It’s derby time in Cape Town.
We’ve said all that can be said and now it’s time to cross fingers, hold thumbs, say our prayers and enjoy 80 minutes of pulsating rugby. May the Sharks win!
Kick off is at 17h15.
Stormers: 15 Cheslin Kolbe, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Johnny Kotze, 12 Juan de Jongh (co-captain), 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Kurt Coleman, 9 Jano Vermaak, 8 Schalk Burger, 7 Siya Kolisi, 6 Nizaam Carr, 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe (co-captain), 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensburg.
Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 21 Nic Groom, 22 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 23 Huw Jones.
Sharks: 15. Willie Le Roux, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Paul Jordaan, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 11. JP Pietersen, 10. Joe Pietersen, 9. Cobus Reinach, 8. Daniel du Preez, 7. Jean-Luc du Preez, 6. Marcell Coetzee, 5. Stephan Lewies, 4. Etienne Oosthuizen, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 2. Franco Marais, 1. Tendai Mtawarira (Captain)
Replacements: 16. Kyle Cooper, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Lourens Adriaanse, 19. Hyron Andrews, 20. Phillip Van der Walt, 21. Michael Claassens, 22. Garth April, 23. Sibusiso Sithole
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Everyone is picking the Stormers for a win here. We need to see some character from the Sharks.
I reckon that undersized stormer a backline is going to leak a few try’s today..
Kurt Coleman is starting. I’m feeling confident. 😎
SA is all Bulls & Stormers so regardless of how seasons are they will always be put as favourites.
All the best boys. Let’s give them stick. Stormers are over confident. Let’s bring them down to earth. Believe.
Go Sharks!
Sharks can take this, let’s box clever and get under Etzerbeths skin, try get him wanting to moer ones as opposed to play Rugga. Coleman at 10 is fantastic for us, huge weakness on defence and place kicking. One hell of a game in store here
See on twitter that Ndugane may be out and Mvovo in?
Go Sharks!
@vanmartin (Comment 8) : Nope.
@Ben (Comment 10) : Yeah, just saw Odders coming out of the locker room so false alarm
Etienne Oosthuizen, here we go again. 🙄
Etzebeth just ran over Coenie!
That’s a ridiculous penalty!
Stormers 3 – 0 Sharks
16 minutes.
@Ben (Comment 14) : If you look closely you will see that he did attempt to use his arm but his arm was blocked by a player’s leg.
@Ben (Comment 16) : And Bobby was crying for a yellow card. 🙄
Stormers 3 – 3 Sharks
19 minutes.
Sharks forwards need so up their game a little, we don’t have possession.
FFS Willie.
Zas try.
@Ben (Comment 20) : Odwa should have been closer on Zas.
Odwa just can’t back track anymore
The try had been coming for 20 minutes. All the Sharks have done is tackle.
What’s did I say about odwa
Stormers 10 – 3 Sharks
30 minutes.
Willlie exposed for the weak player he is on defence
9,10.12,13 exposed for the rubbish they are
Joe misses a penalty.
Netball players running PJ please take him off
@benji (Comment 30) : Who is PJ?
6 taking out 2 Shark eish,Bismark please come back
Paul Jordaan
Shit sakes, Coleman tackling and making me look like a dooze
Please take. Off Joe
Half Time
Stormers 10 – 3 Sharks
The Sharks were poor that half. If they don’t change things up they will lose this game. They’re looking distinctly like the 2015 Sharks…
Pretty terrible all round
4.5.6.7.8 of Sharks superb,only players on field but hey 5 players can’t beat 15
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 37) : Jip, was thinking the same thing. Only difference seems to be a better defense.
The Sharks are being outmuscled big time by the Stormers. They are also defending up in our faces and we are getting ball and tackler. Knock ons galore from the Sharks. They’re showing way too much respect to the Stormers, but that’s what our coaching maestro told the press we’d do.
This game has Sharks 2015 all over it.
Sharks were horribly poor. Skinhead is being so one sided it’s comical. Korean having a top game unfortunately. That try was just poor defence. We need to pitch up and break these cape boys.
How can CR even be compared to Faf eish,CR worst player in SR again,after the 1000th game,but hey I’m not biased and no point scoring to tell me so
I think that while we have yet to make any significant line breaks, this team is showing some guts and character, as opposed to last year. The Beast is a little too low key as a captain though…..Clearly the Stormers have a spring in their step, what with an almost packed stadium behind them. Juan de Jongh is full of energy and is threatening our line constantly. That’s the kind of energy and vision we need to see from our midfield.
So the Sharks beat a woeful Kings, and look half decent because its the Kings. We then look rubbish against the Jaguars and Stormers. Horrible, one-dimensional rugby. 2015 all over again. Won’t be long before all the cries of GOLD OUT start erupting from the baying masses if this is all the Shaeks have this year?
We need the composure of Claassens. He needs to come on early in the second half.
We also need vd Walt on at 8
Gavin Cowley, Skinstad and Shimange can’t help contain their delight.
Those twins have PsdT marker already ,and I’m not surprised,mark my words,one year from now they will hurt EE and he will leave rugby,mark these words
Absolutely no improvement from the Sharks at the start of the 2nd. They don’t look like they want it…
Not watching but reading some of the comments. Problem is that we have certain people that put certain players ahead of the Sharks. I have said this, players like Cobus and JPP cost us. Cobus is so slow it is not even funny. I would not start him.
@benji (Comment 49) : Glad to hear that. Come on Sharks. Lets pull finger. It’s not late. Flip,can’t wait to get home.
Kolisi kicks it out of Reinach’s hand. Clearly deliberate kick. I love how the commentators think it was all unintentional!
Yellow card and penalty try.
Absolutely rubbish decision! If that had been against us I’d be livid!
Wow! I don’t agree with that.
Wow, never even knew about that rule, but that was definitely not deliberate. Sorry for the Stormers there, but don’t mind the try…
Stormers 10 – 10 Sharks
46 minutes.
How biased is this commentary??
Bobby, Kolisi ‘accidentally’ placed his left boot exactly where the ball was being placed.
How pathetic,ref on Sharks side eish,how bad,please take CR off
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 53) : I don’t think so.
Definite extra lunge with the foot to dislodge the ball
Sharks better make the extra man count now because the Stormers are better 15 on 15
Dan dP off, vd Walt on early
@GreatSharksays (Comment 51) : yes that is the main problem,no speed on go forward
These commentators are the pits.
Coleman misses a penalty.
Sharks kicking what little ball they have away.
Just pathetic 🙄
Sharks frustrating us and themselves. Hopefully at some point the passes start sticking
Kicking away turnover ball is criminal.
Stormers concede a tighthead and then replace their whole frontrow.
Too many handling errors from the Sharks. Major issue for them.
Kolisi back on, the Sharks weren’t able to capitalise on the extra man.
Sharks either losing or kicking away possession.
