Can Sharks bite off the Storm?

The Bulls are out after The Crusaders dominated in the play-offs. Quite frankly, I didn’t expect much from my side. Throughout the competition, they’ve showed signs of inconsistency. They’d dominate then break down, offering opponents too much space. All credit must go to The Stormers and Sharks who have set up a tantalising semi this weekend. The Western Cape outfit have been the best team in the competition in my opinion and The Sharks have improved on their slow season start.

Right now, no one is a favourite.

Looking back, The Stormers were beaten by The Sharks earlier in the season (one of two defeats all season). And while The Stormers overcome many, their rugby hasn’t been pretty of late (despite dominance). Even though The Sharks use jet-lag as a primary excuse, their complete form over the last few games will grab attention and their tough tour won’t set them back against The Stormers. At the breakdown, Sharks can produce turnovers with world-class players like Bismarck Du Plessis and Willem Alberts. For me, the Durban front row is the best in South Africa so it will be interesting to see if The Stormers can control the ball in those sort of set-pieces.

 

The Stormers, however, have relied heavily on their defence this season and it has propelled them to the top of the league. Both teams also rely on quick counter-attacks so the game will definitely introduce open, pacey play. With home ground advantage, its Stormers who have the upperhand but in a knock-out match-up, the pressure could be on the home side to follow-through on their scrape wins.

A lot of the game might rest on possession and territory and Joe Pietersen will be looking to play well to get a look in at a Springbok call-up while Peter Grant remains consistent in gaining territory. While The Stormers have Gio Aplon on fiery form throughout, the form of Springbok winger JP Pietersen shouldn’t be ignored. Not only has he been scoring tries of late, but his assisting going forward has been amazing and his runs through defence holes have proved worthy of many man-of-the-match performances.

 

Players to watch out for:

Marcell Coetzee – moves the ball up with ease.

Willem Alberts – powerful, physical

Eben Etzebeth – a talent that proves worthy in the breakdown

Bismarck Du Plessis – world’s best in the position. Can control at the breakdown and produce turnovers

Jean De Villiers – strong, quick, moves past defensive lines and creates opportunities on the wing

Habana – prolific over the last few weeks. Always a threat on the wing and likes semi-finals and final match-ups.

 

My prediction: It’s a hard one and I predict the winner will win by 7 points.

I’m going to go with The Sharks, though. They are the underdogs in the match-up but Allister Coetzee’s side might buckle in the competition’s end. They have before.

Footy and Rugga news

Football

Blatter wants to scrap penalties. Man, he’s quite a piece of work. While Blatter calls penalties a ‘tragedy’, for me its just part of the game. For a neutral watching a final especially, it’s the most nerve-wrecking, emotional rollercoaster. Blatter’s comments come right after Chelsea’s win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. His argument is a little sour and hopeless, fearing that the ‘team aspect’ of the game is ruined by the one-on-one challenge. I say, focus on the burning issues of the game: racism and the lack of goal-line technology – these spoil fixtures.

Norwich keeper John Ruddy has been ruled out of the Euros with a broken finger. Ruddy’s replacement will be Jack Butland from Birmingham. While it is a shame for Ruddy to miss England’s campaign, there is no doubt Hart will occupy the gloves as long as possible.

Outgoing Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has ruled himself out of coaching for a few months. Pep has reiterated his desire to relax from the game and come back recharged and geared up for a new challenge – A Fergie replacement?

 

Having sacked legend Dalglish, Liverpool are looking for a new man in charge of Anfield. Wigan boss Roberto Martinez who propelled his Wigan side with impeccable form is a hot favourite to land the position. Martinez’s buyout could be around 3million.

 

Transfer time

Arsenal are holding onto their captain Van Persie by refusing contact with any clubs as the Dutchman ponders his future with the Gunners. Van Persie has refused a contract extension which ends next year as he does not see a probable future with Wenger and Co. Van Persie’s suitors are most likely City and Madrid.

Japanese star Kagawa is looking more likely on a move to Manchester United. Having already had talks with Sir Alex, it seems the future is bright for United’s midfield dilemma. United are also looking at confused, dazzled Lille star Eden Hazard who is also looking at City and Chelsea. Reports also say that United are looking to land Kevin-Prince Boateng for a more attacking mindset next season.

Ajax defender Jan Vertonghen is likely to grab a star move to Spurs over suitors Arsenal. Despite losing out on Champions League football, Vertonghen is eager for English League football and the Spurs backline can be increasingly superior if his move is made.

After six years with Liverpool, Aurelio has moved to Gremio on a one-and-a-half year deal.

Modric is a hot property for many European clubs. United and Chelsea remain the top dogs to land the Spurs man while City and Real also seem interested in the midfield maestro’s talent. Modric is also looking for Champions League football which will make his desire to leave more understandable.

Rugby

Chiefs overcame the Blue Bulls in Hamilton, surging to a 28-22 win. The game was tight and the Chiefs saw a late try to carry the fixture home. The loss cost the Pretoria side a chance to leap Cape Town’s Stormers. With two out of four on tour, Spies describes his feelings as being bittersweet following Chiefs’ last efforts in attack. The Bulls, however, will have a chance to fight back with a tantalising match-up against the Stormers at Loftus next week – surely a test to see who South Africa’s favourite for the Super 15 is.

