The Sharks
The Sharks are in a good place, both mentally and physically, as well as on the Vodacom Super Rugby log following their bonus point win over the Rebels and the confidence they would have gained from their execution of the basics on Saturday.
There were contrasting emotions going through the coaches’ minds following The Sharks’ 64-7 defeat of the Rebels at KINGS PARK in their Vodacom Super Rugby clash on Saturday evening.
There are no unbeaten teams left in the Vodacom Super Rugby competition after the DHL Stormers took that claim away for the Brumbies at DHL Newlands on Saturday, beating the Australian side 35-22 in a pulsating match.
Sharks 64 / 7 Rebels (Final Score)
The Sharks and the Melbourne Rebels did battle in Super Rugby at Kings Park, Durban at 17:05 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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Sharks coach John Plumtree has made seven changes to the Sharks team to face the rebels this coming weekend, Poor performances by some have forced the coach’s hand and it has led to the good performances by youngsters getting rewarded with a start.
Sharks (3) 10 / 29 (26) Brumbies (Final Score)
The Sharks and Brumbies did battle in Super Rugby at Kings Park, Durban at 17:05 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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The Sharks Springbok brothers Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis are considering a move away from Super Rugby in France where they would play in the Top14.
Kings (3) 12 / 21 (12) Sharks (Final Score)
The Aveng Southern Kings and The Sharks did battle in Super Rugby at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 19:10 SA Time.
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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John Plumtree has the rare pleasure of being able to select an unchanged line-up for his team’s Vodacom Super Rugby clash with the Southern Kings at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Sharks coach John Plumtree says their improved play at set-pieces and ability to handle pressure better were key factors to overcoming the Stormers at Kings Park on Saturday.
Sharks (0) 12 / 6 (0) Stormers (Final Score)
The Sharks and DHL Stormers did battle in Super Rugby at Kings Park, Durban at 19:10 SA Time (17:00 GMT).
This was the live match discussion Article.
The match was broadcast LIVE on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
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I am thrilled with the win against tough opponents in such testing conditions Sharks coach John Plumtree admitted after his team’s 29-22 victory over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. “We just had to get the win, even if it was ugly he said.
The Sharks have announced their 24 man team for their pre-season match at the Woodburn stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday night.
SA Rugby reports that Sharks prop Dale Chadwick is the latest injury casualty. He has a stress fracture in his foot and will likely be out for between four and six weeks. This leaves the Sharks decidedly thin in front row depth.
I was reading some Tweets this morning when I came across this article from Mark Keohane and I have to say a very well written one at that, about John Plumtree.
Now here I want to give my point of view – as I feel we all will in one form or another acknowledge (although I do not wish to add to what is already said in the article) and I feel the man has paid his dues, he has done everything that should be expected of him and more.
For eight standout 18-year-old rugby players a new chapter in their lives is about to begin. Every year the Sharks only contract between 8 and 12 players. These players are carefully picked based on two criteria, the players’ individual rugby ability and the future needs of the Union. Yes, the Sharks don’t necessarily go after the best players on the board, they actually try to work out where their future senior team positional needs will lie and plan succession on this basis.
The Sharks beat the Dolphins at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, in the Pick n Pay T20 match in aid of charity, “and charity won big at the end of the day”.
Let me be the first to say that we were treated to a festival of cricket and fun with both team’s players doing their utmost to give time to fans and at the same time try put up a spectacle worthy of these high class sportsmen, and so they did.
With the 2013 Super Rugby season just around the corner the fixture list of all warm up games has been released.
Some teams have opted for tougher opponents and some less so, much of course depending on their requirements and strategies they have planned for. The tournament itself kicks off on the 15 February 2013.
With most of the pre-season fitness programmes out of the way, the next few weeks will be vital as each side starts to focus on honing their game ahead of another grueling season. Teams will be trying to get their best combinations together as to find cohesion, coaches of course will hope not to pick up injuries as some teams are starting the season with numerous injured stars.
The Sharks have named their team to play against the Blue Bulls in Saturday’s Absa Currie Cup match At Loftus Versveld in Pretoria.
The Sharks have made a statement about the fire at Mr Price Kings Park… here it is.
Sharks coach John Plumtree has made one change to his team for the Currie Cup final on Saturday against the Lions at Coca-Cola Park.
In 1891, just before the departure of the British Isles Rugby team for South Africa, Sir Donald Currie, owner of the Union Castle Line presented the squad with a golden trophy.
With the trophy came a very clear instruction to present the trophy to the team that gave the most spirited opposition during a tour match.
After a hard fought match Griqualand West became the first ever holders of the trophy that would, over the next century or so become the Holy Grail that South African provincial Rugby Teams would work tirelessly to possess.
It is not often that the losing coach is the happier one in the post-match press conference. Continue reading
If you believe results in warm-up games don’t mean anything, I am afraid you are slightly deluded. Continue reading
Rory Kockott is “coming home”.
The 24-year-old scrumhalf has signed a new contract with the Xerox Lions, and that after he, in 2006, played a great game for the Lions against the Sharks.
If anything, the Sharks Currie Cup success has allowed me to revisit a favourite old topic of mine. Continue reading
It may be the ignorance of youth, but given the sideshows with certain players in the last 18 months it is refreshing to see a brilliant young talent taking everything in his stride. Continue reading
For years the Sharks have lead South African rugby, if not world rugby, in the way they market their brand and team oozing success at all levels, but it seems to me that lately they are doing their level best to destroy all this. Continue reading
If John Plumtree does not come back with at least 2, preferably 3 victories on the road and end in the top 8 of the Super 14 log, he must get the boot. Continue reading
In a case of sick irony, it was announced today that the Bulls have lost their stalwart lock Danie Rossouw through injury, just hours after they announced that they have agreed to loan one of their promising young locks, Wilhelm Steenkamp to the Sharks. Continue reading