A must win for the Sharks if they want to keep their hopes alive to play in the qualifiers. The Stormers will be playing for pride only, but they will not be out to do the Sharks any favours.
Some interesting match-ups between competitors for Bok jerseys – Akker vs Mbonambi, Esterhuizen vs de Allende. The one I am looking forward to (even though they are not competing for the same jersey) will be Thomas scrumming against Kitshoff.
Sharks – 15 Curwin Bosch, 14 S’bu Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 André Esterhuizen, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Robert du Preez, 9 Louis Schreuder, 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jacques Vermeulen 6 Phillip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha (c), 4 Tyler Paul, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Juan Schoeman.
Subs: 16 Chiliboy Ralepelle, 17 Beast Mtawarira, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Wian Vosloo, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Marius Louw, 23 Kobus van Wyk.
Stormers – 15 Dillyn Leyds, 14 JJ Engelbrecht, 13 EW Viljoen, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (c), 6 Kobus van Dyk, 5 Jan de Klerk, 4 Cobus Wiese, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 JC Janse van Rensberg.
Subs: 16 Ramone Samuels, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Juarno Augustus, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Josh Stander, 23 Craig Barry.
Tweet
Sharks to walk this.
Next stop: play-offs.
@McLovin (Comment 1) : You did notice that toilet paper is officiating, he loves to see us lose. Add to that the history of South African teams knocking over their countrymen to stop them reaching playoffs, this will get interesting
de Allende showing his class and why he’s the best 12 in the land by far with a lovely break.
@McLovin (Comment 3) : Obstruction much
7-3 Stormers lead
@McLovin (Comment 3) : We’ll give you a 21 point lead and then have fun, did you miss last weeks ge 😉
@jdolivier (Comment 4) : Both eyes open much? 😉
@McLovin (Comment 7) : Blocking runners making contact and all that malarkey in the rules and all
First Sharks lineout is a bit of a mess. Fortunately Stormers give the ball back after dropping it
9-7 Sharks
Sharks stealing a lot of ball at the rucks.
Dan being stretchered off now
Am has been overdoing the grubber kick in the past couple of matches. Not really working.
Stormers score their second. Sharks need to start getting into the Stormers 22 with ball in hand.
14-9 Stormers
Too many errors from the Sharks are letting the Stormers off the hook
Stormers third try after Leyds rip the Sharks defense to pieces. Sharks better start playing if they don’t want their season to be over.
@Bokhoring (Comment 17) : Joker and toilet paper not giving us any 50/50 calls either
Sharks choking under pressure today. Nothing new..
Lack of patience on attack is costing us big time. We keep forcing it as soon as we get in the Stormers’ 22.
@Ben (Comment 19) : Another season same result.
@Bokhoring (Comment 17) : We can still qualify for the knockouts if we lose today, right?
@Ben (Comment 19) : The sharks team we love to hate pitched up tonight. Can’t see 2 major comebacks for consecutive weeks
@Ben (Comment 22) : Get a bonus tonight and beat the jags with a bonus without them getting one and hope the rebels lose again
@jdolivier (Comment 24) : If the rebels have another game
@jdolivier (Comment 24) : I don’t think that matters. As as the rebels lose next week and we win?
@jdolivier (Comment 25) : The Rebels play the Highlanders.
@Ben (Comment 26) : *As long as
@Ben (Comment 26) : Maybe we just buy the pumas team and punt these chokers, they at least give 100% every game
@Ben (Comment 22) : If we win our game against the Jaguars and the Rebels loose theirs we should squeeze in
@Ben (Comment 22) : If you beat Jags and Rebels lose with no bonus point.
If log points stay like they currently are.
If the Rebels lose to the Highlanders, then we need 1 win from tonight and next week…
@Ben (Comment 27) : Bulls made this a golden opportunity and as if to piss us off for one more season they let us down
@McLovin (Comment 31) : If the Rebels get a losing bonus point then I guess it would come down to points difference.
