And Super Rugby kicks off

Interesting team selected. Clearly putting a premium on speed and attacking players. Just hope we have the grunt and physicality on defence to handle that aspect of the game. Bosch needs to step up this year. Comment 1, posted at 29.01.20 15:34:21 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 1) : With the personnel available, I think this is a very good team, with the only question being Burden. I have always been a huge fan, but last year he was a liability every time he stepped on the field, and we have two very good young hookers awaiting their shot. The starting props should expect 65 minutes or more, as the bench front row has question marks. 11 through 14 are superb players, so I’m expecting a lot from them. Fassi has loads of talent on attack, so hopefully he has shored up his defense. Comment 2, posted at 29.01.20 15:39:57 by Dancing Bear

@Dancing Bear (Comment 2) : With regard to Burden, the purpose of bringing an experienced player like him is to provide calm leadership, especially in pressure points in the match. Not an overly-hyped-up petulant teenager, which unfortunately is what we saw from Burden last season. Comment 3, posted at 29.01.20 16:07:25 by Dancing Bear

@Dancing Bear (Comment 3) : Agreed, was a walking penalty and yellow card last year. If that continues we wont win many. My only question mark is if we can handle teams taking us on upfront…do we have the physicality Comment 4, posted at 29.01.20 16:10:13 by SheldonK

@SheldonK (Comment 4) : See now you have a reason to watch on Friday, to answer your only question…. 😉 Comment 5, posted at 29.01.20 16:28:47 by Dancing Bear

Sheldon, your 23 wasn’t too far off… Looks like a solid enough team. I think everyone knows that if our backs get the right kind of opportunity, we’ll rip them to shreds. Although, the Bulls have some decent firepower too. Gut feel says we’ll break the cycle of losing to these guys. Comment 6, posted at 29.01.20 16:44:23 by Karl

Vodacom Bulls: 15. Warrick Gelant, 14. Cornal Hendricks, 13. Johnny Kotze, 12. Burger Odendaal (C), 11. Rosko Specman, 10. Morné Steyn, 9. Ivan van Zyl, 8. Josh Strauss, 7. Abongile Nonkontwana, 6. Jeandré Rudolph, 5. Juandré Kruger, 4. Andries Ferreira, 3. Wiehahn Herbst, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Lizo Gqoboka Replacements:16. Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Simphiwe Matanzima, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. Ruan Nortje, 20. Ryno Pieterse, 21. Wian Vosloo, 22. Embrose Papier, 23. Manie Libbok. Comment 7, posted at 29.01.20 16:45:28 by Karl

@Karl (Comment 7) : That pack does not put the same fear in me as one containing Lood and RG Snyman Comment 8, posted at 29.01.20 17:42:33 by Bokhoring

@SheldonK (Comment 1) : Nohamba to start the only change required. Comment 9, posted at 29.01.20 18:36:59 by jdolivier

@Bokhoring (Comment 8) : Nope. Bulls fans are feeling confident in the bench though. Especially the front row. Maybe they have reason to be when you compare them with our front row subs Comment 10, posted at 29.01.20 19:17:54 by Karl

Bulls backline is also not too shabby, well that is if they ever see the ball. Comment 11, posted at 30.01.20 09:33:29 by Salmonoid the Subtle

This will not be a easy game for a couple of reasons: It’s is not a bad Bulls side (with a lot of players having points to prove to themselves and their doubters), Pote Human is a very under rate coach and The Bulls have the believe they can beat the Sharks! Comment 12, posted at 30.01.20 09:39:02 by JD

@Dancing Bear (Comment 5) : Its also nice to have somethng to watch while the amber liquid disappears down my throat Comment 13, posted at 30.01.20 10:04:47 by SheldonK

@jdolivier (Comment 9) : To be honest id rather have Nohamba ending the game than Schreuder, especially if we chasing points for a win Comment 14, posted at 30.01.20 10:06:20 by SheldonK

@jdolivier (Comment 9) : @SheldonK (Comment 14) : very interesting to see Wright is left out of the match 23. I’m sure this “slide” down the order will result in him leaving Durbs as soon as he gets an offer from another team. Comment 15, posted at 30.01.20 10:18:43 by JD

@JD (Comment 15) : Most likely. Especially with SA U20 Player of the year Jaden Hendrikse also in the mix Comment 16, posted at 30.01.20 11:11:46 by SheldonK

Why the sharks always fuck up young players is beyond me. Cam is 100 time the player than Luis. And he showed us last season every time he got on the field. Comment 17, posted at 30.01.20 17:03:59 by osbal

@SheldonK (Comment 14) : Personally Nohamba and Wright would be my 2 scrummies, Louis has bright moments, but with the emphasis on attacking rugby, he is too often a half step off the pace Comment 18, posted at 30.01.20 17:21:08 by jdolivier

