No pressure on Province
24 Oct 2012
JON CARDINELLI writes that a young and depleted Western Province team is likely to lose this Saturday. It’s a probable outcome that shouldn’t be met with the typical public lament.
Neither the Stormers nor Western Province have won a title of substance since 2001. It’s a fact that’s shaped public expectation ahead of every subsequent campaign.
When the Stormers fail in the Super Rugby competition, the inevitable public fall-out is soon followed by a greater sense of expectation in the Currie Cup. The pressure builds with each failed campaign, as does the expectation. The situation is rarely taken into account.
I’m not suggesting that we should accept the Stormers and WP are not good enough to win a title. For a top franchise or union to go 12 years without winning a big trophy… it’s indefensible.
This is the only conclusion one can reach when considering the bigger picture. However, you also have to accept that there will be seasons where the Cape side is weakened and depleted, and so cannot be expected to go all the way. And 2012 has been one of those seasons.
If one is to consider the situation, the Stormers overachieved in this year’s Super Rugby competition. Their situation was so dire that they were asking club players to start in their back row towards the end of the tournament.
In spite of the injuries, some of these to key personnel with international experience, the Stormers were able to finish at the top of the Super Rugby log. Yes, they played their semi-final at Newlands, but they were always going to be the underdogs fielding second- and third-choice provincial players against a Sharks side stacked with Springboks.
When the Cape public lifted itself out of yet another period of depression, they grew optimistic. Surely WP would set things right in the Currie Cup?
But national call-ups and further injuries continued to undermine the Cape crusade. Schalk Burger, Nizaam Carr, and Nick Koster were always considered doubtful to return in the domestic competition, and it didn’t help when the likes of Dewaldt Duvenage, Siya Kolisi, Rynhardt Elstadt and Kurt Coleman succumbed to season-ending injuries. Then returning Boks of the calibre of Jean de Villiers, Andries Bekker and Tiaan Liebenberg were ruled out of the Currie Cup play-offs.
When you add up all of these losses, how can you realistically expect WP to beat the Sharks in Durban?
I’m not saying it’s impossible, I’m merely stating that it’s unlikely considering Province’s handicap. It would be a miracle if they could pull it off, but it wouldn’t be a disaster if they did not.
You have to give Allister Coetzee and his coaches credit for the manner in which they have responded to the challenge this year. The Stormers won the South African conference trophy and topped the Super Rugby log in spite of crippling injuries to key players. A young WP side has been further depleted over the course of the Currie Cup, and yet they are still through to the final. It speaks volumes for the team culture and structures.
I don’t think the guts as well as the collective clout of this Province side will be sufficient this Saturday. My statement is made in the context of who they are up against: a Sharks side that is stacked with players that have not only won the Currie Cup twice in the past four years, but also players that have won greater accolades at international level.
There is individual brilliance in this Sharks side, but there’s also a strong sense of unity. And it would follow that a united Bok-laden Sharks team playing in Durban would be too strong for a united-yet-understrength WP side.
People like to look at the newspaper and see the world in black and white, not in shades of grey. Teams are either excellent or rubbish, individuals are either heroes or villains. I expect that the Cape newspapers will run the same old headlines on Sunday, and there will be very little perspective. The Sharks will be heroes, and WP will be villains.
And yet, perspective demands that we see Province’s task as immense. The Sharks have all the advantages and if they were to lose, it would be regarded as a choke. For WP, however, a loss could not be aligned with the disappointments of yesteryear, even though it will go down in history as yet another lost final.
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359 Comments
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24 Oct 2012, 09:21 am
@trupisero-138:
Rerig.
24 Oct 2012, 09:22 am
I think the point that’s being missed here was that it was a representative of the site that was insulting the guy. I’m not a poster so can’t relate in this regard but I have a local restaraunt I support. If a patron told me where to go it wouldn’t bother me, if the host told me I was polluting the place after years of support I would be very angry. Just my take. Am sure he is embarrested about his reaction but its normal, hope he comes back cause I enjoyed his posts. Now I’m going back to being just a reader.
24 Oct 2012, 09:23 am
@WP-Forever-139: Oooops, Must have been a Freudian slip
(He is a Cape kid after all….)
@Robzim-140: Sharksworld have already written corny poems and songs to celebrate the victory….(I actually read a post in which some Sharbieber fan changed the words to the song “A Moment like this” to motivate the players for the semi finals **it was pukiliciously kitsch**
@Brigadier Van Zyl-141: Our lineouts were much imroved against the Lions last week, as it seems de Kok Steenkamp was klapped by Proudfoor in the week leading up to the semi final…..I hope he is doing the same again. klap klap klap. Sharks will start with Burden this week though (almost certain) although he too has some issues throwing in at times. We could have a problem up front though…..one must be realistic.
@Gumboots-142: ***theyarefuckingawesomeandtheyshouldallbeboksandyestheyarethebestintheworldintheirpositions***
24 Oct 2012, 09:24 am
@cane-28: “I’m Sorry to see them hounded out.”
geez what hyperbole.
hounded?