The coastal derby between Plumtree’s Sharks and Stormers this weekend is also a must-see following some great form from the Durban side in recent weeks. For the Capetonians, a win will see them lie top once more following blistering form in 2012. For the Sharks, a win is necessary if they want a play-off while Allister Coetzee’s men would want a win behind them before grappling with The Bulls next weekend. With Lambie back in the fold, the kicking game should be a testing one!

Boks coach Heynecke Meyer has chosen his 42 for a Bok camp in Durban. This will be the players’ last chance to impress new Bok boss before the final squad meets on June 3rd before a crucial fixture against England on June 9.

 

Here’s the list:

Forwards (22): Coenie Oosthuizen, Tendai Mtawarira, Dean Greyling, Jannie du Plessis, Pat Cilliers, Werner Kruger, Bismarck du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Flip van der Merwe, Eben Etzebeth, Andries Bekker, Juandré Kruger, Marcell Coetzee, CJ Stander, Heinrich Brüssow, Keegan Daniel, Willem Alberts, Jean Deysel, Pierre Spies, Ryan Kankowski, Josh Strauss

Backs (20): Francois Hougaard, Jano Vermaak, Piet van Zyl, Morné Steyn, Pat Lambie, Elton Jantjies, Peter Grant, Wynand Olivier, Jean de Villiers, Juan de Jongh, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Bjorn Basson, JP Pietersen, Gio Aplon, Lwazi Mvovo, Akona Ndungane, Zane Kirchner, Jaco Taute, Joe Pietersen

The Storm down south: Bulls vs. Stormers

The colossal battle – Bulls and Stormers – clash this Saturday at Newlands and sees a heightened feud in the South African conference. Stormers are riding top of the table while the Bulls’ recent form and crushing victory over former champions The Reds makes the Newlands match-up a mouth-watering prospect.

Bulls play hard - a part of their winning culture

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the three-time champions beat The Stormers, they’ll go top in the South African conference. Bulls coach Ludeke has a huge respect for the Cape Town franchise and the amount of promise and success they have seen for the past two seasons. Bulls will start the fifteen that smashed The Reds 61 – 8 in Pretoria last week. The contest, however, will be seen as a kicking contest in my opinion. Steyn, inconsistent in the few games and slowly finding touch, will have to keep up with Stormers’ man Joe Pietersen. Steyn was off form against The Blues and his missed penalties probably was the chief factor for The Bulls loss. Pietersen has been fairly good but has seen bouts of promise diminish when needed. It’s all about the forward play and the kicking game for territory. With the amount of talent on the pitch on Saturday, there could be sprinting spurts in attack but play is likely to belong to the boys up front, rolling forward and keeping the short phases going.

Habana is alwaysa threat on the wing and he will be hoping to grab a win against his former team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This will also be an opportunity for the Bulls to sport their pink away kit – but don’t let that put you off their form. The Stormers have the Newlands crowd so I am expecting a tight match in the end. It’s the biggest match of the weekend and probably sparks more attention than the opening between The Sharks and Bulls in Pretoria. The North/South derby will see South Africa’s two top teams fight away to grab top spot. Stormers and Bulls can also boast the best defensive teams in the competition so it will be interesting to see which roaring backline will break through – but points could lie in the hands (or boots) of Steyn and Pietersen. Bulls have a winning culture – the exact reason they grab wins after a disappointing showing against The Blues. Stormers remain unbeaten and are looking a side that have great chemistry with an impressive, star-studded backline.

Expect a fierce competition down South.
Bulls for me. I could be biased.

To look forward to and the moments that were…

Ryan Giggs, on his 900^th United appearance, got a last-gasp goal to give United a 2-1 win over Norwich – crucial for Fergie’s men as they look to close in on City. The clash between Spurs up next is going to paramount and could define the season.

Spurs looked the comfortable side in the first few moments in the London derby against Arsenal but the Gunners fought on, beating their rivals by a classy 5-2 win. It also looks like Wenger is earning the respect after some dismal performances before the derby. Also, the media is speculating on a grab for German striker Podolski. That with Van Persie – threatening!

Proteas cruised to a series victory against New Zealand with an easy win the second ODI in Napier. The first was also taken by great bowling and fielding in Wellington. The South Africans took the first match in Wellington by six wickets and have now won their last four games in New Zealand having also grabbed the T20 series. Amla was short of a century going for 92 and Morkel proved his worth the ball grabbing 5-38 claiming a man of the match performance. All to play for to keep up the form in the last ODI!

Speaking of The Proteas, T20 star Richard Levi has signed for The Mumbai Indian and will claim close to R26 000 a run. Insane.  (Check out his fastest T20 100 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmS2xhvWpDY)

Super Rugby season has come back and The Bulls have impressed with their 18-13 season opener against the Sharks at Loftus. Even though it was a dire yawn-fest, the season started with a win for the Pretoria side. For the Durban outfit, the next few weeks are crucial with Beast trying to recover from injury. Next up for Sharks is Stormers. What a game to look forward to.