Gary Gold has made a number of changes to his side for Saturday’s crunch Currie Cup clash against the Golden Lions at Kings Park. Changes at halfback and in midfield are perhaps the most significant, although the forward pack has also undergone a reshuffle.
With Jean Deysel becoming the second open-side flank to be ruled out with injury in as many weeks, Francois Kleinhans is afforded an opportunity to start in the number 6 shirt, where he’ll combine with Daniel du Preez and Philip van der Walt in a loose trio that looks well balanced. Dale Chadwick returns from injury to replace Juan Schoeman at loose head prop in the other up-front change, with Monde Hadebe, Thomas du Toit, Etienne Oosthuizen and captain Marco Wentzel all retained in the tight five.
Gold has opted to bring Michael Claassens in to start at scrumhalf in this vital clash, backing the veteran’s experience ahead of Stefan Ungerer’s precocious talent (the latter plays off the bench). Lionel Cronje is retained at flyhalf, but will have an all-new midfield outside him in Andre Esterhuizen and Paul Jordaan. Esterhuizen has performed well enough at wing over the last two weeks, but now returns to his more familiar inside centre berth, with fit-again S’bura Sithole coming onto the left wing. Odwa Ndungane and Joe Pietersen are retained at right wing and fullback respectively.
Franco Marais, Gerhard Engelbrecht and Dave Mcduling are the tight five replacements, Engelbrecht getting the nod over Schoeman due to his ability to cover tighthead (with du Toit able to shift over if necessary). Jean-Luc du Preez is back after a thigh contusion kept him out of action last week and he will offer cover for his brother and the other two loose forwards. Wandi Mjekevu joins SP Marais and Ungerer as the backline replacements.
Sharks: 15 Joe Pietersen, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Paul Jordaan, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Sibusiso Sithole, 10 Lionel Cronje, 9 Michael Claassens, 8 Philip van der Walt, 7 Daniel du Preez, 6 Francois Kleinhans, 5 Marco Wentzel (captain), 4 Etienne Oosthuizen, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Monde Hadebe, 1 Dale Chadwick.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Gerhard Engelbrecht, 18 David McDuling, 19 Jean-Luc du Preez, 20 Stefan Ungerer, 21 Wandile Mjekevu, 22 SP Marais.
Tweet
Monde again, so our scrums and lineouts will be a shambles from the get go 😐
Can’t understand why Hadebe is ahead of Marais. Doesn’t make sense
i have no problem with the slightly rejigged backline although very harsh on Williams (just awaiting an article on him taking a contract elsewhere). But its up front where it seems the coaches learn no lessons…so i expect the same garbage we have had last 2 weeks up front. Its harsh but true
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : Up front as in front row or would you have liked to see some changes in the locks too?
Bummed to see Esterhuizen moved.
Not the worst team to field against the Lions.. though we will have to be on song from the first whistle. I like the look of Esterhuizen and Jordaan.. it has the potential to become a lethal combination.
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : I’m sure (or I hope) that before the season gold talked to both guys and informed them that both would get some time at 12. Heimar did play well enough I guess and I am a fan, but it is fair to gine Esterhuizen a chance as well
This is the best team we have put on the park for ages,question marks only at 2, maybe 4 but hopefully Cooper and ,Lewies ,will be mended soon.
@The hound (Comment 8) : Agreed
the team I posted in hope is very similar, maybe Gold is reading in here?? 😆
@Another Nick (Comment 6) : like I said yesterday ,Mannetjies Roux and Joggie Jansen potential.
My big concern is Hooker and prop, specificuly TH as Thomas is carrying the load right now, $ lock also an issue for me.
@The hound (Comment 10) : Actually this could be the Sharks backline for SR next year.
15 Steyn
14 JpP/Sbura
13 Jordaan
12 Esterhuizen
11 Mvovo
10 Lambie
09 Reinach/Claasens
21 Claasens/Reinach
22 Cronje
23 Sbura/JpP
@sharks_lover (Comment 12) : So you wouldn’t play Willie? 😆
Also no Joe P on the bench to cover FB and FH?
