Coast calls on countrymen
21 Apr 2008
The Stormers and Sharks need their northern counterparts to fire if South Africa are to secure two semi-final spots.
The Bulls, Cheetahs and Lions are no longer in play-off contention, but the next three weeks will be crucial from a South African view point. The Stormers announced themselves as serious title contenders with a win over the Hurricanes, while the Sharks are sitting at second on the Super 14 log. Four games remain, and while neither Dick Muir nor Rassie Erasmus will be counting on the form of the other South African franchises, they would be immensely grateful for any favours.
The Crusaders are six points clear of the Sharks, but only eight points separate positions two and nine. Four points separate positions four and nine. It’s clear the next three weeks are going to be a vital.
The Lions still have to play the Brumbies, Hurricanes and Chiefs before hosting the Stormers at Ellis Park. The Bulls play the Waratahs and Brumbies after their bye, and finish with a game against the Cheetahs. The central franchise host the Canes and Highlanders, followed by two weeks of local action against the Sharks and Bulls.
Given the impact another loss could have on table standings, these three South African teams should find new motivation for the back end of their respective campaigns. The Springboks won the World Cup five months after the Sharks and Bulls contested the Super 14 final. Having two teams in the play-offs is a healthy situation for South African rugby.
On current form, nobody will be expecting the Lions to win all four of their remaining games. But a win over any one of the Brumbies, Canes or Chiefs teams could be so crucial to the final outcome.
The Bulls played well at Loftus last week, and will say they are playing for pride. Put national pride on the pedestal boys, and do your coastal cousins a favour by downing the two Aussie contenders. Naka Drotske’s men can also help by clouting the Canes in Kimberley.
Of course, it could go terribly wrong with these three teams losing to Australasian opposition and beating the two South African sides. The Stormers’ match up with the Lions will be a big one, and Cheetahs-Sharks clashes are always bruising encounters.
Whichever way you look at it, the three struggling local teams will influence the final four standings.
By Jon Cardinelli
248 Comments
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21 Apr 2008, 14:04 pm
First ? Bulls please do us the favour !!!!
21 Apr 2008, 14:07 pm
It’s not surprising that only the coastal team are in contention. Our guys have to play at altitude.
21 Apr 2008, 14:10 pm
On the udder hand , The stormers have their own fate in their hands. If they win all their remaining matches they will be in the semi’s , maybe even a home….dare we dream ? either way their season has been a HUGE success and things are certainly looking up for the Wastern Cape , Whoever got Rassie here kudo’s to them!!!
21 Apr 2008, 14:11 pm
Yeah, well i think the Bulls players are bit tired this season afterall they Won the Super 14 in a brilliant match “nogal in shark tank” and then they won the World Cup in France.
21 Apr 2008, 14:11 pm
Katman how so ? Dont altitude give your guys an advantage ? remember its not only your guys that play in the altitude but the opposition as well, at least your guys are use to it
21 Apr 2008, 14:14 pm
But our guys have altitude sickness from training.
21 Apr 2008, 14:20 pm
Katman, I think altitude is a big weapon for you. It’s always difficult to travel inland.
21 Apr 2008, 14:20 pm
whats altitude sickness?
21 Apr 2008, 14:22 pm
The Lions have to play more then 40min a game. The Bulls have to kick JP out of the 22
21 Apr 2008, 14:23 pm
katman
your guys have ATTITUDE sickness.
21 Apr 2008, 14:23 pm
The Bulls, Lions and Cheetahs haven’t fired all season and I can’t see them starting now.
21 Apr 2008, 14:25 pm
I can see G13G getting behind the Stormers……
21 Apr 2008, 14:25 pm
The Stormers and Sharks are both in control of their own destiny. They don’t have to rely on any other results. Do they lack confidence or is it just the rugby public?
21 Apr 2008, 14:26 pm
skunk
you there?
21 Apr 2008, 14:30 pm
chch
Well said! They must concentrate on winning their own games! If the other teams win then thats a bonus.
