Sharks will take some stopping
14 Sep 2009
Notwithstanding their penchant for wobbling in play-off matches, the Sharks have to considered the favourites to defend their Currie Cup crown, even without the departed Frans Steyn.
With four rounds to go, that prediction may seem premature, but the assertion is supported by a number of factors, the most decisive of those is the return of eight of their Springboks and that three of their next four matches is at King’s Park (Cheetahs, Leopards, Lions) before a trip to Kimberley to face Griquas.
Of those returning national team players, tighthead prop Jannie du Plessis, centre Adi Jacobs, lock Johann Muller, loose forward Ryan Kankowski, flyhalf Ruan Pienaar and wing Odwa Ndungane have played a limited role on the Springboks’ Australasian tour and could be thrust into the starting line-up for their clash with the Cheetahs at King’s Park on Saturday.
In addition, they will also have Springbok skipper John Smit, Beast Mtawarira and Bismarck du Plessis available, although, given that the trio have played 80 minutes in the vast majority of the Springboks’ season and in light of the fact that the Sharks have adequate cover at tighthead, loosehead and hooker, they could be given the weekend off or eased back into action off the wood.
Springbok wing JP Pietersen is at least two weeks away from full fitness after tearing his hamstring three weeks ago, but Ndungane’s return, combined with the fact that Chris Jordaan and Lwasi Mvovo, who’ve deputised on the wing, have been in good form, softens the blow of losing Pietersen. Despite his preference for playing in midfield, Springbok Waylon Murray is another wing option for the Sharks.
However, the Sharks will be without Steyn, who arrives at the Paris-based Racing Metro for their Top 14 campaign this week. While the coaching staff would no doubt have wanted to have the conundrum, Steyn’s absence makes their backline selection a little less complicated.
Pienaar’s return creates a dilemma for the coach John Plumtree, who’ll have to consider whether he will slot back into the run-on side at flyhalf ahead of Juan Martin Hernandez. The Argentinian import was excellent at pivot against the Bulls at Loftus on Saturday, scoring 24 of his side’s 29 points, including a superb try.
It is unlikely that Pienaar will be utilised at his preferred position of scrumhalf, Rory Kockott having established himself there, and he won’t unseat veteran Stefan Terblanche at fullback, where he played for the Springboks in Perth and Brisbane. The more likely scenario is that Hernandez will be shifted to inside centre, where he has played at club and Test level in the past.
Jacobs should partner him in midfield, completing what in theory should be a formidable 9 to 13 foursome. The return of Pietersen in a fortnight will further bolster that back division.
Some may point to the fact that the Bulls will gain 11 Springboks, as justification for a belief that they will be team to beat. However, the fact that they are seven points off a the home play-off place, and will need those ahead of them, including the Sharks and Western Province, to capitulate badly (Griquas sadly will) to stand a chance of hosting a semi-final. Neither the Sharks or Province, who face the Leopards (away), Griquas (home), Boland (home), and the Lions (away) in their remaining matches, will.
The most likely outcome for the Bulls therefore is that they will play an away semi-final, probably against their bitter rivals in the Cape, while the Sharks will host one of the Lions or Cheetahs.
Taking all this into account, the Sharks are in a strong position to defend their title. They broke their streak of losing in play-off matches and final with their 2008 triumph and in doing so shattered a mental barrier. Their supporters will be hoping they’ve fully exorcised the ghosts that have haunted them in major matches, because they are superbly placed to retain the Currie Cup crown.
The chasing pack’s remaining fixtures
Bulls - Boland (a), Cheetahs (h), Griquas (h), Leopards (a)
Lions - Griquas (a), Boland (h), Sharks (a), WP (h)
Cheetahs - Sharks (a), Bulls (a), Leopards (h), Boland (a)
Griquas - Lions (h), WP (a), Bulls (a), Sharks (h)
By Ryan Vrede
95 Comments
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
14 Sep 2009, 12:28 pm
#50 grant10: hiyas grant and thanks
i must say our youngsters have stood up to be counted
mvovo is a proving me right more and more with each game
this youngster will soon be a fixture in the sharks team even with boks there
odwa will have to pull up his socks
i know xhosa and my good friend mshini might not agree, but hey MVOVO is going places
14 Sep 2009, 12:30 pm
#50 grant10: how good was hernandez??
