on the 22 but get penalised for bridging…
Keegan!!!
Is Bizzy and PK Daniels costing the Sharks the game?
Penalties conceded
Sharks 4
Bulls 2
Great counter rucking in a defensive position by the Sharks wins a penalty in our 22.
And the Sharks maul the Bulls backwards and win a PK in our 22.
Bizzy winning a penalty back by holding up Stegman cm off the ground….lol….
@KSA Shark © (Comment 112) : Bismarck won that for us and Stegmann gave it to us.
I LIKE!!!!!!!!
Sharks lose the ball forward off their own lineout on halfway. 🙄
Sharks kick for lineout ball and knocks on in the mall set-up…
Bulls scrum on the 15/50
Sharks getting munched in the scrums.
Handling errors
bulls 5
Sharks 2
30 min
Bulls 0 – 0 Sharks
JPP just wanting to kick…Tim Whitehead and Mvovo chase…lineout just beating Tim to the ball….
@klempie (Comment 115) : now tell us how we just stole their LO? 😎
Awww FFS!! That was all set up and the pass didn’t go to hand!
Bulls turn to lose a lineout….Shark send it wide and again a poor pass seeing the ball passed out of play….
Whitehead tries a skip pass (skipping 2) and passes to nobody 🙁
@KSA Shark © (Comment 120) : Missed that. 😛
Another Bulls lineout lost…
Not so easy with Victor gone!??!
Bulls lose another LO.
both teams struggling there at the moment
Sharks scrum on 22/15
Now it’s the Bulls’ turn to knock on off the lineout.
And now the Sharks scrum walks 5m with the Bulls set scrum.
Is anyone using Chrome?
Sharks passing the ball around but very pedestrian…Keegan passing a very poor forward pass…
Bulls scrum 22 in middle…..
Bulls just malled the poop out of the SHarks…gained at least 40 meters
JPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awesome flippen tackle and steal on Hougaard
Bulls spill it up in an attacking position and JP snaffles it. It goes thrgouh the hands and Kanko eventually “wins” an 8m lineout.
@Hmmm (Comment 132) : yet it’s our LO on their 5m line. 😛
Hougaart caught FAAAAAAST asleep behind the ruck and JPP wins the t/o….
Ball goes wide with Kanko in space…he kicks 😯
Zane fields and tackled out…
And Sykes is off his feet in the 22.
I thought Sykes was overseas?
37min
Bulls 0 – 0 Sharks
@KSA Shark © (Comment 135) :
To which you lost possession with yet an other ruck penalty…
Kaplan screwed up advantage to us there and he’s lucky to get away with it as the Bulls knock a 2nd time.
Are we going to have our first 0 – 0 draw in Super Rugby!??!
Chrome is shit…IE for the win.
I wonder when the last time a Super Rugby match ended the first half at 0-0.
Coetzee caught on the back foot but showing good aggression to retain possession and place the ball…
Daniel was just tackled 15 meters back….
Sharks retain possession…Lambie kicks out…
Half time 0 – 0
HALF TIME
Bulls 0 – 0 Sharks
I’m happy with our performance for a 1st run.
reckon these two sides are battling for the wooden spoon! 🙂
That was scintillating stuff. Really glad I took a break from work to watch. 😕
@klempie (Comment 143) : The Highlanders vs Crusaders 6-0 game?
Need to replaced Freddie with Mcleod asap. His pass is too slow.
@LordHope (Comment 149) : When was that?
@klempie (Comment 148) : Serias? 😕
@klempie (Comment 148) : Hi there!!
@klempie (Comment 148) :
Ha-Ha-Ha
wow… so it’s interesting to try and figure out what to take from this. The Bulls have knocked on everything they’ve got, which has saved us some blushes. We’ve looked to create more, but have generally looked underdone up front.
Our forward did improve in the second quarter, though… pity Kaplan is making up the laws as he goes along.
@Me2 aka Mama Shark (Comment 153) : Hey Ma! How’s Pinetown tonight?
Crap, but hoff butchered a certain try back there… simple inside pass to Keegan and we were home!
Handling Errors
Bulls 9
Sharks 3
Possession
Bulls 40
Sharks 60
And then Bladen says the possesion is even. 🙂
so the thing that’s exciting me is the prospect of Paul Jordaan running against this Bulls defence…
@robdylan (Comment 157) : So did Kanko.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 158) : the commentators are having a real battle trying to out-moron each other. Can’t decide what’s worse, Blayden’s ignorance or Brosnihan’s bias.
@robdylan (Comment 155) : I look at it this way.
