Time for the Sharks to really consolidate and start tuning up the engine ahead of the knock-outs.
Let’s see if they can record a ninth straight win today, against the Bulls at Kings Park.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
Sharks: 15 Garth April, 14 Odwa Ndungane, 13 Jeremy Ward, 12 Marius Louw, 11 Sibusiso Nkosi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Michael Classens, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen, 6 Keegan Daniel, 5 Ruan Botha (captain), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Ross Geldenhuys, 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Franco Marais, 17 Juan Schoeman, 18 Jean Droste, 19 Tera Mtembu, 20 Cameron Wright, 21 Tristan Blewett, 22 Rhyno Smith.
Blue Bulls: 15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Duncan Matthews, 13 Burger Odendaal (captain), 12 JT Jackson, 11 Johnny Kotze, 10 Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Jano Venter, 7 Jannes Kirsten, 6 Nic de Jager, 5 Aston Fortuin, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Conraad van Vuuren, 2 Edgar Marutlulle, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Matthys Basson, 18 Tim Agaba, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Piet van Zyl, 21 Handré Pollard, 22 Ulrich Beyers.
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Now’s no time to let up, looking for defense tighter than a duck’s arse and the attacking intent of a mamma bear with cubs in trouble.
Does anyone know of the bigwig is who ensured that the Sharks super rugby games were broadcast over here. After Sky’s recruitment freeze.
Go Sharks!!!!
@durbsguy (Comment 2) : sorry?
Desperate Bulls could be very dangerous. Sharks better be up for a hard battle
Great try Nkosi, made by Bosch
Great cross-kick from Bosch and Nkosi scores in the corner
Sharks demolishes the Bulls scrum and the ref gives the penalty to the Bulls?
This ref has no clue at the scrums
Can someone please teach Jeremy Ward to not be selfish, hold the ball in both hands and pass when the opportunity is there.
KD scores another one
12-0
Another great kick out of hand by Bosch.
Bulls play silly buggers behind their goal line, and KD forces a 5m scrum
@sharks_lover (Comment 13) : Bosch is having a good game so far
But Sharks mess up the scrum and Bulls kick through
Ball slippery as soap – lots of handling mistakes
Bulls lineout is a total mess – timing between hooker and jumpers non-existant
In this weather I would rather go for poles
Nkosi is actually very good chasing high balls
@Bokhoring (Comment 20) : And then he drops one kicked on him
Sharks having to defend a lot in the last 10 minutes
Driving mauls not effective…maybe take a few penalties to build scoreboard pressure
@SeanJeff (Comment 23) : 18-0 would have been a lot better than 12-0 at this stage.
looking decent considering the conditions.
Bosch is playing the ideal game for these conditions
Really bucketing down at the moment.
Thank goodness – now we go for poles
Maybe time to replace Claasens – stuffed up behind another 5m scrum and the Bulls back in our half
Sharks are throwing this away,
And the Bulls scores. Sharks need to wake up now
Pollard misses and its 12-5
We kick for poles when it is a difficult kick and we go for touch when the penalty is in front of the sticks, that is really stupid.
@sharks_lover (Comment 33) : I know
15-5 as Bosch puts over the penalty.
Bosch makes it 15-5
Pollard is rusty as hell – how on earth AC can call him into the Bok squad is madness
That ball went backwards of Blewit’s hand and then bounced forwards.
Bulls dominating the attack now.
Fortunately they are making a lot of mistakes
Sharks have a couple of phases and then loses the ball in the Bulls 22. Bulls 9 kicks it out in our own 22
There is no structure on attack close to the line. Every player with the ball just does whatever and hopes for the best.
Sharks mess up another ball near the Bulls line
Curwin takes a massive drop – finally we make 18 points
KD is doing a great job disrupting the Bulls lineout
Odwa gets hit late twice but the AR never sees it. Then he sees some dubious trip by Ryno
Trip my arse!
Bulls have to score two tries in 2 minutes, but nobody can hold onto the ball. Sharks should have this game in the bag
I know its raining but the basic error rate has been too high.