@sharks_lover (Comment 12) : Ok forgot W Le Roux is coming to the Sharks
Also The Burger king
And now saw your post Seth
@vanmartin (Comment 4) : props not such a big issue but they both need to concentrate at scrum time- Chadwick especially on his bind. But Hooker and lock is the problem. Loose forwards have been ok but still need to protect our ball better- we getting beaten up at the [email protected]HeinF (Comment 7) : Im happy for Esterhuizen to get a run, thats not my issue. More so the Heimar getting the big boot but Mjekevu who has been invisable gets a bench spot?
@sharks_lover (Comment 15) : Yea, only a small omission though 😉
@Seth101 (Comment 17) :
@The hound (Comment 10) : Wow, yes indeed! 😛
Lions: 15. Jaco van der Walt, 14. Ruan Combrinck, 13. Stokkies Hanekom, 12. Howard Mnisi, 11. Courtnall Skosan, 10. Marnitz Boshoff, 9. Ross Cronje, 8. Ruaan Lerm, 7. Kwagga Smith, 6. Jaco Kriel (c), 5. Franco Mostert, 4. MB Lusaseni, 3. Julian Redelinghuys, 2. Robbie Coetzee, 1. Ruan Dreyer
Replacements: 16. Malcolm Marx, 17. Jacques van Rooyen, 18. Martin Muller, 19. Stephan de Wit, 20. Ricky Schroeder, 21. Alwyn Hollenbach, 22. Anthony Volmink
I was hoping HM would release Warren Whiteley because he clearly does not plan to use him but he did not.
For me it’s about the best team for the game, would have just changed the two hookers.
let’s see what happens!!!!!!!
@SheldonK (Comment 16) : yes,fair enough. I can only think it’s because he can cover 13 and wing…although with sithole there,we have cover for 13 on the field as well…I am afraid I have no good answers for you for this one!
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : @vanmartin (Comment 4) : @The hound (Comment 8) : biggest problem at the moment is that from 1 to 4 there is not a lot of super rugby quality players available for selection so don’t expect to much to change there!!!!! Just hope he rethinks hooker before Saturday and start with Marais!!!!
damn. everybody here knocking monde 🙁
@SheldonK (Comment 3) : @HeinF (Comment 7) : @SheldonK (Comment 16) : @HeinF (Comment 23) : Think Heimar will always struggle to make the bench if he does not start as he is a specialist 12 and only really cover 12.
Wandile covers 13, 11 and 14
SP covers 15, 11 and 14
Joe playes 15 and cover 10
Lionel playes 10 and covers 12 and 15
So the current team covers the backs better than it would if Heimar was on the bench although I’m really sorry for him to miss out.
@SheldonK (Comment 16) : look I’m not sure how big scrumming locks we have in Marco and Ettienne but not one of the front 3 is really renowned scrummers in their current positions. The lack of an experienced tight head is killing us at the moment as I do think if Thomas could move to loose head the Sharks scum will see a big improvement!!!!!!
@JD (Comment 26) : he still deserves a bench spot tho. he has shown more than wandile and he might be a super sub like keegan daniel was a few years ago. from what i have seen so far Wandile does not enjoy tackling very much he looks uncomfortable
@Poisy (Comment 25) : Don’t think its a case of knocking him as much as its a case of huge pair of shoes to fill.
That number 2 Sharks shirt has been harder to fill than the Bok shirt in recent years,John Smit,Bismark,Burden, Cooper and prior to that guys like,John Allen ,Hannkinson,.and plenty more.
Kinda like,the Man U 9 jersey or the Real Madrid 10.
Burden went straight from being no 3 in line for it, to first choice no2 for Toulon the world’s richest club.
Monde just hasn’t quite got it.
@Poisy (Comment 25) : we’re not knocking Monde just think he’s struggling a bit and the pressure of starting the game will not help him settle, so while he’s maturing and fixing his problems I would like to see him play from the bench.
@Poisy (Comment 28) : ja I really feel for Heimar and would love him in the team, but I also don’t blame the coach for not picking him on the bench as I do understand his reasoning.
@JD (Comment 31) : im pretty sure he does play wing aswell though and outside centre. he has played there in vodacom cup and and junior ranks
@JD (Comment 30) : everybody is struglng tho people seem extra hash on him including marco. i remember what he said after pumas loss saying they cant win if guys are failing to find jumpers and making life hard for themselves
@The hound (Comment 29) : he needs time though people already writing him off
@JD (Comment 26) : Heimar has played 12,13, and wing for the Sharks, as well as having played 10 for the Sharks XV. I just think they including Mjekevu in the hope he somehow wakes up and does something and also thinking that if he gets dropped entirely he may cry to the papers like last [email protected]JD (Comment 27) : There arent any big locks in KZN…altho i did see them trialing a few clubs guys preseason but they must hav all been cut. Its possibly just my personal opinion but ive never rated Hadebe, cant ever recall him having a good game for the Sharks in terms of scrums and lineouts.