24 Oct 2012, 09:24 am
@poppa69-147: Jy weer so oopbek soos ‘n gaar vis?
Sorry, that’s Krusty
24 Oct 2012, 09:28 am
@stormersboy-148:
Puma is a great guy and I agree with what you have said. UFO has also left and I think it is about time he returns too. If you react they are on your case all the time. I just ignore them. There are really great guys and gals here, supporting all teams and most get on well. I like the banter here, unlike any site really.
24 Oct 2012, 09:28 am
@stormersboy-148: Well mate, then I really don’t understand? Because old S_L spends a lot of time talking about Cape Town ‘filth, scum’ and the sort….In fact, on the ‘other site’ I read a comment of his about ‘the place being quieter than a Cape Town heterosexual orgy’…….
By the same manner in which he feels “insulted” as a Natalian, what would he call the above? “Banter”?
There is most certainly a line that can be crossed in terms of personal comments, ie: families, threats etc. I just don’t see how a lot of the comments on here that some are calling offensive, fit into the category – that’s all.
24 Oct 2012, 09:28 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-153:
Look, we don’t stand a dogs chance. That Sharks side has 22 players who either are, or should be, Springboks.
24 Oct 2012, 09:30 am
Voorwaarts Mars Westelike Provinsie! Nag ou Groote!
24 Oct 2012, 09:31 am
@lucky-152:
I think it was taken out of context. She was responding to Stormerboy… She gives everyone stick and I have never taken it personally… Maybe because she is just likeable.
24 Oct 2012, 09:32 am
@Zandberg Jansen-159:
24 Oct 2012, 09:34 am
@Gumboots-160:
What I found amusing was Pumas comment that this was an insult to the whole of Durban, who are Sharks supporters. I wonder who the rest of KZN support?
24 Oct 2012, 09:36 am
@Gumboots-156: I had a beer with UFO a while ago, he’s a great guy. Very knowledgeable about a range of subjects and has experienced a great deal in life. Also has some serious journalistic cred, more than any of the authors of this site do. I was thinking of giving him a shout and inviting him for another one.
24 Oct 2012, 09:36 am
@David-162:
Tantrums are just that I guess.
24 Oct 2012, 09:36 am
@David-158: Its all about being able to compete. Some wise man once said “There is little difference between winning and losing except you feel better after winning”
24 Oct 2012, 09:36 am
@David-158: Exactly! And who do we have? Let me think of what it is the Sharkies called some of our players……) ah, yes, we have: Fat spermwhale Vermeulen. Bryan’should have retired’ Habana. ‘Deer in the headlights’ Eben. ‘Jordaan’s ****** de Jongh’. Midget Aplon ‘Filthy dirty’ Deon Fourie. ‘Useless ginger’ Kitshoff…..etc etc etc.
No David, massacre is a kind word. Totalfuckingdestruction awaits.
24 Oct 2012, 09:37 am
@stormersboy-163:
I wish I could contact him. You have my mail addie…give it to him if he wishes to chat sometime… I enjoyed his knowledge of the game too…
24 Oct 2012, 09:38 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-157: I think the issue that they had, is explained by post 152 best.
They don’t seem to be bothered by the posters here as much as when they get it from someone who is seen to be representing KEO.
24 Oct 2012, 09:39 am
@Gumboots-167: I’ll do that!
24 Oct 2012, 09:40 am
@stormersboy-168:
Have you read what Keo has said about some bloggers? Brain cells, etc…
24 Oct 2012, 09:41 am
@stormersboy-169:
Thx
24 Oct 2012, 09:42 am
@Gumboots-170: Yes, except in Keo’s case he’s an equal opportunity insulter, he doesn’t specify any group. He insults us all.
24 Oct 2012, 09:43 am
@Gumboots-170: You should only get upset when someone with some cred gives you **** – and have not seen any of those representing s(h)ite yet.
24 Oct 2012, 09:44 am
@stormersboy-172:
Oh well – all’s well that ends well…
24 Oct 2012, 09:44 am
@stormersboy-163: Tell him the site is a lot poorer without him and to come back and help tip the scales a bit in favour on the sane.
24 Oct 2012, 09:46 am
@stormersboy-168: It just makes very little sense. Because as you mentioned earlier, one of them threw a fit on another site, when the moderator or owner accused all Sharks fans (or this individual) of being ‘one eyed’ when it came to Keegan Daniel, yet no problem there?
To me it’s one and the same.
Interaction and banter from moderators or site owners is usually (and in the case above, obviously) taken with the same level of ‘humour’ as what bloggers comments are – yet this specific comment was not. That’s all.
I have seen Keo come on here and make some really sh y tty comments to individuals in a personal capacity – yet no-one puffs up about that?
Just weird, that’s all. Who knows, maybe they were planning on leaving in any event.