The commentators are hilarious! They’re seeing everything with Stormers goggles!
Hmmm in my Totally Un-Biased opinion, since I don`t live in Cape Town
, I would`ve gone with a Red Card to Scarra . . . 😈
First true test of where the Sharks are at and eish they failing badly,so back to 2015
Fuck Bob Skinstad. How could a tv station allow such bias???
Elbow in the throat of Adriaanse.
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 79) : You`re forgetting this is the same company that DISCONTINUED FTV, THEN DECIDED TO INCREASE SUBSCRIPTION FEES! 👿
@West Indies Cricket Board (Comment 79) : what do you expewct,he was always a Netball player,only Sharks silly enough to help him back into Bok squad
The blonde kid is injured
@benji (Comment 78) : To be honest I’m surprised that we’re still in the game. Was expecting the Stormers to be comfortably ahead by now.
How is to possible we get 3 Stormers sycophants commenting on a Stormers game?
Joe slots a big penalty!
Great kick from Joe.
Stormers 10 – 13 Sharks
60 minutes.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 85) :
🙄
Our midfield is a free advantage line gain for the Stormers
Pissing away great possession isn’t helping.
Sharks lineout has operated very cleverly today. Kudos to Lewies and Marais.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 84) : told you,4,5.6.7.8 and replacements playing like demons
Jeez that codmmentators calling knocks when there aren’t any haha
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 90) : Yes 12,13 no good of Sharks exposed
Did JP hold on it would have been under the sticks.
All JP had to do was catch that and it was the game sewn up
Ag fokkit JP! Just catch the ball!
Sharks scrum making life difficult for the Stormers.
Useless! Stop kicking! FFS!
Stop kicking the frigging ball away.
Has Willie been talking to the bookies?
Come on Willie!!!!
Willie WTF!!!!
Hmmm Willie . . .
Surely a 50% Salary cut this month for That Kick wouldn`t be frowned upon by the players` union? 😈
So why do refs call out players for being offside, but when they affect the play, they don’t get penalised?
@Bokhoring (Comment 104) : why you surprised
Stormers 13 – 13 Sharks
74 minutes.
Ugh, nervous times . . .
Come on guys, give me Something to work with!
On my way out, gotta know if it`ll be safe to wear anything Sharks related! 😆
Sharks have a major issue with all the handling errors
I give up. This is just amateur.
Old Odwa playing well tonight.
Well done AE that’s all you good at
@Bokhoring (Comment 112) : Agreed, he might be old, but he looks a lot more enthusiastic than some of our ” young guns ” out there . . .
Pietersens!!!!!!!!!!
At last something to cheer about. Great break by JP and Joe scores!
Great break JP.
Joe Pietersen try!
@Ben (Comment 118) : time please if you may sir
Why is Skinstadt so Biased against us? He Played for us after all!? 👿
He really should try to make it a little less obvious…
Who was talking shit About JP?
Stormers 13 – 18 Sharks
78 minutes.
@Henkb (Comment 119) : 1 min to go
@Original Pierre (Comment 123) : thank you
Schalk fucks it up. Serves you right!
Yessssssssss
Lekker soos n vuur krekker
That’s the ball game! Sharks win (just), but we’ll take it!
Awesome!!! But my heart!!!
@Seth101 (Comment 126) : game finished?
FULL TIME
STORMERS 13 – 18 SHARKS
Well done sharks … gr8 set piece … big D
There is that legendary character! Sharks!
Sharks showed a lot of character to win this one.
Great individual brilliance wins it. The Sharks showed real “character” in that 2nd half because they were diabolical in the 1st.
Legend. Well done boys!!
@Seth101 (Comment 121) : I was. Yes he was a clown. He did however show up for this match. So did Odwa.
@coolfusion (Comment 133) : Damnit you beat me to it.
And you call me the negative one on this site,ja ja I told you SO,4,5.6.7.8 and replacements,sorry Pastor,are demons
A win is a win. Hope we can get less of these last-minute efforts the rest of the season. My nerves won’t last
Kwaai,Kwaai,Kwaai – Go SHARKS Go – We knew you could do it. Lekker my Sharks Lekker – hoe maak julle my naweek nou.
Very well played Marcell. Man of the match.
Well done Sharks.
The reality is the sharks are playing gr8 rugby … win or lose today its the attitude and commitment that makes watching them so much better
Guys, did not watch the game, but this means that we and the Brumbies are the only undefeated teams in the comp
Vd Walt makes a huge difference. So does Adriaanse on scrum did you see that tighthead?
Sharksssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, boys like Benji keep the faith boet, everything cannot be champagne rugby, and look who won. 😉
We owned the lineouts … gr8 throwing and how much of a difference does lewies make
Great defence, excellent set piece and one great try from the Petersons.
This was a brutal game of rugby, with our boys never dropping their heads (other than WLR on the 2 consecutive occasions of his direct-into-touch-kicks). This team is beginning to gel, they are standing up to other teams, they are standing up for one another, and while the scores were close, I’ll take that any day of the week. Love this game!
That was intense! My heart was beating out of my chest at the end there.
@Ben (Comment 151) :
Still too much aimless kicking. The kicks are too deep to contest.
@byron (Comment 148) : also mixed it up a lot,with 2 throws to beast and one over the top of the line-out.also stormers only had one dominating rolling maul.
Can the SA media (Stormers propaganda) now just cool it a little about their darlings?
@sharks_lover (Comment 152) : The only thing I love more than beating the Stormers is beating the Bulls. Next week is going to be a big one.
AWE, looks like a Brilliant Evening for me in Cape Town!
Later Guys . . .
@Ben (Comment 156) : and the Bulls are ripe for the plucking
Well done boys
@Original Pierre (Comment 157) : enjoy it!!!!
I need to have another look at the penalty try. Still not sure if that was fair.
@Ben (Comment 156) : 😉
😆
Must say awesome guts shown by the Sharks and what a victory!!!!! What a break by JPP!!!!!
@Original Pierre (Comment 157) :
Enjoy Pierre, go wear your Sharks jersey with a huge smile.
The penalty try was fair. I believe if you look closely Kolisi made an extra concerted lunge with his leg and his foot magically ended precisely in the downward trajectory of the ball which would have been grounded.
@Ben (Comment 161) : Mallet says it was fair, it was according to the laws of the game, even though it was unlucky for them.
@Ben (Comment 161) : also not sture but I’ll take it as Mallet said it was unlucky but fair.
Extra joy for me with this win because Schalk is such a poepol!
Wow how well did the Sharks forwards do!!! Great performance by all of them!!!
@sharks_lover (Comment 166) : @Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 165) : I might have been swayed by the bitching Stormers fans (commentators). Will have another look tomorrow.
@Ben (Comment 168) : Correct, he was outplayed and cried like a girl to the ref all game long, so too the commentators and Supporters on Twitter
@Ben (Comment 168) : and he lost the ball!!!
