This evening sees the Sharks take on the Rebels in an important game for the men from the coast. After two poor games against South African opposition, the Sharks will want to get a good result against their first Australian opposition of the year.
With the Stormers falling short against the Hurricanes and the Bulls currently being thumped by the Chiefs, the Sharks will want to make the most of the chance to make up ground in the South African conference.
After initially being named on the bench to much fanfare, it seems that Craig Burden will be sitting this one out with an injury after all. It will be interesting to see new man Ruben van Heerden in the number 4 jersey. Marius Louw is also back in action and Luke Stringer gets a spot on the bench. Here are is the team for today…
1. Beast Mtawarira, 2. Akker van der Merwe, 3. Coenie Oosthuizen, 4. Ruben van Heerden, 5. Hyron Andrews, 6. Phepsi Buthelezi, 7. Jacques Vermeulen, 8. Daniel du Preez, 9. Louis Schreuder (C), 10. Robert du Preez, 11. Makazole Mapimpi, 12. Andre Esterhuizen, 13. Lukhanyo Am, 14. Sbu Nkosi, 15. Aphelele Fassi, Replacements: 16. Kerron van Vuuren, 17. Juan Schoeman, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Gideon Koegelenberg, 20. Luke Stringer, 21. Grant Williams, 22. Marius Louw, 23. Curwin Bosch
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But wow! The Bulls have been schooled today! I didn’t pick that one…
50 up!! 13-51…just wow!
@pastorshark (Comment 2) : They weren’t in this game from the start. Not too much of a surprise.
Slaughter at Loftus…it ends 20-56…
@coolfusion (Comment 3) : No fire. Chiefs just less boring…
@coolfusion (Comment 3) : The Bulls have been very up and down…great against the Stormers…kak against the Jaguares…good against the Lions and Sharks…past kak against the Chiefs…
@pastorshark (Comment 6) : Weird SR were having so far….just impossible to call.
@coolfusion (Comment 7) : Exactly…Waratahs almost lose to the Sunwolves, but beat the Crusaders. The Chiefs do lose to the Sunwolves and then thump the Bulls away. Up and downs everywhere!
Rasta with the whistle today…
Looks quite windy at the ground…
Come on, Sharks!!
Philip van der Walt gee-ing the boys up in the tunnel…
Here we go…
Rebels running it from their 22 right from the get-go, but good Sharks defence puts them under pressure…
Nice Sharrks urgency in their first period of ball possesion…12 phases earns them a penalty…good start…
And the Sharks kick it to the corner…
Sharks earn another penalty and kick for the corner again…
A poor lineout by the Sharks…but they get away with it because the Rebels knock it on…5m scrum…
Rasta is being a bit of a moaner, giving the Sharks stick…
Du Preez scooooores!!!!
And Rasta still chirping…relax, son!
Good strength by du Preez and it is 7-0 after 7 minutes…
I know it is only 7 minutes in, but where was this intensity the last two games? This would’ve been so much more competitive
Recycling of the ball has been very quick for the Sharks today…that has been key up to now…
@jdolivier (Comment 23) : Exactly!! The frustration of the Sharks supporter…where was this against SA opposition?!?!
Another poor Akker throw…that is 2 lineout losses in 3…come on!!
@pastorshark (Comment 25) : The team seems hesitant and in disbelief against local opposition
The Sharks scrum crunches the Rebels but then we concede a penalty at the breakdown…
@pastorshark (Comment 26) : Rebels are doing fantastic work disrupting the line outs
Really top pressure defence by the Sharks and the Rebels lose 40m…an unlucky knock in the tackle robs the Sharks of a chance to make use of the turnover…
More good Sharks defence and they turn it over…
Really good Sharks intensity and they force another knock…keep it up!
So much good pressure from the sharks, if they keep this up the rebels will be dead on their feet before halftime
Our scrum has been dominant…
Butch telling us that Cam Wright is injured (ah, so that answers that…)
@jdolivier (Comment 33) : Really good stuff…
@pastorshark (Comment 35) : Wouldn’t mind Williams on the field with this game plan
Du Preez now taking a shot at goal…and he nails it…
10-0 after 17 minutes…
Our reception of kickoffs have not been very good…
Rasta gave a free kick agaist us in a shot…but he has warned the Rebels twice now that he WILL give a free kick and hasn’t…how does that work?
