Durban will host the 2012 Currie Cup Final, after the Sharks beat the Blue Bulls by 20 points to 3 in a one-sided semi-final contest.
In a game that was never likely to produce champagne rugby, given the wet state of the field, The Sharks played the conditions better, controlling possession and territory and winning the battle for the high ball, with Louis Ludik and JP Pietersen particularly impressive. The Bulls were a disorganized and ill-disciplined lot, who regularly got on the wrong side of referee Mark Lawrence.
Three first-half penalties to Pat Lambie saw the hosts lead 9-0 at the break, and that was extended to 12-0 shortly after half time.
The Blue Bulls finally scored a late penalty, but Lambie quickly erased that deficit with another penalty, before a late try to Lwazi Mvovo sealed the result.
Scores:
Sharks (20): Try Mvovo. Penalties Lambie (5).
Bulls (3): Penalty Morne Steyn
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Congratz on the win.
Congrats to the Sharkies . Now ….
GO LIONS !!!!
OK so I guess that settles at least two things, Pattie is way ahead of Morne as a flyhalf, and secondly Juandre Kruger must never captain the Boks.
Any news on jannie ?
i thought deysel was almost back to his best, when he competes for the ball. Still short of confidence. Hope that since he has stayed injury free for the longest period of his career, the coach backs him.
Nice one Sharkies! Ludik would’ve been my motm, but well done by SuperPat!
Well done Sharks. Well done Pat Lambie, H Meyer (HM) must be blind not seeing your true potential. Well done Kiegan Daniel once again another HM fail. Now for the Cup next week.
@Dynamite (Comment 7) : How about Duane Vermeulen vs Keegan Daniel for Bok no8 in next weeks final? Should be good considering Pat Lambie thoroughly killed Morne today. Today MOTM awards in two games. Can Lambie be more blatant in giving HM the middle finger?
Lions centres dominated…even when Hollenbach was on…breaking the WP midfield on occasion and defending well…
But WP were just more hungry…taking all but 5 points on offer…while Lions botched points consistantly through the game…
@jonnow (Comment 3) :
Was very impressed with Lambie.
And I’ve got my doubts about Kruger as a Springbok lock. He’s not as good in the air as you’d expect from a Springbok ‘5’ and his general play isn’t good enough to make up for what he is lacking.
Lambie and Ludik were really good! They both comprehensively outplayed their opponent ,who are both considered by Meyer to be the best in their respective positions.
If Meyer uses the excuse “well Lambie had a good foundation to play off set by his forwards” surely questions should then be asked as to why he has snubbed half the Sharks pack in favor of the Bulls?
From a national point of view;
Imagine Etzebeth and Bresler as a lock combination!
We have problems at hooker .The Sharks hookers all cannot throw the ball into a line-out straight and the rest of the hookers in this country are poor. Glad Chiliboi is back.
Jaco Kriel and Ruan Combrink looked awesome last night !!Wish some side would pick them up ,if their contract allow it.
Lambie has emerged as the most competent Flyhalf in this country ,after not playing the position for how many weeks? Elton had a mare last night
So excited to see the WP to face the sharks…the sharks absolutely outclassed the bulls
And i’m looking forward to see the same next weekend against the province
Patrick lambie also shown that he is definitly not only the best Fly half in South-African rugby but also the best kicker of the ball in SA
I really just wish that HM would give him a chance to shine for the boks
@hendrikp (Comment 10) : I must concur. Lambie had good quality ball to work with, but his game management and option taking with it was excellent.
As for Kruger, well, having your line out ball stolen by Keegan Daniel is not exactly covering yourself in glory, now is it?
And to say Louis Ludik was better than Kirchner would be like saying Heidi Klum is hotter than Rosie O’ Donnel; it’s a truth so self-evident that any opposing viewpoint must be treated with extreme suspicion…
@Culling Song (Comment 14) : As for Kruger, well, having your line out ball stolen by Keegan Daniel is not exactly covering yourself in glory, now is it?
@Culling Song (Comment 14) : I agree 100%…with Keegan Daniel’s outstanding performance it also leaves the question…how was arno botha called up instead of Keegan??? 😯
I think part of the Bulls problem comes down to coaching & the attitude of the squad as a whole.
The discipline of the past is gone, and they look clueless when they’ve got ball in hand.
When you constantly ‘pick-n-go’ when you’re not even close to the try-line, you know your team is out of ideas. You need to move the opposition defenders around if you are to have any hope of breaching their line.
They also seem to rate a few players in Pretoria that the rest of the country wouldn’t take a second look at.
Being stubborn, and continuing on with their stupid game-plan & sticking with players that can’t get the job done isn’t going to get the Bulls anywhere. They’ve taken a serious turn for the worst.
@sharktooth (Comment 16) :
Keegan is an excellent player in great form, yes.