@sharks_lover (Comment 166) : @JD (Comment 167) : I don’t have the luxury of listening to Mallet and Co after the game. 🙂
Now for Bitsbokke to win the 7’s!!!!!
Take a bow Sharks, that’s was utter complete guts. They were Stormed, excuse the pun, in the first half, but I have to eat my words, they ended up stronger in the tight 5 as the game wore on. From what I have seen, the Sharks defence is the best in the competition. The highlight from this game was the way we never said die and defended like their lives depended on it. The Sharks kicking was perfect for this game and was to be expected, allow the smaller Stormers back 3 to try and attack from deep and just set your line. Wow, great game
@JD (Comment 172) : His big mouth cost them 3 points and he lost the ball at the end. B E A U tiful!
@sharks_lover (Comment 171) : not sure he was personally outplayed?
@Ben (Comment 170) : 😆 yup,
I was worried about those springbok locks for some silly reason. Seems we beat them with an ex flanker and a youngster. PSDT looks like he is preparing for another paid vacation at the seaside.
@Vonno13 (Comment 177) : Mate, Both Du Preez and then our Rooikop outplayed him.
@Ben (Comment 173) : usually I also lose my remote control privileges right after the game but luckily its extended until after the first 7’s game.
Schalk just proved why Meyer was such an idiot to leave Marcel and Kriel at home.
@JD (Comment 181) : I just can’t listen to it because they don’t broadcast it here.
@Ben (Comment 176) : sweet sweet victory!!!
@JD (Comment 181) : @Ben (Comment 183) : The remote control belongs to ME! 😉
@sharks_lover (Comment 180) : Dan did not have a great game today, were we perhaps watching different games. JL was tireless as always, but thought Dan was a bit off?
@Ben (Comment 183) : trust me you are actually not missing a lot, the way that Naas can go on, one would swear that he would have been the best coach ever made
@Ben (Comment 183) : OK I usually don’t like to listen to them making excuses as to why the Stormers lost. Tonight it was only “well done to the Sharks” but that said they did not have a lot of time as switch to 7’s was almost right after the game.
@Vonno13 (Comment 186) : Ja the ninja is a much smarter player but then he does have a couple of years experience on dupreez. He is also a tough bastrd even Etsebeth thinks twice before taking him on.
Jaaaaaaaaa!!
@Ben (Comment 185) : wife and daughters outnumber me 3 to 1 so I have agreed to limited access (just to keep them happy).
@JD (Comment 188) : Well, Nick Mallet did get in a little whinge about the penalty try…
Chaps, the Sharks were two different sides between the 1st and 2nd half.
We had more possession and territory.
After the first half of just tackling and kicking what little ball we had away, I thought we were in 2015.
But that was some turnaround, and to score the only try of the half with an incisive line break and pass was just great. Our defence is 100 times better than last year and so is our belief and commitment to the team.
@Vonno13 (Comment 186) : @coolfusion (Comment 189) : that Ginger Ninja is one seriously big piece of meat and one hell of a player!!!
@Henkb (Comment 187) : Please note the smiley at the end of my comment.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 193) : Gold just said character again. Stay strong bud 😀
@Vonno13 (Comment 175) : Definitely…and it seems we’re definitely also fitter than most!
And we still have Jacques Potgieter to come in… a Super Rugby winner
@JD (Comment 191) : Good man. 🙂
@vanmartin (Comment 196) : hahahahaha! Idiot. But after today’s game, I will give it to him.
@pastorshark (Comment 192) : not really was expecting him to bitch about it but don’t think they had a lot of time to say anything. Personally I feel it was a bit harsh but I’ll take it!!!
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 193) : Yup…
@Ben (Comment 199) : you know the saying “happy wife happy life” ;-P
@vanmartin (Comment 196) : And Marcell said it too! It’s contagious!!
@JD (Comment 194) : Very solid player, nothing flash, just does the basics well. Still a big D Du PReez fan, he just seemed a big off his game today, still a kid though, loads of time to learn
@vanmartin (Comment 196) : @Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 200) : to be fair Marcell also mentioned “character” and if he said it it must be true because Marcell never lies!!!!
@Vonno13 (Comment 205) : think it might also have to do with the fact that this was a make or break game, might not have helped his confidince, but as you say he is still young, and need the expirience, and this game will go a far way on that for him, and it will also help him to build real [email protected]pastorshark (Comment 204) : @Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 200) : @vanmartin (Comment 196) :
@Vonno13 (Comment 205) : for sure the twins is very talented and is a huge asset to the Sharks. The Sharks have some seriously talented lose forwards and rotation will be essential to keep all of them fresh and injury free. So if I ask for vd Walt to start it’s nothing against the twins it’s for rotation and keeping them injury free as they’re still young.
When is Potgieter due to return?
England just won the six nations. Well done to Eddie Jones.
Also rotate Reinach. We can’t go wrong with starting Claasens Adriaanse and vd Walt. The second half is proof of that.
@Ben (Comment 210) : To think if SA sacked Meyer early we could have had a shot ay Jones.
I used to enjoy beating the Bulls more. But ever since the Stormers became the darlings of SA rugby and media since circa 2010 I do enjoy beating them more! And the thing is, we do it often so it’s lekker.
What’s even better is that we only play them once this year, so we have the bragging rights until 2017
@coolfusion (Comment 212) : I don’t think Eddie is daft enough to accept the Bok job.
@Ben (Comment 214) : Well he did accept a stormers job so…..
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 213) : Same here, love beating the Stormers
@coolfusion (Comment 215) : I think being based in the Cape had a lot to do with that, but fair play to you. 🙂
Odwa had a good game,caught once,but did really well contesting kicks.think he won 2?
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 213) : And seeing Schalk Burger lose his toys
@JD (Comment 208) : yes,rotation is important.jldp is now on 240mins of sr.ddp has started all 3 games .how did keegan and deysel go in last night’s warm-up?
@Ben (Comment 214) : Alister has it. Mark my words.
andrews impressed in time he was on.gave away one penalty for a high tackle,but was cover-defending on the wing.scrums also did not seem to go back.
@Ice (Comment 221) : Hi! You only come on here when Marcell plays well? 🙂
@50shadesofshark (Comment 218) : think he knocked one too. He was just ok. He is slow and I can’t help but feel the canny NZders are going to expose this weakness. We cannot carry at this level, Mvovo and JP are our starting wingers when both are fit anyway. But Sithole must surely come into the reckoning soon while Mvovo is recovering. I felt Odwa could have been closer in on Zas when he collected that ball, but Zas was too quick for him.
oosthuizen had a good game at no4.esterhuizen tackled hard,just needs to work on discipline,but a few of the opposition players will feel he was on the field.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 224) : Zas wasn’t too quick. Go check again. Odwa stopped running because he thought the ball was going out.
@vanmartin (Comment 219) : That was fun….almost as much fun as seeing the Sharks pack legally demolishing the streamers pack.