14 Sep 2009, 12:32 pm
#51 sharks_lover: Well i agree….that young man getting better and better…really explosive. Fine win, never easy at Loftus….another tough 1 this week against a fired up Cheetahs team….i see Naka says they will play Juan and Brussow as well!!
My wee pee dropped me a bit, great 1 st half then crept into there shells….
CC Still gonna be a fascinating ride….
14 Sep 2009, 12:35 pm
#52 sharks_lover: Class act….he will be a star in the latter stages of the CC and a revelation in the super 14 next year…..such a pity F Steyn no longer there….i have never seen a better long range kicker than him….i agree with Puma…if he stayed and specialised at 15 he would be the best ever 15!
So strong, fearless and aggressive in the tackle….man i am gonna miss that boy!
14 Sep 2009, 12:37 pm
#54 grant10: Did you see how many it took to bring Frans down? That youngster is so damn strong. What a loss to South African rugby. Saru should have pulled out all the stops to keep him here.
14 Sep 2009, 12:37 pm
#52 sharks_lover: Superb.
14 Sep 2009, 12:39 pm
#40 sharks_lover: Hi there Sharks Lover, having a bit of a Blue Monday! Was really impressed with our guys this weekend. Really thought the Bulls were too desperate to let that game get past them! But I prayed and God listens
Wasn’t Hernandez amazing?
14 Sep 2009, 12:40 pm
#32 Robzim: Keep wishing Rob, its not going to happen. Sharks are going to win this Sat and WP will stay at 2nd to face Bulls in the semi
14 Sep 2009, 12:40 pm
#53 grant10: lots of play still before semi’s
Naka forgets Juan is injured , so chances are he wont play
i told you long ago how good deysel is
he will help counter brussow
i know sharks will play some boks and rest others ,should be a good game
i think you guys loose a few players now too in jdv,chris jack and i think schalk got injured on saturday
14 Sep 2009, 12:41 pm
#7 Tacitus: Yip, said it from the start. The best rugby to watch so hoping it ends like that. Also nothing better than having it at the tank and playing the Bulls there. Its like a test.
14 Sep 2009, 12:44 pm
#55 Puma: F Steyn is a MASSIVE loss to Sharks and Boks….as is JDV…hope we manage to get all the good ones back into our systems prior to Super 14 2011 so we can select best 30 for WC 2011…
F Steyn hurt those kiwis in all facets of his play….that 60 m effort the best i have ever seen….i still cannot believe it…that at sea level in damp conditions…..HUGE!!
14 Sep 2009, 12:45 pm
#57 Sharksgirl: lol , **** hun cant explain how nice the after match party was , i got a flag with all the sharks players signatures on and that includes all those from last year
like freddy hernandez steyn smitty you name it lol, me very chuffed
hernandez was brilliant
14 Sep 2009, 12:45 pm
#48 sharks_lover: Yes money talks. He would still have gotten that after the world cup. Needed to get a sponsor to keep Frans here. Too late now he has signed with Metro. Pity.
14 Sep 2009, 12:47 pm
#59 sharks_lover: WP dont really benefit by boks coming back…Schalk looked sore when leaving the field, Januarie not really playing much.Jack a massive , maybe even mortal blow to WPchances.
A lot depends on WP getting the home semi….if so it will be a close contest vs Bulls…..
Sharks test will be this sat…if they win they should top the log….WP still need to play Lions at Ellis Park…tough game that for WP…
14 Sep 2009, 12:48 pm
#61 grant10: That was a monster kick. Maybe PdV may still select him who knows. Only he will be playing for a 2nd div team and you cant keep it up at this level when you play for a team like that.