Don’t really want to be the negative person again, but how many times do these players do this to supporters. Man up and make us proud not frustratingly disappointed again…..
Aaaaaand the old team is back, unable to put together two wins in a row
@Ben (Comment 34) : Think so. Though not 100% sure what happens if two sides are equal on points.
Finally we show some patience in their 22!
@McLovin (Comment 37) : Oh yeah, it might come down to who won the most games first.
It seems the Sharks team has finally arrived mentally. Van Wyk scores. 21-16
@Ben (Comment 39) : Which would be equal. 7-7
Get out of jail free their
@jdolivier (Comment 42) : *there
Rob gets charged down again but fortunately Peyper rules the Stormer off-side
The Ginger Monster and Louw on for the next scrum.
Beast on as well
Thomas managed the first scrum well
@Bokhoring (Comment 47) : If we backpedal in the scrum now, game over
@jdolivier (Comment 48) : Fortunately a quick hook from Akker saved us there
Big Andre smashes dumb dumb
@Bokhoring (Comment 49) : Hoping for another one
Esterhuizen tackles Allende off the field into the dressing room
Finally a bit of inventiveness in the back line but the try is being refered
Forward pass ruled
@Bokhoring (Comment 54) : That flick was stupid he had time to turn his body.
Stormers defense is pretty good tonight, although the Sharks attack needs a bit more guile
These grubbers are really working on my tits
Thanks chilli you idiot
@Bokhoring (Comment 57) : Pressure on defence by the stormers
Meyer on for Thomas
EW Viljoen looks dangerous each time he gets going
Not a good time to take Andre off.
@coolfusion (Comment 62) : Especially as we only have 1 reserve left on the bench
Love how toilet paper ignores Ruan
Sharks will need to score twice to overtake the lead
Chilli has had 2 touches for 2 fuckups
Chilly is not having a great evening
@Bokhoring (Comment 67) : When last did he have a good one
Sharks reserves are scrumming well against a really good front row
@Bokhoring (Comment 69) : Meyer doesn’t get nearly enough credit or game time.
3 points feel wrong
I’m going to stop watching. Maybe it helps.
@jdolivier (Comment 71) : And he hits the upright
Sharks seem to think they have another hour to play. They need to get going
@Bokhoring (Comment 73) : That lost us the game stormers have been sublime on defence
This Stander flyhalf for the Stormers is handling pressure very well.
Am should have passed
@Bokhoring (Comment 77) : Doesn’t matter – clear obstruction anyway
And that looked very similar to the stormers first try
Great work from Paul to work through the middle of the maul and then he collapses it illegally
To my beloved sharks congratulations on being the absolute champions of chocking
Too many errors from the Sharks. They do not deserve to make the qualifiers
This team really doesn’t deserve to have any chance of getting to the playoffs. May the argies destroy us next week. Another useless performance, again
I don’t see this lot winning next week anyway.
Well played Stormers.
That was 2 hours of my life I’ll never get back
@Bokhoring (Comment 85) : They and mclovin should congratulate us on being so kak. If the other team is scoring tries you will never win by going for 3 points the whole time
Guys, I’m just going to say it as it is… QUOTAS DO NOT WORK! What is our Rugby coming to? And to think we’re losing Franco thanks to Chilliboy! What a joke!
@byron (Comment 86) : Deja vu of being a sharks supporter perhaps
@boertjie101 (Comment 88) : Andrews, mvovo, am and even Bosch was good tonight, don’t blame quotas rather blame mental toughness, they chickened out and choked again
@jdolivier (Comment 89) : I take personal responsibility for it guys … Sorry, did not manage to catch the game live this week
@jdolivier (Comment 90) : Andrews came on and immediately started competing in the lineout. Before that we never bothered to contest at all
One positive from this atrocity is that our scrum was solid against a much favored one. Past that, piss poor, just plain pathetic. Rob snr is just not the answer. #bringbackplum
@Bokhoring (Comment 92) : That was my intent, named him first as a good performer
Piss poor from Sharks,only high light was Andre demolishing De Allende,
But seriously people what are our management doing to allow that malignant dwarf Peyper to continually have our future in his crooked hands
.Enough is enough and I am going to start a movement to make him feel totally unwelcome in Natal.