But I don’t see what he can offer Meyer’s Bok team. The guy is just too small. He gets away with it up to a certain level but he’s not a long-term option at test level purely because of his size.
And I thought Arno Botha was easily the best Bulls player on the field.
@sharktooth (Comment 13) :
He had a good game, but he’s not nearly the best kicker of the ball in SA.
He was finding average distance on his kicks, and his goal-kicking was about the same.
Now we know Goosen needs work on his tactical kicking, but the guy kicks the ball a mile and is easily the best goal-kicker in SA.
Anyone have any ideas what is needed for a player to be allowed to play for their teams U-21 side if their CC team has been eliminated?
Arno Botha & Franna Venter both still U-21, so will have to wait and see. Venter didn’t play for the U-21’s at all this season, while Arno Botha participated in 2 games.
@Culling Song (Comment 14) : Hahaha! So eloquently proved. QED.
@hendrikp (Comment 20) :
Reading SARU rules and it says this for U19’s:
‘An under 19 player may participate in the UNDER 19 CUP competition (including the semi-final and final matches) notwithstanding the fact that he has participated in a senior competition (including the semi-final and final matches of such senior competition) during that particular year.’
Doesn’t say anything for the U21’s, but you’d assume that the same rules apply.
WP going to have a tough time dealing with that… and if Franna Venter was to start for the U21’s, then they could technically move Jan Serfontein down into the starting-12 jersey for the U19’s.
@hendrikp (Comment 19) : Ja Goosen sure proved his goal kicking ability during the Rugby Championship 🙄
@FireTheLooser (Comment 23) :
Don’t be a muppet.
@hendrikp (Comment 24) : I guess you’ve got no facts to argue the contrary?! 🙄
For once try to be little less of a tool than usual, you always make a lot of noise but never add to the conversations around here. 😉
Leave the controversy to Megatron, ’cause you’re really just trying too hard.
@hendrikp (Comment 18) : Arno Botha was completely sodding anonymous, bro. Completely anonymous. Didn’t see him once
@robdylan (Comment 26) : And then he still expects us to take him serious when he punts ANYONE as a future Bok 🙄
@robdylan (Comment 26) :
Bulls didn’t have much ball, but when he did get his hands on it he carried well. Also some very good defensive work. But you’re entitled to your opinion.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 25) :
Eish you’re thick. I need evidence to say that Lambie isn’t the best kicker, yet you’re free to make stupid claims like that?
The guy kicked 71%. He even came up short on one from something like 40m out. Yes he had a good game, but to write everybody else off is madness.
Guess you can’t help what’s between the ears.
@hendrikp (Comment 28) : Evidently you cannot argue your point without getting personal, but that seems to be your compensating mechanism. 🙄
The kick that was short was his first one at goal, trying to get proper footing in a marshland. After that he went pretty darn well.
And we’ve seen what MS/JG/EJ have done for the Boks with the boot – NOTHING! So internationally speaking, I guess we can afford to see what Lambie have to offer.
@hendrikp (Comment 28) : @FireTheLooser (Comment 29) : guys, please…feel free to attack each other’s opinions, but insulting each other’s intelligence is not on, as per the site rules.
Go out and get some fresh air rather. It’s Sunday, after all.
@robdylan (Comment 26) : I disagree I thought he was good especially on defense where he ripped the ball from us more than once. Nothing special on attack though…
@hendrikp (Comment 28) : Who cares If his goal kicking is 75 and Goosens is 82 ,if we consider the wealth of potent and accurate kickers in this country such as Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn, it should never be a deciding factor when picking a 10. Goosen ,like his mate playing for the Sharks at 13, will never be an above average defender ala Lambie or Butch, something people don’t ever seem to mention.
Right now ,as it stands, after an extended period of time away from actually being on the field ,let alone playing flyhalf, Lambie has performed exceptionally.
@hendrikp (Comment 28) : thanks Hendrik.
I’ll concede that Botha had a good game against the Lions last week. But yesterday, he was nowhere and calls to continue with him in the Bok squad ahead of Daniel are simply laughable. They have no basis in any defensible logic.
@Talent (Comment 31) : They can improve however 😎
@FireTheLooser (Comment 29) :
Goosen had an injury. Yes, he didn’t kick very well, but that shouldn’t take away from the fact that when he’s fit he’s probably a 90% + kicker.
Lambie did well, and you could argue may well be a better all-round flyhalf, but he’s not in the same league when it comes to goal-kicking. You saying he’s better is the funniest thing I’ve heard all week.
All that needs to be said ; When defending your tryline who would you feel happy defending Ma’a Nonu, Goosen or Lambie?
@hendrikp (Comment 34) : Can’t exactly recall saying Lambie is a better goal kicker than Goosen. As Lambie has not been tested at international level, that remains to be seen, if ever we get the opportunity.