They’ve knocked on under pressure (Prezzure if you are naas or Victor) or knocked on from our great tackling.
@robdylan (Comment 155) :
Sharks conceding attacking penalties not helping them either…and conceding 3 or so in the Bulls 22…
@robdylan (Comment 161) : the commentators are having a real battle trying to out-moron each other
kakakakakakaka
Locks both been poor – poor in lineout and poor in rucks as well.
Bismark and Keegan not leading from the front, but the rest of the pack is doing ok, given their youth.
JPP looking very hungry, but not getting any front foot ball so far.
We need Pat to provide more structure, and more patience from everyone.
@klempie (Comment 160) : what are you talking about? Hoff and Kanko are the same person, dolt!
@klempie (Comment 164) : it’s true!!!!!!!!! 🙂
😈 Sharks are very undecided. Starts with Michelack – he seems to slow as Scrumhalf. 😈
Brosningham is not a good commentator at all…. 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 166) : Shit sorry lol. Still have to dust off the rugby cobwebs.
Full half time stats
Handling Errors
Bulls 9
Sharks 3
Turnovers conceded
Bulls 3
Sharks 2
PKs conceded
Bulls 3
Sharks 5
Tackles made
Bulls 27
Sharks 19
IS THAT ALL!?!?!?!?!??!
Tackles missed
Bulls 1
Sharks 3
Possession
Bulls 40
Sharks 60
Very Even indeed.
Kick-off…poor defesive kick from Steyn sees the Sharks a lineout on the Bulls 10 meter line just for Bizzy to give possession back to Bulls for boking!!!!
Bulls have been putting excellent high balls on our backs tonight.
Keegan penalised AGAIN…this time in front of poles….
@robdylan (Comment 166) :
We can get some good milage from that cockup for ages.
Daniel offsides right in front. Dolly for Steyn.
Bulls 3 – 0 Sharks
42 mins.
43min
Bulls 3 – 0 Sharks
For a fullback, Ludik’s fielding of the high ball is very poor.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 171) :
Pen count for Sharks cannot be right…
Keegan gave away 2, Bizzy gave away 2, JPP and 2 other ruck penalties…that I can remember…
@klempie (Comment 151) : 2009 I think
Scrum infringement by Greyling, Lambie from halfway in front.
@Hmmm (Comment 179) : I only post waht I see on TV. I don’t think the tackle count is right either.
45min
Bulls 3 – 3 Sharks
😎
Bulls 3 – 3 Sharks
45 mins
Come on SHARKS!!!
matfield again with the prezzzzer
Sharks kick direct in touch from kick-off…Bulls penalised on the halfway mark on their own scrum….Pat kicking from the middle of the field…
Bulls 3 – 3 Sharks
Coetzee playing very well….
I’m liking JPP at 13.
Mvovo getting the ball with space…cut down by Venter and tackled out….
@KSA Shark © (Comment 189) :
Me too…
Bulls up into the 22. Lots of pressure!
Aye Chilly going back everytime he has ball in hand…
Sharks not rolling away. Penalty bang in front.
PK Daniel panalised again for not rolling away…
that the 4th for him!??!
Bulls 6 – 3 Sharks
49 mins
49min
Bulls 6 – 3 Sharks
Bulls 6 – 3 Sharks
Sharks need to score a try, otherwise Bulls will win a shoot-out.
In other news, if the Bully-boys win, I’m 3 from 3 so far with my picks
Another lost lineout…
Are the hookers throwing for the oppo teams tonight?
Another lineout lost.
Bulls have 84% possession in the second half.
Good shin hight tackle by Coetzee on Flip…this guy looking the best of the Sharks forwards…my opinion…
Skeate on for Bresler.
Skeate on
Bulls confusing themselves again with ball in hand…accidental off-side….
Scrum Sharks…Sharks penalised at scrum on 50 meter line….Morne going for goal…
Penalty for short bind (both props…was it planned and caught out!??!)
Jannie goes down in the scrum on halfway. Steyn puts it over.
Bulls 9 – 3 Sharks
53 mins
Slotted…
Bulls 9 – 3 Sharks
53min
C’mon Sharks we need to get this thing moving.
Bizzy penalised on 50…
3 Bizzy
4 Daniel
Steyn has a kick at goal just inside the Bulls half, 5m from left hand touch.
We are giving away toooooo many penalties. 🙁
@Hmmm (Comment 210) :
Eish that was a harsh panlty on Bizzy…he rucked the guy before he joined and ruck the ball while on his feet…
@Hmmm (Comment 210) : 👿
Game over chaps.