You could hear the frustration in Ruan’s voice on the field
.I know hate is a strong word but I hate that arrogant stunted son of a bitch
@byron (Comment 91) : You will have 2 more hours to live than the rest of us that suffered through this bullshit
@The hound (Comment 95) : Did you catch him laughing when he heard Am knocked the ball over the line. Him and Marius “I will screw the sharks” jonker always manage to officiate our games, fuck knows how
@jdolivier (Comment 97) : I am expecting Seconds next week.
Oh well, no point in qualifying for the knockouts if we can’t even beat the Stormers in SA. Let’s call it another ‘building’ season. 😆
@jdolivier (Comment 90) : I’ll say again as I have said many times before… Not all Black players are quotas. Though, if you are of the opinion that Chilliboy is not a Quota player, you are purely denial.
@boertjie101 (Comment 100) : Chilli is a whining cheat. Doesn’t even deserve to play club rugby. With him I’ll agree with you. Rob snr is also not superrugby level #bringbackplum
@Bokhoring (Comment 98) : He is not the best, but still better than toilet paper
@Ben (Comment 99) : Let’s rather build a decent coaching and management core. #bringbackplum
@jdolivier (Comment 102) : Nope, I will take Peyper over him any day.
@Bokhoring (Comment 104) : Egon is not intelligent enough to be biased. Toilet paper openly dislikes the sharks
@jdolivier (Comment 101) : Thank you! Cause in my opinion he cost us that game! Either way Jaguares are way more deserving of a playoffs spot than the Sharks! So kudos to them I suppose
OK – we are starting to push the line on the site rules here. Perhaps time to take a couple of deep breaths.
@Bokhoring (Comment 107) : You tell ’em. That’s no way to be talking about refs. 😉
@Bokhoring (Comment 107) : Sharks were shit. Have a great evening. #bringbackplum
@McLovin (Comment 108) : What, no congrats on us being so bad. Where is your sportsmanship
No one likes to lose, we did just watch our team lose twice in the same weekend, once live at newlands for me.
But lets keep perspective
cant be one weekend we are great and the next we are total crap, when we win we shouldnt get too excited and when we lose we shouldnt get too negative.
some serious issues to address, injuries didnt help
just seemed like we couldnt exercute today
I really wonder why there isnt more communication between the players, not just encouragement but tactical communication, not once did I ever see a sa captain instruct his teammates to stay calm and breath.
chance of us making the play offs are slim, rebels have to lose and we have to beat a dangerous Jags team
@The hound (Comment 95) : 😆
You do watch a different game to the rest of the world, don’t you?
@jdolivier (Comment 105) : I thought Seconds had a good game today
Getting dejavu here. Didn’t the same team kick our arses a a crucial junction in the curry cup after we pulled off a great continuous win streak? Sharks are masters at art of choking.
@coolfusion (Comment 114) : You mean Déjà vu all over again? 🙂
@Baylion (Comment 113) : Hence the reason I prefer him to toilet paper
@jdolivier (Comment 93) : dude it should be … #bringbackbismark #bringbacklambie #bringbackalberts
Its not the coach its the personel. We simply dont have the players with the experience in the right positions. Cameron wright is a great talented player -its his first full season at superrugby. A player like the tank is 24 and is a fantastic player but it is his first full season at tighthead. We havent gelled as a team because there is not the experience to call on and where we have won we have had a good game. Where we won our average games before we now lose the
Don’t like it when the ref gets blamed.
Sharks were beaten by a better Stomps team. End of.
