Super Sharks will win Currie Cup
22 Oct 2012
MARK KEOHANE, in Business Day newspaper, applauds the talents of Eben Etzebeth and Pat Lambie and writes the Sharks are the best domestic team in South Africa.
Eben Etzebeth made his Western Province Currie Cup debut a fortnight ago and is eligible to play in Saturday’s U21 final. He’s still a pup in terms of provincial experience and age but he’s definitely no pup in terms of performance.
He was colossal against the Lions in Western Province’s dramatic last minute Currie Cup semi-final victory. He commands presence, which explains the remarkable elevation from Varsity Cup player in 2011 to an eight-Test Springbok in 2012. A unique breed of player simply has it. Etzebeth is the newest international member of this club, and if he stays injury free he could become the most dominant of second rowers in the next decade.
He thrives on responsibility, especially when the crunch moments demand the tough to take the lead. We saw it in Super Rugby, most notably in the final 20 minutes when the Stormers repelled a Lions fightback in Johannesburg to win. Etzebeth towered above the rest that night and at the same venue, against the provincial Lions he effected a result of similar significance for Western Province players, who earlier in the year had played in the guise of the Stormers.
Etzebeth is among the 10 nominations for South Africa’s Player of the Year and while my preference is the revitalised and rejuvenated Western Province, Stormers and Springbok wing Bryan Habana, a more appropriate reward for Etzebeth would be the Rookie of the Year.
He plays with the authority of an old head, but the emotional maturity should not disguise his youthfulness. He is also an enforcer who lacks the crassness of a thug. He can impose his physicality without resorting to cheap shots, which is refreshing. There is more Brad Thorn to his persona than Bakkies Botha because he has the calmness a young Botha’s personality did not accommodate. Botha had mongrel but Etzebeth’s aggression is measured. The old dog can certainly teach Etzebeth a trick or two, which is why I’d select both for the end-of- year tour, but the emotional maturity and seemingly contentment of Etzebeth is unique among young international second rowers.
Etzebeth’s influence was massive in the lineout take and subsequent 20m maul that crushed the Lions in the last play of the game. Lions’ supporters would rightly have cursed his presence on Saturday night, but as South Africans they will have many a Saturday in which they’ll celebrate the fact he’s a South African who plays for the Springboks.
Another youngster who plays with the maturity of a veteran is Pat Lambie. National coach Heyneke Meyer has been reluctant on Lambie. Why? Who knows?
Lambie has shown his class as a person through a winter of frustration at national level. Picked as a bench warmer and only viewed as a fullback option he never spoke out against the coach and never threatened of a move to French or English club rugby. He spoke only when given a chance to start at flyhalf for the Sharks and his speaking came by way of performance. He was more commander than cavalier against the Bulls in the Sharks 20-3 semi-final victory.
He looked more Dan Carter than Quade Cooper in controlling the semi-final, which is a compliment of his class.
Lambie, two seasons ago, was brilliant in the Sharks’ Currie Cup final win against Western Province, but his versatility has been to his detriment. He can play 10, 12, 13 and 15 and he wouldn’t be out of place on the wing, but because of this quality he has become a jack of all trades when he has the potential to become the master of one.
Lambie really has been impressive at flyhalf in the most understated, yet effective manner. The hope is Meyer can review his earlier opinion that Lambie is a 15 and not a 10, and not fear misguided accusations that a change of opinion is because of a state of confusion.
Lambie, on the pending Bok tour, must get some game time at 10. Expect a big game from him in Durban on Saturday against Western Province. He’ll deliver because whenever he has been given an opportunity (not a 10-minute cameo role) the return has been a quality performance.
The Sharks were imposing and brutal against the Bulls and coach John Plumtree’s match 22 selection showed an understanding that play-off matches are determined more by the quality of the seven substitutes than the perceived pedigree of the starting XV.
The Sharks have been South Africa’s most consistent performer in Super Rugby and Currie Cup, with or without their current Springboks. They play the best rugby and they are South Africa’s best team. They will win the title on Saturday.
