2020/21 Carling Currie Cup

[Sards]

Ja...well that's school fees paid today . ..
.
Congratulations Lions...very organized.

Well coached

Great to see you back again

[Sards]

Simalane show Amm how to do it

Amn not at his best today...

[Sards]

Can't argue with that loss

[OomStruisbaai]

Lions deserve a bonus point tonite.

Guppies overhyped

[Sards]

Lions deserve a bonus point tonite.

Guppies overhyped

WP drop to 4th on the log. Overhyped. Don't deserve to be ahead of the Cheetahs...

[‘tsek]

Gotta say it.

We are red, we are white, we are

Sharks kryptonite.

[‘tsek]

Have a good one Sards, hard luck.

[Sards]

Have a good one Sards, hard luck.

Was wondering when you would appear. Jantjies had a good game. Johnson saved your butt many times. Great talent.

[‘tsek]

What surprises me is how well coached the Lions look, from set phases to defense. Cash, imho, is a talented coach but thought he would be way undercooked in a disjointed season, with little real experience.

Sharks looked out of it tonight. The chicken maybe the wrong Kulula option on the way up?

(Seriously though, the rot started with front row unavailability)

[Sards]

What surprises me is how well coached the Lions look, from set phases to defense. Cash, imho, is a talented coach but thought he would be way undercooked in a disjointed season, with little real experience.

Sharks looked out of it tonight. The chicken maybe the wrong Kulula option on the way up?

(Seriously though, the rot started with front row unavailability)

Mentioned before how well coached the Lions are.

Definitely going to be in top 4. Pity they were not helped by the points carry over.

Was a pleasure to lose to a better team.

Tonight the Sharks were schooled.

[OomStruisbaai]

Lions deserve a bonus point tonite.

Guppies overhyped

WP drop to 4th on the log. Overhyped. Don't deserve to be ahead of the Cheetahs...

Guppies are wit honne kak. Corvid save them against the Stormersm

[Sandstorm]

Sards watches his first live Sharks game in months and they lose. Bad juju.

[Sards]

Bring it on Stomps....

You know what. Sharks are an awesome team. With some really talented youngsters. An average age of 23...
And the most humble of the humble. Not overhyped bolllocks. That's why we are gracious enough to take that loss and congratulate the better team on the day and move on.

People will always hate on us because of our consistent success. And because we create such prodigious talent thats well received throughout the rugby world.

Like James Dalton famously quoted...
" just because you have some Springboks in your team, doesn't mean that they are the team. ".
Sharks have a rich history of being a family. They are well represented by old boys who have benefited from the Sharks and want to put something back so the youngsters can enjoy the same success. It's a difficult concept for some to understand. I know. But a team is everyone involved in the union. Not prima donnas.

The Lions showed the Sharks a team tonight. A team that executed to perfection. You have to respect that...and like the Sharks do when faced with this situation..they will go analyze what happened. Address the issues and next time out the Lions are going to have a proper fight in their hands.

The Lions look to be in good hands and are doing very well to bring their youngsters through and this is very pleasing to me. They are also a very humble side.

So well done Jens and the Lions...we are going to catch you next time

[OomStruisbaai]

Sir Sardientjie, tonite the Lionsvhow much overhyped the Guppies are..

[assfly]

Well done Lions, no doubt they were the better team on the night. Sharks couldn't get their scrums or lineouts sorted, so we were never in contention. We really missed Thomas du Toit.

We were very lightweight last night. I feel that the experience of the Lions forwards trumped the Sharks youngsters. Another fairly poor game from Nohamba behind a struggling forward pack, I think we need to give someone else a run at 9 for a couple of games.

Having said that, I think Ox had another good game, and played over 70 minutes.

I really enjoyed the battle between Am and Similane, of which was fairly even until the last try. That kid is very, very good. Could be a bolter for the Lions tour next year. That sidestep and the facial expression that accompanied it

That said, I think the ref was pretty awful. The "amazing" Lions defence was based on being offside most of the time, and it wasn't until the 63rd minute they were penalised for it (and several times after this). That charge into the back of Ricardson was a dangerous cheapshot and a yellow card. Willem Alberts shoulder charge when defending the line ( I think against Louw) was also a clear yellow. But hey-ho, it's just become the usual in the Carling Covid Currie Cup.

[OomStruisbaai]

The Sharks have the best backline in the competition by a mile, but they don't use that outside backs. The few balls that went to Louw, he take up and never pass. He is the poor man's Ellende/AE.

The problem is the coach.