We almost lost another lineout…
@pastorshark (Comment 41) : It’s rasta just feel relief that it isn’t peyper, we would’ve had 4 yellow cards already
Du Preez kicks the ball directly into touch…what a waste…
@jdolivier (Comment 43) :
Oh dear…after such good defence we give away a super soft try…what the hell was that?!?!
Swak…
10-7 after 22 minuutes…
Nice little kick by Fassi and English can only run it out…
Attacking lineout…make it good…
Nice to see am has rediscovered his mojo
Good quick recycling, but the Sharks can’t score…penalty Sharks…
Take the scrum?
Esterhuizen could be the best inside center in the country if he could just hold on to the ball in contact
But they will take the shot…
@pastorshark (Comment 53) : We should take the scrum
@jdolivier (Comment 54) : Yup…
@jdolivier (Comment 56) : I agree…
13-7 after 27 minutes…
Jeepers, but our lineouts are poor…it takes away so many options!!
This time we steal a lineout…great Stuff Hyron Andrews…
Rebels hooker practices our calls throws it straight to hiren
@jdolivier (Comment 62) : Hyron
What a poor passage of play…
Akker lets the ball be stripped from him, the Rebels with a kak kick, Mapimpi with a kakker one! Akker is down…and he’s had a bit of a mare…
@jdolivier (Comment 62) : He did that better than Akker has…
Oh my word…Rebels stroll through…
@pastorshark (Comment 66) : How kak have they been after minute 10 same shit as against the bulls. What the actual fart…….
We have defended brilliantly for 30 minutes…but two moments of madness/lack of concentration/walkabout have led to two soft tries… 😥
The Rebels take the lead for the first time…13-14 after 32 minutes…
Fassi doing his best Bosch imitation with the revolving door defense
Ohhhh myyyy wooooord…
Poor play by Fassi again…bad knock and the Sharks under pressure again…
Wow, aimless stuff by the Sharks…and a period of possesion ends with us under pressure again…
We absorb hat and a clever bit of play puts the Rebels under pressure and we earn a penalty…
Don’t kick for fucking posts……
Another good du Preez kick and it is 16-14 after 37 minutes…
@jdolivier (Comment 75) : The problem is that we are nowhere in the linouts…being poor in that department robs us of so many options…
No yellow for a deliberate knock??????????
@pastorshark (Comment 77) : True but keep taking the scrum
We win another penalty…
@jdolivier (Comment 78) : Yeah, the guy got a bit lucky there…
@pastorshark (Comment 80) : Our rolling maul makes 30m and we kick for posts………….
@jdolivier (Comment 79) : Yeah, though we were 40m out…
Lots of no look 50 50 passes from sharks
@pastorshark (Comment 83) : Even rasta has to give a yellow after x amount of penalties
That was a poor kick by du Preez this time…really poor…and it stays 16-14 as the halftime hooter goes…
@coolfusion (Comment 84) : Lots of no attempt 50 50 tackles also
@pastorshark (Comment 77) : Agree we are very shaky in line out. We will get bossed if we don’t tighten up.
Our first 15 minutes were brilliant…and then…meh…
@pastorshark (Comment 86) : If they can play the first 20 of the second half like the first 10 of the first, we can beat them
@jdolivier (Comment 87) : Ja we’ve been lucky on outcomes so far.
@coolfusion (Comment 88) : Even the commentators have mentioned the spoiling ability the rebels have had this season in line outs. We should have prepared better
@coolfusion (Comment 88) : That has been the key problem…it is as if our problems there and the fact that it has robbed us of options has just sucked the confidence out of the guys…
@jdolivier (Comment 92) : I don’t have confidence in our second row. Sorry.
Penalty count 10 vs 2 wonder if rasta is actually going to give the rebels a warning in the second half
@jdolivier (Comment 92) : We’ve had trouble there already this season…it is an area of weakness…
@pastorshark (Comment 96) : Just sooooooo frustrating
Backline not positioning themselves for defense. That last pop try by rebels too easy around the defense.
The stats so far:
– Possesion: 57% to the Sharks
– Rucks won: 57% to the Sharks
– more metres made, more carries, more penalties received…
All in all we have been on top. But the problem is:
– Linouts lost: 44% (3 out of 7)
– 7 turnovers conceded
– 2 poor defensive moments gave away tries
And that saps us of momentum and confidence and suddenly it’s a close game…
Come on, men…let’s put together a good second half…
@pastorshark (Comment 99) : Need to protect that Ball more aimless passing instead of containing
What sort of advantage over was that, Rasta?!He sees it’s a kak kick by Am and then shouts advantage over?!
