While pretty much everyone who frequents Sharksworld (as well as most casual visitors) are aware of the fact that I’m a pretty much a man of un-freaking-believably many talents, it is true that not too many know of my divination abilities. That’s right, I can see the future. […]
Posts written by: André Meyer (Culling Song)
Last Exit to Bronkhorstspruit Vol. 7: The Future Ain’t What It Used To be
3 Mar 17 12:56 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 7 Comments
Last Exit to Bronkhorstspruit Vol. 6: “Don’t Worry, Be Happy (a.k.a. ode to the whinelands)” – with apologies to Bobby McFerrin
14 Mar 16 11:24 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 20 Comments
Normally I don’t like to indulge in schadenfreude (much), but the amount of negative press surrounding the Sharks’ win over the weekend has forced my hand. Sure, the penalty try was contentious, but it’s not like it’s the first time that has ever happened. You win some, you lose some. The fact remains, in my eyes (which are admittedly not entirely free from bias), the Sharks were in the ascendancy for most of the game, winning the set pieces, bossing the collisions, and playing the moments that mattered better. So here’s a little light-hearted response to the naysayers out there. […]
Last Exit to Bronkhorstspruit Vol. 5: So Who’s the (Im)perfect 10?
5 Nov 15 13:23 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 148 Comments
The World Cup is now but a memory, and (rather predictably, some might say), the Bokke have failed to scale the lofty heights that is generally expected of them. As is the norm, in the aftermath of the tournament there has been a deluge of articles (celebrating the magnificence of the All Blacks, bemoaning the decline of the Bokke, applauding the development of the Tier 2 nations, assessing the state of the game, and of course, revelling in England’s embarrassingly early exit), but these have been steadily tapering off, and now we, the fans are faced with the rugby doldrums; that dreary time between November and February when there are no games on the calendar, nothing to discuss, and we, the fans, are expected to get our fix from roundball, cricket and golf (ugh). […]
Last Exit to Bronkhorstspruit Vol. 3: A Dram Fine Bunch of Fellows
14 May 13 09:48 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 30 Comments
I had originally planned to talk about the new (and final instalment in the New History Warfare trilogy) Colin Stetson album, but when I think about what to say I feel kind of like the apes in the opening scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey – Confounded. Intimidated. Confronted by something beyond my frame of reference, but that I feel compelled to get close to. And completely at a loss for words. […]
Last Exit to Bronkhorstspruit Vol 2: I’m a Lebowski, Are You a Lebowski?
3 May 13 10:36 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 15 Comments
In the hierarchy of the arts, film is at the bottom of the food chain. If you don’t believe me, consider the muses of Greek mythology. The daughters of the gods, they were the source of inspiration for all arts. Of the nine muses, Calliope and Clio were concerned with the written word, Erato, Euterpe and Polyhymnia with music, Melpomene, Terpsichore and Thalia the performing arts, and Urania with astronomy (which was considered an art at the time; them Greeks sure are crazy!). […]
Last Exit to Bronkhorstspruit
25 Apr 13 14:47 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 130 Comments
Given that the standard of play dished up of late by the Sharks has been as enthralling as watching snails mate, it is rather understandable that both attendance figures at Kings Park, and television viewer numbers have rapidly dwindled. […]
My 2012 Sharks wish-list revisited
8 Aug 12 11:19 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 25 Comments
At the start of the year I published an article expressing a sense of optimism over the 2012 edition of SupeRugby. However, as that had not been the first time where I entered a season with a rose-tinted outlook, only to emerge at the tail end in the throes of depression and frustration, I opted to focus on some outcomes (other than a trophy) that I was hoping for in 2012. […]
So what’s up with Dale’s socks?
18 Apr 12 10:25 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 140 Comments
Regular readers will have noted how a few off-hand comments made on this site yesterday about Dale Chadwick’s perennially-around-the-ankle socks escalated into the kind of verbal trench warfare rarely seen outside of American politics. […]
Searching for coaches amongst the pumpkins
30 Mar 12 09:30 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 14 Comments
Given the recent news that Nick Mallet is a free agent again, the general consensus regarding the inadequacy/non-existence of the current specialist/assistant coaching setup at the Sharks, and the continuous debate over the qualities of our current head coach, I decided to give some thought as to what my ideal coaching structure should look like. […]
My 2012 Sharks Wish-List
30 Jan 12 13:58 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 23 Comments
With the 2012 installment of Super Rugby rapidly approaching, I’ve been feeling myself filled with a sense of optimism over this year’s Sharks squad; settled and stable (some important contract extensions have been put to bed), talented, with depth across the park and a decent blend of youth and experience… on the face of it, it seems like a group who could possibly go all the way. […]
There’s lies, damn lies, and then there’s stats…
14 Nov 11 14:40 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 59 Comments
So 2011 has come and gone (at least from a rugby perspective), and once again we, the Sharks fans, are faced with the familiar prospect of a year that, despite the cards being stacked in our favour (favourable Super 15 draw; talented, settled, and largely happy squad; player depth in all positions) failed to live up to our lofty, and not entirely unreasonable expectations. As can be expected in such a situation, there has been a lot of commentary, critique, speculation and wishes for what could have-, or should have been from all quarters. One particular aspect that has been very much a topic of debate has been the perceived failings of the Sharks’ recruitment- and succession planning/youth development program. […]
Things Fall Apart; The Centre Cannot Hold…
23 Aug 11 07:00 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 15 Comments
Vat of hallucinogens, to be used as inter-dimensional portal, one of? – Check
Electric home appliance, to be used as energy source, one of? – Check
Electric appliance energised? – Check
Intrepid multi-dimensional cosmonaut/reporter, one of? – Check
Adult diapers, for use in the event of cosmonaut/reporter being less than intrepid and ..er… having an “accident”, one bag of? – Check […]
Defending the Age-Man
14 Jul 11 07:16 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 35 Comments
During the recent Super 15 there was a veritable chorus of voices clamouring for Oupa Stefan Terblanche’s omission from the Sharks’ starting lineup, or at the very least, for him to be moved from outside centre to fullback. Moreover, with the appointment of Keegan Daniel as Currie Cup captain, which effectively negates the need for Stefan to start every game, there is every reason to believe that the chorus will only intensify in pitch. […]
The Utopian Ideal
8 Jul 11 08:50 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 36 Comments
With the Currie Cup looming, and the bitter taste from the Super 15 still lingering like the memory of a surprise SARS audit, I decided to, in the spirit of scientific enquiry, revisit the parallel world (henceforth referred to as Utopia) I encountered a few weeks ago* to see what the alternative Sharks were up to. I must say, even though I knew it had worked before, I don’t mind telling you that it was with some trepidation that I stood once again on the brink of the vat of liquid lysergic acid diethylamide, plugged-in toaster clutched tightly to my chest, preparing to jump… But, as you can see from the fact that you’re reading this article, I escaped the ordeal more or les unscathed bar for some distortion and a certain brightness of colour affecting my peripheral vision. The necessary price to pay in the pursuit of knowledge, I guess. […]
SW Awards – Bloggers (Part 2)
29 Jun 11 08:51 by André Meyer (Culling Song) | 56 Comments
More eagerly awaited than any of the Twilight sequels! More critically acclaimed that a Darren Aronofsky film!! More full of bull than a Verimark advert!!!! Here’s… […]