@SheldonK (Comment 35) : this is his first extended run though he needs time to get going they obvously know his got something thats why they kept renewing his junior contract.
the sharks always lose good players because they chuck them away by not giving game time but things changing so maybe now we will come right.
@Poisy (Comment 33) : not harsh at all Monde is struggling with the basics at line outs and not finding his jumpers is a big problem as it is one of a hookers core functions. All that will fix it is hours and hours of practice.
By over playing a player that is struggling it could also break all his confidence and result in him not reaching his potential.
@Poisy (Comment 36) : a huge concern I have with the Sharks coaching is that they seem unable to fix technical problems that player struggle with. Just look at how Burden struggle with his line out work (the same problem that Monde has) and within a few month at Toulon the problem seemed to be fixed, whilst he played at the Sharks for a couple of years and they could not fix it during all that time.
@Poisy (Comment 36) : How long do u persist with a guy thats failing at his core roles? If he was hitting his jumpers and hooking well in the scrums id say persist with him as the rest of his game will come into it. but failing at those core roles is costing the side- and this weekend we are up against 2 good locks!
but the only way to find form is by playing. i have backed every hooker that was behind bissi from burden who i felt was perfect replacement to cooper and monde. all these guys struggled to find jumpers bcz thy did not get enough game time and backing from the coaches. as a result burden left and has no issues finding his jumpers now and is playing very well. my point is we need to keep backing him he might come right but droping him now will not help him
Backline looks better. Although I did enjoy Esterhuizen on wing, with a bit of freedom he will find his flair and confidence and that is important for him going forward as a center. So I would have given him some more time there. That being said Mjekevu is not an option at center. Not yet. So I would have had sbura and Paul in midfield or Heimar and Paul. Backline is not a headache these guys can be interchanged. I do worry about Oosthuizen and myabe another lock should have been in. Franco should have started at hooker. Gary still not fielding his strongest possible side in terms of position and I think it is dangerous.
@JD (Comment 38) : you beat me to it about burden
I wouldn’t mind us having a twinning deal with some European clubs. We could get some young players up to speed very quickly that way plus never have to worry about losing talent due to pecking order or long queues for a single position.
We need locks big time,
Bring back the Marais brothers
Just read F Steyn off to Montpellier to join Jake…..not sure from when .
@grant10 (Comment 46) : Now that really shreds to shit the rumours that the senior Sharks banded together to get rid of Jake.
@The hound (Comment 47) : Indeed
@The hound (Comment 47) : no Steyn was always Jake’s boy. Senior players mean Bismark and bro.
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 49) : C’mon man that Bethlehem mafia is as tight as a Sharks arsehole at 20,000 fathoms.Those three have always been a saamwerk unie.
This is going to be a humdinger of a game. I see Gold is doing his usual changes, meaning a vote of no confidence to those players that have worn the jersey. Needless to say, will be backing the Sharks but expect a massive battle up front. This game could be very important for Thomas at TH. Loose forward battle is going to be immense with pacy Kriel and K Smith loving running into space, a great test for Dan at 7. Esterhuizen at 12, not so sure if it is the right call, but perhaps he can get Jordaan away and prove me wrong.
@sharks_lover (Comment 45) : can’t see either of them coming back soon!!!!!!!!!
@Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 49) : who also both signed for the club he’s coaching?!?!?!
@The hound (Comment 50) : LMAO funny boet!!!
I wish we had montpellier ‘ s budget. What kind of monster is Jake building there?
@Poisy (Comment 42) : boet the only think that fix problems is hours and house of practice, no amount of game time will fix line out problems it’s working on your technique for many many hours that will fix it.
The best advice I can give to Monde is practice till you feel you can’t lift your arms anymore!!!!!!!
@coolfusion (Comment 55) : well with Frans and Dup brothers gone I’m sure the Sharks will have a few rand to spend on signing new players!!!!
