Official match thread: Sharks v. Lions

[handyman]

Smoking is a kak habit, no matter what you smoke.

[Sards]

Smoking is a kak habit, no matter what you smoke.

Drinking is an udder addiction....

[‘tsek]

Lions team updated in OP.

[handyman]

Lions team updated in OP.

Not a bad team, not bad at all

[handyman]

Lions team updated in OP.

Not a bad team, not bad at all

As a neutral, I have decided to throw my support with the away team. Let's go Lions!

[assfly]

Lions team updated in OP.

Numbers, please. That paragraph is an absolute mess.

[‘tsek]

Lions team updated in OP.

Numbers, please. That paragraph is an absolute mess.

You'll manage. EW is at fullback. That's 15. Start there.

[assfly]

You'll manage. EW is at fullback. That's 15. Start there.

[‘tsek]

Lions team updated in OP.

Numbers, please. That paragraph is an absolute mess.

You'll manage. EW is at fullback. That's 15. Start there.

On second thought, you did say please. Updated.

[assfly]

[assfly]

What has happened to the Lions? Most of their backline players are purchases.

15 - WP
14 - Bulls
13 - Bulls
12 - WP
11 - Cheetahs

[‘tsek]

What has happened to the Lions? Most of their backline players are purchases.

15 - WP
14 - Bulls
13 - Bulls
12 - WP
11 - Cheetahs

As a public service, we take the discarded, the unwanted and the unheralded and make them household names. Happened before, will happen again.

2 of the backline were schooled in the province, it is a sign of the times that this is actually not that common.

[Chilli]

Lions: 15. EW Viljoen; 14. Jamba Ulengo, 13. Burger Odendaal, 12. Dan Kriel, 11. Rabz Maxwane; 10. Elton Jantjies (Capt), 9. Dillon Smit; 8. Len Massyn, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Jaco Kriel, 5. Marvin Orie, 4. Willem Alberts, 3. Carlu Sadie, 2. Jaco Visagie, 1. Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16. Jan-Henning Campher, 17. Dylan Smith, 18. Wiehahn Herbst, 19. Wilhelm van der Sluys, 20. MJ Pelser, 21. Hacjivah Dayimani, 22. Morné van den Berg, 23. Gianni Lombard, 24. Wandisile Simelane, 25. Ruan Dreyer.

[‘tsek]

What has happened to the Lions? Most of their backline players are purchases.

15 - WP
14 - Bulls
13 - Bulls
12 - WP
11 - Cheetahs

Your comment got me thinking. 11 of the 25 listed for the Lions for Friday were schooled in the province. Whether this is a high percentage or not I don't know. Will do a comparison once the Sharks name their team.

[Chilli]

What has happened to the Lions? Most of their backline players are purchases.

15 - WP
14 - Bulls
13 - Bulls
12 - WP
11 - Cheetahs

Your comment got me thinking. 11 of the 25 listed for the Lions for Friday were schooled in the province. Whether this is a high percentage or not I don't know. Will do a comparison once the Sharks name their team.

Sharks for Saurday:

15. A Joubert
14. G Du Toit
13. F Steyn
12 P Muller
11 SP Marais
10 H Honnibal
9 H Martens

8 P Van Der Walt
7 H V enter
6 Epi Tione
5 Olivier Roumat
4 AJ Venter
3 J Du Plessis
2 B Du Plessis
1 O Le Roux

[‘tsek]

What has happened to the Lions? Most of their backline players are purchases.

15 - WP
14 - Bulls
13 - Bulls
12 - WP
11 - Cheetahs

Your comment got me thinking. 11 of the 25 listed for the Lions for Friday were schooled in the province. Whether this is a high percentage or not I don't know. Will do a comparison once the Sharks name their team.

Sharks for Saurday:

15. A Joubert
14. G Du Toit
13. F Steyn
12 P Muller
11 SP Marais
10 H Honnibal
9 H Martens

8 P Van Der Walt
7 H V enter
6 Epi Tione
5 Olivier Roumat
4 AJ Venter
3 J Du Plessis
2 B Du Plessis
1 O Le Roux

Born and bred! (somewhere).