458 Comments
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22 Oct 2012, 15:51 pm
@Sharksgirl-198: Yes, the season ticket holders…….Always the fuckerswho decide not to pitch. It’s the same everywhere. Really hope it’s a full house though, I’m sure it will be though. Someone said earlier the weather outlook was pretty good? Sun forecast?
22 Oct 2012, 15:52 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-199:
Him and Gayton go way back.
22 Oct 2012, 15:54 pm
@Sharksgirl-196: I think t is going to be a humdinger of a match, luckily I got season tickets,(which have been in the family for eons). Hopefully the rain stays away, because then we can really show that the “Traditionalist Powerhouse” WE PEE(thx HG) only blows hot air and nothing else
22 Oct 2012, 15:54 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-199: Totally agree! was really upset yesterday watching CarteBlanche! Starting to understand the Strikes! My mother was a chemist at Gold fields and had to go down a mine once a month to collect samples etc. She used to come back bleak at the terrible living and working conditions of the miners, and the wealth of the managers. That though was during apartheid, seems like very little has changed
22 Oct 2012, 15:55 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-201: beautifull day in Durban today, sun shining and a blue blue sky! PMB not too bad either hope it holds out till at least Sunday
22 Oct 2012, 15:56 pm
@Sharksgirl-204: Glad you got your tickets soughted.
22 Oct 2012, 15:57 pm
@KingTJ-203: The atmosphere at the Tank this morning was already very festive! Should be a good match! I remember in 2010, a whole lot of WP supporters dancing outside the Cage it was really festive! Can’t wait for Saturday!
22 Oct 2012, 16:00 pm
@Sharksgirl-207: Yep, the tank always festive on match day and I am sure our We Pee supporters will have a memorable day (even if they don’t get anything to take home excepts some great memories)
22 Oct 2012, 16:00 pm
@gunther-202: geez: kenny, gayton and now asswin
was asswin a silent partner @ ZAR? mmhhh
22 Oct 2012, 16:01 pm
@sharks_lover-206: The only frustrating thing was getting to the tank! Thought I would miss Kings Mead as there was a match there so thought oops traffic, and totally forgot the construction on Umgeni Road
There was a points man that was seriously irritating! Letting all t he traffic from Umgeni road go through and let us wait while the traffic was backing up onto the highway! Once at the Tank it was really festive, and other than having yet again spent my salary at the Shark Cage I enjoyed the day. The seats are not the best, but I will set PVR to record and enjoy the atmosphere. Plus I am taking my best friend with me I may have a new recruit 
22 Oct 2012, 16:03 pm
@gunther-202: Of course they do…..I was in fact horrified that Gayton wasn’t investigated after he made the statement last year already, that he was the ONLY man in SA who could sort out Mineral rights and the sort.
ANY statement like that should have seen someone digging? (Granted these 2 journos have been on this for quite a while now – but I’m talking ‘the judiciary’)
Nah, I felt physically ill reading those names, all undeservingfuckwits.
@Sharksgirl-204: It’s bloody tragic. I’m honestly beyond disgusted with this. So there is a chance of good weather
22 Oct 2012, 16:03 pm
@KingTJ-208: That is always important, as good hosts we will make sure they at least will have a good time
22 Oct 2012, 16:08 pm
@sharks_lover-206:
“Sorted”, shack-dweller.
Not “soughted”
22 Oct 2012, 16:12 pm
@WP-Forever-170:
The FACTS, get them right. You of all ‘rugby boertjies’ should know how important that is to the Extra-Terrestrial, especially in this period of the Orionid fiery displays in the heavens – now F-off.
SAA from JFK translates to 13 hr. flight to JHB .
@gunther-183:
First thing you actually get right on this site as that was Lance’s cancer as you intimate.
Now are you both very happy you were acknowledged as I confuse you to my amusement ?
Made at least this day for you imbeciles who have been, or are about to be, obliterated once again?
Your ‘verkramptheid’ is a shameful thing.
22 Oct 2012, 16:12 pm
@Sharksgirl-210:
good, well atleast you’re soughted, which side you sitting?