@JD (Comment 15) : Another should have would have could have player that the union neglected Comment 19, posted at 30.01.20 17:21:45 by jdolivier

Hi all! Sorry that I’ve been missing from here for too long! Last year was hectic. Anyway, I am looking forward to tomorrow. No pressure, not many expectations and a team that looks like it could be exciting. I’ll be at the game tomorrow with my youngest son. Go SHARKS! Comment 20, posted at 30.01.20 20:10:59 by pastorshark

Good to “read?” from you again pastor. Speaking of missing, anyone know where the Hound is? Comment 21, posted at 31.01.20 05:59:26 by Karl

I don’t think any SA supporter should have high expectations. 3 franchises have rookie coaches at this level, and the Bulls have lost their top 4 locks from last year plus Britz (who seem to lift up the players around him) and Pollard. Pote has recruited a couple of players (e.g Morne, Strauss, Kruger, etc) near the end of their careers top steady the ship but the jury is out whether these near retirees always add value. For one Schalk Britz I can find you 9 others who were never near the levels of their prime. Comment 22, posted at 31.01.20 09:28:40 by Bokhoring

@Karl (Comment 10) : Gqoboka and Matanzima definitely great talents. Herbst was a decent tight head in his Sharks days – would still rate Thomas way above him. Surprised to see Nyakana on the bench, but I guess they slowly bringing him back to fitness. Bulls props are always a handful in the loose though. Our starting tight five did well against the Stormers, but our replacements struggled in the scrum. But then again the Stormers had Louw on the bench. So I guess we will see on Friday night Comment 23, posted at 31.01.20 09:37:44 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 23) : Agree. Still not convinced that John Hubert Meyer is good enough as backup TH. He has been selected by the coaches and has the opportunity to prove me wrong. Mchunu and Kumburai are the other TH in the squad waiting for their opportunity. So the back up TH needs to step up or move down the pecking order. Comment 24, posted at 31.01.20 09:54:44 by sudhir

In Ox and Thomas we have 2 props who have both replaced Beast and Coenie due to their ability to be able to play both sides of the scrum. Interesting to see Coenie playing loose head for Sale but couldn’t do it when he was at the sharks due to medical restrictions! Power of the pound! Comment 25, posted at 31.01.20 10:04:04 by sudhir

Hi Guys I am abroad in Europe for the next couple of weeks and not it literate enough to set up a vpn to stream using supersport. Can anyone recommend a good site to use. Comment 26, posted at 31.01.20 13:14:46 by durbsguy

@Bokhoring (Comment 23) : Gqoboka is almost like an extra loosie with his work rate Comment 27, posted at 31.01.20 14:25:31 by jdolivier

@durbsguy (Comment 26) : kostatz.com costs $15 per month for live feeds and also replay of any match. Comment 28, posted at 31.01.20 15:18:14 by Dancing Bear

@Dancing Bear (Comment 28) : Perfect thanks just signed up Comment 29, posted at 31.01.20 16:13:51 by durbsguy

After a shocking start (just catch the bloody ball, Louis!!), the Sharks have had the better of the first 15 minutes. A few opportunities created… Comment 30, posted at 31.01.20 19:24:25 by pastorshark

3-3 after 15 minutes… Comment 31, posted at 31.01.20 19:25:00 by pastorshark

Bulls collapse the scrum, reset after reset, Thomas drops once, penalty. The more things change, the more Marius van der Westhuizen stays the same Comment 32, posted at 31.01.20 19:25:41 by Die Kriek

Make that 6-3 Sharks… Comment 33, posted at 31.01.20 19:26:54 by pastorshark

Just a little knock spoils what was a very good build up… Comment 34, posted at 31.01.20 19:30:19 by pastorshark

6-6… Comment 35, posted at 31.01.20 19:36:59 by pastorshark

Marius van der Westhuizen doesn’t seem to know where the last line of feet is when the Bulls line up their defense… 😉 Comment 36, posted at 31.01.20 19:46:00 by pastorshark

But he does when it goes the other way around as he penalised us for offsides… 😯 Comment 37, posted at 31.01.20 19:46:35 by pastorshark

What is on with our lineout? Comment 38, posted at 31.01.20 19:46:44 by Bokhoring

After all the talk of running rugby in the preseason all we’ve done is kick the ball 😕 Comment 39, posted at 31.01.20 19:48:08 by StevieS

@StevieS (Comment 39) : two things: our kicks have worked…and we have created a fair amount of space with ball in hand… Comment 40, posted at 31.01.20 19:49:18 by pastorshark