@Loosehead (Comment 118) : Agreed! Par for the course here I am afraid. Have yet to read about a ref that isn’t “anti” Sharks. In some people’s minds the Sharks lost when Peyper was announced as the ref. That would however have been the case had anyone else been appointed as the ref 👿 The Sharks had there chances, but Stormers were better on the day.
@KingCheetah (Comment 119) : Not just the refs. It’s the administrators too.
The ones that decide on the fixtures, the venues etc.
Delays at the airport. Stewards and waiting staff getting their orders wrong.
And of course good old humidity.
It’s all stacked against them. How they even manage to win a single match is amazing. If only they could catch a break. 🙄 😉 😈
@McLovin (Comment 120) : now you starting to get the idea! @KingCheetah (Comment 119) : see McLovin knows the problems we’re facing! 😈
Weird side the Sharks.
They haven’t beaten an Ozzie side this year and only won 2 of their 6 games against SA sides but won 3 from 4 against the Kiwi sides, losing the 4th by one point. Something in their style seems to trouble the Kiwis
So don’t bet your house on the Saders if it is a Saders Sharks QF
@byron (Comment 117) : Many teams can take no name players and make them world beaters. Rob snr has a great squad, just can not get any success. Maybe just maybe it is him. Why do players choke, could it be the admin and coaching staff, or do we blame the chilled out attitude of Durban
@Baylion (Comment 115) : Well since dejavu already means all over again that would be redundant. But yes. That’s precisely it.
@Baylion (Comment 122) : Plus you beat the nr 2 ranked lions but can’t beat the 11th ranked stormers?
Kudos to Tommie very bravely putting in time although hurting. If we can’t give John Meyer more time I don’t see an adequate replacement for him till Coenie is back.
@jdolivier (Comment 123) : Can’t blame the staff. Rob’s been pretty consistent in his gameplan and training, execution and urgency is up to players.
@coolfusion (Comment 124) : “Déjà vu all over again” is famous quotation attributed to American baseball player Yogi Berra
@jdolivier (Comment 123) : I think the Lions have experienced the problem of taking journeymen to the top. At some point the majority reach their ceilings, which is where a number of Lions players are at the moment and have been for the past two years. Coaching, culture, team spirit, etc. can only take you so far before you need the real talent as well in order to take the next step.
There’s an interesting article/interview with John Mitchell: “John Mitchell: SA sucking its thumb thinking it can win Super Rugby”
https://citizen.co.za/sport/south-africa-sport/sa-rugby-sport/super-rugby/1971207/john-mitchell-sa-sucking-its-thumb-thinking-it-can-win-super-rugby/
“We’re guessing and thumb-sucking to think that our sides can win a tournament of this magnitude, especially with the amount of games that need to be played. To rely on just a few world-class and Super Rugby-quality players is a joke,” said Mitchell ahead of the Bulls’ meeting with the Jaguares at home on Saturday.
“We, as South African teams, simply don’t have squads that are of Super Rugby quality in its entirety. Only when we start creating squads of Super Rugby quality overall will a South African team win the tournament. We’re creating a culture where we are putting young men in match situations they’re simply not ready for. It’s a reality and it talks on the scoreboard.”
@Baylion (Comment 128) : Sure but the French term already means something that has happened before. So Yogi used it wrong. ” It happened before ..all over again?” . But I got your meaning, which is the purpose if communication.
@coolfusion (Comment 130) : Yes it does and I know he did but it’s an ongoing joke quote
@Baylion (Comment 131) : I get it. Not like we expect pro athletes to have correct diction , right? But back to rugby what do think is ailing the lions? So far they’re our best hope for a semi but they have been on a somewhat downward slope compared to their first quarter of the series.
@Baylion (Comment 129) : Rugby needs to implement a proper transfer fee system similar to fairy ball.
That way SA unions receive compensation for developing young players when the Euros come knocking.
