NPR

From a NH Pro14 pov we tried playing SA teams and it wasn't all that successful.

The Cheetahs were reasonably competitive in the first season but there were empty stands on tv, even against top European sides. There doesn't seem to be any public interest in playing Irish, Scottish or Welsh teams.

There's no way for SA teams to join the English or French leagues so is the carrot for SA teams to use the Pro14 to get into the European Rugby Champions Cup?

Zig wrote: ↑Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:09 pm From a NH Pro14 pov we tried playing SA teams and it wasn't all that successful.

The Cheetahs were reasonably competitive in the first season but there were empty stands on tv, even against top European sides. There doesn't seem to be any public interest in playing Irish, Scottish or Welsh teams.

There's no way for SA teams to join the English or French leagues so is the carrot for SA teams to use the Pro14 to get into the European Rugby Champions Cup?

Crowds were poor but it was running concurrently with Super rugby and the Currie cup. This would be a straight up replacement of Super rugby so should get decent crowds in SA.

FalseBayFC wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 6:00 am

Zig wrote: ↑Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:09 pm From a NH Pro14 pov we tried playing SA teams and it wasn't all that successful.

The Cheetahs were reasonably competitive in the first season but there were empty stands on tv, even against top European sides. There doesn't seem to be any public interest in playing Irish, Scottish or Welsh teams.

There's no way for SA teams to join the English or French leagues so is the carrot for SA teams to use the Pro14 to get into the European Rugby Champions Cup?

Crowds were poor but it was running concurrently with Super rugby and the Currie cup. This would be a straight up replacement of Super rugby so should get decent crowds in SA.

To be really honest only Newlands draw crowds before lock down because of the amount od matches. Even the Kiwis and Aussies had empty stadiums. Look like the drought of rugby filled them up again. Also thought the NH rugby supporters understands rugby culture. It will take time before you build a rivalry between teams like Leinsters vs Stormers as an example. They rather post some kak bull shite about SA teams. Vok them anyways.

Zig wrote: ↑Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:09 pm From a NH Pro14 pov we tried playing SA teams and it wasn't all that successful.

The Cheetahs were reasonably competitive in the first season but there were empty stands on tv, even against top European sides. There doesn't seem to be any public interest in playing Irish, Scottish or Welsh teams.

There's no way for SA teams to join the English or French leagues so is the carrot for SA teams to use the Pro14 to get into the European Rugby Champions Cup?

Supporters of the Bulls and Sharks punish their teams for bad performances by not attending matches. There's really no comparison to supporters of WP who attend irrespective of results.

Sards wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 2:53 pm

Zig wrote: ↑Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:09 pm From a NH Pro14 pov we tried playing SA teams and it wasn't all that successful.

The Cheetahs were reasonably competitive in the first season but there were empty stands on tv, even against top European sides. There doesn't seem to be any public interest in playing Irish, Scottish or Welsh teams.

There's no way for SA teams to join the English or French leagues so is the carrot for SA teams to use the Pro14 to get into the European Rugby Champions Cup?

Supporters of the Bulls and Sharks punish their teams for bad performances by not attending matches. There's really no comparison to supporters of WP who attend irrespective of results.

According to their attendances before lock down they were utterly kak for many seasons.

Sharks supporters don’t turn up even when it’s a semi final.

Sandstorm wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 7:58 pm Sharks supporters don’t turn up even when it’s a semi final.

At best they might watch the highlights, and whether they do or not, still feel competent to make comments.