Paul Jordaan had a mare, though.
@Ben (Comment 226) : well he thought wrong. And that was a blunder. Zas kept running, and so should Odwa.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 224) : @Ben (Comment 226) : And Odwa thought that Willie had it covered. Zas definitely WASN’T too quick.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 229) : Well that has nothing to do with his speed then, does it?
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 224) : would also like to see sithole get a start on the wing or even no13.he mentioned in the article posted on sharksworld ,he would like to play there.
I know Odwa isn’t the fastest wing in the world. I know he isn’t as fast as he once was. But people are being way too harsh on him in my opinion.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 232) : I would prefer to see him at 13.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 232) : @Ben (Comment 234) : Much rather Sithole at 13 than Mjekevu.
@Ben (Comment 233) : is he one of our best two fit wings in your view?
No place for weakness if you’re serious about competing at this level. Another weakness at the moment is Reinach. Claasens is way better. So if you think Odwa is being unfairly victimised, think again.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 236) : That depends on how you look at it because I prefer Sithole at 13. So who else have we got that’s fit if we exclude Sithole?
@Ben (Comment 230) : players must always chase kicks.never know how a rugby ball will bounce.also at newlands,ball tends to “sit-up” more than other fields imo.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 237) : I agree on Claassens being better than Reinach. I only think that Odwa is being unfairly victimized when it comes to his pace.
I only hope the Sharks can continue to show us more of their attacking enterprise. It’s great that our defence has improved a lot but we know from history that teams which rely on defence and physicality to win league games get nowhere at the end of the race.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 237) : reinach brings x-factor.the tap-and-go and then the penalty try.had a good kicking game.
@Ben (Comment 240) : mate we all saw it against the Jaguars. You know deep down in your heart that Odwa has lost too much pace for this level. Pity because he seems a nice guy.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 242) : Far too inconsistent. Especially at SupeRugby level.
@Ben (Comment 234) : yes,think he should never have been moved back to the wing. did mention he played centre at school.
Who is this Money Man on that other rugby site and why is he so shyte at predictions?
To be honest,i did not expect this win.so well done to the team and coaching staff.
He didn’t want to bet anything on the Blues v Hurricanes game because it was too close to call but he was happy to blow a grand on the Stormers? Obviously another Breezer with a pen and opinion 🙄
I’m so happy. Die hard Sharks fan living in cape town, yet was unable to attend the game or watch it on tv due to my older bro getting married today
safe to say that I got a lot of baised commentary about the likely out come (mainly from a cousin whose build like a out of shape prop but knows little to nothing about rugby: case in point he thinks only scrum halfs wear scrum caps lol)
top it all off I picked the sharks by 1 on superbru, and I’ve got 5 sharks in my fantasy league squad 😀
it’s was a great day
@50shadesofshark (Comment 247) : I expect the Sharks to beat the Stormers every time mate.
Who won the kick-off for the sharks after the stormers try?that was good play.
@revolverocelot (Comment 249) : picked the Sharks by 5!
I fell downn because I picked the Sunwolves by 2 😥
Plenty of character boys. Suck it up and enjoy 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 253) :
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 252) : only missed first game 6/7. Had Cheetahs and Sharks by 5 points.
Nou waar bly die Stormers?? Hulle bly STIL!!! Guys this group of Sharks are truly special…including coaching staff! Passionate and hungry and definitely fit! No comparison to 2015 man…drop it its over! That penalty try was deserved, one can clearly see the “extra” stretch from Kolisi.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 251) : could have been the old man aka Odwa! All in all he had a good game.
@JD (Comment 255) : yeah but lets be honest the Sunwolves should never have let a 31-13 lead in the 2nd half slip…
The home and away tussles against the Lions are going to be huge in the context of play offs (obvs). Our record in Super Rugby against them is phenomenal (played 22 won 16 lost 4 drawn 2). We can do this.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 237) : @50shadesofshark (Comment 242) : must say I do think Cobus had a better game tonight. His quick tap lead to the penalty try (that broke the spirit of the Stormers players).
Schalk burger kicking the ball, and Etzebeth running into opposition players – to the cheer of the newlands faithfull, is everything that is still wrong with SA rugby.
@JD (Comment 257) : yes,was calling for sithole to start,but odwa had a good game.will still be calling for sithole to start next game,though 😀
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 258) : missed most of the game only saw the Cheetahs final try. Luckily for my Superbru the Sunwolves did.
Quick question:
Let’s say the 4 conference ‘winners’ all win their home play off matches. How are the home teams for the semi finals chosen? It must be on the basis of combined log points, the two highest placed from the conference phase of all quarter final winners getting home semis?
This is where the comp gets a little unfair with the likes of the Stormers getting the Reds, Force and Rebels and two games against the Sunwolves to score some wins and potentially bonus points.
@DuToit04 (Comment 256) : thing that impress me the most about this Sharks team is their second half performances. Tonight was the first time that a team could score against them in the second 40 and they could only score 3 points. Conceding only 3 points in 120min of second half play is exceptional!!!
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 264) : and we get that scenario next season.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 266) : sure, but it’s not a fair system, is it?
@JD (Comment 265) : a good outcome, and I’m enjoying this a lot, as I have some stormers in the family
but just imagine if we can get our 1st halves up to scratch with our 2nd half performances?
The Stormers get a bonus point from this game too, they’re sitting on 10 after 3 games, still nice and pretty.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 267) : im not happy with the new format,but that is because i would like to only see teams compete against non-local teams.no derby matches.that is what the local provincial tournament should be for to keep its unique nature.and ensure sr has its own uniqueness in only competing against teams from other participating countries.
Stormers welcome the Brumbies next weekend…. 😀 reckon that’s a pick for the Brumbies.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 220) : Spoke to the other Marcel Coetzee. They lost the warm up by 1 try…hard game apparently…but don’t know how the individuals went…
@Ben (Comment 223) : No, then she’d be on much more… 😀
@50shadesofshark (Comment 270) : it should have been one log, all teams play each other once, if you play team A at home this year, next year you play team A away, the length would have been the same, and then you take the top 4 to play a semi, and then from their the final
@50shadesofshark (Comment 270) : but that by its very nature would be unfair too. The answer is – everyone must play everyone. However the comp has got too big for that.
I agree that the games against foreign teams are much better/more exciting than the boring bash derbies.
I think the answer is two combined Australasian conferences, just like ours.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 270) : That would be nice IF we could have a Currie Cup where all our Boks played and nobody went to Japan.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 225) : Both those boys were good today and have had a very good season to date. Oosthuizen is a far cry from the player who struggled so much last year…
@Henkb (Comment 268) : think the Sharks are really grafting incredibly hard in the first 40 so can’t criticise them to much. Think with their physical play on attack and defence during the first 40 they really drain the energy of their opponents.
Good win Sharks, lots of character shown and some awesome defence.