@coolfusion (Comment 132) : How much time have you got? 😀
There are specific aspects of the Lions game that can be pointed to:
1. the defence isn’t working the way it did last year
2. the midfield has been ineffective this year
3. the game strategy of not taking penalty kicks at goal has cost us in a few games
4. there has been a distinct lack of onfield leadership by the senior players, and I’m not aiming at Sous’s captaincy
But there are also overall issues, linked to attitude and commitment.
The fact is, last year we wouldn’t have lost the game against the Sharks after leading by 10, I think. Nor the game against the Blues and a few other games.
The senior players just haven’t shown the commitment they did in the past and there has been talk of a “contract war” between the players and the Lions, where the players want more money but they’re not making the Bok side so they’re not getting SARU money, and both SARU and Japan has basically block the Japan off-season option. And the Lions can’t compete with the offers these guys are getting. Sous is rumoured to get R10m at Gloucester. The expectations are that the Lions will lose at least 10 senior players after SR.
The lack of onfield leadership comes through in the helter skelter way they play when they are in the lead, leaking tries, and in the way they started off running everything against the Reds and the Sunwolves, teams they expected to beat easily.
As I said in my response to JD, a number of Lions players have probably reached their ceilings and a rebuild with the quality juniors the Lions have is probably not a bad idea
@Baylion (Comment 134) : sorry to say but was expecting the Lions to lose momentum. Their success is the reason for it. After their success in Super rugby overseas teams started looking at the players and coaches and offering them contracts where as 4 years ago nobody looks at them. Just think back to how many players have left the Lions in 2017/18 vs 2014-16? Really hope they can keep their success going but it will he harder in future!
@JD (Comment 135) : Rumours now that Swys will go to the Boks permanently. Although I must admit that he hasn’t impressed me as head coach this year
@Baylion (Comment 129) : as usual JM is not thinking about what he says! How can you coach a team and then just tell them they’re waisting their time as they will not win Super rugby!?!?!? Why does he bother coaching a team if they can not win the competition!?!?!? Comments like this leaves a bit of a bad taste especially as he’s been employed exclusively in SA for the best past of the last decade!!!
Wonder why he has not moved back to NZ, OZ or other countries wit better team prospects or could it be that with his record there is not a lot of other options available!?!?!?
Personally I think the biggest problem in SA is the management structures starting with the very top. First they fight to add teams to Super rugby to way beyond the player capacity! Then to strengthen the SA teams they decide to cut 2 teams only to allow those 2 teams to play in Europe so basically changing absolutely nothing!!!
@Baylion (Comment 136) : I always agree to arguments referring to coaching quality and standards. The lions were always a rebuilt team and coaching is what got them to next level. So yes attrition to world market will always be a fact of life but rebuilding is down to coaches. Like I always say these guys are not light years apart just coaching and practise is the difference.
@Baylion (Comment 136) : was always worried about how he will do as head coach and yes not overly impressed by him. Then again not any of the current group of SA coaches has impressed me to much!!!
@coolfusion (Comment 138) : Does feel like with swys that bmt has lessened somehow.
I honestly think SA should have at most 3 teams in Super Rugby and 1 in the Pro tournament. SA rugby should identify the top 140 players in the country and allow the franchises to bid on them. We are diluting the pool we have left in SA over too many teams.
@Bokhoring (Comment 141) : 100% correct! Only 4 top teams for Super rugby and Pro whatever!
poor from the boys and poor from the coaching staff. oh well, here comes the Currie cup
What a totally inept performance by the Sharks. Someone should take Am and Bosch, bash their heads together and make them repeat “Don’t kick the fucking ball away everytime you cross the opponents 22m line” a thousand times. In fact, kak kicks cost us three tries with the first one now customary dogshit of a Schreuder up and under, which gained 10 meters and gave possession to the Stormers as an “exit strategy”. And how clueless is your defence when de Allende can stroll through a barn-door-sized hole from a set piece? The less said about Botha’s leadership the better.
