There are two matches taking place in the final weekend of Absa Currie Cup pool stage rugby that will be watched with great interest by a majority of rugby fans as both The Sharks and Western Province seek bonus point wins over Griquas and the Lions.
With compliments from Sharksrugby.co.za
Province currently lead the standings courtesy of a better points’ differential, but equal with The Sharks on 49 log points and face a Lions side determined to end their season on a high, despite the fact that a semifinal place is out of their grasp.
The Sharks meanwhile know that a five-pointer could well stand between them and a home final – should they progress past the semis – and they go into this match full of focus. But Griquas go into this game under massive pressure to end the round still in the top four, a position they have been in since the very first round and losing out now, at this late stage, would be a huge disappointment given their fairytale season which has included victories over three of the top five sides.
At home, Griquas are a formidable foe and will relish the opportunity to add a Sharks scalp to their impressive collection this season. They are a good, committed side who play for each other, but they are going to have their work cut out for them.
While they are feeling the effects of 13 weeks of non-stop rugby action, The Sharks by contrast have been bolstered by the return of injured players as well as a hoard of Springboks, and an International-laden side will run out onto the hard Kimberley field intent on making sure of a good, solid victory on Saturday.
Griquas have made two changes to the starting line-up from the first round match at The Absa Stadium Durban which The Sharks won 41-6. The Sharks by contrast, with a whole host of players available, have a vastly different side, the backline boasting six changes and Stefan Terblanche (pictured) the only familiar face. Where there was one International amongst the backs in that match, there are now six. In the forwards, six changes have been made, and two Springboks in that match have been increased to four.
While statistics are hardly a guarantee of victory, certainly history confirms that The Sharks have seldom come unstuck against Griquas, although in the last 10 years, there have been two losses in Kimberley, the last in 2006 when Griquas won 23-22 and before that, a 33-24 loss in 2004. The last six matches have all been fairly comprehensive defeats for Griquas, including a 44-15 loss in Kimberley last year.
Sharks assistant coach Grant Bashford admits that despite the necessity to win, win well and hopefully come out with the bonus point, first priority is to come out with a victory. “For us, it’s all about us, we’ll be trying to get the bonus point but not at the expense of losing, so we must win the game and worry about the bonus point later.”
He adds that despite The Sharks having a better record than Griquas when the two teams have met before, this year they’ve been a lot more competitive. “They’ve changed since previous years, this season they’ve been a side who counter-attack a lot but have the ability to also play a conservative style. They have leaked over 100 points in the last two weeks but have good attacking side.
“They need two points to make the semis, but will be desperate and hoping to win. They’ve done really well this season and will be pumped up for the game.”
For coach John Plumtree, it’s simple: “I haven’t lost to them since I’ve been in charge of The Sharks and I don’t plan on starting now.”
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Mark Lawrence
Television: MNet / SS1
Teams
The Sharks Griquas
Stefan Terblanche (C) 15 – Riaan Viljoen
Odwa Ndungane 14 – Bjorn Basson
Adrian Jacobs 13 – Jaco Bekker
Riaan Swanepoel 12 – Barry Geel
JP Pietersen 11 – Trompie Nontshinga
Juan Hernandez 10 – Naas Olivier
Ruan Pienaar 9 – Sarel Pretorius
Ryan Kankowski 8 – Jonathan Mokuena (C)
Michael Rhodes 7 – Davon Raubenheimer
Keegan Daniel 6 – Wesley Wilkins
Alistair Hargreaves 5 – Jacques Lombaard
Steven Sykes 4 – Cecil Kemp
John Smit 3 – Ruaan du Preez
Bismarck du Plessis 2 – Ryno Barnes
Tendai Mtawarira 1 – Albertus Buckle
Reserves
Craig Burden 16 – Andries Kruger
Jannie du Plessis 17 – Steph Roberts
Albert van den Berg 18 – Eric Coetzee
Jean Deysel 19 – Heinrich Stride
Rory Kockott 20 – Donald Stevens
Andries Strauss 21 – Wilmaure Louw
Waylon Murray 22 – Gavin Passens
good morning everyone
@sharky_forever –
JisJis, you boys ready to take the Diamond City by storm?
