Super Rugby

Sharks on the hunt for Super Rugby coach

21 Jul 19 13:06 by Rob Otto (robdylan) | 72 Comments

With the Sharks confirming earlier this week that head coach Robert du Preez has decided to part ways with the union, finding a new head coach for Super Rugby in 2020 must surely be new CEO Eduard Coetzee’s most pressing priority. […]

Quarter final time

20 Jun 19 13:03 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 221 Comments

Rob Jr starts at 10, but this time Rob Sr has no choice as Fassi is out with a shoulder injury. Bosch comes back in the team at fullback.

Burden went along on the flight to Australia, but Cullen Collopy will have to make the step up from club & SRC level to a Super Rugby QF should Kerron van Vuuren need replacement.

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Random thoughts on Super Rugby

11 Jun 19 18:55 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 20 Comments

The home quarter final spots are by now pretty much cast in stone – Crusaders, Jaguares, Brumbies, Hurricanes. There is still a small chance for the Brumbies to overtake the Jaguares, but I don’t see the Sunwolves winning in Argentina.

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Team for the Jaguares

6 Jun 19 12:19 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 135 Comments

Rob Jr starts at 10, Bosch moves back to 15 and Fassi back to the bench.

JLDP back home with a MCL niggle – so Paul takes his place and Stringer back on the bench. Hopefully Burden can stay fit until the match this time – otherwise the Sharks will have no reserve hooker. Andrews swaps places with Van Heerden in the starting team. Ward takes over as back line replacement from Van Wyk.

The Sharks ideally need to win this, or at least gain a losing bonus point.

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Touring squad for Argentina

4 Jun 19 14:40 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 8 Comments

Akker, Beast and now Wright out injured. Burden (hopefully we can see him in the game), Makhabela and Ward added to the squad

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Jostle for the quarters

4 Jun 19 07:35 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 3 Comments

This year the dog fight for quarter final places seem more intense than usual. The SA conference is especially crowded with (apart from the Jaguares who will definitely qualify for a QF spot) there is 5 points separating the top and bottom South African teams.

I tried my hand at forecasting using the very scientific Monte Carlo simulation method based on my very unscientific probability guestimates for the outcomes of the coming games:

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3 changes in the squad for Canes

30 May 19 10:43 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 122 Comments

Philip vd Walt is out injured and replaced by Jacques Vermeulen. Tyler Paul moves back into the squad. Craig Burden is bracketed with Cullen Collopy as the reserve hooker – hopefully he can make it to the game this time. Thomas du Toit swap places with Jonny Meyer on the bench.

I would assume the tactics against the Canes will be the same as last week – defend like demons, kick for position / contestable’s, maul (we could have used more against the Lions), use turnover ball, take the penalty’s and any intercepts the Canes may throw our way.

A critical last home game to win before two tough away games.

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Sharks team for Lions

23 May 19 10:54 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 130 Comments

Rob Sr has made a few changes to the team against the Chiefs. Mzamo Majola (who impressed against the Chiefs) starts in place of the injured Thomas du Toit with Juan Schoeman taking his place on the bench. Dan moves back to 8 and PvdW shifts back to 6. Andre Esterhuizen takes back his 12 jersey. Dylan Richardson will probably get his first Super Rugby cap of the bench.

Lions like to play the game at pace and with width. I would not have mind a Stringer coming on as a reserve to add some pace to our loose trio, but Vermeulen does get through a mountain of work.

The Sharks are sitting in 7th spot on overall log (and 4th on the SA conference log). We cannot afford to drop too many (if any) of the remaining 4 games – so this is a must win game. I don’t think this game will be a repeat of the Ellis Park game – so we best not underestimate these Lions.

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Team for the Chiefs

9 May 19 10:11 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 336 Comments

Rob Sr bringing in a couple of fresh players into the squad makes a lot of sense – that defensive display against the Crusaders would have emptied a lot of tanks. Dan, Van Heerden and Esterhuyzen deservedly all get a rest. Van der Walt gets a chance at 8 with Vermeulen at 6. Kerron is fortunately available to start, but Akker has been dropped (can’t be rested – so I assume an injury?) from the squad with Mbatha taking his place. Louw will run at 12.

I would have liked Wright to get another chance to start and would not mind seeing a starting trio of Stringer, JLDP and PVDW. I am also not a fan of the Andrews / Botha lock combo – both too similar, but all in all still a strong Sharks squad.

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Remains of the season

6 May 19 09:23 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 71 Comments

The first objective for Super Rugby teams is to finish top of their conference in order to get a home quarter final (unless you end up playing the quarter final in your own country). The next objective would be to finish at the top of the log (or at least at position #2) to increase your chances of a home semi and final. So lets have a look at the SA conference to see where we at so far:

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Sharks vs Crusaders

3 May 19 08:29 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 227 Comments

The Crusaders did not select Ryan Crotty, Sam Whitelock, Richie Mo’unga and David Havili, but this is still a formidable team. Can the Sharks of 2019 emulate the Sharks 2014 to beat the Crusaders at home?

My wish is for the Sharks to just go out and play as a team to the best of their abilities. Attack when its on, and be awake to switch to defensive mode immediately when needed.

Do yourselves proud

Beast out with knee injury

30 Apr 19 16:11 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 70 Comments

Thomas du Toit starts at loosehead in place of Beast who reportedly flew home with a knee injury. Schreuder starts at 9 and captains the side, with Ruan Botha swapping places with Hyron Andrews (who has clocked up the second highest playing time after Dan du Preez). Mzamo Majola and John-Hubert Meyer come into the squad to deputize at loosehead and tighthead respectively.

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Changes at halfback for Waratahs

25 Apr 19 12:53 by Henk Terblanche (Bokhoring) | 193 Comments

Cameron Wright gets a rare start for the Sharks. Hopefully he can convince Rob Sr to afford him a few more over the remainder of the season. Bosch moves to 10 with Fassi taking the 15 jersey. Ruan Botha and Akker will be back in action from the bench. Beast captains the team with Schreuder on the bench.

Am and Mapimpi should add a bit of guile and finishing to the backline. A loose trio of Van der Walt and the Dup twins get their first start, although I do think the Sharks will miss the speed that Stringer adds to combination.

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Sharks team vs Reds

17 Apr 19 20:48 by Udo Lütge (pastorshark) | 327 Comments

The Sharks have made five changes to the side that embarrassed themselves – and their supporters!! – by copping a whallop from the Jaguares last weekend.

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