Call me crazy, but there are many reasons for predicting a Sharks victory on Saturday. Firstly, John Smit is back at hooker. The prop experiment has been a fiasco at every level, the Springbok frontrow is a joke.
And now so are the Sharks, even though they feature five current Springboks.
But order is restored, and Carstens and Du Plessis are real props, not converted 8th men or hookers.
Also, Ruan Pienaar is back at scrumhalf.
Equally unsuccessful has been the Ruan Pienaar flyhalf experiment. The guy might have the aptitude, but he doesn’t want to do it, so why force him? He’s a great scrumhalf – he kicks, passes and runs exceptionally well. He going to recover his joie de vivre and win the match.
Then there’s Riaan Swanepoel.
This guy runs straight and hard, and will actually get the Sharks some front foot ball. The past few weeks have seen Ruan take it sideways, Jacobs continue the trend, and Murray head off into the 5th row of the stands while JP hangs around his own tryline waiting to make a tackles.
With Swanepoel at 12, look for a carbon copy of the Bulls game-plan: crash ball from the centers, quick recycle to a very grateful Ryan Kankowski, and then spread it wide to the wings on 3rd phase.
Unstoppable. Especially because Kanko is the only guy making breaks currently.
There’s also the Law of Averages. The Sharks haven’t beaten the Waratahs in Sydney for ten years. That’s got to come to an end sooner or later. I’m picking tomorrow.
Plus, when did they last lose four on the trot?
That’s four good reasons. I’m still looking for a Goode reason, but maybe we misjudge the guy.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
These 10 speedsters will be carving it up on the wings in 2023.
So the dust has settled on the inaugural United Rugby Championship tournament, with the Stormers celebrating a deserved first championship win over the Bulls…
It’s right to question South Africa’s (and Argentina’s) involvement in Super Rugby. But let’s remember: they contribute more than Australia. The rainbow nation has…
In order to be the best, you have to beat the best. If there is any international rugby left to be played in 2020…
It may be called the South African conference, but all the evidence is pointing towards a certain Argentinian side finishing the season atop it.…
Australia's only Super Rugby finalist, the Brumbies will put their season on the line as they play host to South African franchise the Sharks…