@robdylan (Comment 32) :
I’d go with Daniel if I saw him adding value in the patterns that Meyer wants to play. It’s pretty obvious he’s MASSIVE in this Sharks team. Great player.
Unfortunately, his size counts against him. Not in a million years is Meyer going to settle with him (and his size) as the starting 8.
Test rugby is a different sort of game, one that I agree Daniel isn’t necessarily suited to.
The bigger & more physical you are, the better at test level.
@robdylan (Comment 30) : Okay Rob, you’re entitled to your opinion 😈
@hendrikp (Comment 37) : Spies proves your argument invalid ,so does Brussow 🙄
@Talent (Comment 35) :
If you were stuck in a goal-kicking duel with New Zealand… like Australia was yesterday, who would you feel comfortable taking the shots at goal? Goosen or Lambie?
They both have their strengths.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 36) :
“also the best kicker of the ball in SA” – I took that to mean kicking at goal also.
Even then, I’d say it’s fairly obvious watching that Lambie finds average distance on his punts.
@hendrikp (Comment 40) : Please read above posts of mine comment 31
Let’s see what’s meyer ‘s options at 10: steyn is completely useless, goosen can’t play more than 3 games without getting injured, jantjies is way to eratic, Butch to old?, Lambie o yes his not a flyhalf (just ask meyer) but watching him play yesterday it seems to me nobody told Pat he’s not a flyhalf.
@Talent (Comment 39) :
🙄
I thought you’d have more common sense then that.
I meant that the bigger guy will always have an advantage.
Anyway, just passed midnight here.
All have a fantastic day
@hendrikp (Comment 43) : I disagree, especially in the position that they are being used.
I’m not saying goosen’s not good,,,he’s probobly the guy with the most talent is SA but unforunetly he was not on-form when he played for the boks…recaling the one currie cup game he played from comming back from injury…he missed a few distanced penalty shots and also a few other atempts
If Goosen might have gotten a few extra games in currie cup level he might have gotten he’s kicking form back
Quite simple really Pat at 10 and JG at 15 with Elton on the bench, all sorted , or easily 10 and 15 to swop!!
is it not funny how Elton Jantjies ( who is moving to weeping province and has a 100 % kicking rate) suddenly misses 3 sitters in front of the poles to give his NEW team a win. 😳
@hendrikp (Comment 34) :
why would anyone compare the two…Goosen is a non event right now. injured and not even a prospect. so why are you wasting mental energy at trying to big him up. rather do thatwhen he is fit and playing again. right now the only names on peoples lips should be the ones of the fit and productive 10’s. am i wrong in saying that ?
On yesterdays run outs…Ludik should be a bok !! JPP will be back on the wing and Lambie the bok 10
where the questions need to be asked are…who will play at 12 and 13. theres a big hole. If JDV can get his fitness back will it be Taute ( Tail that wags the dog ) at 13. Dejongh kinda showed him up a tad yesterday.
And Reinach….Come on HM take him on tour he made everyone else look like poephoels !
@The Duke (Comment 48) : I agree…Goosen is out for the whole season….so let’s take a look at who HM must choose…contenders are Lambie,MS,EJ…All of them played this weekend…and only one stood out…Pat ❗
lets not worry …all three will tour for sure. what will concern me is how will get the splinters in his arse. If Pat gets to bench 80 again..i will implode ! as it will show a very narrow minded outlook from a coach who made big promises about taking the Boks forward. Lambie is a go forward man. I hope i see him start against scotland…where he should have started last time out when we lost
Bob should appologise for calling Lawrence’s wrong when Steyn kicked off into our goal area and awarding us a scrum!
Can anyone please tell me…where is kankowski???
Can anyone please tell me…where is kankowski??
@sharktooth (Comment 45) : I am still waiting for Goosen to have a top game vs Sharks, until then I don’t rate him, in fact I think his attitude is worst that FS when he was 19. I am not saying he doesn’t have talent , but my feeling is his big head got to him in the test matches, ie playing with the sore leg, does that actually make your team stronger or weaker… My feeling is he made us allot weaker.
@sharktooth (Comment 53) : In Nipon land…the rising sun…Japan buddy. he should be in contention for eoyt, as Meyer has a glint in his eye with regards to him.
@Uli (Comment 55) : i think he has some growing up to do. he also could be one of those ” could of Been” guys…if his injuries keep on.
@The Duke (Comment 56) : Thanks…he would hav been a monster of a 8th man for the boks!! that is if HM would hav given him game time
So stoked with that win, Sharks having the last say in the Bulls season, love it!!!
Feeling confident the Sharks will keep their winning record against Problems
happy days !! 😆
Holy shit…Watching Carte Blanche. Ashwin Willemse looks like he’s been fingered in a dodgy Gold Fields deal…
@pete69 (Comment 47) : Far as I know Jantjies going to the Stormers for the duration of the Super15 next year and will not play for Province.