PRO14 RAINBOW CUP SA FIXTURES – ROUNDS 1-3

Saturday 1 May

14h00: DHL Stormers v Cell C Sharks (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town)

19h00: Vodacom Bulls v Emirates Lions (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)

Saturday 8 May

16h00: Cell C Sharks v Emirates Lions (Jonsson Kings Park, Durban)

18h15: DHL Stormers v Vodacom Bulls (Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town)

Saturday 15 May

KO TBC: Emirates Lions v DHL Stormers (Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg)

18h15: Vodacom Bulls v Cell C Sharks (Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria)

ROUNDS 4-6 (home teams named first, kick-off times TBC)

Weekend 21/22 May

Cell C Sharks v DHL Stormers

Emirates Lions v Vodacom Bulls

Weekend 4/5 June

Emirates Lions v Cell C Sharks

Vodacom Bulls v DHL Stormers

Weekend 11/12 June

DHL Stormers v Emirates Lions

Cell C Sharks v Vodacom Bulls

Results :

Leinster 3-27 Munster
Ospreys 36-14 Cardiff Blues
Benneton 46-19 Glasglow Warriors

Fixtures today:
Dragons vs Scarlets

Watching Munster vs Leinster. Not that great game.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 11:00 am Watching Munster vs Leinster. Not that great game.

Did you watch the Kiwis this weekend

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 11:00 am Watching Munster vs Leinster. Not that great game.

No surprise; Leinster have their eye on next week; & going to their 4th choice OH in the first few minutes wasn't in the plan.

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 1:43 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 11:00 am Watching Munster vs Leinster. Not that great game.

No surprise; Leinster have their eye on next week; & going to their 4th choice OH in the first few minutes wasn't in the plan.

Are you sure? Our top Varsity Cup sides would smash them.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 2:38 pm Are you sure? Our top Varsity Cup sides would smash them.

Leinster put out a B team. They've got a European Cup semi-final this weekend. Watch that game and then let's talk.

assfly wrote: ↑Mon Apr 26, 2021 5:58 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Sun Apr 25, 2021 2:38 pm Are you sure? Our top Varsity Cup sides would smash them.

Leinster put out a B team. They've got a European Cup semi-final this weekend. Watch that game and then let's talk.

Oh thought it was their 4th team according to Visvoet.

The game was still kak to watch. Die Ellende shining MOTM prove this.

Kolisi performance vs the Stormers will be interesting on Saturday and something to look forward.

IOL

“The Stormers have some serious heavyweights returning to their pack,” agrees Sharks coach Sean Everitt. “Pieter-Steph will have a major presence for them in his comeback — he is that type of player that commands huge respect.
“But we also have our share of inspirational Springboks,” Everitt stressed. “Siya brings serious leadership in backing up Lukhanyo Am, and then there are Thomas du Toit, Curwin Bosch, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Ox Nche and Sbu Nkosi ... I’d also like to add the name of Aphelele Fassi who while he is not yet a Bok, is rapidly getting back to his best form (after missing most of last year through injury).”

Have to say I'm getting excited to see proper strength vs strength rugby. No excuses.

Bulls to beat the Lions by a bit
Stormers to physically murder the $hark$

I look forward to seeing the teams announced.

Ranking of teams imo : Bulls, saarks, Stormers, Lions.

Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Werner Kok.

Date: Saturday, May 1
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Adriaan Jacobs, Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Stuart Berry

Not a bad team. Surprised to see Grant Williams leapfrog Nohambe and Hendrikse to start at 9.

Bit of a lightweight bench (apart from JJ) but they look like they could come on and speed the game up.

Chilli wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:35 am Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Werner Kok.

Date: Saturday, May 1
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Adriaan Jacobs, Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Stuart Berry

Not sure that that is a pack that can dominate, but they certainly have the goods in the backline. Would have expected van der Mescht in the starting line-up.

Chilli wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:35 am Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Werner Kok.

Date: Saturday, May 1
Venue: Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 14.00 (12.00 GMT)
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Adriaan Jacobs, Aimee Barrett-Theron
TMO: Stuart Berry

Very strong team. vd Mescht should started. Sharks by 50

Lions: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel (captain), 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 André Warner, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Morné van den Berg, 23 EW Viljoen.