6-9…Steyn drop goal… Comment 41, posted at 31.01.20 19:49:43 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 38) : our number 2 ball to van Heerden is very safe…everything else is a bit iffy… Comment 42, posted at 31.01.20 19:52:15 by pastorshark

Our forwards and inside backs are not creating enough opportunities for our dangerous runners out wide. Comment 43, posted at 31.01.20 19:53:26 by Bokhoring

Ball seems to be very slippery as expected – Sharks need to figure out how to deal with that Comment 44, posted at 31.01.20 19:54:45 by Bokhoring

Bulls are nullifying the line out too easily, we need to adapt, our backline looks like deer in headlights Comment 45, posted at 31.01.20 19:55:22 by jdolivier

We’ve had the better of that half, our scrums have been stable, we’ve created space. The Bulls haven’t done much. Still they lead going into the break… But that wasn’t bad… Comment 46, posted at 31.01.20 19:55:34 by pastorshark

I think you guys are being a bit too harsh…we created quite a lot in the first 30 minutes and with a bit of luck could have had some tries. Schreuder is too slow… Comment 47, posted at 31.01.20 19:57:38 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 46) : Most of the space we created came from individual brilliance by Fassi and Mapimpi. We still need to figure out how to use the ball better when we attack inside the 22 – seem to narrow the attack and rely too much on one off runners The Bulls will play a defend and kicking game and use the opportunities as they come. Difficult conditions to play a ball in hand game Comment 48, posted at 31.01.20 20:00:17 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 43) : they might have a chance if van der Westhuizen actually policed the offside line… Comment 49, posted at 31.01.20 20:01:01 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 48) : agree with you about inside the 22…but not further out…from the 5th to 25th minute our phase play created space several times. If we’d had a centre on the last pass and not a hooker Nkosi would have been in… Comment 50, posted at 31.01.20 20:02:59 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 48) : agree about the Bulls approach…and it may work against a young Sharks lineup… Comment 51, posted at 31.01.20 20:03:47 by pastorshark

Lights went out during halftime… Comment 52, posted at 31.01.20 20:04:43 by pastorshark

Apparently they’ve sorted the problem…just firing up the lights… Cell phones waving light in the crowd… Comment 53, posted at 31.01.20 20:06:01 by pastorshark

Lights up and running again… Comment 54, posted at 31.01.20 20:10:44 by pastorshark

Nkosi, you biscuit!!! That was brilliant… Comment 55, posted at 31.01.20 20:15:45 by pastorshark

Very good start to the half…bokhoring, you just got what you asked for… Comment 56, posted at 31.01.20 20:16:44 by pastorshark

Great conversion by Bosch…13-9… Comment 57, posted at 31.01.20 20:17:30 by pastorshark

Hope the confidence flows now… Comment 58, posted at 31.01.20 20:17:52 by pastorshark

Lucky escape there…Hendricks knocks on with an open line… Comment 59, posted at 31.01.20 20:19:06 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 56) : Cannot watch at the moment – on a conf call. Comment 60, posted at 31.01.20 20:21:40 by Bokhoring

Solid scrum on our own line…and a relieving penalty… Comment 61, posted at 31.01.20 20:22:19 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 60) : If you missed Nkosi’s try then watch the highlights…it’ll be worth it… Comment 62, posted at 31.01.20 20:23:04 by pastorshark

All Sharks for the moment… Comment 63, posted at 31.01.20 20:24:07 by pastorshark

Entire Bulls front row replaced… Comment 64, posted at 31.01.20 20:24:47 by pastorshark

Curwin kicking beautifully… 16-9…after 52 minutes… Comment 65, posted at 31.01.20 20:25:56 by pastorshark

Bulls starting to get a bit more adventurous…and it almost pays off… Comment 66, posted at 31.01.20 20:27:09 by pastorshark

Overthrow on our lineout almost disastrous…but a great turnover… And then van der Westhuizen penalised the Sharks though Odendaal clearly dived onto the Sharks player on the ground…*#%! Comment 67, posted at 31.01.20 20:28:55 by pastorshark

Ok – I am back Comment 68, posted at 31.01.20 20:29:42 by Bokhoring

Another great Sharks turnover… Comment 69, posted at 31.01.20 20:30:12 by pastorshark

Well, all of a sudden this game has gone all lively! Comment 70, posted at 31.01.20 20:30:38 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 67) : Yip Comment 71, posted at 31.01.20 20:30:52 by Bokhoring

Number of great turnovers Comment 72, posted at 31.01.20 20:31:22 by Bokhoring

At the game here I can’t see who has been making those steals, but whoever it is…great stuff… Comment 73, posted at 31.01.20 20:31:28 by pastorshark