[handyman]

Imo the Lions is a poor team this year, but still too strong on the night for the saarks, the better team. To me, that points to a attitude problem.

[OomStruisbaai]

The Lions a poor team?

They got form at the right stage of the competition and are favorites to win it.

Here. First.

[Sards]

Well done Lions, no doubt they were the better team on the night. Sharks couldn't get their scrums or lineouts sorted, so we were never in contention. We really missed Thomas du Toit.

We were very lightweight last night. I feel that the experience of the Lions forwards trumped the Sharks youngsters. Another fairly poor game from Nohamba behind a struggling forward pack, I think we need to give someone else a run at 9 for a couple of games.

Having said that, I think Ox had another good game, and played over 70 minutes.

I really enjoyed the battle between Am and Similane, of which was fairly even until the last try. That kid is very, very good. Could be a bolter for the Lions tour next year. That sidestep and the facial expression that accompanied it

That said, I think the ref was pretty awful. The "amazing" Lions defence was based on being offside most of the time, and it wasn't until the 63rd minute they were penalised for it (and several times after this). That charge into the back of Ricardson was a dangerous cheapshot and a yellow card. Willem Alberts shoulder charge when defending the line ( I think against Louw) was also a clear yellow. But hey-ho, it's just become the usual in the Carling Covid Currie Cup.

I did not want to bring the ref into it. The damage done by fielding an inexperienced kid in the front row was the problem last night. I really feel for the kid. This will remain with him forever

[OomStruisbaai]

Well done Lions, no doubt they were the better team on the night. Sharks couldn't get their scrums or lineouts sorted, so we were never in contention. We really missed Thomas du Toit.

We were very lightweight last night. I feel that the experience of the Lions forwards trumped the Sharks youngsters. Another fairly poor game from Nohamba behind a struggling forward pack, I think we need to give someone else a run at 9 for a couple of games.

Having said that, I think Ox had another good game, and played over 70 minutes.

I really enjoyed the battle between Am and Similane, of which was fairly even until the last try. That kid is very, very good. Could be a bolter for the Lions tour next year. That sidestep and the facial expression that accompanied it

That said, I think the ref was pretty awful. The "amazing" Lions defence was based on being offside most of the time, and it wasn't until the 63rd minute they were penalised for it (and several times after this). That charge into the back of Ricardson was a dangerous cheapshot and a yellow card. Willem Alberts shoulder charge when defending the line ( I think against Louw) was also a clear yellow. But hey-ho, it's just become the usual in the Carling Covid Currie Cup.

I did not want to bring the ref into it. The damage done by fielding an inexperienced kid in the front row was the problem last night. I really feel for the kid. This will remain with him forever

Respect for not bringing the ref in. The Sharks got away for the same shit. Every time Nomada / Bosch box kick the runners were in front of the kicker.

Sharks lost because of a kak game plan. Blame it on your coach. His game plan only works if your forwards dominate.

[‘tsek]

Imo the Lions is a poor team this year, but still too strong on the night for the saarks, the better team. To me, that points to a attitude problem.

Now that is quality analysis, showing real insight. Lions are crap, but not as crap as Province and Sharks if recent scores are anything to go by.

[Sards]

Imo the Lions is a poor team this year, but still too strong on the night for the saarks, the better team. To me, that points to a attitude problem.

Now that is quality analysis, showing real insight. Lions are crap, but not as crap as Province and Sharks if recent scores are anything to go by.

Just roll your eyes and move on.

[assfly]

I did not want to bring the ref into it. The damage done by fielding an inexperienced kid in the front row was the problem last night. I really feel for the kid. This will remain with him forever

Ja he struggled in the first couple of scrums. But after that it was just collapse after collapse, and if the ref has already pinged you to begin with, you're cooked.

He'll learn. It's a very young team and we need to build depth. He's got Zimbo blood so he's a star for the future.

[OomStruisbaai]

Saturday, 26 Dec | DHL Newlands, Cape Town
16:30 - Western Province vs Griquas

Saturday, 26 Dec | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
19:00 - Bulls vs Lions

Sunday, 27 Dec | Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
16:30 - Cheetahs vs Sharks

Remaining games:

Bulls (35 points) - Lions (h), B, Pumas (A)
Lions (29 points) - Bulls (A), Pumas (A), B
Sharks (28 points) - Cheetahs (A), Griquas (H), WP (A)
WP (26 points) - Griquas (H), Cheetahs (A), Sharks (H)
Cheetahs (21 points) - Sharks (H), WP (H), Griquas (A)
Pumas (12 points) - B, Lions (H), Bulls (H)
Griquas (7 points) - WP (A), Sharks (A), Cheetahs (H)

[Chilli]

Saturday, 26 Dec | DHL Newlands, Cape Town
16:30 - Western Province vs Griquas

Saturday, 26 Dec | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
19:00 - Bulls vs Lions

Sunday, 27 Dec | Toyota Stadium, Bloemfontein
16:30 - Cheetahs vs Sharks

WP by 50
Lions by 7
Sharks by 20

Have a nice week!