Bulls were ALWAYS gonna win this one, sorry.
Slotted….
Bulls 12 – 3 Sharks…
Bulls pulling away
Great kick by Liefling.
Bulls 12 – 3 Sharks
55 mins.
Another ruck penalty…VERY kickable…
Lambie flat on ground….
Sharks backline is showing the enterprise that Plumtree promised.
The Sharks’s issue is weak challenging from our tall fella’s, poor discpline (led by Keegan and Bismark), and a forward pack that is getting steadily softened.
Also expect more security from Viljoen and Ludik under the high ball. Might as well have played Sithole or Jordaan on wing.
McLeod offsides. Steyn from 10m from right hand touch, 30m out.
Freddie already off the park (tactical replacement)…
If Lambie cannot continue…then the Sharks have a bit of a issue…
I have a funny feeling if the Sharks lose today that Plum will revert back to the ‘tried and tested’
Bulls 15 – 3 Sharks
57 mins.
PK slotted…..
Bulls 5 – 3 Sharks
@Big Fish (Comment 219) : yip. 😳
@LordHope (Comment 222) : JP hasn’t really shone at centre.
Why are they going for goal??
30 metres from the mark?
Might want to get your eyes checked Mr Bladee / other
@LordHope (Comment 222) : No way.
The backline has done nothing wrong.
I have really though the ref’s are pedantic with blowing players that don’t take the tap on the mark…but Mclaod took that WAAAAAAAAY off the mark…lol
Lambie slots the PK…
Bulls 15 – 6 Sharks
@klempie (Comment 226) : Aye, but we wouldn’t expect Marius to either
Pat puts one over. Although, I’m still not convinced that was the right choice given the margin.
Bulls 15 – 6 Sharks
60 mins.
Basson killing the Sharks with the high ball fielding….
Keegan talking to Kappy a lot…I hope he is asking tips on the rules of rugby….lol
Bossie flyhalf for Sharks….
Another lineout lost by Sharks…lol
Almost thought the Bulls were going to get away with that knock on….lol
Sharks eight missed tackles…Bulls two
😯
“Ja, Sykes is going off for blood, then you can come back on”
Head and shoulders called by Kaplan in the Bulls penalty….
Hmmm….those his sponsor?
Ooooo.. We won our lineout! 😛
Sharks trailing by nine with 15 min left
Bladen as we get a PK 15m inside our half. “Now it’d decision time for the Sharks. (and then he realises) …..not really decision time Lambie is going for touch.
how far does he think these guys can kick at goal from? 😯
Sharks are missing Alberts or Deysel to set up the target. Will ave to adapt or die without them.
Bulls into Sharks 22.
DG by Steyn 😕
Game over
Steyn DG.
Bulls 18 – 6 Sharks
68 mins.
Think that’ll break the Sharks mentally.
And that… is why Morne will be Springbok flyhalf.
HOW THE HELL does Skeate allow Hougaard to bounce him in the tackle???????????
Jordaan is on for an injured Ludik.
@hendrikp (Comment 250) : I hope not, he can kick for goal but can’t do a lot else.
Paul Jordaan on for Ludik.
Where are Wolla nd Big Vic, out of interest?
It’s a hard life being a Sharks supporter. 😆 😆
Paul Jordaan is amazing
BOTES TRY!!!!!!!!!!!
PAUL JORDAAN!
Yassss!!,
Jordaan is on for 30 seconds and we score 🙂 Maybe they WERE right about him
Botes!!!!
Wonderful team effort from inside their own half.
@hendrikp (Comment 256) : It would be so much easier if we had Loose forward depth.
Jacques Botes brings some false hope ❗
What a pass under pressure by Bosman to Mvovo 😯 pinpoint and far…
Mvovo lacks the pace to get passed Hougaard but shows enough strength to get through the tackle…
Ball recycled….Botes scores….
Pat converts. YES!
Bulls 18 – 13 Sharks
72 mins
Bulls to play into our hands and go defensive….
72min
Bulls 18 – 13 Sharks
Converted….
5 point game with eight left
It wasn’t Jordaan that created it, muppets.
It was Tim Whitehead. The commentators got the name wrong.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 261) :
I’d start worrying about depth all across the park 😆
Sharks have the ball in the Bulls half. Finally some continuity!
Sharks scrum halfway between the Bulls’ 10 and 22.
@hendrikp (Comment 268) : Maybe you should take your WP glasses off that was jordaan about 3 times in that move.