[assfly]

Your comment got me thinking. 11 of the 25 listed for the Lions for Friday were schooled in the province. Whether this is a high percentage or not I don't know. Will do a comparison once the Sharks name their team.

It was just the backline names that caught my attention. It's probably in-line with other provinces. These days more players are often born in one province, schooled in another and play provincial rugby for another.

[Chilli]

Your comment got me thinking. 11 of the 25 listed for the Lions for Friday were schooled in the province. Whether this is a high percentage or not I don't know. Will do a comparison once the Sharks name their team.

It was just the backline names that caught my attention. It's probably in-line with other provinces. These days more players are often born in one province, schooled in another and play provincial rugby for another.

This...........................

[‘tsek]

With the importance of varsity cup probably set to increase as the next level beyond school, does this set a union like the Sharks on the back foot? Any prospect of UKZN being able to compete with the big boys and lure talent? Of course, you can buy your way out of the development pipeline, but surely that will come at a cost?

[Sards]

looking forward to seeing Marvelous Marvin in action

[Sards]

I see the Sharks signed Penxe and Bohli from the Kings...

Very chuffed with Nkosi, Fassi still injured and Mapimpi gone.

We were looking very suspect out wide.

[sunnybanana]

What has happened to the Lions? Most of their backline players are purchases.

15 - WP
14 - Bulls
13 - Bulls
12 - WP
11 - Cheetahs

Your comment got me thinking. 11 of the 25 listed for the Lions for Friday were schooled in the province. Whether this is a high percentage or not I don't know. Will do a comparison once the Sharks name their team.

Sharks for Saurday:

15. A Joubert
14. G Du Toit
13. F Steyn
12 P Muller
11 SP Marais
10 H Honnibal
9 H Martens

8 P Van Der Walt
7 H V enter
6 Epi Tione
5 Olivier Roumat
4 AJ Venter
3 J Du Plessis
2 B Du Plessis
1 O Le Roux

Ironically, 3 of those backs were actually schooled (and born) in KZN (Joubert, Honiball, Martens).

[OomStruisbaai]

Alberts coming home. He and Orrie to play an important role.

[‘tsek]

Alberts coming home. He and Orrie to play an important role.

When the Lions have looked good over the past couple of years, scrums have been dominant or at parity. I am worried about this. I think Marx played a big role.

Willemse hopefully to add some grunt. Bench looks set to up the pace in the second half.

[assfly]

With the importance of varsity cup probably set to increase as the next level beyond school, does this set a union like the Sharks on the back foot? Any prospect of UKZN being able to compete with the big boys and lure talent? Of course, you can buy your way out of the development pipeline, but surely that will come at a cost?

Honestly, I don't really care much about Varsity Cup. I barely have enough time to watch CC and SR, I don't get the attraction of watching university sides. Besides, those incidents of pitch invasions and fans fighting with each other have left a sour taste for me.

[OomStruisbaai]

With the importance of varsity cup probably set to increase as the next level beyond school, does this set a union like the Sharks on the back foot? Any prospect of UKZN being able to compete with the big boys and lure talent? Of course, you can buy your way out of the development pipeline, but surely that will come at a cost?

Honestly, I don't really care much about Varsity Cup. I barely have enough time to watch CC and SR, I don't get the attraction of watching university sides. Besides, those incidents of pitch invasions and fans fighting with each other have left a sour taste for me.

No respect for SA rugby structures? Typical Durbs Crusader response.

[assfly]

No respect for SA rugby structures? Typical Durbs Crusader response.

Same with schools. Really don't care much for it. Perhaps that will change one day if one of my sons is in the system.

So long as the Sharks continue to remain the most attractive union for players to work for, then I'm happy.

[Sards]

No respect for SA rugby structures? Typical Durbs Crusader response.

Same with schools. Really don't care much for it. Perhaps that will change one day if one of my sons is in the system.

So long as the Sharks continue to remain the most attractive union for players to work for, then I'm happy.

Its the dream.......