@JD (Comment 121) : True story 😀
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 144) : You forgot Am’s ball flicks, cool as all hell but just no control. Saw him do it more than once.
The Sharks are still a team that is mentally more comfortable without the ball. There is just no patience whatsoever.
From players 1-23 the Stormers bossed the Sharks, especially the starting 15. We can be as biased as we like but thats the truth. The Stormers were hungry and committed an the Sharks didnt look interested. Something is certainly rotten in KZN as how can a team with those names be so poor and have such up and down performances. All involved need to take a good hard look at themselves. I didnt expect the Sharks to win Super rugby but to be this up and down and still making the same handling and discipline errors is not accpetable.
@SheldonK (Comment 148) : I am pretty sure you make a comment in similar vein last year around this time, and the year before,
It seems to be groundhog day down in Durban.
@coolfusion (Comment 146) : Ja, totally unnecessary. It’s like our backline players have no concept of space on the field. In comparison, the NZ backs are masters of creating and exploiting even the smallest spaces.
@SheldonK (Comment 148) : @Bokhoring (Comment 149) : @Spirit of Rugby (Comment 150) : same as every year!!! Sharks just seem unable to perform when they should and then try everything once they placed themselves in a impossible position!!! To be brutally honest I did not think Sharks would beat Stormers.
@JD (Comment 151) : Neither did I, and when Dan went off, it was virtually fait accompli. Watched the second half, and the Sharks were piling on the pressure, but they made many errors, under the defensive pressure.
Missing Coenie big time, and when the twins are not playing, virtually no front foot ball. JL is a big loss, but Dan still has poor hands. Will be interesting to see the squad for next year.
I am very impatiently waiting to see where Franco intends getting players from to strengthen his Pro14 squad. My only major concerns are at wing and fullback. A pretty decent pack, with enough depth.
@KingCheetah (Comment 152) : Confirmed players coming in:
Players In
Dian Badenhorst from Free State Cheetahs
Aidon Davis from Bayonne
Louis Fouché from Kubota Spears
Lloyd Greeff from Free State Cheetahs
Sibabalo Qoma from Free State Cheetahs
Clinton Swart from Toyota Verblitz return from short-term deal
Boan Venter from Free State Cheetahs
Henco Venter from Toshiba Brave Lupus return from short-term deal
Tian Schoeman from Bordeaux
@Bokhoring (Comment 149) : I get that same feeling….
@KingCheetah (Comment 152) : think the players are looking for the spectacular pass in stead of the safe pass. If it work it is great but to many don’t thus they struggle. Great example is the behind the back pass of Am that went forward whilst Chilli was just behind him ready to receive the ball and go forward with momentum.
@Baylion (Comment 153) : is that for the Lions?
@JD (Comment 155) : Barrett and McKenzie pulled off exactly the same passes to perfection on the same weekend. Our players just don’t consistently have the skills.
@JD (Comment 156) : Cheetahs
@Spirit of Rugby (Comment 157) : “Our players just don’t consistently have the skills.” and that is the problem! Rather go for the secure and trusted before looking for the “magical” or spectacular!
@JD (Comment 156) : The Lions only have the Exit Door open it seems
@Baylion (Comment 158) : thanks.
@SheldonK (Comment 160) : Nasty!! 🙂
The Lions got their youngsters coming through. Apparently they don’t plan on any major recruiting
@Baylion (Comment 162) : Well they did sign a lot of good youngsters who are now coming to that age where they wanting shots at the top level that was possibly promised when they signed. Uncertainty over Swys coaching it seems. And no disrespect to the other coaches at the Lions but if Swys leaves i think they may need to recruit there…
@SheldonK (Comment 163) : I think they are getting Sean Erasmus in but that will surely be at a junior level for the foreseeable future.
@JD (Comment 159) : Had he executed it properly, the try would have been scored. You need those moments of magic to unlock tight defenses.