Hmmmmm
@hendrikp (Comment 268) :
Looked like Jordaan to me too…
Tim Whitehead, terrible for 70 minutes, but maybe we can hope for more of the last 5?
SCrum holds.
Commentators are so stupid.
“He’s full of running”
It’s Tim Whitehead half the time you fools 😆
Jordaan has something Hougaard about him with that stepping.
@Hmmm (Comment 274) :
Unless he quickly shaved off his mullet and borrowed Whiteheads 12 jersey… it was Whitehead.
Sharks fumble at the base of the ruck in the Bulls 22. Shit.
77 mins.
Sharks great attcking rugby for JPP to try the pick andf go just to knock… 😯
this is the rugby that’s going to take us forward, boys…. even if we don’t win here, we’ve seen some signs!
@Hmmm (Comment 274) : And to the rest of us.
Coetzee by far the Sharks standout forward…
Please tell me this is just a cameo from Matfield…
Sharks lineout just inside Bulls 10m
@robdylan (Comment 282) : thats good news but a win would still be good.
@LordHope (Comment 285) : afraid not, he’s signed with Supersport to commentate. 😳
Sharks lose linout…
Bizzy tries to win back…but penalised….
Daniel 4
Bizzy 4
Penalty Bulls. 79 mins and Steyn sets up a lineout.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 288) : I hope I never have to listen to him. His voice is like someones nails scraping a chalkboard
How do they use Daniel to compete with Kruger??
Penalty Sharks on the hooter!
Kaplan is an ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@KSA Shark © (Comment 283) :
Obviously they don’t let you rewind live TV in SA.
can you believe the Sharks get a penalty on the hooter
Ball is snatched away. Bulls win.
Bulls win it…
Sharks just not good enough….
3 from 3 for me.
Yes, I gloat.
FULL TIME
Bulls 18 – 13 Sharks
1 pt away from home is okay but i would have liked more.
@hendrikp (Comment 299) : come gloat here after a Sharks loss and don’t be surprised when your password doesn’t work any more…
@hendrikp (Comment 299) : So do we.
We also kick when people are down. 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 301) :
Ha-Ha-Ha
@robdylan (Comment 301) : ha ha good one Rob
Like what I saw from us in the last 20mins. Paul Jordaan, I like. Our first real hard game of the season, we didn’t do that bad. Future looks good. Need to remember that we didn’t have Beast, Alberts and Deysel. Well done boys. Mcleod needs to start. Bosman at 10 is always good. I’m happy.
@robdylan (Comment 301) :
Not the end of the world. You just have to stand back and appreciate what the Bulls have got.
When you do everything with a plan in mind, you’re bound to win more often then not.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 288) : As Darth Vader would say:
NooOOooOOooOOooOOoo!!!
Can’t they put him with the Afrikaans commentary?
Last year Keegan was a massive discipline problem. He and Bismarck must have given away 50% of our penalties at the very least.
13 LMS lifelines lost. At least I have something to smile about. 😆
@KSA Shark © (Comment 309) : You presicted BUlls win?
Was not a particularly good game…
Sharks cost themselves the game….
On the bright side we get a bonus point
I was global top one percent on SB before this game…
Sharks messed up my best run ever…..eish
How the hell did we lose that one? All I know is, Paul Jordaan deserves a start vs. Stormers
Not a bad result for the sharks ,more than anything some players got some game time(Jordaan etc) .One thing we should be incredibly bitter about are our line-outs and the breakdown ,Bismarck had a night mare of a game.
Truth of the matter is we had no answer to the Bulls superior tactical game ,their kick and chase game was really good.
Whitehead was really good tonight .
@klempie (Comment 310) : nope. I picked a bye this weekend.
@Die Kriek (Comment 314) :
Is that next week?
What a horrible way for the Sharks to start the season. Going 0 from 2.
@KSA Shark © (Comment 316) : Ah.
@Hmmm (Comment 313) : 2 from 2 your best run ever.
😳
@KSA Shark © (Comment 319) :
Nope….but have never been top one percent…and leading all seven pools I was in at the same time….lol
@hendrikp (Comment 317) : We will learn from this one. Bismarck had a shocker! If memory serves he gave away 9 points by himself
@hendrikp (Comment 275) : Terrible? I don’t think he was outplayed by anyone in those 70mins! Looks like our backline is going to make us smile this year. Liked the backline that finished the game.
@Talent (Comment 315) : Agree on Jordaan and Whitehead, but for me Bosman was better than Tim, he has improved tremendously
@hendrikp (Comment 306) : ja, fair play to them, mate… they were better than us and no mistake.