It’s funny how coaches who used to be forwards tend to get the front row and it’s depth sorted out as a priority Plumtree Small Ackerman Mitchell Straueli …the backline comes with time but bring priority is always forwards. Its a pity Gary was never a headlining forward in his younger days…
F Steyn to join Montpelier after the WC …..
Whatever happened to Steve Meehan? He was always quite inventive and unique when it came to backline training and strategy. He could have been good for us during a restructure and rethink of the gameplan.
@sharks_lover (Comment 45) : Jandre is about at the end of his contract if he hasn’t re signed and Peet still has about 5 months on his since he signed in July. Would be nice to get Wiehan Herbst back as well. Lood de Jager, Jandre Kruger Wiehan Herbst Alistair Hargreaves Craig Burden. That’s my shopping list for forwards
I feel like Heimar and Mjekevu got the raw end of the deal here. I would love to see them given another game somewhere with a more settled halfback pairing sending better possession to attack with their way.
The ball hardly ever got to Mjekevu, plus, I would rather see him on the wing, he is still only 24, guess how old Odwa is. There definitely is some talent there to work with and between him, Sithole and Jordaan we pretty much have 13,11,14 covered. I don’t think we can say yet which one of them are best at 13, but they should be the guys we look to cover those spots.
Monde on the other hand is lucky to be given another shot.
And I don’t see Ungerer getting any game time in this game, as it would not be wise to bring him on in the last 20 minutes and a lead of less than 10 … unless we’re behind with more than ten, then we might as well try something.
@coolfusion (Comment 61) : Why buy back the old ducks? come on man.
@The hound (Comment 47) : Exactly my point. Its obvious that the poison was somewhere else BUT the senior players.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 63) : Old? AL is about the oldest at 29. And all our experience has left us almost at once we need some steady hands and think of what they could teach the young guys. I mean our hookers and wannabe locks could benefit while we keep winning ways. It makes a rebuild so much smoother. Where we are now many young talented guys can get nervous or exasperated long before we regain what was lost.
@Letgo (Comment 62) : Mjekevu and Sithole on wings Esterhuizen on center with Jordaan and Heimar off the bench. That would work.
@coolfusion (Comment 65) : The bigger question is why have we lost all the experience we had? Miss management of players must be the biggest issue here, including those players you are calling to come home.
@Uli Boelie (Comment 67) : Yes I agree. But this was mismanagement over more than one year and more than one coach and staff. Water under the bridge now we have to rebuild but the problem is I see no rebuild strategy just floundering and sinking deeper in. Gary is not the world’s most inspired and revolutionary coach he needs good stock and strong leaders to work with.
@grant10 (Comment 59) :
Sucks… at this stage it would almost be better to pick a French team and support Top 14.
I don’t know how excited I am for Super 18.
I really hope Frans Steyn doesn’t end up as the greatest player, who could ever have been.
He is the Sergio Garcia of rugby.
He never stays anywhere long enough to reap the benefits his talent.
On his day there is no more exciting player to watch,but those days are few and far between.
I hope he isn’t just leaving for France again for money,
@coolfusion (Comment 61) : ja would love Jandre and Wiehan back at the Sharks!!!!!!
@Letgo (Comment 69) : I’m not excited at all!!!!!! Oz and NZ really screwed SA rugby in this deal!!!!! Think it’s time for SA teams to join up North!!
@The hound (Comment 70) : sorry to say but with Heimar and Andre in the Sharks squad I’m not all that sad to see him go.
@Letgo (Comment 69) : I have been an advocate of a move North for almost a decade now…..Superrugby has been bad for SA Rugby.
@Letgo (Comment 62) : ja it’s a bit bad for Heimar but then again against the Lions I feel the Sharks will need the extra size of Andre in mid field as I do think our forwards will be under pressure and most probably going backwards for most of the game.
@grant10 (Comment 74) : only since it expanded to more than 12 teams. The first couple of years it was an good idea to reward the top teams in each country much like the Heineken cup does in Europe.
@The hound (Comment 70) : This was always due to happen. Frans is very loyal to White and in turn White has stood by him through thick and thin. I will miss Frans.
@JD (Comment 76) : This new format is going to be a real downer for the SA fans. To make matters worse it seems as if no one is interested in playing for the Japanese team.
I would welcome something new that was well thought out and not contortred for whatever reasons.