Ref has no clue at the scrums
Not the best of game from the Sharks, but 43 log points should be enough for a home semi
Bosch / KD share my man of the match
So glad the bulls are poop right now, refreshes like nothing on earth
@Bokhoring (Comment 46) :
Go back to the ruck before that and tell me how they missed the late stiff-arm on Wright.
Good victory by us in appalling conditions.
@Bokhoring (Comment 51) : It should seal a home semi. Didnt watch the match, were conditions so poor? Was expecting a drubbing of the Bulls.
Can’t recall when last I saw a Sharks team demolish the Bulls scrum after scrum and rule their lineouts.
Not much to say about this game. Keegan was a monster. But we must sort out handling. Was a sopping day to be fair.
@KingCheetah (Comment 55) : Didn’t miss much. Ho hum performance by sharks.
@KingCheetah (Comment 55) : Rain came down in buckets and ball was like a bar of soap
Scoring the two tries while conditions were still reasonable won the game for us. When the Bulls got into the game, the conditions deteriorated far too much for them to use their periods of dominance.
@coolfusion (Comment 57) : Jeez dude, when you say “to be fair” then at least try to be fair?
Nice to see our backline has many options louw wright bosch smith nkosi. Looks good.
@KingCheetah (Comment 55) : Actually we are guaranteed a second spot and a home semi (WP can get a max of 42 log points, Lions 40 and Pumas 38). Only the young Cheetahs can still overtake us for top of the log.
I thought Cam Wright had a wobbly game…. we know he can be better
@robdylan (Comment 61) : What wasn’t fair? Bulls played same conditions with less opportunity we hashed quite a few great scoring ops. Fair enough long balls can be forgiven. Not the short passes. Good points on scrum last half lineouts too.
@coolfusion (Comment 65) : Can also add the calm control which was good for youngsters.
Serious kudos to the Bulls replacement 8. Picking up the ball at the back of the scrum, when you prop’s head comes out your lock’s arse simply defies physics.
Is it me or is pollard carrying some weight?
@Bokhoring (Comment 67) : They did do some fancy juggling under the conditions as well.
@robdylan (Comment 64) : He was rusty but the biggest revelation today was Pollard,he looked three /four games away from match readiness,and that doos Coetzee and his brains trust Venter actually had him on the field against the AB’s a week ago..
Big up to Ruan,9 games as captain 9 wins, can’t remember the last Sharks captain who did that.
I must say Pollard adds composure.
Ok well a win is a win! Kudos to the Sharks for nailing it
@KingCheetah (Comment 72) : And to cheetahs. Congrats on an international win in a new series.
@robdylan (Comment 64) : I think he is very industries some nice creativity some moves didn’t come off but the intention. ..
@coolfusion (Comment 74) : Industrious
@The hound (Comment 70) : Have to agree with you, Pollard is no where near being ready, Cronje should have been called up, he had a fantastic season for the Kings.
@robdylan (Comment 64) : I also thought so but yeah ha just came back from injury and eish those conditions 😯
The conditions were appalling, I know because I sat in the rain! I thought that was a really good win under those conditions
I agree with those saying Ruan is a good captain. Such a calm professional.
@Julesgr8ter (Comment 78) : How was the wind factors?
@Julesgr8ter (Comment 78) : Have to agree humidity with rain like that is hectic.
@coolfusion (Comment 79) : Probably theeee find of the Currie Cup: Ruan as captain…
Tera showed some pretty neat touches in his cameo, I so highly rate him – I think he is Bok calibre.
Really good performance under the conditions and we absolutely destroyed Bulls first phase and set-piece possession – that was the most pleasing aspect – and that Curwin is a beauty!
@pastorshark (Comment 82) : Should be the Bok captain,
@Bokhoring (Comment 56) : Our scrums and lineouts were a joy to behold…good stuff!
@The hound (Comment 84) : He has been seriously impressive. I’m so chuffed…
@coolfusion (Comment 80) : it changed direction a few times during the game – really pretty difficult – I honestly believe the guys did superbly
@Julesgr8ter (Comment 87) : Don’t get me wrong they did manage things but I do feel we need to adjust a little better. That pass that bounced off the player when running into the ball should have been better controlled. These are small touches I think we have the ability to step up to a class beyond our current compatriots. Yes conditions were bad but we can’t control weather just adapt.