But if we are honest with ourselves, far too many errors and lots of wrong options.
Why is Reinach still our starting scrumhalf? He does not have the necessary skills to play scrumhalf for the Sharks. Please can someone send him to join the Blitzbokke, he would do well there, might even get an Olympic gold medal. It was no coincidence that the Sharks started looking so much better in the 2nd half when Claasens came on for Reinach. I like Reinach, great athlete and very unpredictable, just lacks the skills needed for scrumhalf.
I just love it when Schalk plays………………for the Stormers. At one stage his personal performance stats were shown on the tv, made 10 carries, gained 5 meters. Typical Schalk Burger, yet some fans still sing his praises. Imagine the difference Marcell or jaco Kriel would have made at the WC if either of them had been there instead of Schalk.
@Henkb (Comment 274) : 15 league games now. 17 if everyone plays everyone as you suggest.
@pastorshark (Comment 277) : I still feel like Oosthuizen is like a big soft teddy bear. He shies away from the physical stuff. Still not convinced.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 275) : your answer to my suggestion just proves that there is so many different views out there.so the format decided on is what it is.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 227) : It was beautiful to behold…especially after everyone and his dog predicted we would really struggle there. It seems to me that after all the compliments for RobdP, Omar and the conditioning guy, Strudwick also deserves a compliment. Well done Ryan!
@pastorshark (Comment 272) : @50shadesofshark (Comment 220) : saw on Facebook the final score was 15-5 for Griekwas, but no match report only mentioned the try scorers.
@Ben (Comment 281) : I didn’t see it like that…thought he was good tonight and has been good for a few weeks.
@Ben (Comment 281) : @pastorshark (Comment 285) : And he makes too many silly mistakes. Like his side entry today at the start of the game.
@JD (Comment 278) : That’s true, we brake the teams in the 1st 40, and it is very pleasing, I think they are still working towards a complete 80 minute destructive game, then we will be totally insane on the field, but don’t get me wrong I’m pretty chuffed with the boys and what they have accomplished so far, taking that we are 1 of two unbeaten teams in the comp so far
@Ben (Comment 228) : Yup, after a promising start to the season this was a step back for Paul…
@pastorshark (Comment 277) : oosthuizen needs to be selected in one position,no4 lock,and allowed to settle.think the sharks wanted him to be a 4/7.
@Henkb (Comment 287) : I’m not getting my hopes up at all. I don’t even expect us to make the playoffs. 😉
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 280) : that’s true, and it will be more tiring on the guys bodies, just think it will make it a bit more level for us, and harder for the Aussie teams, as they don’t have to travel anywhere as much as the guys from the two African comps
@Ben (Comment 235) : Definitely…
I think our coaching staff need to be given kudos here. Great on defence and definite stratergy to tackle low.
Our lineouts were very good here and there was alot of variation. I dont recall us losing one – great variation! And our scrum were very good
Whoever is working the scrum is doing a great job. Even with the replacements the scrum kept going good. I hope we can retain our coaching team for a few years. Gold will probably step aside at some point and Rob has my vote as new head.
@Ben (Comment 290) : I don’t think so realistically, but my heart says that the final will be on KP, the road ahead is a hard one, with the traveling schedule and we play all of the “mean” teams, we do not have any easy games for that matter
@pastorshark (Comment 285) : @Ben (Comment 286) : But I don’t know hey. Maybe it’s just because I really just can’t get myself to like the guy. I only seem to notice his faults. That much I will admit.
@coolfusion (Comment 294) : My suspicion is that Rob has made a huge difference to this team.
@coolfusion (Comment 294) : @Ben (Comment 297) : Rob du Preez that is. Not the Rob that owns this website. 😆
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 252) : Also picked the Sharks by 5…and got 7 out of 7 right this weekend…
@Henkb (Comment 295) : we play the Kings twice, we play the Cheetahs and Sunwolves once. Those are 4 games we must win and win well with bonus points.
@Ben (Comment 296) : 😀
@pastorshark (Comment 299) : nice one!
@Ben (Comment 298) : How rude
@Ben (Comment 297) : surely more than a suspicion. Gold offered nothing last year.
Anyone else feel that the penalty against Dan du Preez for the no arms tackle was harsh? I feel he made an attempt to bring his arm around but his arm was blocked by a player’s leg. And the Stormers fans (commentators) were calling for a yellow card. 🙄
That penalty try and yellow to Kolisi serves them right!
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 300) : We will have to put a huge score on against the kings and sunwolves at home, if we can beat the cheethas so much better also, we will have to top our conference and make sure that we pick up all the BP available on these games, our home games is vital also that us a must
@Ben (Comment 305) : I actually think du Preez slipped and lost his footing just before that tackle, and being over balanced couldn’t bring his arms up as quickly as was needed. Look again closely.
@robdylan (Comment 303) : I’m sorry, I had to. 😆
@Ben (Comment 305) : if your on your knees,are you not out of play?
Willie Le Roux is one of my favourite players but tonight…eish. I’ll leave it at that.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 307) : Not sure about the slip, but looked to me like he tried to bring his right arm around but it was blocked. Will have a look again tomorrow.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 309) : What do you mean?
@50shadesofshark (Comment 309) : according to AJ (last weekend) even if you are on your shoulders you can still make a steal, and then give the ref the blame if he blows you up for it, so on your knees might be better to be in play then? 👿
@The Great Couch Shark (Comment 310) : I think he played well, except for those 2 kicks. The only backline player that looked like he could spark something until JPP made that break.
@Henkb (Comment 313) : Like I said earlier today. AJ clearly isn’t as talented with the mic as he was on the rugby field. 🙄
@Ben (Comment 312) : if you go down on one knee or both,then you are off your feet.so if you do then participate in play,it is a penalty.
@Ben (Comment 315) : no chance in hell, heard him again today on the kings game……. 😕 😳 but I think he is better than skinstad
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 304) : Very true. But we got a new defence coach as well. I just feel that Rob has made the biggest impact. He is giving this side CHARACTER. 🙂
@50shadesofshark (Comment 316) : Still not sure what you mean but as far as I know, you can still tackle someone even if you are standing on your knees. As long as you use your arms.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 316) : @Ben (Comment 319) : You edited your comment and now I understand you. But no, I don’t think so.
@Ben (Comment 315) : I’m mostly tired of the has-beens currently moonlighting for SS….Kobus is probably the most palatable of the lot….Bobby the worst – was he on English tonight?
@Ben (Comment 319) : no you cannot tackle someone if you are not on your feet.it seemed to me as if the player first went onto his knee(s?) before contact was made with opposition player.
@Ben (Comment 311) : the slip is not obvious. You have to look at all the camera angles. I know he likes to tackle really low, but the question must be asked why he was on his knees (or at least one knee) if it wasn’t a slip?
@FireTheLooser (Comment 321) : Bobby was on English, yes.