[assfly]

Interesting that only now, halfway through the season, have SARU decided to start rescheduling matches that have been effected by Covid. I wonder why the other teams who had games cancelled didn't have the same option.

[handyman]

Last round WP will play the saarkies. I hope Covid do not save you again.

[OomStruisbaai]

Interesting that only now, halfway through the season, have SARU decided to start rescheduling matches that have been effected by Covid. I wonder why the other teams who had games cancelled didn't have the same option.

It's the Bulls. They had the most home games in Superugby unlocked. Now they complain of the bigger Corvid-19 risk traveling and want the rescheduling of matches.

[OomStruisbaai]

DHL Western Province team: Damian Willemse, Sergeal Petersen, Dan du Plessis, Rikus Pretorius, Angelo Davids, Tim Swiel, Herschel Jantjies, Juarno Augustus, Johan du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), JD Schickerling, Chris van Zyl, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements: Chad Solomon, Kwenzo Blose, Sazi Sandi, David Meihuizen, Jaco Coetzee, Paul de Wet, Ruhan Nel, Tristan Leyds, Ernst van Rhyn, Chris Schreuder, Leolin Zas.

[OomStruisbaai]

Cheetah team vs Sharks
15. Clayton Blommetjies,

14. William Small-Smith

13. Dries Swanepoel

12. Frans Steyn

11. Rosko Specman

10. Reinhardt Fortuin

9. Ruben de Haas

8. Jeandré Rudolph

7. Oupa Mohoje

6. Andisa Ntsila

5. Reniel Hugo

4. Carl Wegner (C)

3. Khutha Mchunu

2. Marnus van der Merwe

1. Boan Venter



16. Louis van der Westhuizen

17. Cameron Dawson

18. Conraad van Vuuren

19. Victor Sekekete

20. Chris Massyn

21. Tian Meyer

22. Howard Mnisi

23. Rhyno Smith


Sharks struggle with corvid-19 positives, so sundays game is in the balance

[Chilli]

REACTION: The Sharks will field a team in Bloemfontein on Sunday, come what may!

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Despite the cloud of doubt over an outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the Sharks camp, they will fulfil their Currie Cup Round Five fixture.

Eduard Coetzee, the Sharks Chief Executive Officer, confirmed to @rugby365com that they have delayed the announcement of their team till Friday – due to some “late fitness results”.

The Sharks went through their routine COVID-19 testing earlier this week, then returned a handful of positive results and had a second round of testing.

However, regardless of the outcome of the second batch of tests, the Sharks will field a team on Sunday.

“We have already drafted in a group of our Under-21 players,” Coetzee told this website.

“The National Institute for Communicable Diseases appears to be happy with our protocols,” the Sharks boss said.

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The Sharks CEO added a touch of humour to the pressing situation by suggesting he will be willing to ‘lace-up’ and run out if the need requires – almost a ‘have boots, will play’ Golden Oldies type scenario.

“I will take my boots and whistle along to Bloemfontein,” he quipped, adding: “However, I’ll take very limited contact.”

The Sharks, like the Cheetahs, desperate to play and have an opportunity to recover lost ground lost on the standings.

The Sharks are currently third on the log, one point behind the resurgent Lions (who have 29 points), but they have a game in hand – as do fourth-placed Western Province (two points behind the Sharks) and the fifth-placed Cheetahs (21 points).

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The Bulls are on 35 points.

Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie welcomed the attitude of the Sharks to make the game happen, despite the obvious challenges.

“Eduard Coetzee committed to us and said they will definitely play,” Fourie told @rugby365com.

He said the Cheetahs had a full-on training run on Thursday, take the day off on Christmas Day, Friday, with a “short, sharp” training session planned for Saturday.

“It will be for a lot of us the first game we will play on a Sunday,” Fourie added, adding: “It will be a first for us.”

It is also a long build-up for the Cheetahs – who played the Pumas in Nelspruit last week Friday and have 10 days till Sunday’s outing.

