Reading that headline, you’ll be forgiven for experiencing a “well, d’uh!” moment! It’s kind of stating the obvious, I’d think…
Anyway, in an interview with Beeld’s Christo Buchner after the Bulls secured a place in Saturday’s Currie Cup semi-final, Sharks coach John Plumtree confirmed that any thought of continued rest and recuperation for his Bok players would now go out of the window. Reading between the lines, you’d fancy that if Plum and his charges had found themselves coming up against Griquas again, or perhaps even the Cheetahs, they may have continued with a more conservative selection approach.
The Bulls, though, at full strength and brimming with confidence after their win against the Lions with weekend, will allow no such gamble.
Expect Beast Mtawarira, Craig Burden and Jannie du Plessis to start in a completely re-jigged front row, with Willem Alberts also set to be added to the starting forward pack, although whether he does indeed come in as a straight swap for the in-form Jean Deysel remains to be seen. Plumtree may opt to use Alberts at lock, much as he did in the Super Rugby knock-out phase, however harsh that might be on Jandre Marais.
The only expected backline change should see Lwazi Mvovo start at wing, in place of the injured Odwa Ndungane.
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Are we the favourites? 😕
@SharksRTB (Comment 1) : I’m afraid so 🙁
@robdylan (Comment 2) : NO NO NO all blogs doing serveys are showing the BUlls to be favourites
@sharks_lover (Comment 3) : pheew….. Now I feel better.. Thanx
Here is the team i think will play come saturday.
15 Ludick
14 JPP
13 Jordaan
12 Whitehead
11 Mvovo
10 Lambie
09 Reinach
08 Daniel
07 Deysel
06 Coetzee
05 Bresler
04 Alberts/Jandre
03 Jannie
02 Burden
01 Beast
16 Cooper
17 Herbst
18 Jandre/Alberts
19 PSDT/Botes
20 Mcleod
21 Bosman
22 Odwa/Sithole/
Unless PLum goes for a 5-2 split as is normally the case against the Bulls.
Bench would then be Burden, Herbst, Chadwick, Alberts/JAndre, PSDT/Botes
😉 @SharksRTB (Comment 4) : 😆 infact majority so far say a Bulls vs WP final
@sharks_lover (Comment 5) : Was wondering why PSDT has not been in the frame recently??? I know he was injured in S15… But has played a couple of games for the u/21’s
I fancy our chances so much more if Chadwick is not in the 22
@KingRiaan (Comment 8) : Chadwick won’t be in the 22. Plumtree has never picked a 5-man bench with 2 props on it. He will rather go with 2 loosies.
Don’t rule out Mtembu
@sharks_lover (Comment 5) : That is the side I would use.
Areas I am worried about ;Line outs with both Cooper and Burden experiencing a dip in form in throwing in. We cannot afford to start Alberts at lock against the Bulls without Kanko in the mix. Expect them to target our line-outs.
@robdylan (Comment 9) : In fact, I would like it if Mtembu is in the 22. That young man is gonna be huge yet.
@KingRiaan (Comment 11) : players who attack with pace are generally good against the Bulls… the likes of Keegan and Kanko have been very effective against them in the past and I think Tera is another such player. Well worth considering
@robdylan (Comment 12) : True that, the best way to beat their big forwards is to simply run around them, no use in trying to run over them
@KingRiaan (Comment 13) : yes… while I fully believe that we have the physical game to match them, I’ve never believed that’s the cleverest way to take them on.
Botes must start at 6…as is the case all season long…
– we need someone to disrupt opponents ball. and we have been good when Botes or Keegan occupied that role!! Marcell is not a specialist 6…
6. Botes
7. Coetzee
8. Daniel
with Deysel and Alberts on the bench for impact!!!
@pienaar111 (Comment 15) : worried about that trio being able to counter the driving maul?
@robdylan (Comment 14) : Our boys should just use what has been working for them, speed, skill and excellent handling
Prediction for a +-60% chance of rain……. Then the “heavys” would surely be fancied….
@SharksRTB (Comment 18) : that’s a pity… I think the Bulls only came close to us last time because of the weather.
@SharksRTB (Comment 18) : No problem with that, the Sharks showed this year that they really can master all weather conditions
@KingRiaan (Comment 20) : would still prefer a dry game.
@robdylan (Comment 21) : Me too, had enough of going to watch the games in the rain
@robdylan (Comment 12) : ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK, BANG BANG BANG 😀 c’mon calls from a certain rugga manaic I know. “Do everything AT PACE” is another common call and if you watch NZ teams especially you will note the pace at which they move the ball (I recall Chiefs in the Super Rugga final) is ridiculous.
Pace oftens places a mini-panic on defenders as they have waaay less times to position themselves correctly hense resulting in linebreaks and tries.
GO SHARKS!!!
@robdylan (Comment 16) :
Could be a worthy argument…But isnt most of it based on technique??
I recall in the ’07 S14 final, :-(, we completely nullified that aspect of their game with a similar approach. Obviously ‘certain other aspects cost us dearly’ but just a thought…
I just wish a ‘speed-based’ game beats the ‘Bok game’ if you know what I mean haha
@pienaar111 (Comment 24) : Imo, if its dry our speed and skill will beat the Boks game plan on Saturday…