@Ben (Comment 314) : Sure, but he should’ve been watching Zas instead of assuming the ball had gone out.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 322) : I think you are wrong, but anyway. The penalty was for a no arms tackle.
@The Great Couch Shark (Comment 325) : Oh, and that too, yes.
lots of howling about the TMO call
😆 
😆
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 323) : But we are in agreement that it was really harsh? We are obviously in agreement that the Stormers fans (commentators) are complete tools.
And even the tackle that Andrews made on Zas at the end there. Rugby is turning soft.
I’ve been watching French rugby. Especially turning soft there very fast. But then again the French have always been soft. 🙂
All in all a really good win down in the cape.if the sharks can pry wilco louw loose from the stormers grip,think this team will be serious contenders in 2017.
@Ben (Comment 329) : the result was a tackle with no arms, even if that may not have been his intention. A penalty was the right decision, so I wouldn’t say it was harsh. But when the Stormers fans (commentators) were going crazy for a yellow card like a pack of baying feral wombats I felt a yellow card would have been very harsh.
And cloete as replacement in the squad for coetzee.
Boolands just doesn’t intimidate the Sharks. We win there like its a second home.
Neither does it intimidate any team playing a play off match there
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 332) : I guess you’re right. The result was a no arms tackle even if he did attempt to bring his arm around. Same goes for a high tackle, I guess. It’s still a penalty, even if you didn’t intend to tackle high.
Just watched a replay of the pietersen try.think there is a case to be made for a yellow card to the stormers player recklessly crashing in.
Clearly the streamers co-captaincy turned into an opinion-fest every time the ref dare make a decision against them….very irritating.
Sharks know who’s the captain, and Beast is doing a stellar job at communicating with the ref….he has really grown into his new position as team leader.
@50shadesofshark (Comment 336) : Funny how the Stormers fans (commentators) missed that. 🙄
@FireTheLooser (Comment 337) : I’m not convinced about him as future captain yet. Yes, he does talk to the ref well, but I rarely see him talk (lead) to his players. Time will tell, though.
So who was the bright spark who came up with these ridiculous fixtures. We only play the Bulls and Stormers once this year and we play them BOTH away from home? Our two main local rivals both away from home?
I tell you what though, had Joe Pietersen not managed to dot that ball down questions would have been asked because Willie was on his outside…
@FireTheLooser (Comment 337) : just a wish that the Ref’s clamp down on that kind of a thing, saw it in the Chiefs game also, where everyone and his grand mother wanted to give input to the ref on his calls, I know it is not the best ref to make a comparison
@Ben (Comment 339) : I think he leads without micro-managing the players. When they get out of hand, he has a stern word with them, and they don’t do it again. They seem to really respect him. For me, thus far, he should remain captain even when Lambie returns.
This will make for some shocking reading. In the last 12 games against the Bulls the Sharks have won only 3 😯 when did it ever get this bad?
Eish, our record against the Bulls in Super Rugby needs rectifying ASAP.
Played 26 won 9, lost 15, drawn 2
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 344) : Plumtree, White, Gold/Venter….I trust the Gold(RdP) era will see things change.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 344) : @Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 345) : 😯
@FireTheLooser (Comment 346) : well the maestro Gold coached us to home and away losses to the Bulls last year 👿
The Bulls are there for the taking next weekend. In fact, given how the Bulls were crushed in Cape Town and made to look like amateurs in the 2nd half by the Rebels, I’d be very disappointed if we don’t beat them this year.
@Henkb (Comment 342) : The more experienced refs are able to quickly put an end to these “discussions”.
Players trying to overwhelm/intimidate referees should be dealt with harshly and swiftly.
Credit to Fraser for adding 10m after Schalk’s umpteenth temper whinge.
The SA press has got me thinking… just how many non Stormer aligned scribes are there? I mean the Bulls have a couple of praise singers but mostly in the Afrikaans press so I never get to come by anyone other than Brendan Nel.
Who is a Sharks aligned national scribe? Is Mike Greenaway? He’s always so fair though I never notice any slant or bias.
The barrage of Stormers hype and exaggeration we face annually is ridiculous!
Houwing
Tank
Mohamed
EVERYONE at SA Rugby Mag
All Stormers
Is Gavin Rich too?
What about Stephan Nel?
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 348) : When preseason coaching has a different head coach (and vision) to the season-proper head coach, you’re bound to run into an ocean of problems.
Judge Gold from this year onward.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 350) : that’s true, and did the stormers fans not like that a lot, must say that is one area where I feel our discipline has improved a lot from last year, the guys except the disision and get on with the game
That’s before we get on to the Stormer brigade of TV commentators. Stransky, Skinstad, Cowley, Shimange, Morgan
Bladen couldn’t commentate to save his life but at least he was always very impartial.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 352) : …and the streamers seem to always believe their own hype – until they lose to our lowly Sharks…now there might be some semblance of reality, for the time being.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 351) : not just the scribes, mostly all the guys at SS (Malet, Skinstad, Breyton ext) they have all basically agreed that the stormers will bring back the cup this year after round 1, the only guy there that was somewhat for us is Stranskey, but not in a major way, then you have Naas that will blow smoke up any in bulls ass
@FireTheLooser (Comment 353) : you’d think a top notch coach could turn things around in the season after a few sessions no?…. Certainly a month to see some minor improvement right?… What about the Currie Cup when he had all the prep time in the world? You’re being too lenient mate 😀
@Henkb (Comment 357) : ah I forgot about Mallet and Breytie too.
Stransky is a strange one. College old boy, early days played for Natal but then it was WP all the way. Sometimes you can hear he is torn but when the chips fall he is undoubtedly a WP fan.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 358) : Well, he’s not a top notch coach – that was White.
What I expect from Gold is to bring his assistants (consisting of attack, defenders and forwards) together into a unified machine.
Gold now has the tools, and I will judge him according to his use of thses tools.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 360) : *if only my auto-correct could leave “defence” alone, and stop changing it to “defenders”
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 359) : true, he will only give positive feedback for the sharks when we play any other team that WP / Stormers, but at least he is not as blatant as skinstad and co, there is a site that I usually also check for some news and info on other teams, from NZ, they actually like the sharks more than the stormers one of a few
Gavin Rich’s write up on SuperSport is very fair.
@Henkb (Comment 362) : I’ve spent lots of time in NZ and most Kiwis favour the Sharks of all the SA teams, if they can be bothered, right from the early days of the comp when the Sharks were innovators and the most “un-South African” of the South African teams.
Which site is that?
The Sharks are still the best travelling SA team and the Kiwis respect that.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 365) : I think, and I might be wrong, but most of the NZ teams have a sense of respect for the Sharks
the link to the site, not sure if you have used it before also
http://www.superxv.com/
@Henkb (Comment 366) : yeah I know that one.
Hilariously they reckon “Television replays showed that Reinach lost the ball as he caught the boot of Kolisi in his scoring attempt. To add insult to injury, Kolisi was sin-binned.”