Not a good start by the Sharks there…
Great Sharks defence! 13 phases on their line and finally they force a maul and get the turnover. Well done, Andre Esterhuizen…
The Rebels went straight down in that scrum…but nothing given…hmmm…
Good scrum and defensive clearance…
Scrum seems ok. Lineouts a worry
Rasta missed a forward pass that even Gavin Cowley saw…
Luckily the Rebels knock it on anyway…
@coolfusion (Comment 107) : yup…
Now he blows us in the scrum? Huh?
Really scrappy from bothsides right now…
We really should try to unlock this backline more
More scrappy play ends up with a great net result for the Sharks…come now, boys!!!
Bosch on for Fassi, Koeggies on for van Heerden…
Yes please…try tiiiiime!!
Du Preez scored after very good continuity by the Sharks…and a quick coversion makes it 23-14 after 52 minutes…
Two turnovers in no time by the Sharks and more pressure on the Rebels…
So 3 man overlap ans schrueder kicks, great kick but still
Some more good play by the Sharks…but just not sure of that option to kick…
But we are getting on top here…now to put the foot down…
The backline is the key
Sharks almost in at the corner…but they get bundled out into touch…
Wow, that is POOOOOR by the touch judge…no way that was out!!!!
And the TMO doesn’t say anything?
5m scrum to the Sharks after the Rebels are scrappy again…bit of justice there?
@pastorshark (Comment 124) : Blinde sambok,
Tryyyyyyyyy!!!
Mapimpi in
Mapimpi scores straight off the setpiece…nice work by the backs there…
Rob pushes another kick to the right so it is 28-14 after 59 minutes…
Grant Williams on please schrueder needs to rest
Sharks almost intercept one…but Am just can’t hang on…
20 minutes to go for the bous point…come on, boys!!
Rebels with 15 handling errors now…
It’s been 2 seasons and hyron andrews is yet to contest a ruck, we need grunt back in the second row
High tackle from offsides, is rasta bound bt religion not to give a 6
@jdolivier (Comment 135) : *yellow
Come on, boys…
@jdolivier (Comment 134) : It is what it is now let’s focus on our strength. Get the back into space asap
Hmmm…opportunity lost there…
@coolfusion (Comment 138) : 12 minutes 2 tries for the bonus, let’s do it
Score now, gents…
Now ratsa is just being uptuse
Every time we do half a thing Rasta gives free kick against us…every time they should get a free kick against them he lectures them and says don’t do it again, but doesn’t give a free kick…what the hell?!?!
@jdolivier (Comment 142) : Is it just me or does Rasta really have to be quite so petulant…
Looooots of handling errors now…
@pastorshark (Comment 144) : Trying so hard not to favor local teams that he inadvertently favors the visitors
No bonus point if things carry on like this…but I will take the win…
There we go the ferarri is out the garage
Maybe I spoke too early…Mapimpi scooooores…
Mapimpi actually deserves motm what a game by the man
Ooooh…Louw will get a card here…
There goes the bonus point…
So now he can go to his pocket
Bosch still can’t tackle for shit
Mapimpi drops the intercept…damn! We could have had a bonus point…
Scrappy last 20 minutes…
Well done boys!
The game is put out of its misery…28-14…
We will definitely take that win! We are back in the conference race…back up to second with a game in hand over the Lions…much that was good and much that remains concerning…
Big game against the Bulls next week. We have to put them away…but will we?
How often have South Africa had 4 teams in the play off places?
@pastorshark (Comment 160) : Will we remember the awesome weapons we have in a 15 man team?
Much better game from the Sharks in terms of momentum and some form of rhythm. Would like to see more unpredictablity by the forward runners, decoy runners to avert SA teams from knowing exactly how to defend against us and therefore physically dominate us and most importantly giving the ball carrier options with ball in hand. This becomes very important for next weekend.
Chiefs showed us how to put the Bulls away – fast game doing everything at pace. Bulls were always on the back foot and could not use their linespeed to shut the attack down. Question is can we play that type of game?
Good win for the Sharks. Lineout was a shambles in the first half but improved in the second.
What is wrong with our reserve centres? Cheap shots should not be part of the game
Well done guys. But WTF Louw ? That WWE move deserves a red card. See a citing and a ban coming his way.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 163) : Yup…good comment…
@sudhir (Comment 165) : And cost Mapimpi one of the best tries of the season.