Go to the Sharks...the most visibly recognizable and dynamic rugby Union in Africa...get noticed abroad....make your fortune playing rugby at the highest level.
Thereafter the Bulls are the next feeder to overseas lucrative contracts followed by the lions.....
The alternative...play for Province , take a pay cut , hope your monthly cheque clears and get into the Springboks....

[TheNatalShark]

No respect for SA rugby structures? Typical Durbs Crusader response.

Same with schools. Really don't care much for it. Perhaps that will change one day if one of my sons is in the system.

So long as the Sharks continue to remain the most attractive union for players to work for, then I'm happy.

My schools were very far off from the likes of Kearsney/Westville/Glenwood but even we had helping hands, player visits, etc... from the union. We all know KZN doesn't have anything near the rugby playing pop and schools of WC/Gauteng and the bloody mindedness of FS. I'm not terribly concerned about the low levels of flow through particularly when the Bulls constantly gutted the matrics for over a decade of those who weren't parachuted straight into the u21s or the main structure.

It's something we have had to live with, although results wise (though must admit I haven't been able to follow anywhere near as much since I left SA) we seem to have been improving in the age group CC, which bodes well for the future in terms of local representation, which is nice to see, but not so much that it should inhibit the structure from improving.

Tldr, immigration is a thing, get over it.

[Sards]

No respect for SA rugby structures? Typical Durbs Crusader response.

Same with schools. Really don't care much for it. Perhaps that will change one day if one of my sons is in the system.

So long as the Sharks continue to remain the most attractive union for players to work for, then I'm happy.

My schools were very far off from the likes of Kearsney/Westville/Glenwood but even we had helping hands, player visits, etc... from the union. We all know KZN doesn't have anything near the rugby playing pop and schools of WC/Gauteng and the bloody mindedness of FS. I'm not terribly concerned about the low levels of flow through particularly when the Bulls constantly gutted the matrics for over a decade of those who weren't parachuted straight into the u21s or the main structure.

It's something we have had to live with, although results wise (though must admit I haven't been able to follow anywhere near as much since I left SA) we seem to have been improving in the age group CC, which bodes well for the future in terms of local representation, which is nice to see, but not so much that it should inhibit the structure from improving.

Tldr, immigration is a thing, get over it.

It takes a bloody minded dedication to lyn loop in the Cape during winter....the weather hardens the parents to such an extent that when the Stormers do Superrugby the pain is barely noticable.

[‘tsek]

No respect for SA rugby structures? Typical Durbs Crusader response.

Same with schools. Really don't care much for it. Perhaps that will change one day if one of my sons is in the system.

So long as the Sharks continue to remain the most attractive union for players to work for, then I'm happy.

I can understand the sentiment, and personally having a daughter just out of school and into Varsity means I have some personal contact with kids in the VC system. (daughter having ditched Wits for Maties next year is going to test my sensibilities)

With U/19 rugby seemingly dead, I think VC will grow in importance. Don’t know if the Sharks “academy” is a counter to this, but kids will still need exposure, hence the question re. UKZN.

[Sards]

All the Opta stats and facts for the opening Super Rugby Unlocked match between the Sharks and Lions in Durban on Friday.

• The Sharks have won their last three Super Rugby games on the bounce against the Lions after having lost each of their seven encounters prior; the last and only time the Sharks won more consecutive games against the Lions was a five-game stretch from 2007 to 2011.

• The Sharks have won their last four Super Rugby games on the bounce coming into Super Rugby Unlocked: it’s their longest winning streak since a stretch of six wins across the 2015 and 2016 campaigns.

• The Lions have lost their last four away South African derbies in Super Rugby in a row after having been undefeated in their previous 11 (W10, D1).

• The Sharks gained 387 metres and beat 23 defenders per game in the 2020 Super Rugby season, the most of any South African team in either category.

• Elton Jantjies(Lions) has finished with a try assist in four of his last five Super Rugby encounters with the Sharks; however, he’s not scored a try of his own in that time and has managed a tally of just 27 points (nine conversions, three penalty goals) in that span.