@JD (Comment 76) : The travel is just crazy…..we should be in Europe….
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 78) : The new SR is going to be complete trash. And you’re right, by the looks of it there won’t even bee a Japan team ready to take the field. Greed is killing southern hemisphere rugby.
@grant10 (Comment 74) : I can vouch for that
@JD (Comment 76) : Now you can just buy your way in even if you can’t make the Currie Cup *Points finger at the Kings*
For me it is simple, make it 20 teams, 10 premier division, 2nd 10 1st division, top 3 play promo relegation in SR
So it is Super 10 and then a not so super 10 😆
@sharks_lover (Comment 83) : Waaaaay to much logic in that system. Although I think 10 teams would be a little underwhelming unless we started playing everyone twice or something.
@Seth101 (Comment 82) : remind me when it was that Natal earned their spot in the Currie Cup “A” division on merit, by virtue of winning promotion? I can’t remember exactly what year that was, again….
@robdylan (Comment 86) : We never won that promotion relegation match 😉 lol
We got a freebie promo lol
@robdylan (Comment 86) : Absolutely no idea as I probably wasn’t even alive. At least now we can keep our spot in the Currie Cup and actually earn our spot in SR, unlike the Kings. No one deserves anything for free, if we got it for free shame on us but I wasn’t around to complain about it back then, I am now.
@sharks_lover (Comment 81) : Exactly….hope you well Sharky….
@Seth101 (Comment 89) : We lost to Northern Free State and the Falcons, so yes we got a freebie promo.
@grant10 (Comment 90) : Good and you boet??
we lost to the Purple people eaters and the red devils hahaha
@grant10 (Comment 90) : Eish I am sad to hear Fransie is leaving 🙁
@sharks_lover (Comment 91) : What year was that?
@sharks_lover (Comment 94) : I want to hear the explanation from the anti Jake party as to why all the players that supposedly hated him and got him kicked out, are now following him?
@sharks_lover (Comment 92) : Very well thanks…..busy , busy, busy…..but thats a good thing!
@sharks_lover (Comment 94) : So am I….monster in the midfield…bad loss for SA Rugby too
@Seth101 (Comment 95) : 1986, basically when Mac came in to coach Natal
1981 to 1985 – Relegation to Section B[edit]
During the 80s, Natal could call on players of the calibre of Gawie Visagie, Henry Coxwell, Rob Hankinson and Mort Mortassagne, but relegation to the B-Section followed in ’81. The side made up for this in 1984 by qualifying for the Currie Cup final, despite plying their trade in the B-Section. That was after a stunning semi-final victory over Free State, thanks to two tries from Des McLean and one each from Derek la Marque and Claassen. The “Banana Boys” gave a good account of themselves in the 1984 final, but Western Province were too good, winning 19-9 at Newlands in Cape Town. For much of the 1980s Natal were written off as a B-Section team punching above their weight. It wasn’t until the arrival of legendary coach Ian McIntosh from Zimbabwe and the return to the A-Section in 1987 that they started to lay the foundations for success in the 1990s.
1986 to 1990 – Return to Section A and first Currie Cup title[edit]
After arriving in 1986, McIntosh quickly made his mark in Durban and spent the late 1980s building a squad and recruiting players he felt would serve the greater good of Natal Rugby. That culminated in a dream 1990 Currie Cup season, which saw Natal sweep aside just about all before them, with only a heavy round-robin defeat to Northern Transvaal playing on their minds as they traveled north to face the same opponents in the final. Despite Natal’s great season, the men from Pretoria were heavily favoured to win, particularly in front of a partisan home crowd that had become accustomed to Currie Cup success. And with match-winning flyhalf Naas Botha at the helm, it was widely accepted that the Blue Bulls just had to show up to win. But, in one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition, McIntosh’s side turned the tables and edged out their more-fancied opponents 18-12, after a match-winning try from flying winger Tony Watson. The victorious side was captained by scrumhalf Craig Jamieson, who led the team on a ticker-tape parade through central Durban later in the week. The victory was especially poignant for being both Natal’s first, and for occurring in the union’s centenary year. Players from that history-making team included fullback Hugh Reece-Edwards and centres Dick Muir and Jeremy Thomson. But the hard work was done up front by Gerhard Harding, Tom Lawton and Guy Kebble in the front row, backed up by the lock pairing of Andre Botha and Rudie Visagie, flank Wahl Bartmann and eighth man Andrew Aitken. McIntosh produced a masterstroke by naming regular lock Steve Atherton on the flank just minutes before kick-off. It resulted in what was arguably Natal’s heaviest-ever scrum and laid the platform for the Durban side to put the required pressure on Blue Bulls scrumhalf Robert du Preez and Botha.