So full marks from me for attempting it, but he needs to work on the execution.
@Baylion (Comment 162) : @SheldonK (Comment 163) : Considering their recruitment over the last few years and the results of the second stringers in the Supersport Rugby Challenge Cup then I would say that there is probably a lot of concern in the Lions management and that they will probably have to pull the cheque book out at some stage and start recruiting the “finshed” product.
@byron (Comment 91) : I will share that responsibility with you – I did try to get back from the Eastern Cape in time for the game but couldnt make – partly thanks to those loonies that flock to Knysna at this time of the year and then saunter around in tight fitting lycra. Places to avoid like the plaque Hermanus in December and January and Knysna when their festival is on and probably also in December / January.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 167) : I cant remember when last I was at Newlands and the Sharks lost.
Just something i want to put out there…I have a feeling that Rob Dupreez will struggle to become an international flyhalf as he gets charged down often and just seems rushed at that level. But he does remind me of an Owen Farrel and so perhaps like Farrel he should play 12 internationally? I know we have a very good 12 in Esterhuizen at the Sharks but im just considering DuPreez in isolation. Speaking of a DuPreez, anyone know how Dan is doing? I do also feel he should move to lock as is a bit cumbersome at 8
@Baylion (Comment 153) : Yes, I know about those. Also Ruben de Haas the USA Eagles SH has also signed with the Cheetahs. Dian Badenhorst from Free State Cheetahs
There is just very little quality or depth for wing and fullback. Lots of players that can play wing or FB, but few specialists, that I see able to compete at that level.
Basically we have Obi, Raps Maxwane, and Malcolm Jaer. Small- Smith and Greeff have played wing, as has Carel-Jan Coetzee. Eksteen, Fouche, and Ben 10 all probably able to play 15.
@SheldonK (Comment 169) : in that way Rob jnr reminds me a lot of a young Frans Steyn. Pity (for him) Sharks are really well stocked at 12 with Andre, Louw and Deysel all looking good.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 166) : More like 3rd stringers I’d say as few of the SR or the junior Boks played. I was very disappointed in the result against the Sharks XV, which was probably with the true 2nd string side
@JD (Comment 171) : Cant see us hanging onto Deysel to be honest. I also wouldnt mind seeing us chnage things up some games with someone coming in at 10, maybe Bosch and then DuPreez, Esterhuizen, Am all shifting one place wider
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 166) : I think a similar concern should prevail at the Sharks. If we take the few seasoned Super Rugby campaigners out of the team sheets for the last few games, namely Ross, Franco, Terra, Kobus van Wyk and Mapimpi, the rest with the odd exceptions like Tristan, Ward and Winnaar are unlikely to step up in a crisis at Super Rugby level.
@Baylion (Comment 172) : I didnt see any of the Lions games so presumed that they played most of those games with second stringers and I know that they generally struggled and welcomed the inclusion of a host of Super players to get them into the playoffs…and then the big loss in the quarters made me think it was the same team that played the whole competition.
@KingCheetah (Comment 174) : I agree it should if we are going to be losing a big chunk of our SupeRugby squad like the Lions, if not we should be able to build very nicely for next year. Sharks also have for a long time now not been scared to buy players in and have not chased the dream of having these massive strong age group squads, which can be a huge drain on a unions finances.
@Bokhoring (Comment 165) : Actually he had time to turn his shoulders and still pull off a safe pass, so bad call in my book.