“We had to juggle our schedule to keep the players fresh and ensure we get all our preparation done.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com

Just think about how brave the Cheetahs are playing against this Covid infested Sharks team. Their years of playing a game plan that has often included tackling the opposition as an optional extra will come into good use here. I wouldn't want to make contact with one of the Sharks players as the Covid oozes out of his body like puss.

[Chilli]

A shout out to both the Sharks and VRYSTAAT teams and their management with going ahead with this match.
I hope that it is a very entertaining game with the Sharks winning by not more than 50 points.

[TheNatalShark]

Great to see Fassi on the bench

[OomStruisbaai]

Team looks weak

[Chilli]

Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Aston Fortuin, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 John Hubert-Meyer, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Werner Kok, 23 Aphelele Fassi.

[FalseBayFC]

Nice to see Fassi back. Hendrickse also has way more long term upside than Nohamba.

[Sards]

Nice to see Fassi back. Hendrickse also has way more long term upside than Nohamba.

Nohamba is a very talented player. His head may have got too big, especially as Herschel has been abysmal this year, but he can definitely feel he has the inside edge. Especially considering his multiple talents aa a retreaded flyhalf. Hendricks is the one with everything to prove. Also looks nothing like your regular scrum half. But it is great as a Sharks supporter to have both talented players available

[handyman]

Sharks: 15 Manie Libbok, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Jeremy Ward, 11 Yaw Penxe, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Henco Venter, 6 Dylan Richardson, 5 Aston Fortuin, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 John Hubert-Meyer, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Retshegofaditswe Nche.
Replacements: 16 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 17 Khwezi Mona, 18 Michael Kumbirai, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Thembelani Bholi, 21 Grant Williams, 22 Werner Kok, 23 Aphelele Fassi.

Libbok, geez what info does he have on the coaches?
What colour card will Ward get this weekend?
Have a look at the fast and small backrow selected to help bosch with his defensive duties.
Nohamba finally dropped.
Backrow too small and selected to cover for inferior players. You need some size and muscle, as well as a line out option.
Finally, I get why Nche has a nickname...

[Chilli]

REACTION: The Sharks will field a team in Bloemfontein on Sunday, come what may!

ADVERTISEMENT

Despite the cloud of doubt over an outbreak of COVID-19 cases in the Sharks camp, they will fulfil their Currie Cup Round Five fixture.

Eduard Coetzee, the Sharks Chief Executive Officer, confirmed to @rugby365com that they have delayed the announcement of their team till Friday – due to some “late fitness results”.

The Sharks went through their routine COVID-19 testing earlier this week, then returned a handful of positive results and had a second round of testing.

However, regardless of the outcome of the second batch of tests, the Sharks will field a team on Sunday.

“We have already drafted in a group of our Under-21 players,” Coetzee told this website.

“The National Institute for Communicable Diseases appears to be happy with our protocols,” the Sharks boss said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Sharks CEO added a touch of humour to the pressing situation by suggesting he will be willing to ‘lace-up’ and run out if the need requires – almost a ‘have boots, will play’ Golden Oldies type scenario.

“I will take my boots and whistle along to Bloemfontein,” he quipped, adding: “However, I’ll take very limited contact.”

The Sharks, like the Cheetahs, desperate to play and have an opportunity to recover lost ground lost on the standings.

The Sharks are currently third on the log, one point behind the resurgent Lions (who have 29 points), but they have a game in hand – as do fourth-placed Western Province (two points behind the Sharks) and the fifth-placed Cheetahs (21 points).

ADVERTISEMENT

The Bulls are on 35 points.

Cheetahs coach Hawies Fourie welcomed the attitude of the Sharks to make the game happen, despite the obvious challenges.

“Eduard Coetzee committed to us and said they will definitely play,” Fourie told @rugby365com.

He said the Cheetahs had a full-on training run on Thursday, take the day off on Christmas Day, Friday, with a “short, sharp” training session planned for Saturday.

“It will be for a lot of us the first game we will play on a Sunday,” Fourie added, adding: “It will be a first for us.”

It is also a long build-up for the Cheetahs – who played the Pumas in Nelspruit last week Friday and have 10 days till Sunday’s outing.

“We had to juggle our schedule to keep the players fresh and ensure we get all our preparation done.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com

Just think about how brave the Cheetahs are playing against this Covid infested Sharks team. Their years of playing a game plan that has often included tackling the opposition as an optional extra will come into good use here. I wouldn't want to make contact with one of the Sharks players as the Covid oozes out of his body like puss.

Not even a remark.............

[Sards]

Good luck the Cheetahs. Its always a double edged sword when we play against them. Always the bridesmaid and never the bride. Always vokked over by less deserving overhyped franchises