They seem to be implying Reinach simply grounded the ball on Kolisi’s boot and nothing was wrong 😆
It’s the same as a high tackle where the tackled player falls or tries to dive under a normal tackle and is caught “high”. It’s still a high tackle.
However I stand by my initial view in this instance that Kolisi instinctively lunged with his boot for that ball. It was too big a step with his left leg otherwise. And his boot just happened to be exactly where the ball was, come on….
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 367) : read that part also, and had to have a bit of a chuckle about it, if he grounded the ball on kolisi’s boot it would have been before the goal line if i see it correct
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 368) : look Kolisi intended to do just what he did, there is no denying it, and serves him right for getting a yellow, if he did not I’m sure Reinach would have scored, and in a case like this the law says that the ref can award a penalty try if it was clear and obvious that the attacking team would have scored and a sinecall foul was committed, seen penalty tries given for less than what he did
Only 21% picked the Sharks on Superbru. Oh ye of little faith
I predict Sharks will be favourites to beat the Bulls at Loftus and Brumbies will be favourites to beat the Stormers at Boolands next weekend.
How things can change in a week 😀
The Stormers are way too one-dimensional, they still rely on (admittedly excellent) defence and (incredible) physicality too much. Clever teams will unlock them though.
@Kiss_the_Gold (Comment 371) : was one of the 21%, had the Sharks by 7, if Joe could just convert the last try, would have been spot on…..
with the current bulls team, I have also backed the Sharks to win, the brumbies have shown that they can beat the stormers on home turf, so won’t be surprised if they can repeat that again
Hahaha I’ve just read Gold’s post match comments and of course he dropped the C-bomb.
Now this is some of the exact pro-Stormer bullshit I was referring to earlier 🙄 Just a little snippet here:
“Robbie Fleck’s team had the greater ammunition in front of 31 372 spectators at Newlands on Saturday night, but were dragged down to the Sharks’ level in a mistake-ridden display that would’ve had the Stormers coach fuming.
To add insult to injury, they had to deal with a highly questionable decision by TMO Marius Jonker, which saw the Sharks level the scores at 10-10 soon after halftime, but even more importantly, Siya Kolisi was yellow-carded for his role in it.
Cobus Reinach had sniped past the Stormers defence and reached out to score, but Kolisi’s foot landed just in time, with Reinach placing the ball on Kolisi’s foot and the ball squirted away.”
“Dragged down to the Sharks level”? 🙄
Now I’ve had a look at the replay again. What swings it for me is that Kolisi’s boot was in the air and not planted on the ground as Mohamed and others are suggesting – implying that Reinach placed the ball against Kolisi’s grounded boot and lost it. No, Reinach was in the process of grounding the ball and if you look carefully at the replay Kolisi’s boot is still in the air and his left leg is fully extended (s if he’s trying to poke the ball) and ‘magically’ his foot manages to intersect the exact mid-air downward trajectory of the ball. It’s a blatant kick to me, perhaps instinctive reaction more than cynical, but it is NOT “placing the ball on Kolisi’s grounded foot” as Mohamed would have us believe. In fact, it’s rather duplicitous of Mohamed to even suggest it.
Link to the article here: http://www.iol.co.za/sport/rugby/stormers-lured-by-shark-bait-1997069
Look for yourself. 1m29s of the clip is the exact time when Kolisi’s raised boot kicks the ball from Reinach’s hands.
http://www.superxv.tv/video/stormers-v-sharks-rd3-2016-super-rugby-video-highlights_64a081958.html
I’m actually flabbergasted at Mohamed’s blatant dishonesty, it’s not as though the video can be taken by any reasonable person to show Kolisi’s boot landing “just in time”.
In fact when I saw the replay for the first time along with the TMO I was initially convinced along with Jonker that Kolisi had kicked the ball away, and that a penalty try and the yellow card were both appropriate. I’ve watched the replay back more than 10 times and I’m now even more convinced that it was deliberate. It’s that noticeable extra lunge that Kolisi does with his left leg, fully extending his left leg to the knee, and when he connects with the ball in the air watch immediately after the ball shoots away – check the changed angle of his raised boot toe – he’s trying to poke the ball away. His eyes are also on the ball so I think he knew exactly what he was doing.
It becomes more obvious the more times you watch the replay.
I loved how everyone was writing off the Sharks, I thought different. So decided to put my money where my mouth is and actually bet on the game. Thank you to the Sharks for an extra $100 for the week
@RuckingFun (Comment 378) : nice! I was actually a very surprised that I couldn’t find anyone in the usual weekend reviews calling a Sharks win (when the Sharks win so often down in the Cape). It was odd.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 379) : Ja especially after we beat the Jaguars, hardly a basket case team. But that’s what you get with a cape centric media
Another blatantly false report, this time from iAfrica.com and accredited to AFP:
“The Cape Town game turned on a debatable decision six minutes into the second half when New Zealand referee Mike Fraser awarded Sharks a penalty try and sin-binned Stormers flanker Siya Kolisi.
Fraser and South African television match official Marius Jonker believed Kolisi deliberately kicked the ball from the hands of Sharks scrum-half Cobus Reinach as he attempted to score.
But big-screen replays of the incident appeared to show Reinach pushing the ball on to the stationary boot of Kolisi.
The Stormer looked bewildered when shown a yellow card while Joe Pietersen converted to tie the South African derby at 10 points each.”
Big screen replays appeared to show Reinach ‘pushing the ball on to the stationary foot of Kolisi’ WHAT? Laughable! Who writes this stuff for AFP?
http://sport.iafrica.com/rugby/1023273.html
We have to question just how much the parochial home supporting commentary swayed public opinion on the TMO call. I mean, I’ve just seen that twitter erupted in an explosion of disgust with one person even saying Jonker’s career as a TMO is now over.
Look at the replay a few times without the commentary on and decide for yourself.
I can most certainly see what Jonker saw, as explained above. Credit to Jonker for actually taking the emotion out of the call and making what I think was a decision he was fully entitled to make within the bounds of reason.
The English commentators – Skinstad and Cowley – over-reacted in the extreme.
The written media who are suggesting Kolisi’s foot was stationary and on the ground have got it wrong. They’ve had more time than the commentators to review the footage after the event, making their error even more inexplicable and blameworthy.
I feel Jonker has been unfairly criticised, but it’s not hard to understand why when you’re faced with the sheer mass of the rabid Cape biased media.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 376) : Watched it a few times. He did kick the ball away so I feel the penalty try is justified, BUT I think the yellow card was a bit harsh because I don’t think he did it intentionally.
@Ben (Comment 305) : Also the penalty against Adriaanse. I saw a swinging arm on the ground from the stormers player. He failed to connect but was swinging imo. That to me was jus tabs bad as the elbow.