What to do? In Paarl for the day, Craven week taking place down the road….. will have to force myself to go and watch.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 178) : Very brave of you to make that sacrifice…
Sharks looking decent at the craven week, games on right now, Sharkies vs SWD
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 178) : Ag shame…be strong…
@SheldonK (Comment 179) : @coolfusion (Comment 181) : Was tough, but I made it.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 182) : I was watching the highlights of the Sharks craven week game and as much as i enjoyed some of the play i cant help but notice a few common trends starting there already that we see in the Sharks super rugby side. Namely: 1. We give away so many silly penalties due to poor discipline such as being offside or being lazy at a ruck etc. 2. Our defense line speed gets cosistently worse as the game goes and almost as if the players dont really want to defend once that initial adrenaline ends. 3. Our handling, more specifically passing decisions are sometimes quite awful. Trying to offload when its definitely not on and just simple draw and pass not there. That all being said there are definitely some players that i liked the look of.
@SheldonK (Comment 183) : See the Free State Craven Week side is playing your boys in an unofficial semi-final tomorrow. Winner will play the victor of today’s WP vs Lions match.
That should be quite a clash. Free State Schools were impressive in beating a strong Blue Bulls side, who dominated possession, and the collisions, but were still outscored 6 tries to two!
@KingCheetah (Comment 184) : Must admit watching both yesterday i cant see KZN beating that Free State side unless they seriously up their game. The Free State 15 reminds me of a young Hennie Daniller
@SheldonK (Comment 185) : Yes, you are right. Daniller was very underrated. Liked him a lot. Lots of interesting names in the Free State team. Andre-Hugo Venter, the great Andre Venter’s son. Ian Small-Smith, younger poet of William, Franco Smith, and Franco DOR of Cheetahs son. I believe Ian Small-Smith has wheels?
@KingCheetah (Comment 186) : Yeh the Small-Smith kid has plenty of wheels. Liked the look of the 13 not sure who that was. Ive heard a few comments about how the attacking looks great at Craven Week, and whilst there has been some good stuff there has also been a lot of sub standard defending and thats what oftens costs the Junior Boks when they play the u18 series and then the IRB World Champs. Seems a lot of our youngsters cant be too bothered about defending, just let opposition score and we will see if we can score more seems the mentality.
@SheldonK (Comment 187) : Wycliff Vlitoor, he seems a talent, think this is his second year at Craven Week.
@SheldonK (Comment 183) : All true. The Sharks boys looked very good in patches but they seemed to still need a bit more time together to really gel. There just seemed to be periods where they went to sleep on defence and even at line out time and very frustratingly it happened a few times that someone would barge up field busting tackles and unfortunately their momentum and the effect of the tacklers would bring them to ground only to find themselves completely isolated with the resultant penalty coming or quick turnover ball being available for the opponents.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 189) : You comment kinda sums up Sharks rugby at all levels does it not? As i think i said in a previous comment, something is just off with Sharks rugby-dont know what but something just isnt comng together
@KingCheetah (Comment 184) : @SheldonK (Comment 185) : I bet you would fancy the Sharkies chances against the first half Free Staters who were hardly in the game. The second half was another story and I was surprised to see the Free Staters getting scrum dominance. The Free State replacement scrummy was great – a big part of their revival was due to him. Kriel (15) was very good for the Free Staters. Bulls were their own worst enemies in that they couldnt win any line out ball and I also believe they were playing a scrumhalf at centre which did not help their defence of that chanel very much (he actually had a good game considering) The final score flatters the Free State. Bulls were really not that bad.
I think Sharks should have parity in the scrums (may just have the upperhand), Free State probably shade us in line outs and probably also shade our backline. I think our backline could be a lot more effective than they were but we will see if they can get it right.
@KingCheetah (Comment 188) : When commentators said the Bulls 13 played Sa schools i thought they were joking, he got skinned numerous times by backs and forwards.
@KingCheetah (Comment 186) : All Small Smiths have wheels – it comes with the surname.
@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 193) : 😀 😛
@SheldonK (Comment 185) : Well done to your school boys bud. Played the conditions to perfection, and a well deserved victory.
@KingCheetah (Comment 195) : Must admit it did surprise me a bit. Such a pity the Glenwood 9 is injured i believe as he is a quality player. Will be interesting to see which guys in both sides the respective Unions will be able to hang onto