@Julesgr8ter (Comment 87) : You could see there was some influencing factors on that long kick from bosch.
@coolfusion (Comment 88) : I hear you and am not sure what the handling error count for the game was, I am just saying that perhaps we shouldn’t be as critical as to expect a flawless game under those conditions – Gallant was given no space, Pollard looked more than average – let’s celebrate a win without all the criticism
I reckon with Keegan, Vermeulen, Mtembu all showing good form this year plus add to that , Dan, JL, Phillip also in good form leaves us with 6 good Loosies for SR, my only concern is not 1 if an effective fetcher and one that slows the ball down enough? I still believe Rib should be grooming Vosloo for this, he has all the attributes.
@Julesgr8ter (Comment 90) : Not flawless just some adjustments. Yes I am happy with a win and will by no means be unhappy just thinking of how a true SR winning team would adapt. There is time though and I must again reiterate for young boys they showed calm much more than before. So I’m happy to see them maturing.
@sharks_lover (Comment 91) : Agree a good fetcher would add a wonderful dimension.
@KingCheetah (Comment 72) : Congrats on your team. Epic win! Was a great game to watch.
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 94) : Agree. I would love to see them do well in this series. Could be a great new avenue for SA rugby.
What is the thinking on John Mitchell here?
@fyndraai (Comment 96) : I’m battling at the moment. His team is looking shit, but that’s probably because there are so many average players in the mix there.
I like the way he seems to be not panicking and so far I haven’t heard any stories about him losing his shit and screaming at the team…. yet.
@robdylan (Comment 97) : @fyndraai (Comment 96) : think it will take time to change things and buy some quality players that can perform. So if given enough time he can change things for them.
@robdylan (Comment 97) :
How can there not be quality players? A few years ago the Bulls were sweeping up all the top high-school leavers. Junior Bok teams recently had been stuffed full of Bulls. Last year they were CC finalist.
@fyndraai (Comment 99) : I dunno mate – I’m watching them and there’s very little there that I would like to contract from a Sharks PoV.
@fyndraai (Comment 99) : @robdylan (Comment 100) : think a lot of their top players left and others are outbof form. Some youngsters needs to step up and show they are as good in “grownup” rugby as they were in age group rugby!
Sharks did well in pretty crappy weather. Bulls really didnt offer too much to be honest. And just on that i feel it needs to be said- John Mitchell is very outspoken regarding other coaches and how things should be done yet his Bulls team look very poor and probably playign worse than under Nollis Marais. Some have proclaimed Mitchell as an instant saviour yet this is not proving true during his time at the Bulls…they look very much like the Force of old.
Does anybody have the under 19’s and under 21’s scores?
@fyndraai (Comment 99) : @robdylan (Comment 100) : @JD (Comment 101) : @SheldonK (Comment 102) : I don’t think enough of the junior talent is making it through to the senior Bulls team. Xander seems intent on recruiting as much junior talent as possible simply to keep them outside the clutches of other unions. I think Mitchell is going to have a tough time of it while Xander still has any say over there and has the backing of the board. Also, Mitchell is apparently completely overhauling the Bulls defense. That always takes time to get right.
@vanmartin (Comment 104) : Its just interesting that sme coaches must be given time whilst others get seriously abused if there isnt instant impact and results. I think there are a lot of issues at the Bulls starting with the type of player recruited as well as the mindset of the union. As much as i like beating the Bulls, SA rugby needs the Bulls to be strong.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 103) : under 21s lost 10-19. under 19s los 21-58
@robdylan (Comment 106) : Thanks.
@SheldonK (Comment 105) : I’m firmly in the “all coaches should be afforded time” camp while acknowledging that tweaks and changes can sometimes have quick payoffs depending on the scenario.
@vanmartin (Comment 108) : i would agree
@vanmartin (Comment 104) : @SheldonK (Comment 105) : If van’s comment re: junior recruitment is accurate, then the Bulls should be told that that is not on. That approach will kill SA rugby as surely as anything else we are worried about. It is selfish and short-sighted in the extreme!