Huge lose for SA rugby.
#62 sharks_lover: Sounded like a great party there S_L.
Hernandez was awesome.
14 Sep 2009, 12:49 pm
Okay all need to go out.
Cheers catch up some other time.
Once again well done to our Boks and Coaches. Also well done to Sharks. Still top the log so far.
14 Sep 2009, 12:58 pm
#58 Puma:
Hi Puma,
Yeah, I was only joking with Sharksgirl.
I do not really think the Cheetahs are going to bother the sharks too much on Saturday.
They beat WP with a penalty try in the last minute after been previously awarded 18 penalties against only 1 and a yellow card.
I nearly had a heart attack – still find it hard to see how a team who were so disciplened throughout the season can all of a sudden concedes all those penalties while the other team only transgressed once.
Well, I guess we must just take on the chin but it’s kind of difficult not to be the m0#r in.
14 Sep 2009, 13:49 pm
Sharks, WP, Bulls, Cheetahs
14 Sep 2009, 13:55 pm
I see a WP….Bulls semi at New;ands….and A Sharks….Cheetahs semi at Durban.
Man i am not sure if we can knock over a full strength bulls team….being at Newlands will help.
Will need a fit A Bekker, T Liebenberg and A Van Zyl….that will be crucial.
14 Sep 2009, 14:00 pm
#69 grant10: Will be a good final then….WP VERSUS CHEETAHS AT NEWLANDS!!
14 Sep 2009, 14:47 pm
If the Sharks can retain the Currie Cup eish what a year this will be!
14 Sep 2009, 17:09 pm
Geez guys – lets be real about this – a full strength Bulls side will NOT lose to anyone, anywhere.
All the Bulls need to do is to make a semi. From there they WILL win everything. With the current form of their 8/9/10 axis – and a glut of ball from Matfield and Botha – they are unstopable.
The last piece of the puzzle that the Bulls have always missed IMHO – is a true fetcher. Stegman is it i dare say.
14 Sep 2009, 17:10 pm
#70 grant10: In both our dreams…. See my post above.
The last time we had that final we were robbed by that ******* Andre Watson
Jan Harm was as they say in Australia oooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvaaaaaaaaaaaa
14 Sep 2009, 17:24 pm
Kockott should move to the Kings, we will pay postage, McLeod offers much better service, plus he is way better looking and even allowed Dumond to shine!
14 Sep 2009, 17:44 pm
#74 Seven: I still rate Kockott. Lets not keep on at him otherwise we lose another great player that is still very young. He just needs to cool his temper and will be fine. McLeod service is better but still think Rory is a great player.
Remember how lots of the Shark supporters treated Frans Steyn? Now we lost him. HUGE lose to lose such a brilliant player.
14 Sep 2009, 17:45 pm
#75 Puma: meant huge loss.
14 Sep 2009, 17:47 pm
#73 Cheetha Champs: Wayne Barnes would agree with you!
14 Sep 2009, 17:49 pm
#70 grant10: In your dreams…hehehe. WP/Cheetahs final? Cant see it.
Going to be a Sharks/Bulls final. Remember both teams getting their Boks back this week
14 Sep 2009, 17:50 pm
Final going to be at the TANK
14 Sep 2009, 17:50 pm
#72 Cheetha Champs: a full strength Bulls side isn’t any better than a full strength Sharks. The Sharks were just compromised by injury in the S14 but still gave them a hell of a game.
14 Sep 2009, 17:51 pm
WP to play Bulls in the semi. Bulls to go through.
Sharks probably to play Cheetahs in the semi. Sharks to go through.
Final at the Tank. Sharks against their greatest rivals Bulls.
14 Sep 2009, 17:57 pm
#81 Puma:
Hi Puma,
I guess you will support WP when/if they play the Bulls in the semi at Newlands?