Nohamba on… Comment 74, posted at 31.01.20 20:32:03 by pastorshark

Our scrum has been standing up them…even with their fresh and dangerous replacement front row… Comment 75, posted at 31.01.20 20:33:02 by pastorshark

Hmmm…scrum penalty…for? Comment 76, posted at 31.01.20 20:34:14 by pastorshark

16-12… Comment 77, posted at 31.01.20 20:34:30 by pastorshark

Here come 5 forward changes for the Sharks! Comment 78, posted at 31.01.20 20:35:10 by pastorshark

Hope Burden has calmed down a bit Comment 79, posted at 31.01.20 20:36:28 by Bokhoring

We’ve created nice space with that move in the second half…but the pass goes loose and Nkosi knocks on…and the Sharks are penalised again… Comment 80, posted at 31.01.20 20:37:10 by pastorshark

Damn Comment 81, posted at 31.01.20 20:39:37 by Bokhoring

Lots of creating going on in the second half…the Sharks just a bit more calm.when the chance comes… Comment 82, posted at 31.01.20 20:40:52 by pastorshark

Let’s see how this scrum goes… Comment 83, posted at 31.01.20 20:41:13 by pastorshark

Was hoping for a repeat of the WC final try there Comment 84, posted at 31.01.20 20:41:34 by Bokhoring

Clever by the Sharks…but great Bulls counter attack… Comment 85, posted at 31.01.20 20:42:10 by pastorshark

Did van der Westhuizen just penalise us for tackling a player who was blocking in front of the ball carrier?! Comment 86, posted at 31.01.20 20:43:09 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 84) : almost… Comment 87, posted at 31.01.20 20:43:41 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 86) : Alas yes Comment 88, posted at 31.01.20 20:44:05 by Bokhoring

Good defence of the maul by the Sharks… Comment 89, posted at 31.01.20 20:45:44 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 88) : What the actual *%#*!?!? Comment 90, posted at 31.01.20 20:47:20 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 88) : He’s been very iffy today, but that was just crazy…mind boggling… Comment 91, posted at 31.01.20 20:48:16 by pastorshark

Have to say the Bulls coming to the party and making it a running game. Comment 92, posted at 31.01.20 20:48:53 by Bokhoring

Our second tier blast the Bulls and we get nothing, nada Comment 93, posted at 31.01.20 20:49:46 by Bokhoring

Nohamba was way offsides twice there! Discipline, young man… Comment 94, posted at 31.01.20 20:50:13 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 93) : van der Westhuizen has kept the Bulls in this game… Comment 95, posted at 31.01.20 20:50:55 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 92) : yes… Comment 96, posted at 31.01.20 20:51:19 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 96) : but we should have had a kickable penalty at the previous scrum… Comment 97, posted at 31.01.20 20:52:19 by pastorshark

1 point game – would hate Morne to win the game with a drop goal Comment 98, posted at 31.01.20 20:52:26 by Bokhoring

Come on, score now boys!! Comment 99, posted at 31.01.20 20:52:40 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 98) : no Comment 100, posted at 31.01.20 20:53:48 by pastorshark

Jaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!! Comment 101, posted at 31.01.20 20:54:05 by pastorshark

Nohambaaaaaaaa!! Comment 102, posted at 31.01.20 20:54:34 by pastorshark

Nohamba wins it for the Sharks!!! Comment 103, posted at 31.01.20 20:55:01 by pastorshark

That was a beauty – game winning try by Nohamba. Great work from Esterhuyzen Comment 104, posted at 31.01.20 20:55:07 by Bokhoring

23-15… Comment 105, posted at 31.01.20 20:55:40 by pastorshark

Sharks have broken the Bulls’ curse. Well done boys Comment 106, posted at 31.01.20 20:56:39 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 104) : Nohamba is going to be a springbok one day, what talent Comment 107, posted at 31.01.20 20:57:14 by jdolivier

We definitely deserved that!!! Comment 108, posted at 31.01.20 20:58:29 by pastorshark

Apologies Jonny Meyer and Juan Schoeman. I doubted you guys but you held up well. Should even have had a scrum penalty if Marius had any token of consistency Comment 109, posted at 31.01.20 20:58:51 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 106) : And what a bloody curse it was!! Comment 110, posted at 31.01.20 20:59:03 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 109) : they did very well… Comment 111, posted at 31.01.20 20:59:47 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 109) : And Burden even had a “remember the good old days” bullocking carry… Comment 112, posted at 31.01.20 21:00:26 by pastorshark

