Former Sharks mentor Brendan Venter believes the Durbanites will have too much firepower for the Bulls in their Super Rugby opener in Durban on Saturday night (19:10 kick-off).
Sport24
Venter, who was the mastermind behind the Sharks’ Currie Cup success last year, believes it will be tough to tactically outfox his successor, Jake White, and feels the Sharks will be too strong up front for the Bulls.
Venter said the Bulls are in a rebuilding phase and will struggle without Morné Steyn at flyhalf, while the Sharks have had the perfect preparation ahead of this year’s event.
“They (Sharks) had a nice practice run against the Lions and are injury free. The Bulls lost to the Stormers and Arno Botha (knee) is injured. I’ll be surprised if the Bulls win this one,” Venter told the Beeld website.
Venter said the Sharks’ Springbok front row of Beast Mtawarira, Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis should “strangle the life out of the Bulls” on Saturday.
“It is the first game of the season and the humidity will make it even tougher. Both teams will realise they need to set the foundation up front.”
Yes we know Brendan. The Sharks has already won the super rugby tournament for 2014. Playing the games is just a formality. Jake probably has already a banner in the Sharks change room that states “Sharks Super 15 champions 2014”
1 @ leon:
I would not be surprised if he really does have a banner like that up… seriously!
I read he say he thinks they will beat the Bulls in this game and only that
Think about 90% of people watching rugby agrees with him
@ grootblousmile:
Yes. Thats his style. Think he did that with the 2007 bok team.
Agree with Venter, they should beat the Bulls this weekend.
leon wrote:
Leon you sound bitter. Don’t be!
So what if the Sharks have a positive thought process? Rather that than a “Jannie Jammergat” houding.
@ Snoek:
Me bitter? Never. Just know Jake psychology.
Sharks are clear favourites to win the S15. They have the coach, the squad and the budget.
Good luck to them!
The Sharks do have the best chance of all the SA sides, they have been pro-active since the decision to get rid of Plumtree ( how I wish my Strompies would start being pro-active as well ) but having the best coaches, buying the best players etc still doesn’t address the mental issues of how they will fare going into just about every game as clear favorites and being expected to easily top the SA conference and secure a home semi or final. The psyche of the average SA player and team is one of ” we prefer the back against the wall underdog tag”
That’s where I believe they will falter in the big matches that count, especially against the better Kiwi teams, but that’s just my opinion, and judging by my SuperBru stats for 2014, I am more wrong in my opinion than right
Sharks and Stormers to top the conference. Cheetahs and Bulls to break alot of Nz and Aus hearts. Lions to end 12th or maybe even 11th. Cmon Lioooons!!!!! Norts we are all “kenners” on superbru hahahahaha. Sharks to beat the Bully boys by 4 and Lions to motivate the Cheats and win away by 61 points
Leon are you a Stormer? Just like knowing which teams the bloggers support. Rambo supports the Lions if you guys didnt know. Heart on the sleeve stuff!
@ Rambo_Hunter_BigBok:
Nooo! I support the team that’s got the super 14 trophy permanently in their cabinet.
Rambo_Hunter_BigBok wrote:
Hi, hoe gaan dit?
Goed om jou ook hier te sien, en jy het n span in die SR die jaar
Jy se jou welpies gaan n paar spanne roer die jaar
Geesh, the new season hasn’t even started yet & we’re already been taken out off the ball…
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/brumbies-shot-dead-in-newnes-state-forest-20140212-32ic4.html
@ Loosehead:
Yes we’ve heard that every year since 96′, this year won’t be any different.
@ NZINCHINA:
Howzit Noodles?
What’s the word down in NZ, the Blues being touted as potential winners or just the Chiefs and Saders?
I’m curious to see this Benji fellow in action, after all the good things written about him, I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do. Folau was awesome in his debut season of union, so are we to expect the same of Marshall?
Yeah, howzit Noodles, how’re you doing, mate?
I heard an ex League player in the Tahs stable is very good – do you know who they are talking about?
Said person apparently outplayed Marshall in the pres season friendly – Tahs vs. Blues
@ nortierd:
@ BrumbiesBoy:
Very we’ll thank you gents, Norty the Blues won’t win it nothing going on in the locking department and a rookie at 10, top six finish is the best they could hope for unfortunately.
Chiefs or Crusaders for me again this year.
Dit gaan lekker Norts. Is nou reg vir bietjie rugby. Moet se die mense op die blog lyk na lekker klomp ouens. Bly om te sien van ons NZ tjomas is ook hier. Dit moet net nie lelik raak hier soos by keo nie. Is nie lus vir daai rassistiese sleg se goed nie.
Ja my leeutjiekies lyk nie juis na veel nie om eerlik te wees. Maar as hulle so een of twee “verrassings” kan laat gebeur sal ek gelukkig wees. Ek dink jou stormers gaan jou verbaas. Hulle het nie die “fabourite” title nie. En met die griek in 10 dink ek julle gaan beter vaar as wat meeste dink. Ek het so gevoel dat ons 4 spanne in die top 8 gaan he die jaar. En dit sal fantasties wees vir sa rugby.
@ Rambo_Hunter_BigBok:
Sjoe, jy is n glas half vol mens
Ek dink weer net die Sharks gaan in die top 6 wees van die SA spanne, Stormers het net mooi niks wat ons nie al voorheen gesien het nie, en dit was nog nooit goed genoeg om iets te wen nie, so my verwagtinge is maar baie laag.
Darem nog net 2 dae dan begin dit.
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