@grant10 (Comment 98) : Agree, I really thought with his new born he would stay as indicated but ya, I do not believe things are all that healthy in Sharks land right now as we would wish to believe.
@sharks_lover (Comment 100) : So yes, before I was born. So I am by no means hypocrite for being upset with the Kings.
@Seth101 (Comment 102) : Boet, do not worry about the Kings, we need to worry and seriously on what’s going on at the Sharks right now
@Seth101 (Comment 89) : when did we earn our spot in SR?
@grant10 (Comment 98) : I am coming to Cape Town from the 3rd to 8th Sept, maybe we can get a pint or 2?
@robdylan (Comment 104) : Feisty today??
@sharks_lover (Comment 103) : I don’t all together disagree, but I think the slow death of southern hemisphere rugby due to greed is just as bad as the slow death of the Sharks due to mismanagement.
@robdylan (Comment 104) : Since there are no official qualifications to make super rugby it’s hard to quantify, but you could say that we did so by always being in the top however many teams qualify per country (Unlike the Kings), since it is currently 5 we are definitely in the top 5 therefor would qualify (Unlike the Kings). If the was relegation sure there may have been years where we didn’t make it, but over the last few years we have been there or there about’s (UNLIKE THE KINGS).
@Seth101 (Comment 108) : someone has sold you a load of BS regarding the Kings and you are just lapping it up and regurgitating without thinking.
@sharks_lover (Comment 105) : Sounds lekker….
@sharks_lover (Comment 106) : I’m tired of the anti-Kings agenda, really. There’s no need to go on this damn Biblical crusade against them like they’re the anti-Christ all the time. They’re just a rugby team who have just as much right to play in any competition as any other one.
@grant10 (Comment 110) : You still have my email? then I can get your No,
@Seth101 (Comment 108) : I know you think your beef is with Kings but it’s not
@grant10 (Comment 110) : Actually I found it as you sent it to me long ago, unless it has changed??
@robdylan (Comment 111) : I hear ya mate,
@grant10 (Comment 110) : Grant I just gave you a missed call, now you have my number.
@sharks_lover (Comment 112) : Nope…new laptops etc….maybe get my e mail via Rob?
@sharks_lover (Comment 116) : do it again….nothing on my ph
@grant10 (Comment 118) : Ok called again but went straight into voice message, I then sent you an SMS.
@grant10 (Comment 118) : @sharks_lover (Comment 119) : You guys can arrange the dinner date on here. We won’t laugh, promise. 🙂
@sharks_lover (Comment 119) : you need me to do something?
@robdylan (Comment 121) : can u forward my e mail addie to SL ?
@Ben (Comment 120) : LOL
@robdylan (Comment 86) : ja to think Northern Free State (Griffons) kept us out of Currie cup and look where they are now. Money Money Money!!!!!!!
@Ben (Comment 120) : 😯
Just hope our backs get proper ball to show what they are capable of.
@robdylan (Comment 111) : ja boet for me there’s enough sh£+&#t at the Sharks to almost keep me awake at night so I really don’t worry about other teams.
For me SA rugby did not use there power (advertising money) to ensure that SA teams got a better deal!!!!
@T-Shark (Comment 126) : somehow I’m not sure they will get a lot of ball to use!!!!
@JD (Comment 127) : Exactly what I said earlier, too much to worry about at the Sharks than worry about other teams.
@robdylan (Comment 104) : by being the god damn team of the 90s, that’s how.
“…has mad a number of changes…” Is that Freudian?
A lot has been said about Monde here. For my 10c worth: While I don’t think he is SR rugby standard and I have reservations about his scrumming strength, it must be said that his lineout throwing was greatly improved last weekend…and he is pretty good in general play…
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 77) : Ah, someone else who sees it like me…
@robdylan (Comment 86) :
That’s what I said…and it is a good point, isn’t it?
@robdylan (Comment 109) : Sorry, got super busy.