So normally this is written down to sour grapes…but today you can’t blame us of that when we say: my word, Marius van der Westhuizen is a #**$!!! There was a lot of one sided blowing at scrum time and at the offsides line. And the two that took the cake: – Bull dives on Shark…Bulls penalty… – Bull obstructs the Sharks defenders and the Sharks are penalised for tackling him without the ball. Just a #**$!!! Kind of makes the win more satisfying… Comment 113, posted at 31.01.20 21:03:00 by pastorshark

@Bokhoring (Comment 109) : Marius has also been a cursed ref for us in the past, we’ve now broken two curses in one match. So happy to start with a win Comment 114, posted at 31.01.20 21:03:09 by jdolivier

@pastorshark (Comment 113) : He also missed obstructive running by the bulls on our chasers more than once, we still won, this young team want to win, what a sight to see Comment 115, posted at 31.01.20 21:04:32 by jdolivier

James Venter proved very useful at the breakdown – perhaps the type of player we have been missing for years Comment 116, posted at 31.01.20 21:05:38 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 116) : yes… Comment 117, posted at 31.01.20 21:07:01 by pastorshark

@jdolivier (Comment 115) : And yes… Comment 118, posted at 31.01.20 21:07:29 by pastorshark

Bit of a worry is Kerron’s form at the lineout – recall he struggled a bit towards the end of the Currie Cup and seems to have carried that pressure over to Super Rugby Comment 119, posted at 31.01.20 21:08:59 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 116) : Of this team can stay the same for 2 or 3 seasons, we will be very close to silverware with them. Burden is proving his name is apt, he is assured one penalty per game, fassi is so close to being amazing, one or two small decisions not correct, we also butchered 2 tries tonight. Really chuffed with the heart of the team. Comment 120, posted at 31.01.20 21:09:57 by jdolivier

@jdolivier (Comment 120) : *if Comment 121, posted at 31.01.20 21:10:20 by jdolivier

Commentators talk about Nohamba’s debut but I am pretty sure he came off the bench last season already? Comment 122, posted at 31.01.20 21:11:47 by Bokhoring

@Bokhoring (Comment 122) : Pretty sure his first match was in the currie cup, if not I owe you a beer Comment 123, posted at 31.01.20 21:19:19 by jdolivier

No 18 lock single handedly destroyed bulls scrum. Nice having a 140kg no 4 Comment 124, posted at 31.01.20 22:30:10 by byron

@byron (Comment 124) : sorry .. that was 19 not 18 Comment 125, posted at 31.01.20 22:32:14 by byron

@pastorshark (Comment 118) : how was the weather in Durbs? Could that be a reason for the poor handling? Comment 126, posted at 31.01.20 23:09:00 by JD

Not a great performance but some nice things happened. The Sharks beat the Bulls!!! and that without the need for the forwards to absolutely dominate the opposition!!! How many balls did the Sharks steal at breakdowns!?!?!? Lost count off all the turnovers won!!! And then that try from Nkosi!!!! WOW WOW WOW Specmagic is going to have nightmares for a while about that try!!!! Good start to the seasont now just hope the early tour help them to lay the foundations for a good season!!! Comment 127, posted at 31.01.20 23:21:51 by JD

@JD (Comment 126) : Yeah, it was hot all day…probably not as humid as it could be, though still slippery…and it just wasn’t that humid because of a pretty hectic wind…so conditions not great…both sides struggled a bit with that. Warwick Gelant had a nightmare…dropped so many balls… Comment 128, posted at 31.01.20 23:56:24 by pastorshark

I think halftime entertainment should always include switching off the lights. The cell phone lights and music really got the crowd going and created atmosphere… Comment 129, posted at 31.01.20 23:58:27 by pastorshark

Well done guys for finally beating the Bulls. Shreuder did not have a good game. His slow passes and indecision contributed to a lot of knock on by our forwards. Bulls did not capitalise on this and if we were playing the Stormers or lions, I think they would have intercepted those passes and scored. I gave him the benefit of the doubt due to the conditions but Nohamba was totally the opposite when he came on. So hopefully Shreuder discovers the form he displayed at the Kings or we are going to have difficulties. Comment 130, posted at 01.02.20 06:10:04 by sudhir

@pastorshark (Comment 128) : that is actually a relieve to hear that the conditions was not great (sorry for you guys attending the game) as it gives me a bit more hope for the season! Comment 131, posted at 01.02.20 07:11:30 by JD

@jdolivier (Comment 123) : Seems I owe you the beer. Comment 132, posted at 01.02.20 07:14:32 by Bokhoring

@durbsguy (Comment 26) : Hey Guys. great game. firstly for streaming of most sports just not cricket i use a free site called vipleagues.lc (try have a popup blocker as it does open many tabs for adverts) but worth it. Also a plus is getting european commentators. I use it to watch the games that DSTV doesnt show or when DSTV streaming doesnt work. Comment 133, posted at 01.02.20 08:09:39 by Dunx