But that doesn’t mean that YOU have to be a chop about it. Subtle, yet important difference. Be happy when your team wins, not when somebody else’e team loses.
@Die Kriek (Comment 322) : Meyer was SUPERB. Bliksem, but he was good.
Our problem now is almost that we have too many good centres! What are the chances?
I am going to stick my neck out and risk the ire of auntie Sharon… Patrick was poor tonight.
@robdylan (Comment 324) : I wouldn’t say poor, but Morne outplayed him by quite a bit. I do believe Basson and Akona was testing, and crossing the offside line on a few occasions
All in all, I was impressed by our backline as a whole, Mich and Lambie were ok, Tim and JPP were good, Ludik was solid, Mvovo was amazing! Viljoen was very good. McLeod had a cracker, although he can be much better, Bosman was tremendous! Jordaan was a breath of fresh air, a revelation, Superman in black, he was better than I ever expected!
It is our forwards that worried me a bit, Dale was amazing! Beast wont just walk back into the team. Marcell was very good! Don’t think he can keep Alberts or Deysel out, but all 3 of them can play 8, so Kanko must be stressing like mad, especially after yet another less than average game. Bismarck, Keegan, Sykes, Jannie, all had below par performances, Bismarck especially dissapointed like never before
Congrats to the Bulls.
Our discipline cost us huge tonight. Keegan and Bissie gave away far too many penalties.
At least we don’t go home empty handed. Got the bonus point for a away game at Loftus. Not many teams come away from there with a point.
@robdylan (Comment 324) : Thought Lambie played a lot better once at fb. Season still eary days though, he is a class fh might just need more time there.
Bresler also didn’t do much to warrant his inclusion over Ross
Children !
Bed time hendrikp surely ..sweetheart calls.
Sharks chin up ..there was a period in the 2nd half that showed glimpses of what Plum and the team are heading towards ..it will come.
Bulls well played they stuck to what they know best and have a culture of winning tight ones …Crusader game earlier proved that …the culture is there can’t dispute it. und herr ..it was at HOME by a few ….chillax
Yet they WILL be found out this season of that I have no doubt.
NOTICE : all you chops bragging about being 3/3 on bru and all that ..doesn’t mean u know ur rugby ..it means u lucky or full of shit…I’m 3/ naught …and I know my RUGBY .. 😉 😆
@Die Kriek (Comment 327) : Agree Bissie was not great tonight and so too Keegan. Both were disappointing and giving away far too many penalties that cost the team. Botes looked good when he came on.
When is Alberts and Deysel due back?
@hendrikp (Comment 316) :
Is that how you’d be around the bloggers on this site man to man ..chock full of conceit …must be easy sitting in NZ and being a complete prick on a Sharks website when they lose …
No I don’t know you but your actions on here tell me enough …
Tell me again who do you support …? dweeeeeebbbbbb
Thought JPP went well at centre and so did Whitehead. Jordaan showed plenty class too when he came on and should be looked at starting against Stormers.
Loftus rebellion report back:
– I swear Loftus was minutes away from a stampede on the east side of the stadium with people trying to get in. Never seen it that bad. We must have been caught in human traffic jam for close to 20 minutes. It wasn’t great.
– Both Ludik and Lambie look okay without being spectacular – I was surprised by some of the comments on here regarding those two. I really didn’t get the impression that Basson was that great in the air. Sure, he applied the pressure but lost more than he caught.
– Scrums, rucks and lineouts all had their ups and downs.
– Michalak’s service was a little slow but McLeod was doing the hand-waving thing again which got tired fast.
– Whitehead butchered a few passes in promising positions. Seemed much more solid in the second-half but rarely spectacular. I’d like to see more of him at 12 – he did well for his first start.
– Coetzee did some hard grafting all over the park. Hope it didn’t go unnoticed.
– Like Viljoen at fullback. That boot really relieves pressure!
– Like JPP at 13 – he just need to pass to his inside every now and then to mix it up a little.
– Our defence looks promising.
– Discipline cost us this game in my opinion. Bulls played a more intelligent game but their execution was poor. It was ours for the taking.
– All in all – it was flashes of brilliance mixed with a lot of rustiness and probably nerves too.
One final note – I was expecting a lot of jeering from Bulls fans after the whistle. Didn’t receive any – a lot of the fans looked a little stunned to be honest. 😯
@Die Kriek (Comment 322) : One was playing 10 and the other 12. How do you compare? Bosman is always good at 10.
10 and 12 are very simmilar, and I compared work rate and commitment