I tried calling you just before the match last weekend but ur phone was off i think, i know that the stadium the blobk our signal.
As for that lady, shouldnt be to difficult to convert her
22 Oct 2012, 16:14 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-186: Well then I hope they replace him with dikbekke Botha and Matfield. Im sure they will have plenty to say about the refffing.
22 Oct 2012, 16:15 pm
@Transformation-209:
DJ SAAAAAAK!
The supersport presenter curse strike again!
22 Oct 2012, 16:16 pm
@Dawn-213: his spelling is putrod, i suspect he was “home schooled”
22 Oct 2012, 16:16 pm
@Sharksgirl-212: YOu think the Tank will be full for the final???
22 Oct 2012, 16:16 pm
@ET.-214: 13 Hours? With your struggle credentials and communist tendencies, I’m sure 13 hours is the time you spend trying to slither your way through customs and other sorts of border control checkpoints alone. (Dodging airport security whilst singing struggle songs and swearing at Capitalist pigs…)
Explaining the stones in your fannypack must be a bi @tch.
22 Oct 2012, 16:17 pm
@ET.-214:
how are you buddy?
22 Oct 2012, 16:19 pm
@Transformation-218:
Speshul skool!
22 Oct 2012, 16:20 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-220:
khakibollocks smuggles his contraband the old fashioned way.
22 Oct 2012, 16:21 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-33: When the gutter scum becomes superior to its rescuer, then you must know how kak the rescuer has become. But of course, with the IQ in the entire Western Cape adding up to about 1, it is understandable that you would make such a claim and think it insults the Sharks. Dom troepie….
22 Oct 2012, 16:22 pm
@gunther-223:
Makes sense. He probably enjoys the G-spot examination.
22 Oct 2012, 16:24 pm
@Dusky-224: Howthefuckareyou Dusky?
22 Oct 2012, 16:24 pm
@Dusky-224:
And here’s Duskeeeee, going back 200 posts.
He will now proceed to respond to post 34.
22 Oct 2012, 16:24 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-225: And I guess it would be normal for a Capetonian to believe that there is an anal G-spot. Eben is still trying to find Deons.
22 Oct 2012, 16:24 pm
@Transformation-218: putrid…
22 Oct 2012, 16:25 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-226: Are good thanks. You ? I am actually excellent. My team is about to win the Currie Cup. Again.
22 Oct 2012, 16:25 pm
@Dawn-222: you lack dissapline Angie!!!!
22 Oct 2012, 16:26 pm
@Dawn-227: As I said – dont get moist
22 Oct 2012, 16:26 pm
See Jaco Pyper has been given the nod to ref the final (or should I say he has been ‘rolled out’ by WP?).
That’s a 14 point starting advantage to WP.
22 Oct 2012, 16:27 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-225:
He’s devastated that cellphones have become so small.
22 Oct 2012, 16:27 pm
@Dusky-232: Oh hell she sees a lighty 1/3 her age on the rugby field and her toungue hangs out, Imagine the poor little boys in her area.
22 Oct 2012, 16:28 pm
@OCO-233: hiyas OCo l;ong time no see mate, wtf you been??
As for the Ref we should be ok man, he not that bad,
22 Oct 2012, 16:28 pm
@Dusky-230: Congrats on that fella. They should take it by 20. Not sure why our kids are even bothering to make the trip.
22 Oct 2012, 16:29 pm
@OCO-233: Still won’t be enough for them…
22 Oct 2012, 16:29 pm
@gunther-234: Ohdeargodno. The image is horrific.
@sharks_lover-236: Proud of you. Calling a ref ‘not that bad’.
22 Oct 2012, 16:31 pm
@Skeppie-238: Skeppie, WP are hot favourites mate. I mean according to most of them we have rubbish players,
22 Oct 2012, 16:31 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-239: Proud of me too
but he still aint the ref i would have preferred.
22 Oct 2012, 16:32 pm
Here is Rugby365 team of the week. 9 Sharkies in that team…..