@FireTheLooser (Comment 337) : No mate it’d just schalk being his rude arrogant self. He always cosiders himself the captain flank and flyhalf no matter who else is actually picked for the role.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 377) : My take is that he had no intention of lowering his body to contend with his hands. He knew he would not get there in time if he did.
@coolfusion (Comment 384) : That doesn’t matter. Nobody was penalised in that instance. Adriaanse wasn’t penalised for that, he was penalised for standing up in the scrum.
That was a brutal game, and the Sharks did exceptionally well to come out on the winning side. That victory was built on set piece ascendancy, “if it moves, mow it down so it don’t get up again” defense, and good ol’ GEES. And of course, having Schalk Burger on the opposing team…
@Culling Song (Comment 388) : I really feel sorry for the Sarries. They don’t know what they’re in for.
Guys all these talk of intentional or not is bs, when a ref officiate intention he will be in a world of pain always officiate the action, did his boot kick the ball out of kobus’s hand so yes penalty try, even if it seems a bit harsh. If refs officiate intention just imagine the shambles there will be trying to decide which high tackle as intential and which wasn’t
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 377) : It wasn’t a kick in the sense that he could actually hurt the player by accident,but the purpose of the foot moving was either to kick the ball from reinach’s hand or to put his boot down where reinach would plant the ball and in the process kicking it out. Doesn’t matter which scenario,the ball was kicked from reinach’s hand with his foot still in the air,so the TMO and ref had it spot on with the try and the card. Also hate the stormers bias in the media and by flippen skinstad
I think the yellow card is a bit harsh but otherwise the penalty try is justified
I was very worried about the negative comments during the game. Sanity prevails, and am very very happy we are 3 from 3.in order to play expansive rugby (which we all want) a team has to have a strong foundation. Defense is light years away from the shambles of last year. Conditioning, commitment and pride in the Jersey is also light years from last year. And if truth be told I was expecting us to be bull dozed in the set pieces as well as getting a snot klas on the scoreboard. As the team evolves, the result of this game, will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season. I’m feeling much better, the Sharks are coming back
@JarsonX (Comment 392) : it stays a professional foul/ synacle infringement defenatly a yellow card
@Ben (Comment 383) :was an intentional action.was looking at reinach’s arm and the ball and stretched with the left leg to dislodge the ball.never was the intention to play the ball with his hands or to place left foot on the ground where reinach was going to dot down.penalty try justified and yellow card.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 382) : my feeling, in real time, was that it was a very harsh call.I will watch again, though.
We had some harsh calls against us in 2007. Swings and roundabouts, take it when it goes your way.
I have a feeling, the Sharks would have won irrespective of the penalty try….
…we had ample opportunity to hang on for the draw, yet we went for the kill and scored a try with 7mins. on the clock.
This is a different Sharks side….they win the close games.
Penalty try fair, whether the foot was intentional or not. Yellow a bit harsh.
@robdylan (Comment 396) : like you said maybe a bit harsh but for sure I’ll take it as Sharks also received some harsh call against them in previous seasons. Maybe this season is payback time!
Refs cannot rule on intent, only an action. Question was did Kolisi plant his foot well before Reinach placed the ball or in planting kicked the ball. Clear second case for me.
@Bokhoring (Comment 400) : although it’s a hard call it’s 100% correct!
@Bokhoring (Comment 400) : and his leg movement and step just seems unnatural. It’s too pronounced a leg lunge. And his raised boot ends up exactly where the ball was descending in the act of a try being scored. Too many factors point to your latter scenario.
It annoyed me that some in the Cape media are dishonestly trying to spin it as your former scenario.
@robdylan (Comment 396) : I saw your tweets 😉
@HeinF (Comment 391) : re Skinstad’s bias. I see he has deleted the twitter exchange but last night he responded to some average Joe Sharks fan who called him out for being biased in favour of the Stormers. Skinstad’s reply wasn’t particularly well thought out. He simply said Sharks fans accuse him of bias to the Stormers and Stormers fans accuse him of bias to the Sharks and his job is harder than you think.
He probably doesn’t realise just how pro-Stormers he comes across. I wonder if these commentators go back and listen to themselves for self development purposes?
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 404) : Bobby strikes me as the type to listen to his commentary afterwards, but mostly because he loves the sound of his own voice 😉
Lots of love for Brendan Venter at the moment. Seems he and Gold are tight. Venter seems a nice, smart chap. Good to have him still plugging for our team.
I was originally of the opinion the penalty try was harsh. Rewatching the replay it does seem like a cheeky attempt to dislodge the ball to prevent the try but that’s my arm-chair interpretation. I’ll leave the debate to the experts and enjoy the win.
I’m switching off sound the next time Bob Skinstad commentates. Bias/subjectivity cannot be eliminated but it can definitely be dialled way down. Insight and even opinion is appreciated, righteousness indignation not so much.
@vanmartin (Comment 407) : Phil Kearns and Rod Kafer are both horribly biased Aussie commentators for the Tahs and Brumbies respectively but they do it in a funny and cheeky way that’s endearing.
@vanmartin (Comment 407) : …the expert has spoken, try was awarded by him and yellow card was given out by him…
All other discussions has as much weight as that of us arm-chair experts. 🙂
I’m glad that people who are taking the time to watch the replay are also starting to see that Kolisi may not be an innocent angel in this. Slowly, as the dust settles, opinion on the incident seems to be shifting making all those Cape based tweets and anger seem so premature and juvenile. The commentary team most definitely influenced public opinion.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 410) : what was your username before you changed it?
SA commentary bias (always Stormer bias) comes across as whiny.
I really think SuperSport should have a word with their commentators and try to ensure we have some partial commentators added to their panel (at least ensure we never again have 3 Stormers sycophants commenting on a Stormers match). More objectivity please.
@vanmartin (Comment 411) : the guy who hates it when Gold mentions “character” before and after EVERY game 🙂
The only reason the sharks fans are not calling for Golds head is because we know R. Du Preez is taking over.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 413) : Kiss the Gold? Sorry, just trying to keep track. I use the mobile site on weekends.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 404) : He probably doesn’t realise how bias he is, but he defninitely is. Which is fair, if I was to be a commentator, I would be bias as well…just hope I would have the guts to admit it!
@vanmartin (Comment 415) : got it in one.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 417) : had a chuckle at the name change for what it’s worth. As I recall, Joe Pieterson, Marcell Coetzee and Gold all mentioned character. Your ears must be bleeding :D. I suspect there’s some sort of internal competition on the go at the union to see who can mention it the most in interviews.
@vanmartin (Comment 418) : that would be really funny if true.
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 410) : well if even Mallet called it fair is should settle it!!! Must say I really don’t care what they say I’ll just point out the final score!!!
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 419) : giving in so soon?!?!?!
@Sharks_have_Character! (Comment 419) : I’m heading into conspiracy theory territory here but it’s almost mentioned often enough to tutn it into a drinking game. Would love it if we later found out there’s a team pool on the go firmly aimed at trolling the media.