Robbie Kempson seems to know nothing about scrums as he only told us that the sharks dont know how to scrum. Many times we had the hit and the penalty to either have a reset or get told to play on. The offside line was not policed which i blame the entire ref team as the ref relys on his support. I am glad that there wasnt any niggle and it was just a bunch of guys trying to play and prove themselves. Bulls did very well to spoil our game plan. Comment 134, posted at 01.02.20 08:11:53 by Dunx

@jdolivier (Comment 123) : You are very correct his debut was in the currie cup but they did say it was his superrugby debut which confused people Comment 135, posted at 01.02.20 08:12:46 by Dunx

@JD (Comment 131) : If you watched super sunday and notice how we gave it to the stormers pack ( they were missing pieter steph) but still our scrum bossed them. Unfortunately we let the bulls unsettle our lineouts. Comment 136, posted at 01.02.20 08:13:48 by Dunx

@pastorshark (Comment 128) : Also explains why so many balls were left to bounce to. Which led to the Nkosi try Comment 137, posted at 01.02.20 08:14:26 by Dunx

@JD (Comment 126) : 29’C and 70 percent humidity ….. Comment 138, posted at 01.02.20 10:02:04 by byron

Anyone notice that the sharks are using the springbok defensive pattern? Comment 139, posted at 01.02.20 10:05:10 by byron

@Dunx (Comment 136) : roets is at the heart of that scrum revival … It’s been a long time since the sharks have had a large no4 lock. That boy will be playing against the b&i lions Comment 140, posted at 01.02.20 10:10:49 by byron

@Bokhoring (Comment 132) : All fair in love and war bud Comment 141, posted at 01.02.20 12:38:35 by jdolivier

Garth April had a blinder for the sunwolves this morning, nice to see ex sharks still doing well Comment 142, posted at 01.02.20 14:03:17 by jdolivier

Toilet peyper letting a NZ team have a feel on what it’s like to be reffed to death Comment 143, posted at 01.02.20 15:21:57 by jdolivier

I see the sharks drew the travel shortstraw this year. Match is on Friday … So 6 and a half day gap between matches and two days travel thrown in. Comment 144, posted at 02.02.20 13:50:09 by byron

@jdolivier (Comment 143) : The Hurricanes were poor with territory and possession, however you’re right…Peyper nailed the Canes with 12 penalties and two yellow cards (https://www.espn.com/rugby/matchstats?gameId=295370&league=242041). The stormers aren’t going to have another game like that anytime soon, as Peyper saw to it that their stars aligned. Comment 145, posted at 02.02.20 14:05:36 by SeanJeff

What an awesome rugby weekend!!! First the Sharks beat the Bulls and today France beat England!!! Awesome awesome weekend!!! Comment 146, posted at 02.02.20 20:24:03 by JD

@SeanJeff (Comment 145) : They were plan less completely, peyper wasn’t unfair, he was just more focused on the canes than on the stormers Comment 147, posted at 03.02.20 01:16:18 by jdolivier

Jaco Kriel back with Lions. Sharks management missing out on everything once again. How many big signings made by other teams to bring experience back. Only Sharks fast asleep. Comment 148, posted at 03.02.20 10:34:53 by coolfusion

@coolfusion (Comment 148) : that’s a bit harsh…in three seasons Kriel has played 16 games and the rest of the time he’s been injured. If we bought him and he got injured our management would be blasted for buying a crock… There aren’t really many big signings made by other teams that I would have wanted instead of what we have… Anyway, we’ll see… Comment 149, posted at 03.02.20 11:57:31 by pastorshark

Must admit it was a pretty rubbish game between the Sharks and Bulls, low quality throughout which so many mistakes. Yes the weather contributes but the guys train in this weather all day every day. Probably the only consistent good patch was the last scrum move where we actually put a few decent things together. Definitely see some potential in the squad but the guys have to hold onto the ball Comment 150, posted at 03.02.20 13:30:53 by SheldonK

@pastorshark (Comment 149) : Agreed. If they brought him in and he broke down again, Jacques Potgieter and Co would be brought up… I’m pretty happy with our signings myself. Also, I doubt he would have wanted to go to another side. He specifically said a few weeks ago that he wanted to go back to the Lions, and he’s born and bred on Jhb. He’s had a taste of playing for the Sharks. Obviously didn’t enjoy it that much or he’d have been back. Comment 151, posted at 03.02.20 13:55:23 by Karl

To those who went to the tank, did they have the slides running at the Small zone? I’d like to take the young ‘uns Comment 152, posted at 03.02.20 13:56:06 by Karl