@pastorshark (Comment 110) : I’m no authority on the matter but:
1. We know the Bulls (and Province) contract a lot of juniors every year (15 – 20 players if memory serves)
2. We’re definitely not seeing close to that many coming through the ranks at the Bulls
3. Xander’s ‘influence’ at the union has been widely hinted at and even reported on by many a rugby scribe I respect
4. We know as High Performance Manager he has (apparently too much of) a say in recruitment, amongst other things
If I’m wrong on any of the above I unreservedly apologise and withdraw the statement
@pastorshark (Comment 110) : they will never admit it so unfortunately there’s nothing anyone can do except marvel at the results it bringing in their senior side!!!
How impressive was Curwin Bosch’s out of hand kicking in those very wet conditions.?
Pity Pollard didnt start the game but for my money Bosch was way ahead of Pollard on the day.
@vanmartin (Comment 111) : No need to withdraw…what you say certainly seems to be the case. The point for me is that a weak Bulls side is less of a danger for SA rugby than an approach that sees them contract a gazillion youngsters that then don’t get regular game time, don’t get as many opportunities and don’t get to develop as might be the case if the recruitment was fairly shared over all unions. How about a draft system like in the US in American Football?
@JD (Comment 112) : Look, if was in any position of leadership in SA rugby, I might want to look at changes that could be introduced into a system that would give young players a better chance to develop so that our higher levels of the game could benefit. That must be possible, surely?
@pastorshark (Comment 115) : ja theoretically there should be but problem is who will get “drafted”? Only SA schools players or all Craven week players? Then there’s the question of which teams will get these players only top Currie Cup provinces or Varsity cup sides? Then we must not forget freedom of choice so that every youngster can choose where he wants to study/play/work.
Anyway if memory servers me right then SA rugby had an initiative that the union where the players goes to school has first choice to sign thr player. All that the big unions now do is “sign” the player whilst in grade 10 or 11!!!
@JD (Comment 116) : The draft suggestion was just an idea off the top of my head – it would at least have the potential of a more fair distribution of player resources…the questions you ask are valid and would have to be answered. The REAL point, though, is not that I want a draft system, it is that the current system that allows the Bulls to do what they do is not great, contributes to SA rugby’s woes (in my humble opinion) and needs to be addressed…
@pastorshark (Comment 118) :
You don’t need to worry really. At the current rate the Bulls will soon be to poor to sign any top younsters.
To everyone: Thanks for commenting. I know the Bulls are not exactly of prime interest here. 🙂
If my stupid repeat post is visible to everybody. I slapped myself in the face a few times for that one.
@pastorshark (Comment 117) : yes I know but unfortunately I can’t see any system working as people will always find loopholes to manipulate the system to make things better for themselves without regarding the best interests of the bigger picture!!! Just take a quick look at the current 22 player Currei cup system that’s clearly out dated in international rugby and surely not in the best interest of SA rugby yet we still have it!!!
@vanmartin (Comment 111) : Bulls contract more like 30-40 each year
@fyndraai (Comment 118) : Sharks vs Bulls derbies are just too enjoyable to not be concerned about the Bulls’ current state.
@robdylan (Comment 120) : I was being too conservative? Crazy 😯
@JD (Comment 119) : What you said in one paragraph there is true…and that is exactly my point. As long as we act like that in our little kingdoms, the bigger kingdom remains in trouble! If this doesn’t change, ot is doubtful that SA rugby can ever lift itself out of the hole it’s in and truly fulfil its potential…
@fyndraai (Comment 118) :
Good one…
@vanmartin (Comment 111) : @robdylan (Comment 120) : @pastorshark (Comment 124) : Rob and that 30-40 is only players that they contract that’s leaving school. I know of a kid that’s in grade 11 that’s moving up north as they offered him a scholarship or some sort of a deal to form part of their high performance squad. How many others are also recruited even before they leave school!?
Personally I believe there must be a cap on how many junior players a union can contract as well as a cap on the salary/bursary /or what ever you want to call it that age group players can earn. Outstanding talents like Lambie Pollard Curwin can be sub contracted by the under 20 boks to ensure they don’t leave SA in much the same way as the senior bok players.
@JD (Comment 125) : You see, you can come up with some good ideas to deal with this…why not SA rugby? Granted, you are an extraordinarily talented man…but still…
@pastorshark (Comment 126) : it’s called logic something that’s totally absent in SA rugby!!! 😈