If Louis Ludik is not included in the Bok EOYT i dont know how much faith I can have in the Bok selectors and coach! He is back to his best again after all his injury troubles. I also cannot understand how the Bulls can moan at Mark Lawrence and blame him. I mean he is definitely not on my favourites list but I thought he should maybe have penalised the Bulls more based on the way they tried to kill quick ball at every ruck! The trip on Lambie should have been red! Check the rules- a delibrate trip is a red card offense! And why was Morne Steyn not cited? Do we have a blue eyed citing commissioner in SA?
3 finals, in 3 consecutive tournaments, in a matter of +- 12 months……
What an achievement by this team!!!!!
We have to take this one!!!!!
@SheldonK (Comment 65) : Totally agree on the M Steyn citing thing.. Should’ve been cited for at least 6 weeks to keep him out of the EOYT. 😎 😉
@SheldonK (Comment 65) : how old is Ludick?
He’s really been in form this year. Even kept Lambie away from this 15 jersey.
@SharksRTB (Comment 67) : My thoughts exactly. And Id like the citing commissioner to have a closer look at Dean Greyling…im sure he did something to also cop a ban and miss the EOYT… haha
@rekinek (Comment 68) : Thankfully kept Lambie out of the 15 jersey I would like to add!
@rekinek (Comment 68) : Im not too sure of his age, 27/28 mayb? Im sure someone has the official stats. He is definitely not over the hill! But somehow in SA unless ur 19 or 20 you are deemed to be old and slow and past it.
@SheldonK (Comment 71) : How old is Zane? Surely about the same age as Ludik, maybe slightly younger (I stand to be corrected) so HM cannot use Ludik’s age as an excuse not to pick him. 27/28 is also young compared to the Bok team fielded last year at the World Cup!!
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 70) : it kind of worked out 😀
@SheldonK (Comment 71) : True, especially when it comes to the backs. But for those who remember Odwa sidestepping young Rhule… experience must count for something.
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 72) : the thing with Zane is that he managed to get into the Bok setup, ansd once you are in then it is difficult to get one out.
@rekinek (Comment 75) : Zane also manages to put in a decent performance when he’s position is on the line (Australia, Loftus 2012) which annoys me.
@SheldonK (Comment 65) : “He is back to his best again after all his injury troubles.”
Not back to his best. This is surely the best he has ever been. Surely HM can’t ignore him anymore. 😕
@Ben (Comment 77) : I disagree..cast your mind back quite a few years now! Ludik was one of the most talked about players in SA. He was touted as the new Jaque Fourie that started at fb and thoughts were he may be moved to centre. He was on the verge of being picked for the Boks when injury struck. But yes he is really playing well now- i see that he is working with Sheryl Calder (excuse spelling) though. And look at the difference it has made to him and Habana!
Zane is 28 and if I’m not mistaken Ludik had his birthday a week ago, and turned 26. People think he is older cause he started at such a young age. I really back him for the boks
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 76) : In my opinion Kirchner offers nothing! He can catch and kick it back and tackle if a guy runs straight at him- and thats all on a good day! He offers very little on attack- running a try in from 3metres doesnt count! So in my view picking Kirchner is a safety pick and shows that the coach wants a safety first approach at all times from the back.
@SheldonK (Comment 80) : I agree with you. But no coach is going to drop a player after he nearly scores a brace of tries. Kirchner should have been dropped after the NZ game along with M.Steyn but he was given an opportunity to fight for his jersey and to his credit he was solid enough to keep it.
@SheldonK (Comment 80) : Zane is never going to be the fullback though that runs 60m to score… which is why I wish he didn’t play an okayish game agains the Aussies hence HM would be forced to drop him.
Ludick is definertly the on form 15 in SA…he gets every high ball that is aimed for him or even kicked by him…if lambie gets the 10 jersey and ludick the 15…the boks will be the team to beat
@sharktooth (Comment 83) : And give them time! HM mustn’t expect fireworks in match 1. He trusted Morne and Zane to no end. He needs to be consistent in trusting Lambie and Ludik as well.
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 82) : The funny thing is that when Zane was at Griquas that is exactly what he did- run the ball back from deep! He could also kick it a country mile but ran it more often than not. Same as Morne Steyn who ran the ball at every opportunity when we first started at the Bulls! U noticing a trend?
@SheldonK (Comment 85) : I’m noticing it. Worryingly Handre Pollard and Jan Serfontein (I stand to be corrected) have also headed up North. So sad.
@The Sharks Sharkie (Comment 84) : I agree if he trusted morne steyn and zane with so much games and gave them so much opurtunities to prove them selves he can give them the same