Just watch out for the big hole!
Going to be a scorcher, weather-wise as well….good luck.
I feel sorry for the Kwas (one of my favourite SA teams), but I want the Sharks to pick up a five pointer today for a home semi.
morning pietman , hope ur doing good mate ?
hope ur right and i hope the lions do a no on wp like they did on us lol
this is my first article and i know i have done something wrong lol
@sharky_forever –
Congrats!
Article is just fine, a few racist undertones but I am sure you will iron them out in due course as you publish more….. 🙂
@Pietman – 😆
just not sure if its showing the same by you like it is by me
for example bye me , on the main page it shows the whole article open and not just the headlines
at the bottom i dont have all the smileys either
Sharks will be up for this…I think Griquas are in for a tough afternoon….will be watching this one with relish, in the sunny climes of Johannesburg…..on a MOERSE big tv.
@4man – Hiyas 4man ., yeah ill be watching with the sharks supporters club in PTA , we will ptolly be around 40 or 50 people
Sharks need to step up a few gears though
My smileys also arent working today, they probably have a babelaas from last night. My mate Allan hasnt even arisen yet, I have already been for two swims and am now contemplating chicken on a raft (egg on toast)
moet tog nie dat die kwas daai twee bonus punte kry nie asssssseeeeeeebbbbbbbbbiiiiiiieeeeeeeeffffffff sharks tackle julle asse af
@sharky_forever – ptlloy = probably
@sharky_forever – Like I said….they are up for this one. I must just get to Boksburg to deliver some camo to my buddy there and no doubt there will be beer involved…..again.
@smallies72 – hiyas boet , i cant see the sharks going for anything but a big win
their aim should surely be to end on top for a home final
@4man – lol never say it like its a bad thing 🙄 😆
Why does the article say Friday…or am I losing my mind, or losing a day….what time is the game….eeerrrrrr and what date??
be back in a few
Go Sharks and Lions and Cheetahs!!
@sharky_forever – All I know is the first one today is going to have fishooks in….and my liver stopped talking to me two days ago and is still sitting in the corner sulking……but at 70 pence a beer….I cant help myself 🙂
@Supa Die Bloubul – supa hiyas boet , just a question or 2 please mate
as you know this is my first posting as author , and i am not sure if i have done anything wrong or not , and i am new to wordpress
1) when i open the main page all the articles are just the headlines and then you click to see full article
by me it shows the full article and then i click to comment????????
also no smileys??
@4man – 😆
and congrats to all the bulls folk, bulls had a great win last night
@sharky_forever – chom hulle kan ver wen moet net nie dat die kwas b-punte kry nie dis al wat ek vra cheetahs wil graag teen wp in die semi wen en dan weer op loftus die cc. he he he
my smileys is ok awol
@4man – it does??
@smallies72 – final in durban or capetown old chap 😉 with sharks holding the claret jug aloft
@sharky_forever – My apologies, I did see it afterwards…at the bottom where it should be….be nice to me I am going to go for my third swim now….the last cobwebs are still there….and after a kilometre in the pool now the blood is starting to flow normally.
@sharky_forever – sal ma sie ma my gut se dat as cheetahs die wp kan kry in die semies k@k hulle en ek dink nie die haaie het dit om die bulle te vreet nie
Sir Donald Curry is coming home to Natal!!
@smallies72 – lol thats also what you guys said the last 2 games 😯 the rest is history
and my friend we all know the sharks and bulls will lift themselves bigtime when they play each other
and on any day its 50 50 and also sharks now also getting back to full strength
only muller still injured , which to me he adds more grunt to the pack
@4man – correction …. sir currie is staying he durban, he says he has a happy home there 😆
@sharky_forever – Doesnt he go back to Rugby Headquarters before the final….thats how it used to be….if not, then you are correct, he stays at home, in fact he can watch the game on tv….then he doesnt have to leave the house.
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