Date: Saturday, May 1
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Referees: Griffon Colby, Paul Mente
TMO: Marius van der Westhuzien

Chilli wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:10 pm Lions: 15 Tiaan Swanepoel, 14 Stean Pienaar, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Dan Kriel (captain), 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Fred Zeilinga, 9 André Warner, 8 Francke Horn, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 MJ Pelser, 5 Wilhelm van der Sluys, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 PJ Botha, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16 Morné Brandon, 17 Nathan McBeth, 18 Carlu Sadie, 19 Reinhard Nothnagel, 20 Emmanuel Tshituka, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Morné van den Berg, 23 EW Viljoen.

Date: Saturday, May 1
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (17.00 GMT)
Referee: Rasta Rasivhenge
Assistant Referees: Griffon Colby, Paul Mente
TMO: Marius van der Westhuzien

That team has average written all over it. Let's hope the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts.

I don't think the Bulls are going to lose sleep over that Lions team.

Any decent match ups this weekend. With the cold weather I intend hitting the couch Saturday

Sards wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 2:00 pm Any decent match ups this weekend. With the cold weather I intend hitting the couch Saturday

Bosch against Von Wolhuter

assfly wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 1:26 pm I don't think the Bulls are going to lose sleep over that Lions team.

But they might lose sleep over those officials

Chilli wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 5:21 am

Sards wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 2:00 pm Any decent match ups this weekend. With the cold weather I intend hitting the couch Saturday

Bosch against Von Wolhuter

This wont happen. Dobson will start with his favourate Bishops boy, making it easy for the Sharks.

Chilli wrote: ↑Thu Apr 29, 2021 8:35 am Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Reniel Hugo, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Fez Mbatha, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Kerron van Vuuren, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Wiehahn Herbst, 19 JJ van der Mescht, 20 Phepsi Buthelezi, 21 Sanele Nohamba, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Werner Kok.

Credit to the $hark$ for bringing/buying PoCs through the system and develop them into excellent rugby players. All our province should do the same.

When is the Stormers team being announced? Leaving it quite late.

assfly wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 7:19 am When is the Stormers team being announced? Leaving it quite late.

Rassie ask them to play the waiting game.

PSdT back at 7.

As much as it pains me to say this as a Sharks fan, what a wonderful sight to see that man back in a starting lineup

Stormers – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c).
Subs (from): 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Abner van Reenen, 23 Dan du Plessis, 24 David Meihuizen, 25 Marcel Theunissen, 26 Leolin Zas.

handyman wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 8:28 am Stormers – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c).
Subs (from): 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Abner van Reenen, 23 Dan du Plessis, 24 David Meihuizen, 25 Marcel Theunissen, 26 Leolin Zas.

Stormers by 30

Bulls: 15 James Verity-Amm, 14 Madosh Tambwe, 13 Marco Jansen van Vuren, 12 Cornal Hendricks, 11 Stravino Jacobs, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Nizaam Carr, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Janko Swanepoel, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements – from: 16 Joe van Zyl, 17 Lizo Gqoboka, 18 Jacques van Rooyen, 19 Walt Steenkamp, 20 Arno Botha, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Morné Steyn, 23 David Kriel. 24 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 25 Reinhardt Ludwig, 26 Tim Agaba, 27 Diego Appollis.

Chilli wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 12:35 pm

handyman wrote: ↑Fri Apr 30, 2021 8:28 am Stormers – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Rikus Pretorius, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Kade Wolhuter, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Willie Engelbrecht, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 JD Schickerling, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Steven Kitshoff (c).
Subs (from): 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Ali Vermaak, 18 Neethling Fouche, 19 Ernst van Rhyn, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Paul de Wet, 22 Abner van Reenen, 23 Dan du Plessis, 24 David Meihuizen, 25 Marcel Theunissen, 26 Leolin Zas.

Stormers by 30

Zas has so much X factor. He is a real danger man. Would have started him at 15

Well start of new CC