21 Apr 2008, 14:30 pm
#12 church – like chch but pronounceable:
The Chiefs, Hurricanes, Blues and Brumbies all have to rely on other results.
21 Apr 2008, 14:32 pm
#11 gretep: what you smoking?
21 Apr 2008, 14:33 pm
#15 church – like chch but pronounceable: Waratahs too. They have 3 away games after playing the Sharks.
21 Apr 2008, 14:36 pm
gretep
when hell freezes over maybe
21 Apr 2008, 14:37 pm
12 stormers will win their games its a home semi that we are bidding for and thats where the bulls , lions and cheetahs can assist
21 Apr 2008, 14:37 pm
#17 THE MAULER:
But the Waratahs too can win every game and go through …. all in their own hands
21 Apr 2008, 14:38 pm
It would be interesting to see what the lower ranked SA teams did last year, can’t remember. Anybody know?
21 Apr 2008, 14:38 pm
Hey, the Sharks loss was a bit of an upset and sucked, but remember, everybody is speaking of how the stormers WILL be in the semis, but the lost 4 matches. The tsjarkies has only lost one and drew one. Ok, so they have the Saders ahead of them, but hey, why can’t they beat them. The chiefs did. If things continue as they are I feel sorry for the B&I Lions next year when they have to play against the Coastel XV.
Please Bulls, end on a high!
Go Stormers and Sharks.
21 Apr 2008, 14:38 pm
Waratahs play Bulls, Stormers and Reds away. 2 losses for sure. I think the team who can steal 2nd spot will be the Stormers.
21 Apr 2008, 14:39 pm
#19 MR Lam:
The Stormers can get a five pointer over the Waratahs themselves (and win the other three). Only the Sharks could then prevent them getting a home semi
….are you hoping that the other South African sides stop the Sharks?
… that can only be the Cheetahs
21 Apr 2008, 14:40 pm
#17 THE MAULER: It’s not the coastel teams asking, but it’s extra motivation for those central teams, that the boks will do well with a bit of momentum, especialy with a new bok coach.
21 Apr 2008, 14:41 pm
No favours for the coastal chokers, if they meant to be good enough to win the Super 14 then they don’t need any favours (To be honest if the Lions tried they probably would be able to help anyway). I hope the Stormers need the Lions to toss their last game at Ellis Park and the Lions pull of a ridiculous victory….
21 Apr 2008, 14:41 pm
#22 Steph:
Stormers have many bonus points. The Sharks are going to lose something in the Waratahs, Crusaders, Chiefs games so they should be looking for every bonus point that they can get.
21 Apr 2008, 14:42 pm
stormers ond sharks will make semis if they just keep winning they can’t afford to rely on the other teams because all of them are unpredictable
21 Apr 2008, 14:42 pm
I was standing in the bar under the railway stand at Newlands on Saturday, and the Bulls game was live on the tv. Even after the years of ridicule we’ve gotten from Bulls fans, every single one of those patrons in that bar were screaming for the Bulls. My mate, who’s from Joburg, turned to me and said “if this was loftus and the stormers were playing, everyone would’ve been shouting for the highlanders…”
i guess that pretty much sums up how much support we can expect from up north. Different mentalities i guess…
21 Apr 2008, 14:43 pm
lol, reminds me of two seasons ago when the sharks needed the stormers to lose by less than 20 pts (or something like that) to the bulls. no help there.
21 Apr 2008, 14:43 pm
Meant to say would NOt be able to help anyway, my poor team sucks BIG time, dammit………..
21 Apr 2008, 14:43 pm
23 agree with you there stormers have tasted victory and like it watch them improve with every game higlanders on saturday by 35 points plus
21 Apr 2008, 14:44 pm
#23 THE MAULER:
hehe … if they beat the Brumbies and Waratahs
I am laughing because now you consider the Bulls unbeatable for the Waratahs
21 Apr 2008, 14:44 pm
Ek sien uit na ‘n opwindende paar naweke. Hoop die ander SA spanne doen die Sharks en Stormers ‘n guns en wen hulle games. Na Saterdag glo ek die Bulls gaan opkom vir die Stormers. Leeus kan ook nog vir ‘n opskudding veroorsaak. Cheetha’s kan ook wen die naweek wat kom. Ons steun nou op die ander spanne.