@Karl (Comment 152) : Yes they did Comment 153, posted at 03.02.20 14:06:36 by SheldonK

@pastorshark (Comment 149) : Well there have been some big names signed by other unions (Morne Steyn, Jannie Du Plessis, Jaco Kriel) but in all honesty they will probably be playing a “mentoring” role if they had to have been signed by the Sharks. Mind you Steyn was not half bad on Saturday. Comment 154, posted at 03.02.20 14:06:49 by Salmonoid the Subtle

I was very pleased with that fist game . Yes there were errors but I still think they down from last year. Guys seemed to have licence to give it a go and they sometimes made the wrong call but that can only improve the more they play with a bit of freedom. Pack did well except in the lineouts. Comment 155, posted at 03.02.20 14:09:56 by Byron Wright

@pastorshark (Comment 149) : So the same would hold true for say…Marcell Coetzee should he suddenly become available? Comment 156, posted at 03.02.20 14:24:00 by coolfusion

@coolfusion (Comment 156) : Or did it hold true for Craig Burden? Comment 157, posted at 03.02.20 14:25:35 by coolfusion

@coolfusion (Comment 157) : I have always been a huge Burden fan, but he has been nothing but a liability since his return.. I still hold out hope he will settle down and produce a few good games, but he probably isn’t the best analogy for you to use. Right now, I am pleased with James Venter at 6, he was very good on Friday, and he is young. So as a new back row signing I am happier with him than Kriel. Sharks signed a lot of loosies over the off-season so a little harsh for you to say they missed the bus with regard to signings. Comment 158, posted at 03.02.20 15:15:25 by Dancing Bear

@coolfusion (Comment 156) : I know Marcel Coetzee has been injury prone and if his record of games played over the last 3 seasons amounts to playing a few minutes over 5 games a season then Im sure the same would hold true. Ai but to have the Marcel back that left us, what a pleasure. Comment 159, posted at 03.02.20 16:02:52 by Salmonoid the Subtle

On an unrelated tangent, am I the only one wondering why Cameron Wright is not included in the touring squad? Or have I missed something? Comment 160, posted at 04.02.20 07:17:03 by Culling Song

@Culling Song (Comment 160) : Very risky not taking 3 9’s on tour in case one crocks out on the eve of a game. All I can imagine is that maybe they’d expect Chamberlain or Tambwe to fill in in that situation. I only mention those two because I haven’t seen much of them and I’ve I’ve seen enough of the rest of the guys to know nobody else would look comfortable playing 9 Comment 161, posted at 04.02.20 11:03:03 by Karl

@Karl (Comment 161) : I don’t think any of the backline players has any experience playing 9 apart from the 2 on tour. So yeh is a risk, unless there are guys that they have taken that aren’t part of the official tour team list but have gone over as emergency cover Comment 162, posted at 04.02.20 11:09:31 by SheldonK

@Dancing Bear (Comment 158) : Are those good folk in Iowa still busy counting ballots, maybe they could do with a helping hand from our Eskom maintenance crews. Comment 163, posted at 04.02.20 11:58:33 by Salmonoid the Subtle

@Karl (Comment 161) : @SheldonK (Comment 162) : Pat Lambie 😈 😈 😈 Comment 164, posted at 04.02.20 12:41:39 by JD

@JD (Comment 164) : Nou praat jy! Comment 165, posted at 04.02.20 13:02:05 by Karl

@JD (Comment 164) : @Karl (Comment 165) : Im sure his gat must be jukking to have a go every time he comes near a rugby field. Comment 166, posted at 04.02.20 13:17:08 by Salmonoid the Subtle

@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 163) : t’s the democrats, results were not what they wanted so they have to figure out how to rig it again like in 2016. Comment 167, posted at 04.02.20 15:51:52 by Dancing Bear

Ive heard its raining flipped hryvnias (Ukranian) coins and they are all coming down heads (Bidens). I can imagine the stand up comedy that is going to come out of this debacle. Comment 168, posted at 04.02.20 16:16:57 by Salmonoid the Subtle

@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 168) : Republicans have seized on it….I hear this a lot…..”They can’t even run a caucus in a small state, but they want to run the entire country???” And then you had Schiff on the House floor yesterday saying Trump was going to give Alaska to the Russians for help in the 2020 elections. No evidence just wild-eyed lies….pretty funny stuff if you think about it. Meanwhile Trump won his caucus in Iowa with 97.1% of the vote. 😀 This is a popcorn eating kind of day…. Comment 169, posted at 04.02.20 16:22:50 by Dancing Bear

@Dancing Bear (Comment 169) :”Give Alaska to the Russians”……..maybe just Schiffs last ditch effort to get Murkowski to vote with the Dems. Comment 170, posted at 04.02.20 16:35:14 by Salmonoid the Subtle