@Bokhoring (Comment 164) : The bulls we’re not playing with the same drive they had previously. I think that, more than the Chief’s tactics sank them. Chiefs weren’t that great. In fact I think any team doing the basics right would have beaten that lacklustre bulls squad we saw yesterday.
@coolfusion (Comment 168) : I think the reason the Bulls did so well against the other SA teams is that the SA teams mostly seem to be happy to mostly slowly bash away in attack – using individuals trying to force something to happen. It allows them to set their defense and use their line speed to snuff out any backline attack. It then forced especially the Lions and Sharks to play risky rugby with 50-50 passes. And then the Bulls pounced on mistakes and scored.
The Chiefs play the game at breakneck speed (and for once their passes stuck), and their forwards especially were physical but also smart. Also the Chiefs set piece was very good – giving them a platform to play off. I disagree – apart from some silly insistence to always try and run the ball out – I thought the Chiefs were very good on the day.
The Bulls just could not bring their pack into the game. I think that is why they lost heart – and the flood gates opened up.
@Bokhoring (Comment 169) : Agree with you. The thing that stood out for me during yesterday’s game was that the Rebels ran onto the passes getting them into great attacking positions whereas our players almost always took the ball from a standing start. This is basics that are taught to primary school kids but is forgotten by professionals? The 2nd thing is that players need to trust the guy next to him to tackle the guy he is marking because too many soft tries are being scored from 2 guys going for the same tackle creating a overlap.
Curwin Bosch is a player that I rate highly but his lack of tackling is a concern. Is it because he is still recovering from the shoulder injury or a confidence issue. If he is not fully recovered from the injury then he should be rested because it could cost us dearly in a vital game. Rob jnr also needs to speed up his game. He is not in England where the game is slower.
@Bokhoring (Comment 169) : I agree fully with the first part. As for the second like I said It didn’t seem like they were much better just more consistent and able to control the game slightly better. It may just be me but I was bored with with sides in the first half already. I will probably be criticized for this but we sharks can also be lucky the amount of Rebels mistakes kept us in touch. Very glad to see our backline getting some sunlight we have a problem in lineouts and I don’t think our second row is up to the task. Hopefully we bought enough time for injured players to cycle in.
I must add I liked this week’s play a lot better than the last two games of brainless flopping. Our replacements for the most part also seem very closely matched to the starting players, with exception to the one clown who decided rugby rules don’t apply to him suddenly. What kind if stupid must you be Marius Louw?! I hope everyone in the locker room gave you a snotklap!
@coolfusion (Comment 172) : Andrews managed a good steal though – he has the athleticism to be a good jumper
I think the problem lies with the entire unit – hooker, jumpers and lifters, and an inexperienced caller in Andrews. Akker is a great player in most facets of hooker play, but he does struggle with his lineout throws. I was looking forward to see what Burden could bring in the second half – pity he had to pull out
Guys, I’m very upset. Just read that WP may be able to secure the services of Kitshoff through the help of outside financing and that SARU may offer him a R2.5m pa contract. What upsets me is why doesn’t SARU do the same for the Sharks? Why are these benefits almost exclusively reserved for Stormers and Bulls players? SARU needs to do all they can to keep the Du Preez twins. Dan is slowly showing us that from 2020 he is going to take over the number 8 jersey from Duane and his brother will then become the best 7 in country from then. Rassie must also counter and offer them similar contracts. Also, why aren’t the Sharks also getting outside finance to keep the twins??
@GreatSharksays (Comment 175) : Also Am, Mapimpi, Sbu and Fassi. We need to build our team around those players.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 175) : Why don’t you read the article properly before whining?
🙄
Kitshoff is one of the first choice Boks who will receive the 2.5 mil.
@GreatSharksays (Comment 175) : How’s that Dup bro going to become the best 7 in SA? Is Pieter Steph du Toit retiring? 😆
@McLovin (Comment 178) : Lol.. that boy will chow PSDT by then.
@McLovin (Comment 177) : why start with him or only mention him? Is he SARU’s MVP? Why not mention a list of the players earmarked for this high ranking contract? My issue is that it perpetuates this notion that all things good in SA rugby must come from the Stormers or the Bulls. Stormers don’t perform but their players will always get picked for the Boks. Worst record against NZ and Australia teams including worst record playing over seas but they will always get picked for the Boks. It’s like the mandate that Stormers and Bulls players get throughout the year is to just perform against the Sharks and your Bok place is secured, doesn’t matter if you deliver kak performances throughout the year… if you just pick yourselves up for that game all is good. And we wonder why there’s no consistency with the Boks when playing overseas.