14 Sep 2009, 18:01 pm
#82 Robzim: Hi Rob,
Actually I will be supporting the Bulls. They have to win the rest of their games now to make it to the semi.
I really enjoy a Sharks/Bulls final. Nothing in the country can beat it. Almost as good as watching the Boks/Abs playing, especially if its at the tank.
14 Sep 2009, 18:05 pm
#83 Puma:
Don’t you think it will be easier for the Sharks to rather play Province in the finals than to play the Bulls?
14 Sep 2009, 18:09 pm
#84 Robzim: Yes it will be, but I like a tough game against the Bulls. Even if we lose I really enjoy watching Sharks/Bulls play. Nothing can beat it. So hoping thats how it will be for the final. Feels like a international when we play each other.
Also our supporters all get on well. Great, great vibe here in Durbs when Bulls supporters are in town.
14 Sep 2009, 18:15 pm
#85 Puma:
I doubt whether there are many other Shark fans who will rather lose and that only for the privelage to see the Bulls in action.
Anyway, Puma, I must hit the traffic – it’s getting late.
Maybe I catch u later tonight.
Take care.
14 Sep 2009, 18:18 pm
#86 Robzim: Yip, I don’t know of many either but to see those two teams play would be awesome. Remember Sharks won last year. We could do it again.
Cheers Rob.
14 Sep 2009, 18:44 pm
#87 Puma: Not easily, Sharks wheels will stay off!
Good evening.
14 Sep 2009, 18:53 pm
#88 Boerboel: Evening to you Boerboel,
Ja, look Sharks could lose I know it. Just want to see a Sharks/Bulls final. Nothing better to watch in rugby except a Bok/Abs game.
So hoping Bulls can make it to the final. With their Boks back think they will. Now I am off to RT Boerboel.
14 Sep 2009, 19:04 pm
#89 Puma: enjoy and say hi to the guys
And I think the Boks will have a bigger on the Bulls course than the Sharks. But, the Sharks will gain a lot in the front row where the Bulls have a problem, say a Sharks/Bulls game will be tight.
I prefer a Bulls/WP game, much more entertaining.
Big complement for the Bulls that everyone wants to be measured against them.
14 Sep 2009, 19:09 pm
#90 Boerboel: I will say hi go all from you BB.
Ja, I remember the days when WP was the team to beat. One of the greatest way back then and it was WP/N.TVL then.
Not sure why WP has fallen away so much. Maybe with the signing of some good rugby players for next year they will be back.
Just in the last few years its been Sharks and Bulls that are now the biggest rivals in SA. Great, great games we have played against each other. Always very close. Nothing better to watch at the moment in domestic rugby. As long as we are full strength and no injuries. We will miss Frans Steyn though.
Cheers BB now off to RT.
14 Sep 2009, 19:09 pm
#91 Puma: top line go meant to
14 Sep 2009, 21:36 pm
#91 Puma: Ha Ha, only one Natal vs Bulls final in the last 5 years, so you okes must have been watching Rugby Legends or something
!!
Since 2004 it’s been all Bulls and Cheetah finals mostly, and no reason why the Cheetah’s can’t make the finals again! They are certainly more settled, and balanced than last year.
I love it when the supporters talk of epic battles between the Bulls and WP, and the Bulls and Sharks, because it just highlights how far the Cheetah’s have developed in the professional era, despite having considerable less resources, the Bloem boys just keep performing, and I know it burns the asses, of some of the traditionalists !!
go Cheetah’s with Os and Naka, coaching a new generation of fearsome props !!!
14 Sep 2009, 21:40 pm
As for a WP vs N.Tvl final, you have to go back more than a decade!!! Jip, you guys have been watching legends footage or ESPN’s classic clashes lol
15 Sep 2009, 07:11 am
go sharks but i doubt WP will make it to the final they will be knocked over
Pages: « 1 [2] Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.