21 Apr 2008, 14:45 pm
#25 goodstuff:
True. But the teams must concentrate on their own games. Not rely on other results. The Sharks should have won on sat. Now they have put alot of pressure on themselves.
21 Apr 2008, 14:45 pm
#26 Lions Maffia:
There is no throwing of games in the Super14 ….. ask the Force
21 Apr 2008, 14:46 pm
24 sharks will do themselves in have said all season they are living to close to teh edge too many postional changes they are not settled crusaders will break them
we wont need the cheetahs for that favour dont wont it either
21 Apr 2008, 14:46 pm
#33 church – like chch but pronounceable:
He He.. I was actually refering to the Reds. But yes the Bulls will be too much for the Waratahs at home.
21 Apr 2008, 14:46 pm
Dazzler – It’s not so much different mentalities just the fact that the coastel teams buy our players and make out that they have the best teams from their regions. I know it’s a proffessional game and so on but make your own talent.
Also a bit jealous that out teams are the typical old boring afrikaans rugby franchises who can’t keep up with the times… Plus we have beautifully located stadiums like Ellis Park…
21 Apr 2008, 14:47 pm
Heini out for two weeks , According to the Bulls’ website, Adams received a knock on his tibia in the 13th minute of the match, but luckily he did not fracture his leg.
21 Apr 2008, 14:47 pm
#30 rangerman:
The Crusaders relied on the Blues last year to keep their home semi chances alive …. never rely on the Blues
21 Apr 2008, 14:49 pm
The Cheetahs and Bulls I see as the threat for the overseas teams. Q is not if they have enough spirit and will to win, I’m sure they will not mind to end on a high, but, do they have enough quality and momentum to carry them past the likes of the Brumbies, Tahs and Canes?
PLEASE NOTE, SA should back the Reds, they are playing…the Chiefs, Blues, Crusaders and Tahs. A single win can work in the S&S’s favour.
21 Apr 2008, 14:49 pm
never rely on anyone chch. just keep winning.
21 Apr 2008, 14:50 pm
#2 katman:
Not for the first time Katman is making garbage comments again.
People that live and train and play at altitude (rarified air, press. <760mmHg.) are at a huge advantage vs. the non-altitude, coastal teams esp. in the very important last quarter of the game.
Altitude teams have developed a higher conc. of RBCs to carry oxygen to all cells, including muscle cells that require the gas to help generate ATP to carry out all the activities of the body including playing the demaniding game of rugby.
21 Apr 2008, 14:51 pm
Lions Maffia… if you want to talk about where the talent in this country comes from, its an arguement you will lose. If you reffering to Mujati and Januarie… Mujati was NOT a Lion’s homegrown talent, and Januarie just came home, to where he was born and bred. The western cape produces more talent than any other region, and just have a look around the country at how many WP born and bred boys are playing for other provinces… half the Bulls team just about
21 Apr 2008, 14:51 pm
#39 Lions Maffia:
What utter rubbish! The Lions and Bulls get alot of players from neighbouring regions like Mpumalanga and say its home grown talent. This is profesional rugby and if you can capitalise then do it.
21 Apr 2008, 14:52 pm
#27 church – like chch but pronounceable:
O, yeah, completely forget about the bonus points. Yip, that does make a differance. Knew it didn’t feel right to back another team…
21 Apr 2008, 14:52 pm
ET chill, I seriously doubt Katman was being serious!
21 Apr 2008, 14:53 pm
I am going to say it again …. the Bulls vs Brumbies game won’t count for much. The Stormers play the Brumbies the previous week and if the Stormers win the Brumbies won’t matter ….. if the Stormers lose then they are in the **** anyway
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