24 Oct 2012, 09:46 am
@trupisero-173:
24 Oct 2012, 09:47 am
@stormer in a teacup-175:
Like
24 Oct 2012, 09:47 am
@stormersboy-163:
Indeed.
It’s quite unjust that we lose UFO and are left with Capo.
It’s like losing Mandela and getting stuck with Zoomer.
24 Oct 2012, 09:48 am
@Gumboots-170: I think we’ve all said that.
24 Oct 2012, 09:49 am
@stormersboy-92: “Puma and SL have been on that site for ages. SL writes articles for them from time to time. So whilst they left Keo they didn’t just arrive there either.”
yes, they left during the Groot Trek led by GBS & Pietman. SL was appointed CHIEF of recruiting making numerous visits here on Keo to tell anyone who would pay attention how kwaai it was on RT.
personally, i will NEVER subject myself to being moderated by a c.unt & a slimeball like GBS or exchange pleasantries with the likes of Ed_the_Lion, Pietman etc.
24 Oct 2012, 09:49 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-176:
My point exactly! Anyways I’m sorry they have left over something as small as this…
24 Oct 2012, 09:51 am
@Gumboots-182: Yup. I miss the background music all the Guppies praise singing provided.
Anyways back to rugby, and how we are going to be manshamed on Saturday.
24 Oct 2012, 09:53 am
@Transformation-181: Nah, Superbul was chief recruiter.
24 Oct 2012, 09:53 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-183:
No chance, no chance at all…
24 Oct 2012, 09:54 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-176: No if you follow the Logic then Pumas reaction on RT is consistent, as Rudi (GBS) is the owner of the site and he got annoyed by the fact that the owner was insulting the group as a whole too.
So there is a thread of consistent logic there.
Fact is, anyone is free to come and go on this site at their own discretion. Even guys like Skop, ET, Capo and Shaun who get banned with regularity come back the next day with a new nick and resume business as usual.
24 Oct 2012, 09:55 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food-176: I think Keo in his personal capacity insults bloggers when they insult him personally.
Some of the Sharks fans became upset because a site representative encouraged insults which seemed aimed at fans in general, not an individual. In fact, the representative specifically mentioned that she enjoyed the way you kept annoying the Sharks fans. It is really hard for the Sharks fans to cry themselves to sleep every night. One can only take so much and eventually the hurt becomes overwhelming… ;0
The truth is that for most Shark fans, WP / Stormers is their second favourite team, so the hurt is even worse.
24 Oct 2012, 09:55 am
@gunther-179: Tru dat!
24 Oct 2012, 09:56 am
@stormersboy-186: He got annoyed, but he didn’t leave the site……as that is what he is calling his permanent home now?
Anyways, as you say, right of admission is not exactly reserved
24 Oct 2012, 09:57 am
Gbs,Pietman and Ed.Miss those days.
24 Oct 2012, 09:57 am
@stormersboy-148: as you say, some Sharks supporters are trolls, that has never stopped Puma (as non-offensive as he thinks he is) from cheering the trolls on.
“give it to them HG”
now he wants to play high and mighty because of an innocuous comment about “poluting the site” hehehehe
i’m of the idea that he actually took “offence” to being called out for his uncontrollable obsession with lambie
he becomes a tad irrational when anyone even so much as criticise patrick…
24 Oct 2012, 09:58 am
@Finfan-187: The truth is that for most Shark fans, WP / Stormers is their second favourite team, so the hurt is even worse.
Keep dreaming sunshine.
24 Oct 2012, 09:58 am
@Transformation-181:
Quite right too.
Pro bloggers should have standards.
******* mormons.
24 Oct 2012, 10:00 am
@gunther-193: Careful now. The Mitts are off…
24 Oct 2012, 10:03 am
Sharkslover should come back.Die site is leeg sonder hom.Ek mis sy passie vir sy span en veral vir Lambie.
24 Oct 2012, 10:03 am
@trupisero-194:
Liar!
24 Oct 2012, 10:03 am
@stormersboy-186:
sent you mail…
24 Oct 2012, 10:05 am
@wnbb-195:
Anyone know what happened with his restaurant? I see he’s in Pretoria now.
24 Oct 2012, 10:07 am
@Gumboots-197: Superb. Will go see now.
24 Oct 2012, 10:07 am
@Finfan-187: I was encourage to keep annoying the Sharks bloggers by Nikita? I’m sorry, I really must have missed that post. Most of the Sharkies on here are well balanced, rugby loving adults who can take and dish out with the best of them…..and most certainly know better than to take anything said on a site like this (by ANYONE) seriously at all.
I doubt the Sharkies should blame Nikita for the state of things round here; but rather take a look at fellas like HG, Fern and the Predawnspawn, who have encouraged an ‘outpouring’ of guppie teasing.
At the end of the day – of folk take things personally, interweb access and blogging on sites like this clearly isn’t for them. Sad but true.
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