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Team of the Week – play-offs:
15 – Louis Ludik (Sharks):
His calm demeanour played a crucial role in the testing conditions. Stood up to some serious niggle as well.
Bubbling under: Andries Coetzee (Golden Lions)
14 – JP Pietersen (Sharks):
Pure class and a cut above the rest. A must for the Boks now that he is fit again.
Bubbling under: Ruan Combrinck (Golden Lions)
13 – Paul Jordaan (Sharks):
He is showing the maturity that will make him a fixture in the Sharks midfield for years to come.
Bubbling under: Juan de Jongh (Western Province)
12 – Tim Whitehead (Sharks):
He has come along in leaps an bounds this year, living up to the promise he showed as a junior.
Bubbling under: Andries Strauss (Free State Cheetahs)
11 – Bryan Habana (Western Province):
He has certainly regained his best form. There’s a few other senior Springboks that could a leaf out of his book.
Bubbling under: Raymond Rhule (Free State Cheetahs)
10 – Pat Lambie (Sharks):
Clearly the best, fit, No.10 in South Africa.
Bubbling under: Demetri Catrakilis (Western Province)
9 – Cobus Reinach (Sharks):
One of the finds of the season and a candidate for Young Player of the Year.
Bubbling under: Sarel Pretorius (Free State Cheetahs)
8 – Keegan Daniel (Sharks):
His Currie Cup form has been from the top shelve. Can he translate that into Test-match form? Will he even be selected?
Bubbling under: Warren Whiteley (Golden Lions)
7 – Jaco Kriel (Golden Lions):
The Lions may no longer have Super Rugby status, but they still have SUPER stars like Kriel.
Bubbling under: Jean Deysel (Sharks)
6 – Dewald Potgieter (Blue Bulls):
The one player in light blue that retained a clam demeanour when all around him imploded. He often seemed to fight a lone battle against the Sharks pack.
Bubbling under: Deon Fourie (Western Province)
5 – Anton Bresler (Sharks):
He has matured this season and is developing into a lock the could give the Sharks a very sound foundation in the set pieces.
Bubbling under: De Kock Steenkamp (Western Province)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Western Province):
Still a bit wild and reckless at times, but certainly South Africa’s new enforcer.
Bubbling under: Michael Rhodes (Golden Lions)
3 – Jannie du Plessis (Sharks):
Despite claims of illegal scrumming, he has been the form tighthead prop in South Africa this season.
Bubbling under: Frans Malherbe (Western Province)
2 – Adriaan Strauss (Free State Cheetahs):
It may have been the lowly Kings, but he was not holding back.
Bubbling under: Callie Visagie (Golden Lions)
1 – Marcel van der Merwe (Free State Cheetahs):
He has developed into a very powerful ball carrier and if he works some more on his scrumming will be a truly world class prop soon.
Bubbling under: JC Janse van Rensburg (Golden Lions)
22 Oct 2012, 16:33 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-239: You should stop making excuses and come watch the final… missy
You might just find you like it there
22 Oct 2012, 16:33 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-140:
I surly hope so
But
If you saw what Jonker managed last 8 minutes of the WP-Lions game on Saturday, it may curb the enthusiasm a bit
Sharks are way ahead of WP in rugby terms, we know that
Peyper is a swindler with class, unlike Joubert and Jonker
22 Oct 2012, 16:33 pm
@sharks_lover-235:
Tongue, not toungue
Back to your shack
22 Oct 2012, 16:34 pm
@Puma-242: Oh hell Puma, now you will see them diss the Sharks players, i mean hardly a mention for a WP player, and Rugby365 is a cape owned site.
22 Oct 2012, 16:34 pm
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-239:
Is Granpa making a move on you?
22 Oct 2012, 16:34 pm
@OCO-233: Final should have gone to Rasta. Best ref in the CC this season.
22 Oct 2012, 16:35 pm
@OCO-233:
Starting early with the excuses, I see.
22 Oct 2012, 16:35 pm
@Dawn-245: back to your lamp on the street corner!
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