The Sharks will have no second changes when they play the Cheetahs this weekend in Durban. It will be the return match between these two sides after the Sharks won the opening game 29 – 22 in Bloemfontein.
The Sharks started the pre season with probably the best chance to claim the Super Rugby title. They lost to the Chiefs in last years final after reaching it against all odds when they had to play the Reds in Australia in the quarter final, fly back to South Africa to play Stormers in Cape Town and again fly back to New Zealand to play the Chiefs. After a slow start the Sharks only lost one out of their last seven matches to reach the play offs but the final was one hurdle to far and they went down 37 – 6.
Many would have said this is the year for the Sharks, with players like Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Beast Mtawarira, Anton Bresler, Jean Deysel, Jacques Botes, Willem Alberts, Keegan Daniel, Ryan Kankowski, Marcell Coetzee, Charl McLeod, Cobus Reinach, Patrick Lambie, Meyer Bosman, Francios Steyn, Tim Whitehead, Paul Jordaan, Lwazi Mvovo, JP Peterson, Louis Ludik. You cant blame anyone to think, damn….
Little did John Plumtree know that almost half of his 1st choice players would be injured 7 weeks into the season. The players that have been filling in for most of those 1st choice players have done well but it seems like its more a case of desperately holding on to that 1st spot. The Sharks have only lost 2 out of their 7 games played, against the Brumbies and the Stormers.
The worrying factor is that being contenders for the title the Sharks are not dishing up anything exiting, they have only managed to score 13 tries, 2 against the Cheetahs, 1 against the Brumbies and 10 against the Rebels. The Cheetahs have scored the most tries on 18 and second the new comers Southern Kings 16, Stormers and Bulls are also on 13 with the Sharks. The Sharks have only conceded 10 tries 1 more then the Stormers, Bulls are on 16, Cheetahs 19 and Kings 24.
The Sharks need to make some changes soon if they don’t want to fall off the radar. A possible short term solution could be to move Steyn back to 12 to give us a bit more forward ball, Bosman struggled a bit against the Stormers and give Riaan Viljoen another crack at 15.
The Sharks need to realise there are not second chances in this competition and if they want to turn their season around it needs to start this weekend against the Cheetahs. Make sure about the win, play with the goal in mind of winning the game the confidence and the tries will come. They are currently 3 points ahead of the Cheetahs which are in second place and also the opportunity to further their position in the South African Conference before leaving for their over seas leg of the tournament.
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Insuries has really sucked this season
Injuries is a problem but think the fireless performances with like Saturday and “star” players out of form and playing like 0/11d’s is a much bigger problem.
Nice article. Going back to hard numbers adds perspective; it aint time for sackcloth and ashes just yet, but we need to find another gear right quick.
@Big Fish (Comment 3) : yeah you right fish, we have been winning, its more a thing of playing below par not to our full potential
Well the injuries combined with our lacklustre performance at newlands adds up to Cheetahs with the favourites tagg at Kingspark . . . 👿
Biggest concern for me at the moment are the loosies.. Cheetahs will dominate us there the whole day.
No trolling for me today. Honest perspective only. Even though the Sharks are seriously under the cosh with injuries, they are still likely to field a formidable team, with numerous current and past boks in their team.
They are also playing at Kings park, and the Cheetahs sans any rest as yet, must be feeling the effects on their bodies.
It should still be a tight contest, as the Cheetahs have tightened their defence considerably since losing to the Sharks and Chiefs.
The Cheetahs could yet snatch a victory at Kings Park, but they will have to play to their strengths, which isn’t kicking like they did against the Bulls. With their loosies in fine form, a ball in hand approach will be better suited. Build the phases and then go wide. The disruption in the Sharks backline will be to the Cheetahs benefit.
No matter who the Sharks opt to play at 12, Ebersohn has been sound on defence, and young Robinson, will likely be up against Rhule. This will be the Cheetahs best chance of an upset, and could see them in a very strong position with a nother tough game against the surprise package kings, and then a bye, and a resulting 4 points.
It would be most unwise to underestimate the Sharks. Play it tight, retain possession, and play the quick momentum game the Cheetahs thrive on. With Lappies, Brüssow and vd Walt able to play this type of game. Frans Viljoen will be a boost from the bench.
Go Cheeeetahs
@KingCheetah (Comment 7) :
Seems like there is going to be plenty of rain around KP come Saturday. This might just work in the favour of the Sharks. In reality it’s anybodies game.
Agree with you 100%. Steyn needs to go back to 12. Play Viljoen 15. Promote the VC try scoring machine. Play Kanko 8, KD 6 and Marcell 7. Drop Jannie and start with Herbst.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 9) : I agree…
@Pokkel (Comment 8) : Bugger! That is a bummer. Cheetahs have shown themselves adept in the wet though, especially at Newlands lol. It may well level the playing field as such.
Agreed, it is a lottery to call a winner. A loss to either side would be real bad. loser will be drop down a fair ways. Possibly the Crusaders, Hurricanes, Cheetahs, and Bulls to leapfrog them.
So it’s going to be a high stakes game! Good luck, and lets hope for a clean controversy free encounter.
@KingCheetah (Comment 7) : Brussouw seems to save his best for Kings Park. If we can’t nullify his threat at the breakdown we’re in a for a torrid time.
Line up for the weekend confirmed:
1. Tendai Mtawarira
2. Kyle Cooper
3. Wiehahn Herbst
4. Pieter-Steph du Toit
5. Franco van der Merwe
6. Marcell Coetzee
7. Jean Deysel
8. Keegan Daniel (Captain)
9. Cobus Reinach
10. Patrick Lambie
11. Sean Robinson
12. Meyer Bosman
13. Paul Jordaan
14. Odwa Ndungane
15. Riaan Viljoen
Replacements
16. Craig Burden
17. Jannie du Plessis
18. Anton Bresler
19. Lubabalo Mtembu
20. Charl McLeod
21. Francois Steyn
22. Andries Coetzee
Still a pretty strong line up.
Jean Deysel back – a big plus. Hope he wasn’t rushed back as this could be a disaster if he was rushed back or hope he is not playing with a nigle.
No Kanko!!! Not even from the bench. Can’t understand that. But okay. Loose trio looks good.
Game on!!!