@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 170) : LOL nice, but nope, she already voted against him, and looks like three dem senators will vote for acquittal. Probably not really smart for a prosecutor to claim they have proved their case beyond any doubt while arguing for more witnesses in the same breath. Comment 171, posted at 04.02.20 16:46:39 by Dancing Bear

@Dancing Bear (Comment 171) : let me guess, the 3 voting for acquittal are in swing states? Comment 172, posted at 04.02.20 16:51:18 by Salmonoid the Subtle

@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 172) : Manchin from West Virginia which went 68% for Trump in 2016, and the other two in Republican leaning states (Arizona is one). Ironically the democrat that replaced McCain will likely vote for acquittal, which is ironic since I’m pretty sure McCain would not have voted for acquittal. Crazy stuff…but so entertaining. Comment 173, posted at 04.02.20 16:59:18 by Dancing Bear

@Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 154) : – Bosch and Chamberlain vs Morne Steyn…I pick the youngsters every day of the week. – Jannie…maybe, but as back up and mentor to Tom…don’t know whether he would take that. – Jaco Kriel…hmmm…always liked him…but would have been a signing with a bit of risk…I liked what I saw of James Venter… So I’m not really upset about us not signing those guys… Comment 174, posted at 04.02.20 21:34:07 by pastorshark

@Karl (Comment 152) : The slides were running and the Small zone looked really good… Comment 175, posted at 04.02.20 21:35:31 by pastorshark

@coolfusion (Comment 156) : not necessarily…but he wasn’t available to be signed…and those who were available to be signed…well, I’m not really upset that we didn’t sign any of them. I think we recruited well…I mean Ox to replace Beast…top signing…Notshe, Roets, 2 Venters – pretty good recruiting…plus top junior recruitment… I’m pretty happy with all that… Comment 176, posted at 04.02.20 21:40:30 by pastorshark

@Dancing Bear (Comment 158) : exactly… Comment 177, posted at 04.02.20 21:42:33 by pastorshark

@pastorshark (Comment 176) : One signing I was hoping the Sharks would pull off was Folau… Comment 178, posted at 05.02.20 05:03:05 by Karl

@Karl (Comment 178) : Was hoping the same Comment 179, posted at 05.02.20 06:20:00 by jdolivier

@Karl (Comment 178) : @jdolivier (Comment 179) : waaaaaaaayyyyyy to expensive!!! I think he would have cost almost all of the Sharks recruitment budget to sign. Comment 180, posted at 05.02.20 08:57:33 by JD

@Dancing Bear (Comment 173) : Politicians, only in it for their bleeding hearts and to serve the people.of course. Comment 181, posted at 05.02.20 09:13:43 by Salmonoid the Subtle

@pastorshark (Comment 174) : Dont get me wrong, Im not advocating that we should have got those guys, far from it, Ive actually had enough of these “mentorships”. Comment 182, posted at 05.02.20 09:16:25 by Salmonoid the Subtle

@pastorshark (Comment 174) : @Salmonoid the Subtle (Comment 182) : only player I’m sad about is Wors. Wiehahn was according to me always underrated and valued at the Sharks (but for that reason I do not think he would have signed again). With him there to “push” Thomas for a starting spot could have pushed both to even better performances! Comment 183, posted at 05.02.20 14:07:14 by JD

@JD (Comment 183) : when Herbst left us I believed he was beginning to push Jannie du Plessis for a starting spot. It was sad to see him go but haven’t followed him much since his departure and wonder how he has grown, couldn’t tell much from the clash with the Bulls. Comment 184, posted at 06.02.20 07:15:07 by Hulk

@Hulk (Comment 184) : The fact that he’s still a fairly unknown entity probably says a lot about where his career has gone Comment 185, posted at 06.02.20 12:08:29 by Karl

@Hulk (Comment 184) : @Karl (Comment 185) : when he left I believe he was a better prop than Jannie but was “forced” to shift between 1 and 3 due to Jannie and Lourens being Springbok props. As for him being “fairly unknown” I don’t think you will play 80 games for Ulster if you’re not doing your part and a couple of injuries whilst playing in Ireland did not help him obtain “fame” Comment 186, posted at 06.02.20 22:03:18 by JD

@JD (Comment 186) : I’m just saying, obviously if he was making huge waves in Ireland, we would have heard about it. The fact that he’s not commanding a starting spot would mean to me that he’s consistent rather than outstanding. Comment 187, posted at 07.02.20 07:42:05 by Karl

Should have been a penalty for Sharks for Landers player coming around the side in the ruck before Comment 188, posted at 07.02.20 08:11:24 by Bokhoring

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