Believe what you want, but I can garuntee that my opinion is 100% my own, and 100% based on the fact that I think it is disgusting that they are getting force into an already dieing competition, passed arguably more deserving teams, to the point where their forced inclusion is ruining the already awful structure if super rugby. I think it’s greed and nothing more. That is my opinion, take it or leave it.
@Seth101 (Comment 135) : *past. Sorry it’s late.
@Seth101 (Comment 135) : I agree. The last thing Super Rugby needed were more teams. Rumours abound the Japanese team might be scrapped already.
@Seth101 (Comment 135) : @Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 137) :@robdylan (Comment 111) : I think the most common reason people are feeling hostile toward the Kings is because they feel the reason they are promoted/included in SR is politically driven. And it is thin ice to step on.. on the one hand you want to develop rugby in the Eastern Cape, but on the other many people feel that they are simply not strong enough and would simply be the punching bag of SA rugby. Difficult juggling act that one..
The simple fact is that SA does not have the quality player base to sustain 6 Super rugby sides. Perhaps we did 10 years ago but since rugby opened up its borders and became truly global that is not the case…we could easily fill a full super rugby squad with guys playing overseas.
@SheldonK (Comment 139) : Very true.. The unfortunate sad reality.
@SheldonK (Comment 139) : The bitter truth is weldon’t have the quality base for 5 Super teams.
Hence the depleted Bok side,if we had all those players playing in four teams,we wouldn’t have half the injuries.
@Seth101 (Comment 135) : @Orlok Tsubodai (Comment 137) : @Another Nick (Comment 138) : Here’s the point that a lot of rugby fans seem to be missing. The Kings would have been first class idiots to turn down ANY opportunity for more exposure, more sponsors and more competitions regardless of whether SA can support six teams (and let’s be honest, it tough to justify five). Unions are now businesses and businesses go after the money. Any other union in SA would have done the exact same thing given the opportunity. The Kings won the rugby lotto – of course they’re going to cash the winning ticket.
A lot of fans have misdirected their anger at the Kings. Your issue is actually with certain ministries, SARU, SANZAR and the companies who own the broadcasting rights. They are the enablers ladies and gents. They’re responsible for watering down Southern Hemisphere rugby. And they will eventually kill off Currie Cup which is frankly, criminal.
@The hound (Comment 141) : Sad but true.
@The hound (Comment 141) : 100% sir. The very real question has to be asked…are our kids good enough?
@vanmartin (Comment 142) : No they weren’t pulled out of a hat, if they were I would be less upset with them. They have been lobbying for it for years, playing the development and other cards to win favor, and yet when they got their shot not producing.
@The hound (Comment 141) : @Another Nick (Comment 138) : @SheldonK (Comment 139) : Very much a problem, and no amount of Kings fanboyism is going to make another 30 good rugby players magically appear to stock another team.
@SheldonK (Comment 144) : Well take the average quality of education across the country as an indication, I can guarantee that youngsters not getting a good education are also not getting good sports coaching. Not to mention good diet for development. The players will continue to come from the same places they always have, hence the lack of *development* and *representation* in the franchises and bok team.
@Seth101 (Comment 146) : Yeh i do get what u are saying. what some people dont realise is that a lot of these big schools are actually going to these under developed areas and looking for talent and giving bursaries. There are many arguments for an against bursaries but if a bursary means taking a guy out of a pretty desperate situation, giving him an education and a possible shot at a career in rugby or otherwise…well then who am i to complain. At the end of the day funding for grassroots development has to come out of someone else’s pocket…so would that person be willing? would u?
South Africa doesn’t have enough quality for 4 Super Rugby teams, much less 5 or 6. That is true and that is the nub of the problem. There are entrenched interests in ALL unions and particularly within the SARU presidents council that preserving the status quo and ensuring that we don’t do the sensible thing and pull out of this mess. While everyone expects a seat at the table, the problem just gets worse year on year.
I still don’t see why the Kings should come in for any special level of disdain, though. The two issues are not intrinsically linked.
@SheldonK (Comment 147) : When I was at Hilton, there was two unbelievably good players given 120% Bursaries (They cover all your costs while at school as well) and neither of them did anything with it because after they were given so much they had no drive to continue working hard, they were awesome guys and very good, just kind of stopped trying. Now this is not necessarily reflective of everyone, and might be very different to how most people handle it.