@sudhir (Comment 171) : Did Fassi make a single tackle yesterday? I know he missed a few. Yet you reserve your ire for Bosch. He was so much better than Fassi when he came on.
@Bokhoring (Comment 174) : You’re right Akkers throws did put unnecessary pressure yesterday. However I think Hyron is a bit too scrawny to the position. I like his running and it would be interesting to see if some more muscle will help or hinder him in his running but he has no choice but to get some more beef to take and make hits.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 181) : I think you misunderstood my point. I am a fan of Bosch but some thing isn’t right with him at present. Either he is playing with an injury and is thus not fully committed to the tackle or he’s lost some confidence. That kid isn’t afraid of contact but he looked like he was playing touch rugby when defending yesterday. Fassi also wasn’t that good. Hence my comment.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 181) : And Beast led the team in tackles in less than 60 minutes on the field with 13. What an outstanding performance by the “old warhorse”…..Sorry he is in that category now. 😉
@sudhir (Comment 183) : I understand, I really thought Bosch brought far more when he came on for Fassi in this game. His weak defense has been an issue for a long time now, but if someone like Damian McKenzie can be so successful at 15 and not be a defensive liability then Bosch can as well, he is probably a bit bigger than McKenzie.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 184) : 153 SuperRugby caps…..yup that’s in old warhorse category.
Sorry Beast, you have been my favorite Shark since you hit the scene.
With 153 SuperRugby caps, 37 Currie Cup caps, 9 Sharks XV caps, and 1 Sharks Invitational XV cap, Beast has represented the Sharks 200 times, an awesome milestone for the big man. Add to that his 107 Bok caps, his 2 matches against the Barbarians, 2 matches against World XVs, and I’m not sure how many matches for the Barbarians, this amazing player has an unbelievable number of top level matches under his belt. Hard to imagine and what an amazing career, and what is more amazing is that there is more left, just look at yesterday’s match.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 184) : @Dancing Bear (Comment 187) : Beast is a true Sharks and Springbok legend!!!
Good win for the Sharks but the margin should have been bigger. We went to sleep on defence twice and were nailed both times.At least the team pitched up with the right attitude and were keen for graft.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 181) : I had a similar view. In fact Bosch prevented a try with a tackle. He was man handled and nearly pushed over but he got stuck in and held the guy up long enough for support to get there. Its far easier to just be stepped or fall off like SP Marais did.
@coolfusion (Comment 182) : He does get through a mountain of defensive work though. He would be doing well with Paul next to him and Jean Luc at 7.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 181) : Agree on Fassi, it seems as if he is finding the step up from Currie Cup that bit too much and is trying too much when he does have ball in hand – actually that observation can be made about most of our backline at times.
Dan Du Preez has been my player of the season so far. His hands have come good and he is really impressing me and I have been a big critic in the past.
@Dancing Bear (Comment 187) : Amazing! And he didn’t leave for other shores to cash in…! Love the guy…
@Byron Wright (Comment 193) : He started out like this when he first played for the Sharks and an injury or two really set him back. Good to see him produce again…
@Byron Wright (Comment 193) : He’s been solid. Singlehandedly carrying the forwards back 5. Says a lot after week 6 that only our front row and Dan have made it to the SA SR team of the week and coach Rob deems it fit to base his game plan on forward dominance. Anyway, when is Jean Luc Du Preez and Ginger back?…we almost halfway in the competition. Louw is sighted so we are going to have a problem at centre in terms of depth. Maybe Rob will be backup 12.
You are spot on we are light at lock but Paul can be an asset at 4 but have no idea how long he is out for. I saw the training pics and PVDW was training last week so he could be back no idea on Jean Luc. I guess that Rob covers 12 now and perhaps Van Wyk back onto the bench to cover 13 and wing? He may be injured though no one knows.
@Byron Wright (Comment 197) : Isn’t incredible how poor the Sharks communicarion is in terms of things like injuries…it’s very frustrating really!
@pastorshark (Comment 198) : I dont know if its a tactic to keep people in the dark,Incompetence or just disregard.
@Byron Wright (Comment 199) : If I had to pick between the three options, I would go “tactics”…because incompetence and disregard would just be worse. But I don’t really get it…very frustrating…