Sorry Jens , I know this was your thing

[‘tsek]

All the Opta stats and facts for the opening Super Rugby Unlocked match between the Sharks and Lions in Durban on Friday.

• The Sharks have won their last three Super Rugby games on the bounce against the Lions after having lost each of their seven encounters prior; the last and only time the Sharks won more consecutive games against the Lions was a five-game stretch from 2007 to 2011.

• The Sharks have won their last four Super Rugby games on the bounce coming into Super Rugby Unlocked: it’s their longest winning streak since a stretch of six wins across the 2015 and 2016 campaigns.

• The Lions have lost their last four away South African derbies in Super Rugby in a row after having been undefeated in their previous 11 (W10, D1).

• The Sharks gained 387 metres and beat 23 defenders per game in the 2020 Super Rugby season, the most of any South African team in either category.

• Elton Jantjies(Lions) has finished with a try assist in four of his last five Super Rugby encounters with the Sharks; however, he’s not scored a try of his own in that time and has managed a tally of just 27 points (nine conversions, three penalty goals) in that span.

Sorry Jens , I know this was your thing

Does Jens post here? Would love Lions company.

[Sards]

Cell C Sharks:
15 Manie Libbok*,
14 JP Pietersen,
13 Lukhanyo Am (captain),
12 Marius Louw,
11 Werner Kok*,
10 Curwin Bosch,
9 Sanele Nohamba,
8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe,
7 Phepsi Buthelezi,
6 James Venter,
5 Hyron Andrews,
4 Ruben van Heerden,
3 Thomas du Toit,
2 Dylan Richardson,
1 Ox Nche.

Replacements:
16 Dan Jooste*,
17 Mzamo Majola,
18 John-Hubert Meyer,
19 JJ van der Mescht,
20 Celimpilo Gumede*,
21 Grant Williams,

Sharks debut*

[OomStruisbaai]

Cell C Sharks:
15 Manie Libbok*,
14 JP Pietersen,
13 Lukhanyo Am (captain),
12 Marius Louw,
11 Werner Kok*,
10 Curwin Bosch,
9 Sanele Nohamba,
8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe,
7 Phepsi Buthelezi,
6 James Venter,
5 Hyron Andrews,
4 Ruben van Heerden,
3 Thomas du Toit,
2 Dylan Richardson,
1 Ox Nche.

Replacements:
16 Dan Jooste*,
17 Mzamo Majola,
18 John-Hubert Meyer,
19 JJ van der Mescht,
20 Celimpilo Gumede*,
21 Grant Williams,

Sharks debut*

Very strong team Tarzan on the wing and Libbok debuts.

Sharks by 50

[Sards]

Ja , that back 3 really levels the playing fields...

Libbok....too small
JP...........too old
Werner...7s player

HUGE STEPDOWN FROM

Fassi
Nkosi
Mapimpi

So attacking from depth is not the style of play we are going to expect........will be interesting to see how they adapt to this.

[Sards]

22 Jeremy Ward,
23 Thaakir Abrahams*

Jeremy on the naughty bench....

[OomStruisbaai]

Ja , that back 3 really levels the playing fields...

Libbok....too small
JP...........too old
Werner...7s player

HUGE STEPDOWN FROM

Fassi
Nkosi
Mapimpi

So attacking from depth is not the style of play we are going to expect........will be interesting to see how they adapt to this.

Lots of box and up and under from Nomada and Superstar.

[Sards]

Ja , that back 3 really levels the playing fields...

Libbok....too small
JP...........too old
Werner...7s player

HUGE STEPDOWN FROM

Fassi
Nkosi
Mapimpi

So attacking from depth is not the style of play we are going to expect........will be interesting to see how they adapt to this.

Lots of box and up and under from Nomada and Superstar.

With no Fassi, Nkosi or Mapimpi to chase I doubt it strongly.....Dude...get over your vokken dissapointment over Gazza and get behind our new Springbok pivot Bosch......and stop criticising his winning style that saw the Sharks top Superrugby 2020.......

And its Nooooohhhhaaaaammmmbaaa.....not Nomada

[average joe]

Well, nomada the outcome the Tharks will still be a bunch of popped collars.