But because of my experience I feel money should be spent on developing training structures within communities, and educating how to get fit and how to eat. Rather than just buying one or two players in the hopes that they will do well for you.
“At the end of the day funding for grassroots development has to come out of someone else’s pocket…so would that person be willing? would u?” Like our government should be doing, rather than crying about lack of representation but making no effort to develop.
anyone seen who’s at the top of the under 19 log this year? I mean, while we’re talking about the entitled Kings that do no development and instead just buy a few players.
@Seth101 (Comment 145) : So you’re saying they should know their place and not try to rise above their station? You’re still missing the point bud. Every union in SA will lobby for a position that sees them better off using whatever means are necessary. The problem STILL lies with the people who have the power to make it happen.
@vanmartin (Comment 151) : I think that selection should be on merit, both for teams and players, nothing more nothing less.
@Seth101 (Comment 149) : yeh i fully understand your situation and i have seen it myself- but i hav also seen the other side of the coin and guys go onto get signed to play after school and also guys who have stopped rugby and gone onto other business ventures. I think its just one small part schools with funding can play-the school has to be seen to use its funds to the betterment of the school. Its government who should be spending the bucks at the lower levels to get these kids exposed to more schools…but as i said t do that someone has to take the bucks out their own pocket first.
@robdylan (Comment 150) : Havnt looked at the top of the log for a while…takes too much effort to shift eyes up from the Sharks position 😉
@Seth101 (Comment 152) : Which is why you should not take issue with the player raising their hand to be picked but rather with the person doing the picking.
@coolfusion (Comment 61) : Revise your shopping list, Lood has already re-signed with the Cheetahs.
@KingCheetah (Comment 156) : for 1 year
@Seth101 (Comment 152) : easy to say when you attended one of the most expensive private schools in the country 🙂
@vanmartin (Comment 155) : I don’t. What I do take issue with is the Kings lobbying on so far false promises.
Lol the pink tripped me out.
@robdylan (Comment 158) : *On a partial bursary.
@robdylan (Comment 148) : ja must say with the player drain to Europe and Japan I also agree that SA can field 4 strong teams but not 5 or 6 like they do now.
@Seth101 (Comment 159) : False promises? These are the currency of just about every union out there. I recently spoke to a pastor who mentioned something very true – christianity’s biggest downfall in this day and age is that they’re still cherry-picking sin. I took a huge lesson from that one statement.
@Seth101 (Comment 160) : that comment of mine was very judgemental and I shouldn’t have made it.
My apologies.
@robdylan (Comment 158) : totally unrelated. Well done with supporting the pink drive on Sharksworld!!!!!!!!!!
@robdylan (Comment 157) : Yup Herbst also has a year left marais not so sure he should be at the end of his current. Herbst and Lood we will patiently wait for. Shopping list is not only for this year since there are contracts.
@vanmartin (Comment 162) : 😆 Now we get into the argument of all sin being equal or not
@robdylan (Comment 163) : All good.
@Seth101 (Comment 166) : Well lets just say that as far as unions are concerned, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory but if there’s something like the ‘best sinner’ it must surely be the Bulls 😉
@robdylan (Comment 148) : guys a lot of flack against the Kings but if Stokkies Hanekom did not grab that intercept try in playoff vs Lions, the Kings would have been in SR and not the Lions. The Kings side for Sr was decent and only had one real poor game against the Bulls. It was impossible to build a SR team within three months when all contracts were already struck and with only 1 season guarantee.
things could have looked very different, imagine not having had the Lions in last two SR comps?????
@vanmartin (Comment 142) : Look everyone…this man makes a sensible point!
@robdylan (Comment 150) : This is another good point…
@Kabouter (Comment 168) : Another good point many forget…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFGuO9aby10 would love guys like to Sbura to back his pace like this dude and avoid contact rather
I now sevens has more space but Tollie’s try last week was similar in concept, run around not over
@Kabouter (Comment 172) : Tollie is an exceptional player. His try last week was top class. Just a pity that he is a bit injury prone.
Damn this pink is hard on the eyes 😯
@sharks_lover (Comment 174) : we’ll go back to the blue on Sunday 🙂
@sharks_lover (Comment 174) : @robdylan (Comment 175) : Like I said…PINK ROCKS!!
@robdylan (Comment 175) :